Drumheller

Canada

Drumheller is a town in the Southern Alberta region of Alberta, Canada, famous for the rich deposits of fossils found in the area. Set in a characteristic "badlands" valley carved in the plains by the Red Deer River, Drumheller rose through coal mines — now abandoned — early in the 20th century. Now this town of 8,000 gets hundreds of thousands of visitors between May and September, making it the hub for tourism in the area.

Drumheller's tourism is strongly seasonal. Many attractions are closed or open limited hours from October through April.

The town is nestled in the Red Deer River valley. Near the bridge where the highways cross the river stands an tall sculpture of a Tyrannosaurus Rex and the Visitor's information centre, so this makes a good reference point. Downtown Drumheller is just south and east of this bridge.

Drumheller tourist information is broadcast on FM 94.5.

The weather is usually very hot in the summer (above 30°C, 85°F). Remember to carry mosquito repellent — there are lots of mosquitoes around!

Hoodoos Atlas Coal Mine The badlands landscape is visible all around the town, as it is set in the valley. Although the Horseshoe and Horsethief canyons are good viewpoints to look over town, the best introduction to the landscape is probably on the trails leading from the Tyrrell Museum. The trails there have good views through the canyon, and information signs to give and introduction to the geology. They are all free to access, and it's probably around 2 hours to wander around outside there on clearly marked and graded trails. There are considerable steps, though - so access still requires some moderate fitness.

  • The Royal Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology, Highway 838 (From the intersection of Railway Ave S / Hwy 575 and Bridge St / HWY-56 / HWY-9, go north on Bridge St for 1.2 km, crossing river. At well-marked intersection,turn left (west) onto Dinosaur Trail / Highway 838. Go west for 5.2 km. At Tyrrell Museum sign, turn right (north) onto the museum's road., +1 403-823-7707. Tue-Sun (plus Mondays in September) 10AM-5PM, fall/winter (Labour Day weekend to mid-May). Daily 9AM-9PM, spring/summer (week before Victoria Day to week before Labour Day). A spectacular range of exhibits and activities showing off the rich fossils of the Alberta badlands, from dinosaurs to pollen. Interesting even to people who aren't fans of dinosaurs, which is confirmed by the hundreds of thousands of visitors per year. There are a variety of moderate hikes to fossil artifacts, starting from the museum during the summer months. Adults $19, seniors (65 and up) $14, youth $10, children 6 years and under free; family of two adults and up to 6 children age 7 to 17 $46; two-day tickets available for 1.5 times the single-day price. Call for discounts for larger groups of 15+.
  • Horsethief Canyon.
  • Suspension Bridge.
  • Horseshoe Canyon.
  • Hoodoos Trail.
  • Drumheller Visitor Information Centre, 60 - 1 Avenue West (On Riverside Drive at 1 St W, under the World's Largest Dinosaur. Daily 10AM – 5:30PM; 9AM-9PM in July and August. Free maps and free tourist advice. Gift shop. Books room in area hotels (they have a board to check availability and pricing for that night). Features the World’s Largest Dinosaur statue, 6 feet tall, 151 feet long, four times the size of a real Tyrannasaurus Rex. For $4, you can climb up inside it and look out over the badlands.
  • Midland Provincial Park, Highway 838 (Near the Royal Tyrrell Museum, +1 403-823-1749. On the site of an abandoned coal mine, this land houses the Royal Tyrrell museum. It also has day use sites for McMullen Island and Mine Sites 1, 2, and 3. No camping. Washrooms available.
  • Homestead Antique Museum, 901 North Dinosaur Trail, +1 403 823-2600. Open daily 10AM-5PM (May-Oct), extended hours in summer, closed after Thanksgiving. Over 10,000 artifacts from the Victorian and Edwardian era, including a two-headed calf and a complete house bought from an Eaton's catalogue. $5/person, $3/senior or youth.

The Royal Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology, Highway 838 (From the intersection of Railway Ave S / Hwy 575 and Bridge St / HWY-56 / HWY-9, go north on Bridge St for 1.2 km, crossing river. At well-marked intersection,turn left (west) onto Dinosaur Trail / Highway 838. Go west for 5.2 km. At Tyrrell Museum sign, turn right (north) onto the museum's road., +1 403-823-7707. Tue-Sun (plus Mondays in September) 10AM-5PM, fall/winter (Labour Day weekend to mid-May). Daily 9AM-9PM, spring/summer (week before Victoria Day to week before Labour Day). A spectacular range of exhibits and activities showing off the rich fossils of the Alberta badlands, from dinosaurs to pollen. Interesting even to people who aren't fans of dinosaurs, which is confirmed by the hundreds of thousands of visitors per year. There are a variety of moderate hikes to fossil artifacts, starting from the museum during the summer months. Adults $19, seniors (65 and up) $14, youth $10, children 6 years and under free; family of two adults and up to 6 children age 7 to 17 $46; two-day tickets available for 1.5 times the single-day price. Call for discounts for larger groups of 15+.

Horsethief Canyon.

Suspension Bridge.

Horseshoe Canyon.

Hoodoos Trail.

Drumheller Visitor Information Centre, 60 - 1 Avenue West (On Riverside Drive at 1 St W, under the World's Largest Dinosaur. Daily 10AM – 5:30PM; 9AM-9PM in July and August. Free maps and free tourist advice. Gift shop. Books room in area hotels (they have a board to check availability and pricing for that night). Features the World’s Largest Dinosaur statue, 6 feet tall, 151 feet long, four times the size of a real Tyrannasaurus Rex. For $4, you can climb up inside it and look out over the badlands.

Midland Provincial Park, Highway 838 (Near the Royal Tyrrell Museum, +1 403-823-1749. On the site of an abandoned coal mine, this land houses the Royal Tyrrell museum. It also has day use sites for McMullen Island and Mine Sites 1, 2, and 3. No camping. Washrooms available.

Homestead Antique Museum, 901 North Dinosaur Trail, +1 403 823-2600. Open daily 10AM-5PM (May-Oct), extended hours in summer, closed after Thanksgiving. Over 10,000 artifacts from the Victorian and Edwardian era, including a two-headed calf and a complete house bought from an Eaton's catalogue. $5/person, $3/senior or youth.

Horseshoe Canyon

  • Mountain View Helicopters, +1 403 334-4354. Sightseeing flights over Horseshoe Canyon. $40/person for 2-3 people.
  • Fossil World, 1381 Dinosaur Trail North (on the way to the Royal Tyrell Museum, +1 403 823-6666. Dig up and take home fossils.

Mountain View Helicopters, +1 403 334-4354. Sightseeing flights over Horseshoe Canyon. $40/person for 2-3 people.

Fossil World, 1381 Dinosaur Trail North (on the way to the Royal Tyrell Museum, +1 403 823-6666. Dig up and take home fossils.

  • Greentree Mall, +1 403 823-5555. Open daily.. Mall has a variety of shops, including food, gas, auto service, clothing, haircuts, and more.

Greentree Mall, +1 403 823-5555. Open daily.. Mall has a variety of shops, including food, gas, auto service, clothing, haircuts, and more.

  • Vietnamese Noodle House. Tu-F 11AM-9PM; Sa Su noon-8PM. Vietnamese noodles, ice cream, and a variety of other everyday fare in an unpretentious setting.
  • Bernie and the Boys Bistro, 305-4 Street W, +1 403 823-3318. Tu-Su 11AM-9PM. Burgers, subs (sandwiches), salads, pasta, pizza.
  • Triumph Cafe, 100 S Railway Ave, +1 403 823-4543. 6AM - 10PM. Located in The Drumheller Inn.
  • Sizzling House, 160 Centre St, +1 403 823-8098. Szechuan, Peking, and Thai Cuisine. Weekday buffet lunch. Buses welcome. Claims recommendation by "Where to Eat in Canada" as one of country's top 500 restaurants.
  • Fred & Barney's Family Restaurant, Highway 9 S (Across from Jurassic Inn, +1 403 823-2803. Chinese & Western buffet. Bus tours welcome.
  • Sublime, 109 Centre Street (Right across from the Arena, +1 403-823-2344. Tu-Su 5PM-9PM. Fine dining made from a Red Seal Chef Dennis Standage. One of the best little restaurants in Alberta. $15-40.

Vietnamese Noodle House. Tu-F 11AM-9PM; Sa Su noon-8PM. Vietnamese noodles, ice cream, and a variety of other everyday fare in an unpretentious setting.

Bernie and the Boys Bistro, 305-4 Street W, +1 403 823-3318. Tu-Su 11AM-9PM. Burgers, subs (sandwiches), salads, pasta, pizza.

Triumph Cafe, 100 S Railway Ave, +1 403 823-4543. 6AM - 10PM. Located in The Drumheller Inn.

Sizzling House, 160 Centre St, +1 403 823-8098. Szechuan, Peking, and Thai Cuisine. Weekday buffet lunch. Buses welcome. Claims recommendation by "Where to Eat in Canada" as one of country's top 500 restaurants.

Fred & Barney's Family Restaurant, Highway 9 S (Across from Jurassic Inn, +1 403 823-2803. Chinese & Western buffet. Bus tours welcome.

Sublime, 109 Centre Street (Right across from the Arena, +1 403-823-2344. Tu-Su 5PM-9PM. Fine dining made from a Red Seal Chef Dennis Standage. One of the best little restaurants in Alberta. $15-40.

  • The Recovery Tap House, 30 Railway Avenue West (Downtown Drumheller, +1 403 823-2340. 11AM - 2AM. Great steaks, sandwiches and regular pub food $10-20, daily lunch specials.
  • The Vintage Tap House.

The Recovery Tap House, 30 Railway Avenue West (Downtown Drumheller, +1 403 823-2340. 11AM - 2AM. Great steaks, sandwiches and regular pub food $10-20, daily lunch specials.

The Vintage Tap House.

  • Horsethief Canyon.
  • Horseshoe Canyon. Beautiful badlands geology; offers good hiking if the rain hasn't made the rocks too slippery. Believed by some to be haunted.

  • Dinosaur Trail. The Dinosaur Trail is a excursion. Drive northwest and north out of Drumheller on Highway 838. Pass the Royal Tyrrell Museum and Horsethief Canyon. Highway 838 then turns west, and crosses the river at Bleriot Ferry (the Visitor Information Centre can provide the ferry schedule). Go a bit further west, then south on Highway 837 to Highway 575, which follows the west bank of the river back to just south of Drumheller.
  • Bleriot Ferry, +1-403-823-9490. 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. from May 5 to the May long weekend; 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily from the May long weekend to September long weekend; 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. from the day after the September long weekend to October 30. free.

Dinosaur Trail. The Dinosaur Trail is a excursion. Drive northwest and north out of Drumheller on Highway 838. Pass the Royal Tyrrell Museum and Horsethief Canyon. Highway 838 then turns west, and crosses the river at Bleriot Ferry (the Visitor Information Centre can provide the ferry schedule). Go a bit further west, then south on Highway 837 to Highway 575, which follows the west bank of the river back to just south of Drumheller.

Bleriot Ferry, +1-403-823-9490. 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. from May 5 to the May long weekend; 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily from the May long weekend to September long weekend; 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. from the day after the September long weekend to October 30. free.

Rosebud (Alberta) is southwest of Drumheller. Drive south on Highway 9. After it turns west, drive more to get to the Rosebud crossing.

  • Rosebud Theatre, 106 Martin Avenue, Rosebud, +1-403-677-2001.

Rosebud Theatre, 106 Martin Avenue, Rosebud, +1-403-677-2001.

Horsethief Canyon.

Horseshoe Canyon. Beautiful badlands geology; offers good hiking if the rain hasn't made the rocks too slippery. Believed by some to be haunted.

  • East Coulee is southeast on the Hoodoo Trail, a drive along Highway 10 through Rossdale and Cambria. Access to the Willow Creek Hoodoos interpretive trail is in Cambria, southeast of Drumheller. The Atlas Coal Mine in East Coolee, a National Historic Site, features Canada's last wooden tipple (structure for emptying coal out of train cars).
  • Brooks. Dinosaur Provincial Park near Brooks, 177 km to the southeast, is a and has fossil exhibits that complement the Royal Tyrrell Museum here. But allow at least three days to see them both. The drive takes about 2 hours 15 minutes by car. Take highway 56 southeast and south for 73 km to Highway 1, the Trans-Canada Highway. Go 56.1 km east to Brooks. Exit there, go 6 km north on Highway 36, and then east along Highway 54 to the park.

[[East Coulee]] is southeast on the Hoodoo Trail, a drive along Highway 10 through Rossdale and Cambria. Access to the Willow Creek Hoodoos interpretive trail is in Cambria, southeast of Drumheller. The Atlas Coal Mine in East Coolee, a National Historic Site, features Canada's last wooden tipple (structure for emptying coal out of train cars).