Drumheller is the perfect place to explore by bike. Did you know you can ride a network of paved bike trails and bike lanes through town, cottonwoods and badlands to the Royal Tyrrell Museum? With several parks, attractions and historical sites en route, you can make a day of this 14 km round-trip ride. The trail is paved and flat, except for the last section, and there were hardly any people on the trails (we saw a handful of people the whole day)! After exploring the museum, head back to town and cool off at Rotary Park Spray Park! The perfect ending to a perfect day!
Table of Contents
Bike Route From Drumheller Visitor Information Centre to the Royal Tyrrell Museum
Distances below are from the Drumheller & District Chamber of Commerce (Visitor Centre)
0 km Start your adventure at the Drumheller Visitor Information Centre, home of the World’s Largest Dinosaur and Rotary Park Spray Park. You can take the staircase inside the 26 metre tall T Rex to a viewpoint out of its mouth (for a fee). Take advantage of flush toilets before hitting the trail.
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| World’s Largest Dinosaur in Drumheller, Alberta |
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| Map: Drumheller Visitor Centre to North Dinosaur Trail Detailed instructions below |
- Go around the spray park and head north towards the bridge.
- Cross the bridge and take the underpass to the west side of the bridge (campground side).
Follow the Hiking Trail Signs! Turn left onto Poplar Street and stay in the bike lane. You will see a playground on your left.
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| Follow the Hiking Trail signs |
- Poplar Street turns right; stay on it.
- Continue straight to a paved bike path (parallel to North Dinosaur Trail).
- Turn left.
2 km Check out the old tractors and two headed calf at Homestead Antique Museum. The General Store is a fun stop for souvenirs and the Café has good treats (Did anyone say fudge??).
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| Homestead Antique Museum |
2.6 km Turn left at the turnoff to get onto the river pathway (if you pass Fossil World, take your next left on 17th St NW). Continue straight, follow the path as it curves to the right, then take an immediate left (follow the sign).
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| TURN LEFT HERE! (Unless you wanna go to Fossil World!) |
3.1 km At 15 St NW, the path turns into a bike lane; stay on the left side of the white line.
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| Bike lane along North River Drive |
4.1 km Just before 25 St NW, you will see a large bridge (CNR Midland Bridge) on your left. Go under the bridge to stay on the river pathway. Continue through groves of cottonwoods and McMullen Island Park. McMullen Island Park has a picnic area and outhouses if you need a break. There are also spots to access the river and cool off!
- Detour: To explore old mine sites at Midland Provincial Park, turn right at 25 St NW and CAREFULLY cross Highway 838. There are some interpretive exhibits and trails as well as outhouses. Go right ~50 metres to the site of the old head offices for the mine. Go left and ride the gravel road for 400 m to a 400 m interpretive loop. You can see remains of a tipple and bathhouse as well as mining equipment. There is a small gazebo at the far end where you can take refuge from the sun.
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| Go under the bridge! |
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| McMullen Island Park is a refreshing oasis on a hot day! |
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| Drumheller Badlands River Parks System Map |
5.6 km Cross Highway 838 at the crosswalk when it is safe to do so. You’re now on the final stretch; bike through beautiful badlands all the way to the museum. Expect to climb steadily up a few hills (my 7 year old biked; my 5 year old walked a few parts).
- Hike a bike section: Just before the museum, you will see a sign warning of stairs ahead. There are 24 stairs you will have to carry your bike down. It only took 2 minutes to carry everyone’s bikes down.
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| The best part of the ride! |
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| Biking in Midland Provincial Park |
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| Short hike a bike section (only 24 stairs) |
6.9 km After stairs, cross a small bridge and stay left to avoid the hikers; it’s also less steep this way. The museum is straight ahead and bike parking is to the left (past the public washroom building).
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| Making Dino Friends Outside the Royal Tyrrell Museum |
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| Royal Tyrrell Museum Exhibit |
Things to Do En Route
- Visitor Centre (Start)
- World’s Largest Dinosaur $3/person, $10/family, kids 5 & under – free
- Rotary Park Spray Park – free
- North Drumheller Community Playground (just across the bridge at the beginning)
- Attractions: Homestead Antique Museum, General Store, Fossil World Dinosaur Museum
- Midland Provincial Park
- McMullen Island Park: day use area and shaded walking/biking trails, river access (but no boat access)
- Midland Mine Office, Midland Mine No. 1, Midland Mine No. 2 – free to visit; please leave relics where you found them. Note that trails are not paved in this part of the park.
- Royal Tyrrell Museum
- Royal Tyrrell Museum (Destination)
- Museum (fee)
- Cenovus Palaeo Playground & Dino Dig Sandbox (free)
- Lookout Tower (free)
- 1.4 km Badlands Interpretive Trail (free)
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| Rotary Spray Park, Drumheller |
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| McMullen Island Park, Drumheller |
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| Biking single track around Midland Mine Site No. 2 |
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| Palaeo Playground at the Tyrrell Museum It has a shaded sandbox and dino dig too! |
Trail At a Glance
Distance: 7 km one way
Elevation gain: Minimal on first 5.5 km. About 100 metres gain over last 1.5 km.
Chariot friendly: Yes – but be aware there are 24 stairs at the end.
Recommended age: 5+ (provided your 5 year old has balance bike and pedal bike experience)
Know Before You Go
It can get extremely hot in Drumheller in the summer.
- Plan to bike early or late in the day, or on a cloudy day. The Tyrrell Museum is open until 9 pm so you don’t have to bike in the heat of the day.
- Bring lots of water! Sunscreen or light clothing should be worn to protect your skin.
More Drumheller Area Attractions
- Atlas Coal Mine National Historic Site: “Go underground. Climb the tipple. Ride the train.” … and learn about Drumheller’s mining history! (Fee)
- Bleriot Ferry: Cross the Red Deer River in style on a little ferry! Free!
- East Coulee School Museum: Go back in time to see how school was run when the mines were open!
- Hoodoo Trail, Willow Creek Hoodoo Provincial Historic Site
- Horseshoe Canyon: A short detour off the highway that offers nice views. There are a few hiking trails as well, but it’s a bit steep getting down into the canyon.
- Horsethief Canyon: 48 km detour, similar to Horseshoe Canyon but bigger.
- The Little Church: The littlest church seats only 6 people. So cute! Located just west of the Tyrrell Museum
- Star Mine Suspension Bridge: A pretty bridge worth a stop on the way to Atlas Coal Museum.
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Willow Creek Hoodoo Provincial Historic Site
16 km E of Drumheller
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| Star Mine Suspension Bridge |
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| Horseshoe Canyon |
Related Posts
Love Badlands? Your next trip should be to Dinosaur Provincial Park (1 hr 45 mins SE of Drumheller).
What to Bring
Disclosure: This post includes affiliate links through which I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting our small family business!
Bring a hydration pack or water bottle, snacks, a down hoody or fleece, windproof-waterproof shell, cycling gloves, first aid kit, bike tube (get the right size for your tire), bike tools, and portable bike pump. A bike pannier rack and pannier bags are handy if you don’t want to carry a backpack.
More family-friendly bike rides
- Bill Milne Trail: Our favorite Kananaskis bike path
- Biking and Camping in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park
- 10 Fun Family Bike Rides in Calgary
- Mountain Biking Tunnel Bench Loop, Banff
2 comments
Is there any campgrounds you would recommend near Drumheller?
River Grove Campground is located right in town, but it has shade from the trees and is right along the river. It's also across the street from the Visitor Info Centre and spray park so you can cool off on a hot day (it gets quite warm there in summer). Hope that helps! If you're looking for a provincial park campground, the nearest is Bleriot Ferry. Some of my friends like it (it's by the river), but there is some road noise there.
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