DRUMHELLER
Nestled in the heart of Alberta’s Canadian Badlands, Drumheller is one of the most unique travel destinations in Canada. Known as the “Dinosaur Capital of the World,” this small town is packed with unforgettable attractions, stunning natural landscapes, and family-friendly adventures. From exploring the world-renowned Royal Tyrrell Museum to hiking among the otherworldly hoodoos and discovering hidden canyons, there are endless things to do in Drumheller for every type of traveler.
Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or adding Drumheller to your Alberta road trip, this Drumheller travel guide covers the top attractions, must-see sights, and best experiences to make the most of your visit.
Guide for Best Things to do in the Dinosaur Capital of the World
This is the itinerary we used for our visit. We started early in the morning so we could pack all of this into the one day we had.
Star Mine Suspension Bridge
We started off at the Star Mine Suspension Bridge at around 6:30am and had the place to ourselves. This was such a great time to come here as the water below was super calm and no one else was on the bridge. This is a quick little stop that’s a great addition to your Drumheller itinerary.
Willow Creek Hoodoos
After the bridge, we drove 10 minutes down the road to the Willow Creek Hoodoos. I had never heard of a hoodoo before but what I've come to find out is that a hoodoo is a tall, thin spire of rock formed by erosion over time. The landscape is just so otherworldly, that you feel like you're on a different planet. I could have spent hours wandering around here. We got there around 7am and spent 45 minutes exploring. There was only one other person there at that time which was wonderful because this place can get busy later in the day, especially in the summertime, which is when we were there. The sandstone is slippery so I'd recommend wearing shoes with a good grip!
Atlas Coal Mine National Historic Site
Our next stop was the Atlas Coal Mine. Because we were there so early, the mine was closed so we just stopped by for a quick look. Craig has taken the mine tour here in the past and definitely recommends it. The site offers various tours, ranging from a family friendly train ride to a processing plant tour, and even a mine portal hike. However, they also offer site admission which is a self-guided experience ($16.45/Adult, $9.25/Child). They suggest visitors spend 1-2 hours with the self-guided option.
The Little Church
On our way to our next stop, we passed by the cutest little church. We couldn't help but stop for some quick pics. This little church seats 6 at a time and is free and open to the public 24/7.
Horsethief Canyon
Next on the agenda was Horsethief Canyon. This is a bit out of the way so if you have to cut something out of this itinerary, I'd suggest cutting this stop. But if you are into hiking and prairie dogs then you might want to fit it in. Honestly, the highlight here was watching a handful of prairie dogs running in and out of their little holes in the ground.
Royal Tyrrell Museum
If you only have time for one thing on this list, make sure it's there Royal Tyrrell Museum! Now, we aren't huge museum people, but this museum was spectacular! The exhibits were incredible and the way they set the scene really allows you to imagine what life was like when the dinosaurs roamed the earth. Admission is $21/Adult, $10/Child and kids under 6 are free. They are open 7 days a week from 9am-9pm during the summer season (May 15 – August 31) and open Tues - Sun 10am-5pm the remainder of the year (September 1 to May 14). You can buy tickets ahead of time here but we had no issues buying them the day of when we were there in June.
World’s Largest Dinosaur
When in Drumheller, you can't miss the opportunity to go up inside Tyra, the World's Largest Dinosaur. Admission is $5 per person with children under 5 free. They also offer a family rate of $15 per family (consisting of 1-2 adults, children ages 6-17 with a max of 8 people). It is open daily from 9am-9pm. The view from the top is wonderful. Where else do you have a chance to take pictures inside of a dinosaurs mouth like this?!
Bernie & The Boys
You gotta eat and when that hunger hits, head straight to Bernie & The Boys. We stopped here for lunch because we saw they had something called a mammoth burger and we knew this would be right up our alley! The mammoth burger is a 24 ounce Alberta beef patty. You can definitely get at least 4 meals from this one burger. Personally, we weren't expecting it to be that great but we were blown away with how delicious this burger was! It was incredible! They have much smaller and normal size burgers, as well, if mammoth burgers aren't your thing. Locals also rave about their milkshakes. Check out their menu here.
Last Chance Saloon
After lunch, drive over the 11 bridges to Wayne to the Last Chance Saloon. This place is like a step back in time. The saloon is attached to the Rosedeer Hotel which would make for an amazing place to stay if you're spending the a night in the area. It was first opened in 1913 serving the towns coal miners. What makes this more than just a relic is how it lives and breathes history today: vintage decor, memorabilia from Wayne's mining past, a smokehouse turning out mouthwatering meats, and a hotel with themed rooms that let you sleep in the echos of stories once made inside these walls.
Horseshoe Canyon
Our last stop of the day was Horseshoe Canyon. Not to be confused with Horsethief Canyon. Horseshoe Canyon is the more visually appealing of the 2 canyons we visited. Just a short drive outside Drumheller, Horseshoe Canyon greets you with a jaw-dropping surprise: the rolling prairie suddenly cracks open into a massive, horseshoe-shaped gorge carved deep into the Alberta Badlands. Standing at the rim feels like peering into another world with layers of striped rock, rugged hoodoos, and winding trails that snake through the canyon floor. It’s one of the most accessible spots to experience the dramatic landscapes that make the Badlands so unique. It's the perfect place for a quick hike, photos that look straight out of a movie set, or simply soaking in views that stretch on for miles.
Whether you’re standing on the edge of Horseshoe Canyon, wandering through the moonlike landscapes of the Badlands, or grabbing a cold drink at the historic Last Chance Saloon in Wayne, this corner of Alberta delivers a mix of natural wonder and wild history you won’t find anywhere else. Drumheller may be small on the map, but it packs in a big adventure - the kind that leaves you with dusty boots, full hearts, and stories worth telling long after you’ve left.
For more inspiration, check out our other Alberta travel guides:
The Ultimate Guide to Driving the Icefields Parkway
CANMORE, Alberta: Hidden Gem of the Canadian Rockies
Things to do in Banff: No Car Required
If you want to see more of Drumheller, check out our YouTube video ↓
If you got this far, thanks for reading and remember to STAY CLASSLESS 😉
