Drive from Calgary into the Canadian Badlands for a full day of dramatic vistas, dinosaur exhibits and wind-sculpted hoodoos. Visit Horseshoe Canyon, the Royal Tyrrell Museum, the World’s Largest Dinosaur and historic coal-mining sites for a compact, geology-forward adventure.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
You leave Calgary before sunrise and the prairies stretch out flat and honest. Highway miles roll under the tires and the land begins to sculpt itself: gullies, ridges and the pale, striated slopes of the Badlands. At Horseshoe Canyon the rim opens wide; wind tugs at your jacket and the valley below seems to have been cleaved from time itself.
Difficulty
easy
Duration
8–9 hours (full day)
Fitness Level
Moderate mobility required: short walks and some stairs; comfortable for most people in average fitness.
Wildlife
History
Drumheller grew as a coal-mining town in the early 20th century; later, major paleontological finds established it as a world-class center for dinosaur research.
Conservation
The Badlands are fragile: stick to trails, do not remove rock or fossils, and follow museum guidance to protect paleontological resources.
Reserve your spot on the 1 Day of Dinosaurs and Hoodoos From Calgary to the Drumheller today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Start early
Leave Calgary before 8:00 AM to beat crowds at the Royal Tyrrell Museum and get softer light at Horseshoe Canyon.
Footwear for loose rock
Wear sturdy trail shoes with good tread — hoodoo slopes and canyon edges have unstable shale and gravel.
Hydrate and sun protection
Bring at least 1–2 liters of water, sunscreen and a brimmed hat — shade is limited across the Badlands.
Respect paleontology rules
Do not touch or remove fossils; report finds to museum staff — collecting is illegal and damages research.
Sturdy trail shoes
Grip for loose shale, cobbles and short uneven trails.
Sun protection (hat, sunscreen)
Open stretches offer little shade and intense UV on clear days.
summer
Reusable water bottle (1–2 L)
Hydration for a full-day drive and short hikes in dry conditions.
Light windproof layer
Badlands wind and rapid temperature changes make a packable layer useful.
spring