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| Badlands
Dinosaur Dig near Drumheller1 |
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Tucked in southern
Alberta's vast prairie lies
one of the province's most fascinating landscapes—the Badlands. Visible
layers of mudstone, sandstone, coal and shale found throughout the area's
rocky terrain are a testament to the Badlands' geological past, which
dates back 70 million years. Canyons, buttes and gulches compose the spectacular
scenery and odd shapes of this region, carved by the timeless pressure
of ice, water and wind.
Sunrise and sunset are particularly indelible sights in the Badlands,
as sunlight reflected off the area's diverse palette of coloured rocks
can yield hues ranging from vibrant pinks and oranges to rich reds and
mauves. In addition
to the arresting natural settings, the area boasts an array of interesting
activities and attractions, including sites that delve into Drumheller's
mining history, as well as the famous Royal
Tyrell Museum of Palaeontology. The Drumheller Valley's wealth of
dinosaur fossils has spawned an entire tourism industry based on these
prehistoric creatures. From historic sites and museums to natural wonders
and recreational opportunities, the Drumheller Valley beckons visitors
to discover all its treasures.
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Click for larger map of Dinosaur Valley |
TRANSPORTATION
The majority of Drumheller
Valley attractions are located on the 48-km (30-mi) Dinosaur
Trail, making sightseeing easy. The scenic driving loop through the
Badlands begins and ends in Drumheller, visiting many landmarks on the
way, such as the
Little Church, Horsethief
Canyon, the Homestead Antique Museum and the Orkney
Viewpoint, where travellers can take in an amazing panoramic view
of the Red Deer River Valley. At the northern tip of the trail, the historic
Bleriot
Ferry—one of the few cable ferries still in use in Alberta—carries
vehicles across the Red
Deer River.
Because the distance
between the attractions on Dinosaur Trail is quite far, a car is the best
way to explore the area. There are, however, several attractions centrally
located in Drumheller that can be toured on foot. The closest airport
is Calgary
International Airport, which is served by a host of major airlines
and offers car rentals. Drumheller is roughly 140 km (87 mi) away from
Calgary and can be accessed
via a route of secondary and primary highways. Summer is the best time
to visit, as many of the outdoor attractions, such as the Hoodoos
and canyons, are difficult to tour in the winter, if not covered in snow.
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| Royal
Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology2 |
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ATTRACTIONS
Museums and Historic
Sites
The flagship of Drumheller tourism is the Royal Tyrell Museum of Palaeontology,
a must-see for visitors interested in learning about the long history
of our planet and its amazing diversity of life, from tiny insects to
towering dinosaurs. As the only Canadian institution devoted entirely
to palaeontology, this larger-than-life museum showcases some of the world's
most impressive fossil displays. The preparation lab gives visitors an
up-close look at the process of preparing fossils for research and display.
Perhaps the most dramatic dinosaur models are found in the museum's Extreme
Theropods Gallery, where meat-eating creatures like the allosaurus and
the tyrannosaurus rex are brought to life. At the museum's Nexen Science
Hall, visitors have the opportunity to view interactive displays that
demonstrate basic scientific concepts. Anyone with an interest in science,
natural history or palaeontology can't afford to miss this attraction
located in Midland
Provincial Park, 6 km (4 mi) northwest of Drumheller along North Dinosaur
Trail.
Open since the 1960s,
Drumheller
Valley Interpretive Centre goes beyond the realm of dinosaurs and
charts the history of the Dinosaur Valley, spanning the Ice Age, the history
of the First Nations peoples and early mining. The centre also chronicles
the story of dinosaur hunters, palaeontologists who flocked to the region
eager to uncover dinosaur bones in the area's rich fossil beds. Expect
to see displays of carnivorous dinosaurs, petrified forests, First Nations
artifacts, the geology of the Badlands and more. The gift shop features
an extensive selection of Alberta fossils, and the facility's L.A. Duncan
room houses an array of natural science and creative art objects, including
gemstones from around the world, crystallized minerals, ores from exhausted
mines and the rare botryoidal jade. Drumheller Valley Interpretive Centre
is located in the heart of Drumheller on Dinosaur Trail.
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Badlands
Historical Centre3 |
Also located in Drumheller
on North Dinosaur Trail is the Homestead
Antique Museum and the Murray House, which expands on the theme of Drumheller's
late 19th-century settlers. Tractors, tools, clothing, quilts, coins and
clocks are among the items on display at the museum, open from May to mid-October.
Automobile enthusiasts appreciate the museum's collection of vintage cars
and trucks. Visitors are sure to gain a palpable understanding of the homesteaders'
daily lives through a range of exhibits.
Badlands
Historical Centre, just down the street from Reptile World in Drumheller,
is another attraction history buffs will appreciate. The diverse history
of Drumheller Valley, from early settlers and the coal boom to inventions
and distinguished citizens, is on display. Travel back to the 1880s, when
reports of vast coal reserves drew pioneers and ultimately led to the
creation of the Drumheller townsite.
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| Atlas
Coal Mine4 |
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Visitors interested
in an in-depth journey through the area's mining history should be sure
to visit Atlas
Coal Mine, open daily from May to September and located across from
East Coulee,
just southeast of Drumheller. At this industrial heritage site, the last
of Drumheller's 139 coal mines, visitors can tour the eight-storey-high
wooden mine, see restored mine offices and browse artifacts from 140 different
coal mines. Also on site is an original miner's shack constructed of straw,
mud and manure. The price of admission includes tours, demonstrations,
storytelling and rides that run throughout the day.
Another coal mining-related
attraction is the East
Coulee Big School Museum, situated just southeast of Drumheller in
East Coulee. Each of the 12 rooms at this historic 1930s schoolhouse recounts
the history of the coal mining era, delving into mining culture and family
life. View a restored 1930s classroom and restored miner's quarters in
the grade nine room. Refreshments and lunches are available at the on-site
cafe.
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Horseshoe
Canyon5 |
Natural Attractions
Horseshoe
Canyon, declared a conservation area by the Nature
Conservancy of Canada, is located 17 km (11 mi) southwest of Drumheller
on Highway 9. Dubbed Canada's
mini-Grand Canyon, Horseshoe Canyon showcases a picturesque Badlands landscape
well worth the visit. For an incredible adventure, take a helicopter ride
and explore the canyon from the skies. The canyon is roughly 3 km (2 mi)
long and attracts thousands of visitors every year, especially hikers
eager to experience the indelible scenery. Visitors should, however, be
aware that the canyon walls can be quite slippery when wet, and hiking
in these conditions is not recommended.
Equally impressive,
although slightly less visited because of its location on a secondary
highway, Horsethief Canyon is situated 16 km (10 mi) from Drumheller,
just past the Royal Tyrrell Museum on North Dinosaur Trail (Highway 838).
A viewpoint on North Dinosaur Trail affords dramatic views of the canyon,
which owes its name to a legend that dates back to the area's early ranching
days. It was said that horses would disappear into the canyons of the
Red Deer River and reappear carrying a different brand, hence the name
Horsethief Canyon. Hiking is a popular activity at the canyon, although
it can be easy to get lost as there are no interpretive signs.
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| The
Hoodoos6 |
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No trip to the badlands
is complete without visiting the area's most recognizable feature: the
Hoodoos rock formations. Located 8.5 km (5 mi) southeast of Drumheller
on the Hoodoo
Trail (Highway 10), the Hoodoos are an impressive phenomenon of nature.
These five- to seven-metre-tall (16 to 23 ft) rock pillars were formed
by water and wind erosion over millions of years. A walking trail helps
visitors navigate the terrain, although it is prohibited to climb on these
fragile, mushroom-like sandstone structures.
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Dinosaur
Trail Golf & Country Club7 |
Recreation
Skiers and snowboarders appreciate Ski
the Badlands ski hill, which features beginner, intermediate and expert
runs, a terrain park, a 930-sq-m (10,000-sq-ft) day lodge, lessons and
a full-service rental shop. Located on South Dinosaur Trail next to the
Passion Play Site, the ski hill covers 12 ha (30 acres) and is open from
approximately mid-December to mid-March.
Golf enthusiasts will
want to play a round at the 18-hole Dinosaur
Trail Golf & Country Club, located on the banks of the Red Deer
River on North Dinosaur Trail. Negotiate a setting of rolling terrain,
flat plateaus and scenic valleys on this challenging Badlands course.
The facility is open from roughly mid-April through September.
Specialty Attractions
A must-see, the World's
Largest Dinosaur is a massive t-rex model that towers 26 m (86 ft).
By climbing the 106 steps to the viewing platform inside the dinosaur's
mouth, visitors can enjoy spectacular views of the Red Deer River Valley.
On the way up, peruse mural paintings by local artist Gary Cox. Also worth
checking out is the chilling black-light area that reveals skeleton bones
within its recesses.
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| The
Little Church8 |
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On the opposite scale
of the spectrum is the tiny Little Church. This adorable 2-m by 3-m (7-ft
by 10-ft) building features six one-person pews, a pulpit and a steeple
with a brass bell. First constructed in 1958 and rebuilt in 1991, the
pint-size church has seen thousands of visitors since its inception. Access
the church from North Dinosaur Trail, just outside of Drumheller town
site.
Reptile enthusiasts
don't want to miss Reptile
World, Canada's largest live reptile display, which showcases over
100 species in bright, naturalistic cages, from cobras and crocodiles
to gila monsters and anacondas. The friendly staff is on hand to introduce
visitors to the friendly boa constrictors and answer any questions. Educational
programs are provided in the summer.
One of the few arts-oriented
attractions in the area is the renowned Canadian
Badlands Passion Play. The play is presented every summer in a natural
amphitheatre along the South Dinosaur Trail on the western outskirts of
Drumheller. Offering a powerful portrayal of the life, death and resurrection
of Jesus Christ in first-century Palestine, the Canadian Badlands Passion
Play is not to be missed. With an authentic set and costumes, script and
music that are scripture-based, talented performers, and an atmosphere
that bears a striking resemblance to the Holy Land, this play is known
for its stark realism. Each year changes are made to the script, production,
cast and set, resulting in a spectacle worth visiting again and again.
The epic performance is three hours long with a 20-minute intermission.
Although the Passion Play only spans two weekends, the site is worth visiting
year-round. Middle Eastern artifacts and scale models of Biblical places
are on display at the Canadian
Badlands Interpretive Centre. At the design shop, visitors can see
scale models of the set and try on actual costumes from the play.
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| Canadian
Badlands Passion Play9 |
PHOTO COURTESY
- Travel Alberta; Badlands Dinosaur Dig; Drumheller, AB, Canada
- Travel Alberta; Royal Alberta Museum of Palaeontology; Drumheller,
AB, Canada
- Travel Alberta; Badlands Historical Centre; Drumheller, AB, Canada
- Travel Alberta; Atlas Coal Mine; East Coulee, AB, Canada
- Travel Alberta; Horseshoe Canyon; Drumheller, AB, Canada
- Travel Alberta; The Hoodoos; Drumheller, AB, Canada
- Travel Alberta; Dinosaur Trail Golf & Country Club; Drumheller,
AB, Canada
- Travel Alberta; The Little Church; Drumheller, AB, Canada
- Travel Alberta; Canadian Badlands Passion Play; Drumheller, AB, Canada
