Drumheller

The "Dinosaur Capital" in the badlands of the Red Deer River valley; the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology, the hoodoos and World Heritage–listed Dinosaur Provincial Park are must-sees.

Drumheller lies in south-central Alberta, Canada, about 135 km northeast of Calgary, in a badlands valley carved by the Red Deer River, and is world-famous as the "Dinosaur Capital of the World." The valley walls expose Late Cretaceous rock layers some 70 million years old that have yielded a wealth of dinosaur fossils, and painted dinosaur statues line the town's streets. The climate is semi-arid continental: May–Sep is the best time to visit, with Jul–Aug daytime highs topping 30°C and cool mornings and evenings; winters are cold, and while the museum stays open, outdoor sights are quiet.

There are three main routes: first, the must-see Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology northwest of town (allow at least half a day), which you can combine with the Dinosaur Trail loop, taking in the Little Church, Horsethief Canyon, Orkney Viewpoint and the Bleriot Ferry; second, southeast along Highway 10, visiting in turn the Star Mine Suspension Bridge, the "11 bridges" to Wayne, the hoodoos and the Atlas Coal Mine to learn about the valley's coal-mining history; third, Horseshoe Canyon to the southwest, often the first stop when coming from Calgary. If you have time, stay an extra day and drive about 2 hours to World Heritage–listed Dinosaur Provincial Park for a guided fossil tour.

Getting there: there is no direct public transport; drive about 1.5 hours from Calgary, or join a day tour. Allow 1–2 days: one day for the museum and the Dinosaur Trail, and half a day for the Highway 10 route. In summer, be sure to wear sun protection and stay hydrated; the badlands clay becomes extremely slippery after rain. Do not climb the hoodoos or take fossils—collecting fossils without a permit is illegal in Alberta.

Top sights

• Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology – One of the world's top dinosaur museums, where dozens of dinosaur skeletons and fossil treasures found locally are truly awe-inspiring.
• Hoodoos Trail – Clusters of mushroom-shaped sandstone pillars capped with hard rock, the most iconic landform of the Drumheller badlands.
• Horseshoe Canyon – A horseshoe-shaped badlands canyon that suddenly drops out of the flat prairie, with layered colourful rock visible from a roadside viewpoi…
• Dinosaur Provincial Park – A UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of North America's richest dinosaur fossil sites, where guided fossil hikes through the dramatic badla…
• World's Largest Dinosaur – A roughly 26-meter-tall T. rex sculpture. Visitors can climb more than 100 steps into the dinosaur's mouth for a view over the town.
• Atlas Coal Mine National Historic Site – The site of Canada's last surviving wooden coal-processing tower, where you can ride mine carts and explore the tunnels to experience life…
• Dinosaur Trail – A roughly 48 km self-drive loop along both banks of the Red Deer River, linking viewpoints, a tiny church and an old ferry.
• Horsethief Canyon – The most spectacular viewpoint on the northern Dinosaur Trail, overlooking the badlands and colorful rock layers of the Red Deer River Vall…
• Orkney Viewpoint – A high lookout on the edge of the Red Deer River Valley, overlooking the winding river and the badlands on both sides.
• The Little Church – A tiny wooden church that seats only six people, boasting that it “welcomes ten thousand people, six at a time.”
• Bleriot Ferry – A cable ferry in operation since 1913 that carries vehicles across the Red Deer River free of charge. It is part of the Dinosaur Trail loop.
• Star Mine Suspension Bridge – A roughly 100-metre swaying suspension bridge in Rosedale, where miners once crossed daily on their way to work on the other side of the ri…
• Wayne & Last Chance Saloon – A former coal-mining ghost town reached by 11 single-lane bridges. The Western-style saloon inside its century-old hotel is a popular photo…
• Midland Provincial Park – A provincial park that is home to the Royal Tyrrell Museum, with badlands interpretive trails and remnants of an old coal mine.
• Canadian Badlands Passion Play – A large-scale Passion Play of Jesus performed in a natural badlands amphitheatre, running for several weeks each July.
• Fossil World Dinosaur Discovery Centre – A family-friendly dinosaur experience centre in town, with mock fossil digs and a dinosaur model exhibit that is especially good for kids.
• East Coulee School Museum – A museum in a former 1930s school in a coal-mining village, showing the daily life of miner families and the original classroom layout.
• Rosebud Theatre – A professional dinner theatre in a small prairie village, staging musicals and comedies in a century-old opera house with dinner included.
• Hoodoos Trail (Drumheller) – Mushroom-shaped sandstone pillars capped with flat rock, a classic badlands erosion sight with boardwalks for close-up viewing.

Where to eat

• Bernie & the Boys Bistro – A family burger joint that has appeared on a food TV show, famous for its 24-oz Alberta beef Mammoth Burger and more th…
• Last Chance Saloon – A historic Western saloon built in 1913 in the ghost town of Wayne, the only surviving building from the coal-mining er…
• Vintage Tap House – A downtown pub on Railway Avenue with roots going back to 1937, known for generous portions, fair prices and a wide ran…
• Heller Good Sandwiches – A highly rated downtown sandwich shop that uses local farm meats and changes its menu monthly, ideal for a quick lunch.

Itineraries

• Southern Alberta Badlands to Waterton – A Calgary loop exploring the dinosaur badlands, Indigenous rock art, and Waterton Lakes.