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Region known for:
  • Striking hoodoos
  • Dinosaur fossils
  • Wild West history

Featuring landscapes like nowhere else on earth, the Canadian Badlands will transport you to another time and place. From prehistoric fossil beds and rocky canyons, to coal mining ghost towns and cowboy hangouts, there’s plenty to discover in this unique area.

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Canadian Badlands highlights

Young couple posing for a selfie on a platform along Hoodoo Trail in Drumheller.

Unique landforms

Transport yourself worlds away to a place where dinosaurs once roamed. The magical hoodoo formations, also known as fairy chimneys, were once part of a lush forest by the sea.

Dinosaur exhibit at the Royal Tyrrell Museum

Dinosaur capital of the world

Explore Drumheller's famous Royal Tyrrell Museum to learn about groundbreaking dinosaur discoveries. Then stay in the charming town with all the amenities you need to get ready to hike nearby Horseshoe Canyon.

Person and their dog hiking in the badlands amongst epic hoodoos on a summer day

Transformative topology

Fossils aren’t the only draw at Dinosaur Provincial Park. The stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site is a sensory explosion. Experience the area via guided hike, an interpretive drive around the Public Loop Road or a camping adventure.

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A boy looks out from the mouth of the World's Largest Dinosaur
Bikers ride across a bridge in Drumheller, part of the rails to trails.
Two children working on a dinosaur puzzle game at the Royal Tyrrell Museum.
A tour guide showing a mother and two young children a fossil.
An Indigenous dancer in hoodoos.
The green aurora borealis lights up a starry night sky. In the foreground, hoodoo rock formations loom.
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Things to do in the Canadian Badlands

Stories

A couple takes photos in front of the hoodoos near Drumheller.
6 min read How to Explore Drumheller and the Hoodoos Without a Car

A new inter-city bus service and local ValleyConnect shuttle let visitors get to Drumheller from Calgary and explore the region without any need for a car.

Vehicle driving down the Icefields Parkway with mountain views in Jasper National Park, Alberta.
7 min read The Top Summer Road Trips in Alberta in 2026

Alberta road trips aren’t about getting from A to B—they’re about embracing your adventurous spirit, basking in wild surroundings and collecting stories along the way.

Two people roast marshmallows at Pine Creek Retreat in front of an A-frame cabin.
7 min read Your Guide to Planning a Glamping Getaway in Alberta

Enjoy the great outdoors with an updated take on classic camping. Glamping combines time in nature with modern amenities and comfort, and this guide will help you plan your Alberta glamping trip.

A woman smiles while sitting on a rock near Lundbreck Falls.
6 min read Why Alberta is Canada’s Best Base for Life-Changing Vacations

A trip to Alberta has the power to transform you, whether through adventure, spa retreats or cultural experiences. Start planning your getaway with these tips on intentional travel.

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Suggested itineraries

Couple taking photos at Horseshoe Canyon
8 days
Alpine and Jurassic Discoveries

From your base in Calgary, venture into the heart of dinosaur country, then up into the majestic Rocky Mountains. Complement the beauty of nature with fine dining, local history, and even a spa day.

Person hiking in Lake Louise
10 days
Cities, Mountains and Dinosaurs

Get ready for an adventurous 10-day road trip that starts in the city of Edmonton, takes you through the Rocky Mountains and finishes in the Badlands.

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Nearby cities to explore

Dinosaur skeleton in the Royal Tyrrell Museum

Drumheller

Drumheller
A group of buoyancy-aided friends leisurely float down Calgary's Bow River on inner tubes, passing under the iconic Peace Bridge. Lush tree-lined riverbanks create a serene backdrop, with the distant cityscape adding to the carefree summer atmosphere.

Calgary

Calgary
Hot Air balloons over Medicine Hat

Medicine Hat

Medicine Hat