Drumheller Travel Guide

City City in Alberta, Canada

Badlands town anchored by the Royal Tyrrell Museum and towering hoodoos; visitors come for dinosaur exhibits, hoodoo hikes and the Highway 9 drive through sculpted badland terrain.

Costs

Moderate tourism pricing

$80-150/day; museums and guided tours add to budget.

Safety

Safe and visitor-friendly

Safe and tourist-oriented; standard outdoor caution in badlands.

Best Time

May to September

Warm, dry weather perfect for hikes and museums.

In This Guide

Why Visit
Best Things to Do
Bucket List
Best Time to Visit
How to Get There
How to Get Around
Where to Stay
Where to Eat

Local Time

6:55 PM

GMT-6

Weather

71°F

Clear

Population

8,430

Infrastructure & Convenience

Car is best; town is compact with good tourist signage and museum facilities.

Popularity

Very popular day‑trip from Calgary and with family/dinosaur tourists.

Known For

Badlands landscapes, Royal Tyrrell Museum, dinosaur fossils, hoodoos, scenic drives, fossil digs, Atlas Coal Mine nearby, hiking

The Royal Tyrrell Museum in Drumheller houses one of the world's most important dinosaur fossil collections.

Why Visit Drumheller? #

Set among Alberta’s badlands, this town draws travelers for dinosaur legacies and dramatic landscapes. The Royal Tyrrell Museum and nearby hoodoos showcase world-class paleontology, while winding badlands roads and the star-shaped hoodoo formations offer a surreal backdrop for photography. Visitors come to combine museum deep-dives with hikes along the Red Deer River and to feel the sense of history embedded in the fossil-rich cliffs and interpretive trails.

Best Things to Do in Drumheller

All Attractions ›

Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology

Paleontology museum in Alberta with extensive dinosaur exhibits

Museum

Midland Provincial Park

Alberta provincial park protecting river valleys and trails

Park

Horseshoe Canyon (Alberta)

Deep canyon carved into badlands, hoodoos present

Canyon

Horsethief Canyon (Alberta)

Scenic Alberta canyon with rugged cliffs and trails

Canyon

Rosebud, Alberta

Small hamlet on Alberta's prairie

Area

Drumheller Bucket List

Don't Miss

Royal Tyrrell Museum - Royal Tyrrell Museum - world-class dinosaur fossil exhibits and interactive paleontology displays.
Drumheller Hoodoos - Drumheller Hoodoos - iconic eroded sandstone pillars reached by a short interpretive trail.
Atlas Coal Mine National Historic Site - Atlas Coal Mine National Historic Site - preserved mine complex recounting Alberta's coal-mining history.
Horsethief Canyon - Horsethief Canyon - scenic viewpoint over winding coulees and layered Badlands formations nearby.

Hidden Gems

Star Mine Suspension Bridge - Star Mine Suspension Bridge - historic rail bridge offering dramatic Badlands views for hikers.
World's Largest Dinosaur - World's Largest Dinosaur - giant T-Rex statue with interior staircase and museum shop inside.
Local fossil quarry tours - Local fossil quarry tours - guided experiences showing active dig sites and fossil preparation techniques.

Day Trips

Dinosaur Provincial Park - Dinosaur Provincial Park - UNESCO site with badlands hikes and abundant dinosaur fossil beds.
Dinosaur Trail scenic drive - Dinosaur Trail scenic drive - loop road connecting viewpoints, quarries and interpretive centres around Drumheller.

Best Time to Visit Drumheller #

Drumheller is best in summer and late spring for hiking the badlands and dinosaur sites - winters are cold and often snowy, though visually striking with fewer visitors.

Winter

December - February · -20°C to -5°C (-4°F to 23°F)

Harsh, snowy winters with frequent subzero stretches - dramatic badlands look stark and beautiful, but many outdoor activities are weather-limited.

Spring

March - May · -5°C to 15°C (23°F to 59°F)

Thawing terrain and fluctuating temperatures; dusty trails become runnable by late spring and hoodoos stand out against clearing skies.

Summer

June - August · 12°C to 27°C (54°F to 81°F)

Warm, dry days perfect for hiking the badlands and visiting hoodoos and museums; bring sun protection and water for exposed trails.

Best Time to Visit Drumheller #

Climate

Drumheller's climate is classified as Cold Semi-Arid - Cold Semi-Arid climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -19°C to 26°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall.

Best Time to Visit

JulyAugustJune

Temperature & Rainfall

Temperature Range

38°

Warmest Month

-37°

Coldest Month

Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coldest month with highs of -7°C and lows of -19°C. Light rainfall and mostly overcast skies.

39 Poor

Comfort

-13°

Feels Like Freezing

-13°C

Temperature

-19° – -7°

87%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

13 mm

Rainfall

3.7 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.1

UV Index

Low

8.2h daylight

February

February is freezing with highs of -2°C and lows of -15°C. The driest month with just 11 mm and mostly overcast skies.

43 Poor

Comfort

-9°

Feels Like Freezing

-9°C

Temperature

-15° – -2°

82%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

11 mm

Rainfall

3.6 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.3

UV Index

Low

9.8h daylight

March

March is freezing with highs of 4°C and lows of -9°C. Light rainfall and mostly overcast skies.

50 Acceptable

Comfort

-3°

Feels Like Freezing

-3°C

Temperature

-9° – 4°

72%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

17 mm

Rainfall

3.9 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.6

UV Index

Moderate

11.7h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of -2°C. Light rainfall and mostly overcast skies.

60 Good

Comfort

6°

Feels Like Cold

6°C

Temperature

-2° – 13°

63%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

24 mm

Rainfall

4.2 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.9

UV Index

Moderate

13.7h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (48 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

70 Very Good

Comfort

12°

Feels Like Cool

12°C

Temperature

4° – 19°

59%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

48 mm

Rainfall

4.1 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.3

UV Index

High

15.4h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 8°C. The wettest month with 67 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.

78 Very Good

Comfort

16°

Feels Like Cool

16°C

Temperature

8° – 23°

63%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

67 mm

Rainfall

3.8 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.6

UV Index

Very High

16.3h daylight

July

July is the warmest month with highs of 26°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (61 mm).

84 Excellent

Comfort

18°

Feels Like Mild

18°C

Temperature

10° – 26°

60%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

61 mm

Rainfall

3.4 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.7

UV Index

Very High

15.9h daylight

August

August is cool with highs of 26°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (50 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

84 Excellent

Comfort

17°

Feels Like Cool

17°C

Temperature

9° – 26°

61%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

50 mm

Rainfall

3.3 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

1.3

UV Index

High

14.4h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (41 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

72 Very Good

Comfort

12°

Feels Like Cool

12°C

Temperature

4° – 20°

64%

Humidity

Humid

Weather

41 mm

Rainfall

3.6 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.8

UV Index

Moderate

12.5h daylight

October

October is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of -2°C. Light rainfall and partly cloudy skies.

66 Good

Comfort

6°

Feels Like Cold

6°C

Temperature

-2° – 13°

71%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

14 mm

Rainfall

3.9 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.4

UV Index

Low

10.5h daylight

November

November is freezing with highs of 2°C and lows of -10°C. Light rainfall and mostly overcast skies.

43 Poor

Comfort

-4°

Feels Like Freezing

-4°C

Temperature

-10° – 2°

79%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

12 mm

Rainfall

4.0 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.1

UV Index

Low

8.7h daylight

December

December is freezing with highs of -4°C and lows of -16°C. Light rainfall and mostly overcast skies.

39 Poor

Comfort

-10°

Feels Like Freezing

-10°C

Temperature

-16° – -4°

85%

Humidity

Very Humid

Weather

12 mm

Rainfall

3.8 m/s

Wind

Light Breeze

0.1

UV Index

Low

7.7h daylight

How to Get to Drumheller

Drumheller is typically reached by road from Calgary International Airport (YYC) or Red Deer; there is no passenger rail into the town. Many visitors drive or take organized tours from Calgary that include transportation.

By Air

Calgary International Airport (YYC): The main airport for reaching Drumheller. Driving time is about 1h 40-2h (≈135-150 km) depending on route; rental car is the most convenient option. Private shuttles and organized tours from Calgary to Drumheller are common and typically run from downtown Calgary.

Red Deer Regional Airport (YQF): Closer to Drumheller than Calgary in some routes but with limited scheduled passenger flights. Driving from Red Deer takes around 1h 30-1h 50; rental car or private transfer is required for onward travel.

By Train & Bus

Train: There is no passenger rail service to Drumheller; nearest major railheads are in Calgary and Red Deer.

Bus: Several tour operators and seasonal shuttle services run between Calgary and Drumheller (especially to the Royal Tyrrell Museum), and local regional buses serve the Drumheller area for residents. Public intercity bus schedules can be limited-if you rely on buses check operator schedules and book tours/shuttles from Calgary if needed.

How to Get Around Drumheller #

Drumheller’s river valley and downtown are easy to walk for short visits, especially around its main tourist strip. However, many of the hoodoos and viewpoints are spread out, so a car is very useful. Local public transit is minimal; taxis and tour shuttles operate seasonally for major attractions. If you’re visiting from afar, plan to drive or join guided tours to reach outlying sites.

Where to Stay in Drumheller #

Budget

Downtown / near museum - CAD 70-140/night

Drumheller has many budget motels catering to visitors of the Badlands and Royal Tyrrell Museum-book ahead in summer and long weekends.

Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Drumheller - Budget-friendly, near museum and attractions
Local motels and hostels (search) - Several no-frills motels for road travellers

Mid-Range

Badlands / museum area - CAD 120-220/night

Mid-range hotels in Drumheller offer comfortable rooms and easy access to main attractions-good balance for families and sightseeing travellers.

Ramada by Wyndham Drumheller - Comfortable mid-range with on-site amenities
Travelodge by Wyndham Drumheller - Reliable chain, central location

Luxury

Scenic Badlands outskirts - CAD 180+/night

Drumheller has limited luxury offerings; for full-service luxury hotels consider Calgary, roughly 75-90 minutes away by car.

Select higher-end lodges and suites (search Drumheller) - Boutique upgraded rooms available locally
Luxury options in Calgary (drive required) - Full-service luxury hotels located in Calgary, about 1.5 hours away

Where to Eat in Drumheller #

Comfort Fare & Diners

Drumheller's dining is focused on diners, bakeries and casual cafes serving large portions and comforting prairie-style meals.

Last Chance Saloon - Hearty breakfasts and homestyle plates
Drumheller Bakery - Fresh pastries and breads
Sage Café - Lunches, soups and sandwiches

Barbecue & Pubs

Look for pubs and barbecue-style spots for relaxed evenings, local beers and straightforward, filling meals.

Hoodoos BBQ - Smoked meats and casual plates
Royal Canadian Pub - Beer selection and pub classics
Badlands Pizzeria - Family-friendly pizza and takeout

Breakdown of cuisine types found across Drumheller's restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.

Burger

Greek

Pizza

Salad

Chinese

Sandwich

Nightlife in Drumheller #

Nightlife in Drumheller is understated - a few pubs and family restaurants operate in town, but the destination is much more about daytime sightseeing than late-night entertainment.

Shopping in Drumheller #

Shopping in Drumheller is geared toward tourism: expect dinosaur-themed gift shops, outdoor outfitters and a handful of local boutiques along the main strip. The Royal Tyrrell Museum also has a sizeable gift shop with themed merchandise.