There are some seriously cool things to do in Drumheller, Alberta. I’ve been to Drumheller countless times and have even lived in nearby Medicine Hat.
The “Dinosaur Capital of the World” is located in the Canadian badlands and is one of the best day trips from Calgary. It’s a desert-esque oasis of Dinosaur remains, hiking trails, museums, and boutique shops.
So, if you’re planning a trip to Drumheller, look no further. By a once-Alberta local, these are the top things to do in Drumheller.
Best Things to Do in Drumheller
Royal Tyrrell Museum
One of the most famous museums in Canada, the Royal Tyrrell Museum is where to learn more about Dinosaurs in Alberta.
Located just outside the town of Drumheller, the museum is home to excellent exhibits showcasing dinosaurs, fossils, and information from different prehistoric periods.
If you’re looking to see some real dinosaur bones, including a fully reconstructed Tyrannosaurus Rex, then this is the place to go.
🔥 Hot Tip: The Royal Tyrrell Museum can get super crowded during peak hours in the summer, so if you’re headed this way and want to avoid the rush, go right when it opens or an hour and a half before closing.
World’s Largest Dinosaur
Climb your way into the mouth of the World’s Largest Dinosaur structure.
At 151-feet long, 86-feet tall, and weighing over 65 tonnes, you’ll have no trouble finding the World’s Largest Dinosaur in Drumheller.
This T-Rex statue is 4.5 times larger than a real T-Rex would have been and it cost over 1 million CAD to build. I’ll admit, I haven’t been up there since I was a kid, but if you want the full Drumheller experience, then you have to climb the 106 stairs to the top. Plus, this climb will give you awesome views of downtown Drumheller and the badlands.
Also, the Dinosaur is right beside Centennial Park, so if you travel to Drumheller in the summertime with tots in tow, then a stop at the splash pad will help quell that intense summer heat.
🔥 Prefer a Tour? This Drumheller tour from Calgary is a great way to see the sites with the expertise of a guide. The tour includes round-trip transportation from downtown Calgary and access to some of the top Drumheller attractions.
Midland Provincial Park
Get active in this Drumheller park with lunar-esque landscapes.
Located just 6km west of Drumheller, Alberta and home to the Royal Tyrrell Museum rests Midland Provincial Park.
With plenty of biking and hiking trails in the Red River Valley, this is a great place to stretch your legs and get active. In particular, one of the most popular trails in Midland Provincial Park is the Badlands Interpretive Trail; a 1.4km loop beginning at the museum that takes you through absolutely gorgeous landscapes.
👉 Read More: What to Expect at Writing-On-Stone Provincial Park in Alberta
Downtown Drumheller
Poke into restaurants, boutique shops, and cafes in Downtown Drumheller.
A city full of ice cream parlors, quaint streets, statues of dinosaurs, murals, and cute little shops, the town of Drumheller is worth a wander.
My advice is to stop in at one of the local cafes for a bite to eat before hitting up some of the more time-consuming attractions.
Rosedale Swinging Suspension Bridge
Get a unique view of the Red Deer River.
A 117-meter-long pedestrian suspension bridge that stretches across the Red Deer River, the Rosedale Swinging Suspension Bridge is situated just outside of Drumheller in Rosedale.
Constructed in 1931 and once used by coal miners, the bridge today is a popular spot for fishing and as a starting point for hikes around the valley.
Hoodoos
See Drumheller’s legendary natural sandstone sculptures.
The hoodoos are one of my favorite attractions in Drumheller and are iconic of the Alberta badlands.
20-foot tall sandstone rocks, the hoodoos at Drumheller (near East Coulee) were formed over millions of years by wind and water erosion. Together with the surrounding scenery, the hoodoos create a lunar-like ethereal landscape that must be seen to be properly appreciated.
While you can’t climb through the hoodoos themselves, as they are fenced off in preservation efforts, you can wander through the surrounding area.
In Blackfoot and Cree mythology, the hoodoos are actually petrified giants that come alive at night to throw rocks at intruders and protect the area.
👉 Read More: What to Expect at the Great Sandhills of Saskatchewan
Atlas Coal Mine
Learn more about early 1900s coal mining in the area.
A National Historic Site that operated from 1936 through 1979, the Atlas Coal Mine near East Coulee is one of the best Drumheller, Alberta attractions to learn about the more recent history of the Canadian badlands.
At the Atlas Coal Mine, you’ll be able to learn the coal mining history of the area and even go inside the tipple and conveyor tunnel.
Whenever I think of the Atlas Coal Mine, I think of an old photo taken there of my younger brother and me sticking our heads through one of those head-in-the-hole photo cutouts that made us look like old coal miners. I find it hilarious to look at to this day, and I’m not about to post it here, so I digress.
Dinosaur Trail
Drive this epic route full of gorgeous photo ops.
A 48-kilometer trail beginning on the outskirts of Drumheller, Alberta the Dinosaur Trail (Highway 838) is a great way to see the unreal, sometimes-desolate, natural landscape that makes up the Canadian badlands.
The Dinosaur Trail will take you across the lower Red Deer River and through the river valley with scenic stops along the trail such as Horsethief Canyon, the Bleriot Ferry Crossing (it’s free and will probably be the shortest ferry you ever take), Orkney Lookout, and the Last Chance Saloon.
Seriously, you’ll be stopping for photo ops every few minutes.
👉 Read More: The 16 Most Unique Things to do in Medicine Hat, Alberta
Horsethief Canyon
Hike through this canyon just outside of Drumheller.
Located on the Dinosaur Trail along the Red Deer River, Horsethief Canyon is a must on your trip to the Canadian Badlands.
A deep canyon formed by millions of years of erosion, Horsethief Canyon is a stunning natural site that is great for hiking. Speaking of, the Horsethief Canyon Trail is a moderate 0.5-mile hike that will take you into the canyon and give you amazing views. That said, you could easily keep going into the canyon and explore more of the site at your own pace.
I admit that because I drove the Dinosaur Trail in mid-July and the place was teeming with Rattlesnakes, I skipped this particular activity on my most recent visit to Drumheller, Alberta. However, that’s not to say I didn’t hang out at the viewpoint for a while and take in the beautiful landscape of the canyon.
As for the name, Horsethief Canyon got its moniker in the 19th century when it was discovered that outlaw settlers were herding their stolen horses through the canyon.
Ghost Town of Wayne
Check out the abandoned buildings in this abandoned coal mining town.
Located just outside of Drumheller, Alberta in the Red Deer River Valley, Wayne was once a coal-mining town with more than 3000 inhabitants. Since its heyday, Wayne’s population has dwindled to just ~50 people but is still one of the coolest attractions in the Drumheller area.
Despite its small population, the town is still home to a ton of coal-mining-era sites, really interesting abandoned buildings, and the still-in-operation Rosedeer Hotel.
Last Chance Saloon
Have a drink at the Rosedeer Hotel’s watering hole.
At the hotel, you’ll find the Last Chance Saloon — a quirky establishment that features food, alcohol, and old black and white photographs of eras past. The hotel and saloon are great places to learn about local history, meet some interesting people, and take photos.
The Last Chance Saloon is also a popular live music spot. They regularly host local artists and it is even the hub of the annual WayneStock Festival.
👉 Read More: The Ultimate Dinosaur Provincial Park Travel Guide
Orkney Viewpoint
Take photos of the Red Deer River from this lookout.
Want to take great photos with a view of the Red Deer Valley in the background? Head to this lookout just 17km out of Drumheller. It’s not much otherwise, but a great place to take in the atmosphere.
Valley Ice Cream Shoppe
Grab a cone at the best ice cream place in Drumheller.
Located right by the World’s Largest Dinosaur, Valley Ice Cream Shoppe serves scoops from Foothill’s creamery. Choose from cups, cones, milkshakes, floats and more.
What to Pack for Drumheller
Sun Gear: Drumheller in the summer is notoriously hot and dry, so packing a floppy sun hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, and light clothing is essential.
Shoes: You’re going to want excellent walking shoes or hiking boots for your time in the Alberta Badlands.
Water Bottle: A large, refillable water bottle is going to be a saving grace if you plan on visiting Drumheller in the summertime.
Drumheller FAQ
What is there to do in Drumheller?
The best things to do in Drumheller include visiting the Royal Tyrrell Museum, climbing the world’s tallest dinosaur, hiking Horsethief Canyon, driving the dinosaur trail, and visiting the hoodoos.
How much time do you need in Drumheller?
To fully experience everything Drumheller has to offer, you’ll need at least 2-3 days.
How long does it take to go through the Royal Tyrrell Museum?
It takes 2-3 hours to fully see the Royal Tyrrell Museum.
How long does it take to get from Calgary to Drumheller?
It takes approximately 90 minutes to get from Calgary to Drumheller, Alberta by car.
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That’s it for my best things to do in Drumheller, Alberta! Drumheller is one of my favorite locations in the Canadian Badlands and is a must if you’re a fan of dinosaurs. Up next, check out my guide to Writing-On-Stone Provincial Park in Alberta.
Have fun in Drumheller!
