Attractions in Drumheller


Continuing along the trail the next site for visiting is Midland Provincial Park where there are several attractions A museum housed in the Midland Mining Company office, is sure to delight visitors. Midland Mining Company produced coal for over 50 years before closing in 1959.

Leaving Midland Provincial Park and continuing west along the trail leads you to the Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology which first opened its doors in 1985. Housing over 30 complete dinosaur skeletons, visitors of all ages will enjoy the display's within the galleries. On display are the remains of flying reptiles, prehistoric mammals and marines invertebrates that came from the Bearpaw Sea. Visitors of the Museum can also watch the scientists at work, through a viewing window of the main laboratory. The Tyrrell Museum receives thousands of visitors per year and is world renowned for it's research into prehistoric life on earth.

Further along the trail and you will come upon Drumheller's Little Church. Built in the 1960's the Little Church receives many visitors each year.

Golfers visiting Drumheller will enjoy Dinosaur Trail Golf and Country Club. Located on the riverbank of the Red Deer River, this golf course has received Golf Digest's 3 Star Rating. Playing a round on an 18 hole golf course set in the badlands is a must for any golf enthusiast.

Past the Golf course and continuing west on North Dinosaur Trail, the road climbs out of the Valley and leads to Horsethief Canyon. This canyon which doesn't have an exit was used to hide stolen cattle and horses until they could be sold. A viewpoint provides the visitor with a spectacular view of the canyon.

After leaving Horse Thief Canyon and continuing to follow the trail you will once again drop down into the Valley, where the road will lead you to Bleriot Ferry. First launched in 1913 and one of only seven remaining cable ferries in the Province of Alberta, it is one of the busiest in the province, carrying approximately 25,000 to 30,000 people per year. The original ferry was an all wood ferry that used current boards to propel it across the river. One of the previous ferries are on display outside at the Homestead Museum. Leaving the ferry and once again climbing out of the valley leads you to another viewpoint along the trail. Orkney Viewpoint has a wonderful view of the valley from the west tip.

Coming back into the Valley and continuing east along South Dinosaur Trail past Nacmine and to the outskirts of Drumheller, brings you to the Canadian Badlands Passion Play Site. The rugged, carved-out landscape of the Alberta Badlands makes a natural backdrop for this production which is held each year in Drumheller. The Greatest Story ever told is a portrayal of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The acoustically superb natural bowl amphitheatre creates the feeling of being back 2000 years in a land and events that changed the course of history. The remarkable similarity of the Badlands Passion Play site to the Holy Land, the large cast and choir and the careful planning for guests all climax in this wonderful event.

Located to the immediate west of the Canadian Passion Play site is the local Ski Hill. During the winter months in Drumheller, visitors and residents can Ski the Badlands. A compact 30 acre ski area on the fringe of the city of Drumheller, this ski hill was opened in 1993 by local enthusiasts.

One of most invigorating ways to enjoy the landscape and nature in the Valley is to take a walk along the Drumheller Badlands River Parks System. A trail beginning on the east end of the town and ending at the Tyrrell Museum takes you along the river where you can enjoy the birds, trees and the unique landscape surrounding Drumheller.

Coming back into the town and heading downtown there are many more things to do and see. First opened in the 1960's as the Drumheller Dinosaur and Fossil museum, the Drumheller Valley Interpretive Center has recently undergone changes in it's focus. Now a center outlining the history of the Valley, a visitor can view exhibits from a prehistoric era to more recent history. After visiting the Interpretive Centre, the visitor can stroll around the area and visit Historic Downtown Drumheller, where you will find many dinosaur statues throughout. Many of the buildings constructed in the early 1900's. The visitor will find the many merchants to be friendly, helpful and courteous.

Horseshoe Canyon which Indians believed to be haunted, is one of the most exciting attractions of the area, especially for the hiking enthusiast. "Incredible" and "breathtaking" are just a few of the comments that visitors have been overheard saying, while viewing the canyon.

Built in 1931 by the Great West Coal Company the Rosedale Suspension Bridge, located in Rosedale, is another attraction in the Valley. Originally constructed for the miners and coal to cross the Red Deer River

Highway 10X will take you to the Hamlet of Wayne, but in order to get there you must cross 11 narrow bridges cris-crossing the Rosebud River. It is hard to believe that this "almost ghost town" was once a thriving mining community, with a population in excess of 2000 people.

Coming back out onto Highway 10 and proceeding east once again, the next stop is one of the Badlands' famous trademarks, "The Hoodoos". These mushroom shaped sandstone pillars are visited by thousands each and every year. Designed by nature the Hoodoo's are a truly remarkable scene.

18 Kilometers east of Drumheller, in East Coulee you will find the East Coulee School Museum, dedicated to the era of Coal Mines. Built in the 1930's the school has been restored and provides visitors to it with an education to what life must have been like during those years.

In the first half of the 20th Century North America depended upon coal. Located just outside of East Coulee is the Historic Atlas Coal Mine. Climb the 8-Storey tipple and tour the area. Guided tours are available as well as a gift shop and picnic area.
Did you know that Drumheller has been host to some very famous personalities? The mysterious Badlands, eerie gorges and canyons, twisted rock formations and almost desert like landscape have made Drumheller an attraction to many film makers from all over North America. Hollywood comes to Drumheller will give you a sampling of some of the productions that have been filmed here.

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