Drumheller

Drumheller, Alberta, often called the "Dinosaur Capital of the World," is a town carved into the dramatic Canadian Badlands. This unique landscape, with its layered hills, deep valleys, and wide skies, feels otherworldly and offers a stark contrast to the surrounding prairies. Located about 90 minutes northeast of Calgary, Drumheller is a destination that rewards those who explore at an unhurried pace, allowing for immersion in its prehistoric past and striking natural beauty.

The town itself is compact and calm, with attractions spread out enough to feel scenic but close enough to avoid long drives. Drumheller's tourism is strongly seasonal, with many attractions operating on limited hours outside of the peak summer months. Whether you're a first-time visitor or returning, the experience is enhanced by a relaxed approach, focusing on soaking in the views and enjoying short walks amidst the unique geological formations.

The Red Deer River valley, often referred to as Dinosaur Valley, is approximately 2 kilometers wide and 28 kilometers long in the Drumheller portion, making it a prime location for paleontological discoveries. The area's rich fossil history, combined with its distinctive badlands terrain, makes Drumheller a captivating place to explore.

From Coal to Dinosaurs: Drumheller's Transformation

Drumheller's origins are rooted in the early 20th century, a time when coal was king in the Red Deer River Valley. In 1907, American entrepreneur Jerome "Sam" Drumheller arrived, recognizing the potential for a townsite around a local coal seam. He purchased land and began selling lots for homes in 1911, the same year the first commercial coal mine, the Newcastle, opened. The Canadian Northern Railway Company officially named the town Drumheller in 1911.

The town experienced rapid growth, becoming a village in 1913, a town in 1916, and a city by 1930. Its population surged from 312 in 1916 to 2,987 in 1931, driven by the booming coal industry. At its peak in 1947, the Drumheller coal mines produced two million tons of coal. Over its operational history from 1911 to 1966, 124 mines operated near Drumheller, with 34 having a long and productive run. However, the discovery of oil and natural gas after World War II led to a decline in coal's value, and the mines gradually shut down, marking the end of Drumheller's coal-based prosperity.

Long before European settlement, the Drumheller region held significance for Indigenous peoples. The Blackfoot and Cree nations knew of the extensive fossil beds and considered the area sacred, referring to it as a "graveyard for giants." The scientific discovery of dinosaurs in the area began in 1884 when Canadian geologist Joseph Burr Tyrrell unearthed the skull of an Albertosaurus sarcophagus near the Red Deer River, a find that would later establish Drumheller as a global center for paleontology. This discovery was a pivotal moment, shifting the town's identity from a coal-mining hub to the "Dinosaur Capital of the World."

Today, tourism is Drumheller's main industry, with hundreds of thousands of visitors drawn annually to its dinosaur-themed attractions and dramatic landscapes. The town amalgamated with the Municipal District of Badlands No. 7 in 1998, reverting to town status, and continues to embrace its unique geological and paleontological heritage.

Begin your exploration at the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology, a world-class facility housing one of the largest collections of dinosaur fossils globally. You can easily spend hours exploring its interactive displays and galleries, which showcase hundreds of thousands of fossils, including a 68-foot-long Shonisaurus sikanniensis and the dark-colored Black Beauty T-Rex skeleton. Don't forget to book tickets in advance, especially during peak season.

For an iconic Drumheller experience, climb the World's Largest Dinosaur, a massive 86-foot-tall fiberglass T-Rex. You can ascend 106 stairs to a viewing platform inside its mouth, offering panoramic views of the badlands. Afterward, embark on the Dinosaur Trail, a roughly 60-kilometer loop that encompasses many of the region's scenic highlights. Along this trail, you'll encounter the distinctive Hoodoos, striking sandstone pillars with harder caprocks, formed by millions of years of erosion. While fenced for preservation, you can walk around them and appreciate their unique shapes.

Explore the dramatic landscapes of Horsethief Canyon and Horseshoe Canyon, both offering impressive views and opportunities for hiking. Horseshoe Canyon, particularly, features wide trails and striking badlands vistas. Delve into Drumheller's coal mining past at the Atlas Coal Mine National Historic Site, where you can take guided tours, including a train ride and a tunnel tour, to learn about the lives of miners and see the last wooden coal tipple in Canada. For a unique crossing of the Red Deer River, take a ride on the Bleriot Ferry, one of Alberta's last remaining cable ferries, which operates seasonally.

Drumheller can be visited year-round, with each season offering a different experience. Summer (June to September) is the busiest, with warm weather and full access to attractions, making it ideal for maximizing daylight and outdoor activities. Spring and fall are quieter, providing cooler temperatures and fewer crowds, which many travelers prefer for a more relaxed exploration. Winter transforms the badlands into a peaceful, snow-covered landscape, offering a unique and calm atmosphere. Regardless of the season, comfortable walking shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, and sun protection are recommended.

Drumheller is primarily accessed by car, making it a popular stop on Alberta road trips. The drive from Calgary takes approximately 90 minutes. While the small town center is walkable, a rental car is essential for exploring the wider Badlands attractions, as public transport is not available. Roads are well-marked, and most attractions are a short drive from each other.

Accommodation options range from budget-friendly hotels to Airbnbs. It's advisable to book accommodations in advance, especially during the busy summer months. The Drumheller Visitor Information Centre, located at the base of the World's Largest Dinosaur, offers customer service and information on local attractions. Parking is generally ample, and most shops and restaurants accept card payments. Be prepared for unpredictable weather by dressing in layers and carrying plenty of water, especially when exploring the outdoor canyons.