What To Do In DRUMHELLER – The 2024 Guide

Planning a trip to Drumheller? We’ve been to Drumheller five times now and have compiled a complete list of what to do in Drumheller, so you can take the stress out of planning and make the most of your visit.

Located in the Badlands of Alberta, Drumheller is a hive of Dinosaur activity and this is what draws many tourists to the town. There are hiking opportunities, dinosaur activities as well as great spots to eat. For a small town, there really is a lot to do in Drumheller.

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Where Is Drumheller

Drumheller is approximately a 135 kilometre drive from Calgary, heading North of Highway 2 and East on Highway 9. 

If you are coming from Edmonton, it is approximately a 280 kilometre drive via Highway 21 and Highway 56, heading South.

When To Visit Drumheller

Drumheller is a year round destination as it typically stays warmer than the Rocky Mountains to the West. That being said, it still sees some snow in the winter and therefore if you are planning on heading out in the winter, be prepared for trail closures if you wish to hike.

In the summer months, Drumheller can easily reach 30 degrees and more most days, with lows of around 10 degrees overnight. Meanwhile in the winter months temperatures can range from around 0 degrees all the way down to negative 30 degrees. So it’s definitely worth checking the forecast before heading out. 

I personally love to visit Drumheller in the spring when the temperatures are cooler and before the big tourist months of July and August arrive. This means it’s peaceful around town but not all the attractions are open yet and nighttime temperatures can still plummet.

What To Do In Drumheller

Hoodoos

The Hoodoos are a fun and short walk with interpretive signs and viewing platforms. The trail takes about 30 minutes to complete as it loops around. Please obey signs and stick to the paths to avoid any excess erosion of this stunning area.

Hiking

There are lots of hiking opportunities which come to mind when you think of Drumheller but the two most popular, longer hikes are probably Horsethief Canyon and Horseshoe Canyon. Both descend from the roadway down into canyons and from here there are trails which send you through the valley floor, looking up the incredible multilayered canyon walls. Both these hikes are incredible and worthwhile, just be prepared with plenty of water in the height of summer as it gets very hot in the canyons.

Atlas Coal Mine

Explore the historic site of the Atlas Coal Mine with a self guided tour through the upper buildings and grounds of the old coal mine. This is a fantastic half day to full day option when you are trying to decide what to do in Drumheller. To expand your visit book on to one of their interpretative tours to see further areas of the coal mine.

Royal Tyrrell Museum

For many people when it comes down to what to do in Drumheller, a visit to the Royal Tyrrell Museum is a must! This incredible museum is great for all ages and you can easily spend an entire day here taking in all the exhibits if you have it. From the towering skeletons in the Dinosaur Hall to viewing the Preparation Lab where you can see Paleontologists working on fossils.

Worlds Largest Dinosaur

You can’t miss Drumheller’s giant dinosaur. Climb the 106 stairs to the top of Tyra, the World’s Largest Dinosaur and marvel at the views from the deck inside the mouth of the giant T-Rex. For many, a stair walk up Tyra tops their list of what to do in Drumheller and is a unique experience for sure.

Historic Town Of Wayne

Take a scenic drive from Drumheller to the town of Wayne, visit the Last Chance Saloon which first opened in 1913. There is also a campground if you’d rather stay here. Nearby you’ll find the Badlands Disk Golf course if you enjoy stretching your legs and having a laugh on this course.

Tiny Church

The Little Church in Drumheller often makes it onto the list of what to do in Drumheller, mostly for its unique size, seating around 6 people total! It was originally built in 1958 and reconstructed in 1991. It is open to the public and you have your own ceremony there if you wish. It a unique feature to Drumheller and therefore it has to make your list of what to do in Drumheller.

Where To Stay In Drumheller

There are plenty of choices when it comes to places to stay in Drumheller, we love the Canalta Jurassic Hotel, with its hot tub and included breakfast. A slightly cheaper option is the Travelodge Drumheller, located right by the river.

Drumheller also offers a number of short term home rentals, which are perfect for those looking to stay for a little longer or are travelling in a bigger group. Check out the recently renovated Hoodoo Hideout as one great option, sleeping up to four people.

If you are visiting Drumheller in summer you may want to consider camping! We stayed at Hoodoo RV Resort which is slightly out of town but right on the doorstep of the main Hoodoo viewing area. If you are looking for something closer to town check out the Dinosaur RV Park which is walking distance to many of the towns main attractions.

Things You Might Need For A Trip To Drumheller

If the top items on your list of what to do in Drumheller include hiking the trails, you’ll want a good pair of hiking boots. I love my La Sportiva Raptor 2 hiking boots, these super comfortable, lightweight but waterproof boots are perfect for almost any and every hike.

Due to how warm it gets in Drumheller and the lack of shade during a lot of activities, I recommend a good sun shirt. I really like the ultra lightweight Outdoor Research Echo Hoody. It’s fast drying and allows me to protect my neck.

If you are visiting Drumheller in the summer months you’ll also likely want a sunhat to protect your head. 

If you are heading out to explore in the winter, I always pack a pair of ice cleats like the lightweight and versatile Yaktrax, these are suitable for most easy winter hikes.

Want More Badlands

If you loved Drumheller, check out Dinosaur Provincial Park a two hour drive South East from Drumheller. This spot is filled with even more hiking opportunities and there are also a range of interpretive programs organised by Alberta Parks to learn more about the area and explore locations otherwise closed to the public.