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Itinerary best for
  • Families
  • Dinosaur Fans
  • Lovers of Quirky Towns

Take a classic Alberta road trip from Calgary into the Canadian Badlands—home to Drumheller, better known as the Dinosaur Capital of the World.

Start with a picturesque 90-minute drive from Calgary to Drumheller and head straight to the famous Royal Tyrrell Museum.

At a glance

  • 3-day itinerary
  • 437 km (272 mi) total distance
  • 5 hrs 23 mins drive time
  • Your starting point is in Calgary
4 destinations
Starts in

Calgary

Day 1 drive time: 2 hr 36 min, 219 km (136 mi)
Day 1

Royal Tyrrell Museum and Rosebud Theatre

Start your trip with a short 90-minute drive to the Canadian Badlands in Drumheller, Alberta.

Dinosaur exhibit in the Royal Tyrrell Museum A Local Favourite

Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology

Take a 3.9-billion-year journey through time and spend the afternoon exploring the world's largest displays of dinosaurs. Search for fossils, stand next to a life-sized dinosaur, or walk through the cretaceous garden. With loads of everchanging exhibits, there's always something new to discover.

People walking up to the Rosebud Theatre A Local Favourite

Rosebud Theatre

Rosebud Theatre is a hidden gem that combines delicious food, gracious hospitality and live theatre. It is a short 30-minute drive from Drumheller, located in a serene and peaceful river valley. Start with a delicious buffet in the dining room and then move to the theatre for the full Rosebud experience.

TIP FROM A LOCAL

Stop by the Preparation Lab at the Royal Tyrrell Museum, where you can see technicians preparing fossils.

Day 2 drive time: 40 min, 47 km (29 mi)
Day 2

Hoodoos and the Atlas Coal Mine

Between the hoodoos and the coal mine, your day will be chock-full of history!

Day 3 drive time: 2 hr 7 min, 171 km (106 mi)
Day 3

Horsethief Canyon and Drumheller Valley

Whether you're at the top of a canyon or in the jaws of a dinosaur, today will bring sensational views.