A full-day private drive from Banff/Canmore to the Badlands and the Royal Tyrrell Museum delivers dramatic hoodoos, layered badland geology and world-class dinosaur exhibits—all in a guided, 9-hour itinerary.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
You step into a wind-swept bowl of red clay and sculpted ridgelines an hour outside of the Rockies, the Badlands folding away beneath a wide prairie sky. A private vehicle carries you east from Banff or Canmore, trading alpine firs for stratified coulees where hoodoos puncture the horizon and gullies reveal clean bands of ancient sediment.
Difficulty
easy
Duration
9–10 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for travelers in regular, everyday fitness—short walks and standing at exhibits; minimal hiking fitness required
Wildlife
History
Drumheller grew from coal-mining towns and paleontological discoveries in the early 20th century; the Royal Tyrrell Museum opened in 1985 to centralize research and display regional fossils.
Conservation
Erosion shapes the Badlands but human impact—off-trail travel and fossil collecting—threatens scientific resources; stay on designated trails and follow park rules.
Reserve your spot on the Private Banff/Canmore BAD LANDS Tour with Royal Tyrrell Museum 9H today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Wear sturdy shoes
Trails in the Badlands are uneven and loose; closed-toe shoes with grip reduce slips on shale and gravel.
Sun and wind protection
Open terrain offers little shade—bring sunscreen, a hat and a windproof layer for exposed ridgelines.
Hydrate for a long day
Carry 1–2 liters of water per person; the tour includes stops but water access in the field can be limited.
Leave fossils in place
Collecting or disturbing fossils and rock is illegal and damages scientific resources—photograph, don’t remove.
Sturdy hiking shoes
Protects feet on gravelly, uneven Badlands trails.
Sun hat & sunscreen
Essential for exposed prairie and reflective rock surfaces.
summer
Reusable water bottle (1–2 L)
Keeps you hydrated during drives and short hikes; refill at museum facilities.
Camera or smartphone with extra batteries
Captures wide vistas and museum exhibits—low light indoors benefits from good battery life.