Drumheller, Alberta: Dinosaurs and Hoodoos
Updated: Sep 15
Drumheller, Alberta in the Canadian badlands, is a place where dinosaurs once roamed and where geology nerds, fossil hunters, and photographers delight. It's a unique destination with a fascinating blend of prehistoric history and stunning landscapes.
I have been fortunate to visit multiple times. It never disappoints and makes a fabulous day trip from Calgary. My highlights are the Royal Tyrell Museum and the Willow Creek Hoodoos.
Getting To Drumheller Alberta
Drumheller is approximately 135 kilometres (84 miles) east of Calgary in Alberta, Canada. Depending on traffic conditions, the drive typically takes around 1.5 hours.
Self-Drive Route
Take Highway 1 east from Calgary. Follow Highway 1 east to Highway 9. Turn right onto Highway 577, which will lead you directly to Drumheller. The drive is easy and passes through farmlands and rolling hills before arriving in the badlands areas.
Tours
Several tour companies offer day trips to Drumheller from Calgary for those without a vehicle. These tours typically include transportation, guided visits to the Royal Tyrrell Museum and the hoodoos, and sometimes lunch.
When to Visit
Drumheller experiences hot summers and cold winters. For comfortable temperatures, consider visiting in the spring or fall. If visiting during the summer, be aware that there is little to no shade. Wear a hat and comfortable shoes, slather on the sunblock, and bring plenty of water.
Drumheller's Rich History
The area around Drumheller was once a vast inland sea, home to diverse marine life. Over time, sediment and organic matter accumulated on the seafloor, forming rock layers. During the Late Cretaceous period, the sea retreated, leaving a coastal floodplain ideal for dinosaurs.
The "Badlands" of Drumheller are so named due to their harsh, eroded terrain. The soft sedimentary rocks in the area are easily weathered by wind and water, creating deep ravines, steep cliffs, and other dramatic features.
The badlands have yielded many dinosaur fossils, making Drumheller a globally significant paleontological site. Various dinosaur species, including horned ceratopsians, duck-billed hadrosaurs, and meat-eating theropods, have been discovered in the area.
For thousands of years, the area has been inhabited by Indigenous peoples, primarily the Blackfoot. European settlers arrived in the 19th century, drawn by the promise of coal mining. The discovery of dinosaur fossils led to the development of the Royal Tyrrell Museum and transformed Drumheller into a paleontological center.
The Town of Drumheller
Drumheller is a small town known primarily for its dinosaur fossils and the surrounding badlands. It has all the expected services of a small town, including retail businesses, restaurants, and accommodations. Farming is important for the local economy, which also relies heavily on tourism, driven by the Royal Tyrrell Museum and the surrounding natural attractions. Coal mining was once a primary industry in the area but has declined over the last few decades. Coal veins can be seen in the hills.
Dinosaurs and Hoodoos
The Royal Tyrrell Museum
The Royal Tyrrell Museum is Drumheller's crown jewel and is renowned as one of the world's leading paleontology museums. Visitors can explore an extensive collection of dinosaur fossils, including towering skeletons and intricate teeth. The museum also offers interactive exhibits, educational programs, and opportunities to learn about local paleontological dig sites. My favourite part is the area where visitors can watch the paleontologists work with the fossils found on site.
After exploring the museum, head outside to walk the paths around the badlands. Excellent interpretive signage line the paths, explaining the geology and formations for those wanting to explore independently, but I urge you to take a tour. The guides will provide a deeper understanding and tell stories of how many museum exhibits were found.
As you walk around, look for fossils. If you are lucky enough to find one, leave it in place and take a photo to report your find to museum staff. I have yet to spot one, but remain hopeful!
Plan to spend a couple of hours exploring the museum and outdoor exhibits.
Hours and Rates
mid May to end of Aug daily 09:00 - 21:00
Sept - mid May Tues - Sunday (holiday Mondays) 10:00 - 17:00
Adults $21.00
Seniors $14.00
Youth $10.00
Under 6 FREE
The Willow Creek Hoodoos
Just a short drive east of Drumheller lies the breathtaking landscape of the Willow Creek Hoodoos. These otherworldly rock formations, sculpted by millions of years of erosion, stand tall amidst the badlands. Visitors can hike along designated trails and marvel at the hoodoos' unique shapes and sizes.
A hoodoo is a pillar of rock formed by erosion. It can also be known as tent rocks or fairy chimneys. Hoodoos are formed in areas with layers of different rock types. Over time, wind, water, and ice wear away softer rock, while harder rock forms a protective cap on top. Each hoodoo has a unique shape and size.
For photographers, the hoodoos are a dream come true and will provide plenty of opportunities for photos of unique formations.
There is no cost to walk the trails, but there is a small parking fee. The lot is patrolled regularly, so make sure to pay for your parking. At the parking area, there is a small ice cream stand. Summer visitors will appreciate that ice cream after their explorations.
Other Badland Attractions
Atlas Coal Mine National Historic Site: Open during the summer season only, this inactive mining site operated from 1936 to 1984. Surface and above ground exhibits demonstrate mining operations common in the area.
East Coulee School Museum: This school served miners' children from 1930 to 1971, during the mining boom.
Dinosaur Provincial Park: A UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its rich dinosaur fossil discoveries. Follow the link to learn more.
Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park: This park is good for a separate day trip due to its distance from the other attractions listed. With ancient Indigenous rock art and stunning landscapes, it is well worth a trip.
Final Thoughts
Drumheller is a place where the past comes alive. Whether you're a dinosaur aficionado, a geology geek, or looking for a unique travel experience, the Badlands surrounding Drumheller have something for everyone.
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Wow this is a different side of Canada I wasn't aware it existed. I would place Dinosaurs and excavation sites more to Nevada and Utah but would not expect such a rich diversity and unique area in Canada. It is a gorgeous site and I would be engaged for a many hours. The Hoodoos formations are out of this world, and remind me a bit of the formations in Turkey/Cappadoccia.
Carolin | <a href="https://solotravelstory.com/">Solo Travel Story</a>
Drumheller is amazing, I'd love to go back. I'm a dinosaur geek so this place has always been high on my list to visit. I could have spent all day in the museum and admittedly almost cried with joy seeing the T-Rex. So much to go back and see another time again, we went in early Spring and it snowed a bit. My favorite fun thing about Drumheller was the streets named after dinosaurs
What a fascinating place, from the archaeological finds to the rich geological structure of the site. Exploring Drumheller reminds me of the NatGeo episodes I watched on TV as a child.
It's wonderful to see how the evolution of the Earth has allowed us to have a natural open-air playground today. Angela | Blonde Around The World Travel -
I didn't know that Canada had badlands! I'd love to learn about the unique geography and live out my dinosaur loving nerdiness here. End the day with a dinosaur cocktail or more sounds like a great time for my inner child!
Wow! I love anything associated with dinosaurs and saloons. I could see myself unleashing my paleontologist/geologist inner self marveling at fossils and the landscape that became the witness of the lost age. If there's another place that I'll be hanging it, I'll probably be at the saloon serving dinosaur cocktail tears lol #flyingbaguette
Jan - https://flyingbaguette.com/