Explore Alberta’s Badlands in a single day: rim hikes at Horseshoe Canyon, the Royal Tyrrell Museum’s world‑class fossil halls, the towering concrete dinosaur, and the Hoodoos’ strange rock columns. Practical tips on timing, terrain, and what to pack help you make the most of this eight‑hour loop.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
The Badlands unfold like an open fossil book as the van drops you at the rim of Horseshoe Canyon — wind carving ridges, sun bleaching the strata into bands of gray and rust. You can feel time in the brittle air: mesas and gullies push your eyes toward the horizon while the Red Deer River threads the valley below.
Difficulty
moderate
Duration
8 hours
Fitness Level
Light to moderate fitness; able to walk short uneven trails, climb stairs and manage brief elevation changes.
Wildlife
History
The Drumheller area preserves both deep natural history—rich fossil beds from the Mesozoic—and a 20th‑century coal‑mining heritage that shaped local settlement and infrastructure.
Conservation
Erosion created the Badlands, and trails protect fragile soils and fossils—stay on marked paths, pack out waste, and do not collect fossils which are protected for scientific study.
Reserve your spot on the Drumheller Day Trip Museum, Dinosaurs and Historic Sites today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Start early to beat heat and crowds
Many stops are exposed and busiest mid‑day—begin at Horseshoe Canyon for cooler light and better photos.
Wear sturdy shoes
Expect loose shale, short descents into canyon floors, and 100+ steps inside the Dinosaur—good traction matters.
Hydrate and bring snacks
Plan for an 8‑hour day with limited services between stops—carry at least 2 liters per person.
Watch edges and follow signs
Cliffs and erosion zones are unstable; stay on marked trails and don’t remove fossils or rock samples.
Sturdy hiking shoes
Grip for shale, stairs, and uneven interpretive trails around the Hoodoos and canyon rims.
Reusable water bottle (2L+)
Keeps you hydrated through exposed sections where shade and services are limited.
Sun protection (hat, sunscreen, sunglasses)
The Badlands offer little shade—UV exposure can be high even on cool days.
summer
Light daypack with layers
A pack holds snacks, camera, jacket, and museum admission items comfortably.
spring