Spring camping in Alberta can be hit and miss to say the least. Not just because of the unpredictable weather but also due the fact very few camping spots are open! But with unseasonably good weather in the forecast and a four day weekend we scoured the internet in search of the perfect spot to camp and explore for a few days. We settled on Drumheller, a place I have only previously visited in the middle of winter. As it turned out, Drumheller was the perfect spot for a spring camping trip.
Where Is Drumheller?
Drumheller is located in the Alberta Badlands, think the polar opposite of the Rocky Mountains. Drumheller is located approximately an hour and a halves drive from Calgary heading East. Drumheller is clearly signposted off of Highway Two between Calgary and Edmonton and from there you can’t go wrong.
Where To Camp In Drumheller
We visited Drumheller in the middle of April, most camping spots weren’t open for the season yet. We decided on the Hoodoo RV Park as it was one of the few places which had tent only sites. Most of the other open campgrounds were only offering serviced sites, which we didn’t need and cost more.
The Hoodoo RV Park was ideally situated under a 5 minute drive from the Hoodoos and approximately a 10 minute drive from Drumheller. It’s a fair sized park with lots of year round RVs parked up. While we were visiting though there was almost nobody around!
We picked campsites closer to the highway, looking up at the beautiful rocks and all their stunning colors. Originally we booked into the first tenting area which offered some shade and tree coverage but didn’t offer much in the way of views. A perfect spot to escape the heat in July and August but this was April and we went for an open site to get as much sun as possible!
All the camping spots have a table and firepit. There are two playgrounds and a small shop in the office as well as an ice cream stand in the middle of summer. There is rough river access for anyone who wishes to bring a small boat but no proper launch. There is also a trail along the river from the campground with clear signs of moose activity!
Activities To Do In Spring In Drumheller
The big bonus of visiting Drumheller in the Spring is that a lot of the big tourist attractions are all but empty, even on the warmest and sunniest of spring days!
Right in downtown Drumheller, next to the river is the information center, a great spot to pick up some local information if you so wish. Another reason to visit is it is home to the ‘World’s Largest Dinosaur’ Tyra. Climb 106 stairs to end up on the viewing platform, located in the gaping jaws of the dinosaur! It’s a leg burner but makes for a great view. Find out more here.
For those rainy spring days, The Royal Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology is a fantastic option for everyone. Packed with information about former creatures that once dwelled on Earth, the dinosaur skeletons are a sight to see. A fantastic and informative experience for all ages, it’s somewhere I go back to on every trip to Drumheller. Check out the opening days and times here.
If you want to stretch your legs a lot of the trails are snow free fairly early. When we visited we explored both Horsethief Canyon and Horseshoe Canyon. The Horseshoe Canyon has a great viewing area which is really accessible regardless of ability, from the viewing areas there is a well marked and maintained trail down into the canyon. You can follow the main canyon trail or break off along one the many smaller trails to hunt for hoodoos and fossils.
Horsethief Canyon has a more rustic viewing area from above, a perfect grassed area where you can sit, soak up the sun and enjoy a picnic. If you want to explore down into the canyon and out to the river there is no major trail, one main route down from the viewing area can be spotted and from there trails braid everywhere the further into the canyon you get.
Once down in the bottom of these canyons it gets hot! Make sure to wear sunscreen and pack plenty of water. It’s easy to explore these places for a long time but don’t get lost! And make sure you have enough energy for the steep climb back out of both of the canyons to your car.
We were recommended to go to the town of Wayne by some people we saw at Horsethief Canyon. They told us the saloon there had an awesome patio and it was something out of the history books. We took a drive out there and they weren’t wrong, unfortunately the saloon was closed when we were visiting. There is also a small campground right next to the saloon which could be an amazing and peaceful spot to stay!
Why A Spring Trip To Drumheller?
- The weather is typically warmer than in the mountains
- Trails and attractions are so much quieter than summer!
- It’s easy to get a campground booking
- The area is snow free fairly early normally