Drumheller Historic Sites & Interpretive Centres

Named after Joseph Burr Tyrrell who discovered the first dinosaur fossils in the Drumheller Valley, the Royal Tyrrell Museum contains a wealth of information on Alberta's rich fossil heritage. This internationally recognized palaeontology museum features a large display of complete dinosaur skeletons and a number of interactive exhibits including a Cretaceous garden. Museum amenities include a cafeteria, a picnic area, a gift shop and nearby Badland trails.

Enjoy 16 Tons of Fun at the Atlas Coal Mine National Historic Site. Underground tunnel tours, tipple tours and mine train tours carry visitors to the darkest years of Alberta’s past. Don a miner’s lamp and ascend an inclined tunnel. Step into a mine portal, high in the badlands. Scramble into a coal car, and ride a battery train through the historic landscape. Climb the wooden tipple, and hear stories of men who dug the black. Located in Drumheller Valley, this Alberta coal mining museum is an outstanding educational school field-trip destination. Open daily from May 1st through October 10th.

Midway along the Dinosaur Trail is the Bleriot Ferry. Established in 1913, it uses cables and pulleys to transport vehicles across the Red Deer River. The ferry is one of the oldest of its kind operating in Alberta and the only remaining ferry of 13 that once crossed the Red Deer.

Consists of several buildings, mostly along main street in downtown Drumheller, that were built before 1941. Many were designed in the 19th century false front store style.

Canadian Badlands Interpretive Centre is located at the site of the epic Canadian Badlands Passion Play, just outside of Drumheller. Browse authentic ancient Middle East artifacts or visit the costume studio to dress up in Biblical clothing.

View the impressive Horseshoe Canyon and learn about the geology, history, dinosaurs, and native plants and animals of the badlands. Free admission. 19 km SW of Drumheller on Hwy #9. Open during summer tourist season for hiking, guided tours and also motorized buggy access. Please remain on trails.

A worthwhile detour from the Hoodoo Trail is the 9 km (5.4 mi) trip on Hwy 10X from Rosedale into the ghost town of Wayne. You'll cross no less than 11 one-way bridges on the road in. One of the last remaining landmarks in this coal boom-town of the 1920's and '30s is the Last Chance Saloon in the Rosedeer Hotel. This end-of-the-road establishment has changed little since 1913.