Go underground at Atlas Coal Mine, drive 11 bridges to a rockin’ saloon (and haunted hotel), or bike through the badlands to the renowned Royal Tyrrell Museum. The experiences you can have in Drumheller are varied and unique – perfect for history buffs, dinosaur lovers, and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
Drumheller Driving Route
This 50-kilometre driving route takes you from Atlas Coal Mine National Historic Site to The Little Church near the Royal Tyrrell Museum. We recommend starting in East Coulee and visiting the Royal Tyrrell Museum in late afternoon. The museum is open until 9 pm in the summer months, so you have plenty of time to explore without crowds (peak hours are from 10 am to 3 pm). If you’d like to stay for the weekend, there are plenty of hiking and biking trails, theatre performances, and attractions to enjoy.
1. Atlas Coal Mine National Historic Site
Atlas Coal Mine National Historic Site is Canada’s most complete historic coal mine. For the best experience, sign up for a tour (or three) to learn about coal mining and East Coulee life in the 1930s.
You get a discount if you sign up for the Train Tour, Tipple Tour, and Tunnel Tour. I wasn’t sure the kids would make it through that many tours one after another, but our guides were engaging and energetic, so we had a great time and learned a lot. At the end of the day, when I asked the girls what their favorite part was, they said “Everything!” Open mid May until October 5th; see website for hours. Read more about our awesome day in this story: Journey back in time at Atlas Coal Mine National Historic Site.
2. East Coulee School Museum
East Coulee School Museum is a small museum featuring local artifacts, some fossils, and special programs. If you plan ahead, you can book the Recess and Class Tour to see what school was like in the 1930s. Watch out for that strict School Marm! Our kids also enjoyed doing the scavenger hunt to earn a prize. Afterwards, have homemade pie in the Willow Tea Room, then hit the retro playground outside. Open May to September 10 am to 5 pm.
3. Hoodoos / Hoodoo Trail, Drumheller
Hoodoos are a striking natural phenomenon that define the Badlands. The best accessible examples near Drumheller are 15 minutes east of town on Highway 10. An interpretive trail, hoodoo trail, has viewing platforms and signs that explain how and when the hoodoos formed. Please do not climb on the hoodoos! These ancient structures are easily damaged. The best time to visit is sunrise or sunset when the light accentuates the different colors in the rock. Note that the trail has stairs so it is not stroller friendly. Click here for the Google Maps location of Hoodoo Trail.
To see even more hoodoos, visit Dinosaur Provincial Park (about two hours from Drumheller). For more information, read our story Exploring Dinosaur Provincial Park.
4. Star Mine Suspension Bridge, Rosedale
The 117 metre long Star Mine Suspension Bridge, also known as Rosedale Suspension Bridge, was built in 1931 so miners could walk from town to Star Mine (closed in 1957). Bounce your way across, explore the badlands on the north side of the Red Deer River, do some fishing, then get an ice cream at Asteroid. There is no charge to visit the bridge.
5. Wayne & The 11 Bridges
Drive or bike the 11 bridges to the hamlet of Wayne! Once home to 2,490 people when the mines were open, only 31 live there now. Have lunch at Last Chance Saloon (check the schedule to see when they have live music!), get ice cream or a quirky souvenir at Jojo’s Haberdashery, camp at 11 Bridges Campground, or stay at The Rosedeer Hotel if you dare (the third floor is rumored to be haunted). Built in 1913, the Rosedeer is the only original building still standing in Wayne.
To get there, turn off Hwy 10 onto the 10X.
Fun fact: The 6 kilometre stretch to Wayne is in the Guinness Book of World Records for having the most bridges per distance. There are 11 single-lane metal bridges in total; the 11th is just past the Rosedeer Hotel.
6. Drumheller Visitor Information Centre, World’s Biggest Dinosaur, and Rotary Spray Park
Let the friendly staff at the Drumheller Visitor Information Centre help you plan your trip, climb up inside the world’s biggest dinosaur for a unique view of Drumheller (small admission fee), then cool off at the Rotary Spray Park. The info centre is a good starting place for the city bike paths too! For a fun, family-friendly bike ride, check out our story Biking from Downtown Drumheller to the Royal Tyrrell Museum.
7. Royal Tyrrell Museum
The Royal Tyrrell Museum is Canada’s pre-eminent dinosaur museum with one of the world’s largest displays of dinosaurs. Allow at least two hours to see all the galleries; you will need more time if you plan on attending special programs. The museum also has a cafeteria, gift shop, amphitheatre, and awesome dino-themed playground.
Open 7 days a week from May 15 – September 30. Open Tuesday-Sunday from October 1 – May 14.
8. The Little Church
The Little Church is a tiny white chapel that seats thousands, six at a time. Located west of the Royal Tyrrell Museum on North Dinosaur Trail. Free admission.
Biking and Walking Trails
The Downtown DinoWalk is a family favorite! Find 20 dinosaur sculptures while you explore downtown Drumheller. Check out the online map with information about each dinosaur here.
Bike from the world’s biggest dinosaur (26 metres tall) to the Royal Tyrrell Museum via McMullen Island Park and Midland Provincial Park. Don’t miss Midland Coal Mine (free to visit); it’s a short detour off the main bike path. 7 km one way. Details in Biking from Downtown Drumheller to the Royal Tyrrell Museum.
Trails near Royal Tyrrell Museum: Take the stairs next to the museum to a panoramic lookout, or hike the Badlands Interpretive Trail, a scenic 1.4 km loop. Learn how the badlands were formed and why so many fossils have been found around Drumheller.
Getting Here
Drumheller is located 1.5 hours northeast of Calgary. Horseshoe Canyon is a nice stopping spot en route.
Where to Stay
Quality Hotel Drumheller (Expedia affiliate link) is conveniently located near Downtown Drumheller, Reptile World, and New Castle Beach. They offer free continental breakfast, pet-friendly rooms, an exercise room, and business centre.
Bleriot Ferry Provincial Recreation Area has a basic campground 24 km from Drumheller, just off the highway. 14 unserviced sites are available on a first come, first served basis. For a fun excursion, take the three minute ferry ride (free!) across the Red Deer River, then drive south Dinosaur Trail to Orkney Viewpoint.
There are also several private campgrounds to choose from. One of the most popular is River Grove Campground and Cabins which has nice shaded sites by the river, close to the Drumheller Visitor Information Centre and Rotary Spray Park.
Special Events
One of the top 10 Gran Fondos in Canada, the Gran Fondo Badlands boasts several courses with dramatic scenery for road riders (50/75/100/140/160 km) and mountain bikers (92 km Gravel Grinder). July 8, 2023.
Mine and Dine at Atlas Coal Mine and East Coulee School Museum: Go back to 1937 and be a miner for the day. You will dress like a miner, make a brass tag, light your own carbide lamp, then go to work in the mine. After getting paid, head to East Coulee School Museum to make noodles from scratch and have a Hungarian family-style meal! Limited dates and availability. Learn more here.
Badlands Amphitheatre, Canada’s largest outdoor stage, hosts the amazing Canadian Badlands Passion Play (June 30- July 16, 2023) each year plus concerts, and VanFest.
Rosebud Theatre puts on several shows per season. Check out their calendar and book tickets here.
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!
HIKING: Bring lots of water in an insulated water bottle, snacks, extra layers, a headlamp, first aid kit, GPS / satellite communicator / compass, map of the area, sunscreen (this one is safe for babies), and bug spray (this deet-free one contains 20% icaridin and will repel ticks).
BIKING: 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.
Partnership Disclosure
Atlas Coal Mine, East Coulee School Museum, and Alberta Parks hosted us, but all words and opinions are my own.
