Exploring the rugged, wind-carved sandstone canyons of the Drumheller Badlands offers a spectacular, prehistoric journey into Canada's dramatic desert interior. Located just northeast of the city, the landscape shifts abruptly from flat, golden prairie fields to a thundering valley of multi-layered rock canyons, bizarre sandstone pillars (known as Hoodoos), and deep coulees. This unique geographic zone was carved out by massive glacial meltwaters during the last ice age, exposing rich geological strata that are home to the world's most concentrated dinosaur fossil beds.
What makes this day trip highly rewarding is the incredible combination of dramatic hiking, fossil history, and surreal scenery. You can walk along the Edge of the World trail at Horseshoe Canyon, climbing down into the deep coulees to explore the desert floor, or stand among the famous Hoodoo sandstone pillars that rise from the valley. Combined with a visit to the world-renowned Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology, it is an immersive, high-contrast adventure that feels like stepping onto another planet.
One fun fact people love:
The town of Drumheller is home to the "World's Largest Dinosaur," a towering, 86-foot-tall fiberglass Tyrannosaurus rex that visitors can climb inside for views of the badlands.
Where in Calgary is it?
Located in the Red Deer River Valley, approximately 1.5 hours (135 km) northeast of Calgary via Highway 9.
How to reach:
Accessed by driving northeast from Calgary along Highway 2 north to Highway 567, heading directly east toward the Drumheller Valley.
Best time to visit:
June to September when the canyon hiking trails are dry and the badlands flora is in full bloom.
Best time of day:
Early morning at 8:00 AM to start your drive and beat the intense afternoon heat in the desert valley.
Entry fee:
Free entry to Horseshoe Canyon and the Hoodoos; museum entry tickets cost approximately 22 CAD for adults.
Commute difficulty:
Moderate; exploring the canyon floors requires hiking down steep, uneven dirt switchbacks that can become slippery after rain.
Things nobody tells you about this place:
- The badlands act as a natural heat sink and can get brutally, intensely hot during summer afternoons, with temperatures frequently exceeding 35°C (95°F), making sun protection and water critical.
- Climbing on the delicate, wind-carved Hoodoo pillars is strictly prohibited and carries heavy fines, though a designated viewing platform is provided.
- The badlands clay contains bentonite, which transforms into an incredibly sticky, heavy mud resembling wet concrete after a rainstorm, making hiking impossible.
