Canada's Badlands FAQ
Common questions about visiting Canada's Badlands, answered: Drumheller, hoodoos, the Royal Tyrrell Museum, Dinosaur Provincial Park, and the best time to go.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Alberta Badlands are located in southern and central Alberta, centred on the town of Drumheller and stretching east toward the Saskatchewan border and south to the United States border. Drumheller, the main gateway to the Canadian Badlands, sits about 90 minutes northeast of Calgary and is home to the Royal Tyrrell Museum, dramatic hoodoos, and some of the richest dinosaur fossil beds in the world.
There is a wide range of things to do in Drumheller and the surrounding Badlands, including visiting the Royal Tyrrell Museum, hiking through the hoodoos, climbing the World's Largest Dinosaur, exploring Horseshoe Canyon, and touring historic coal mines. The area also offers fossil-hunting experiences, scenic drives along the Hoodoo Trail, and charming small-town shops, restaurants, and live theatre. Explore Drumheller's best activities here!
Drumheller is about 140 kilometres northeast of Calgary, roughly a 90-minute drive. This makes the Canadian Badlands one of the easiest and most popular day trips or weekend getaways from Calgary, though many visitors choose to stay overnight to explore the wider region at a relaxed pace.
Hoodoos are tall, thin spires of rock formed over millions of years as wind and water erode soft sedimentary stone, leaving a harder capstone perched on top. The hoodoos near Drumheller are among the most famous in Canada and are one of the signature sights of the Alberta Badlands. The Hoodoo Trail just outside Drumheller is the best place to see them up close.
The Royal Tyrrell Museum, located near Drumheller, is one of the world's leading dinosaur and paleontology museums, featuring extensive fossil displays, life-sized dinosaur skeletons, and interactive galleries. It is the most visited attraction in the Canadian Badlands and a must-see for anyone interested in dinosaurs and prehistory.
Dinosaur Provincial Park is located in the Canadian Badlands of southeastern Alberta, near the town of Brooks, about a two-hour drive from both Calgary and Drumheller. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it contains one of the richest dinosaur fossil deposits on Earth and offers guided hikes, fossil tours, and camping.
Drumheller is not a true desert, though its dry, eroded badlands landscape often looks like one. The region is technically a semi-arid prairie with low rainfall, sparse vegetation, and dramatic canyons and hoodoos carved by erosion over millions of years. Summers can be hot and dry, so visitors should bring water and sun protection when hiking.
The best time to visit Drumheller and the Canadian Badlands is from late spring through early fall (May to September), when the weather is warmest and all attractions, trails, and tours are open. Summer can get very hot in the canyons, so bring water and sun protection. Spring and fall offer milder hiking conditions and smaller crowds, while winter brings a quieter, dramatic snow-dusted landscape.
You can experience the highlights of Drumheller and the Badlands in a single day trip from Calgary, but two to three days lets you explore at a relaxed pace. A longer visit gives you time to see the Royal Tyrrell Museum, Dinosaur Provincial Park, the hoodoos, multiple hiking trails, and the region's smaller towns and dining without rushing.
Drumheller is the most convenient base for exploring the Canadian Badlands, with a range of hotels, inns, vacation rentals, and bed-and-breakfasts. Staying overnight lets you spread your visit across multiple attractions and enjoy the region beyond a single day trip. Explore places to stay here.
Yes, Drumheller and the Canadian Badlands are very family-friendly. Children especially enjoy the dinosaur exhibits at the Royal Tyrrell Museum, climbing the World's Largest Dinosaur, easy hoodoo hikes, and fossil-themed attractions throughout the region. Most trails and attractions are suitable for all ages. Explore the family itinerary Little Explorers!
Yes, the Canadian Badlands contain some of the largest dinosaur fossil deposits in the world, and visitors can join guided fossil-hunting experiences in the region. At protected sites such as Dinosaur Provincial Park you may spot fossils in the landscape, though removing them is not permitted.
The Canadian Badlands centre on Drumheller and include surrounding communities such as Brooks (the gateway to Dinosaur Provincial Park), Kneehill County (tranquility and unbeatable views), Rosebud (known for its live theatre), and a number of historic prairie villages. Each offers its own attractions and access points to the region's landscapes and dinosaur history.
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We acknowledge that what we call Alberta is the traditional and ancestral territory of many peoples, presently subject to Treaties 6, 7, and 8. We acknowledge the many First Nations, Métis and Inuit who have lived in and cared for these lands for generations. We make this acknowledgement as an act of reconciliation and gratitude to those whose territory we reside on or are visiting.