Drumheller & Hoodoos Day Trip from Calgary: Badlands & Dinosaurs

A day across layered rock, dinosaur fossils, and a suspension bridge that swings over the river

A guided day trip from Calgary to Drumheller and the Badlands covers the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology, the Hoodoos, Horseshoe Canyon, the World's Largest Dinosaur, the Rosedale Suspension Bridge, the Little Church, and a historic ghost town. The tour runs nine hours with a live English-speaking guide, hotel pickup, museum entry, bottled water, and onboard Wi-Fi included; child car seats are available on request.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Drumheller and Badlands highlights

• Visit Horseshoe Canyon viewpoint
• See the World’s Largest Dinosaur
• Tour the Royal Tyrrell Museum
• Step inside the Little Church
• Walk across Rosedale Suspension Bridge
• Explore the Hoodoos rock formations
• Visit the historic ghost town and Last Chance Saloon

The Experience

What does a nine-hour day in the Badlands actually look like? You start with pickup from your Calgary hotel, then head east into terrain that looks like nothing else in Alberta. The guide takes you to Horseshoe Canyon first—a viewpoint where the rock face opens up in layers of rust and cream, with walking trails that let you get closer to the formations. From there the day moves through stops that mix geology with roadside Alberta: the Royal Tyrrell Museum, where you walk past actual dinosaur skeletons and fossils in a building designed around paleontology; the Hoodoos, those striking pillars of eroded rock that rise from the landscape; and the Rosedale Suspension Bridge, which crosses the river with a slight sway and views down the valley.

Between the major stops are the smaller moments that make the day stick. You climb inside the World's Largest Dinosaur—a giant T-Rex you can walk up into for views across Drumheller. You step into the Little Church, a tiny chapel that holds just a handful of people and has become a photo stop for its sheer improbability. You cross eleven scenic bridges to reach a historic ghost town and the Last Chance Saloon, one of Alberta's most unusual heritage sites (closed Tuesdays). The guide moves you through these in sequence, so the day builds from one landscape to the next without you having to navigate or decide what comes next.

Bottled water and onboard Wi-Fi come with the tour. The Royal Tyrrell Museum entry is included, which saves the step of buying a ticket at the door. If you're traveling with small children, child car seats are available—just ask when you book. The whole thing runs nine hours, which is long enough to feel like a real journey into the Badlands but short enough to leave your evening open.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup from Calgary.
• nine-hour guided tour with a live English-speaking guide.
• entry to the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology.
• bottled water throughout the day.
• onboard Wi-Fi.
• child car seats available upon request.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Rockies & Badland Explorers

Is this one for you?Book the small group option if you want a shared tour where you meet other travelers; choose the hotel pickup option if your accommodation is near Calgary's northeast area and you want to avoid arranging your own transport to Drumheller.

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Top questions

What exactly is the Royal Tyrrell Museum, and how much time do you spend there?

The Royal Tyrrell Museum is a paleontology center with dinosaur skeletons, fossils, and interactive exhibits. The tour includes entry, and you have time to walk through the main galleries, though the exact duration depends on how the guide structures the day and how long the group lingers at other stops.

Can you actually climb inside the World's Largest Dinosaur, or is it just a photo stop?

You can climb inside the giant T-Rex and walk up to the top, where there are views across Drumheller. It's a working attraction, not just an exterior landmark.

Is the Rosedale Suspension Bridge safe if you're afraid of heights?

The Rosedale Suspension Bridge does sway slightly as you cross, and it spans the river with a clear view down. If heights are a concern, the guide can tell you what to expect, and you can decide whether to cross or wait at one end.

Does the tour visit the ghost town every day, or is it sometimes closed?

The ghost town and Last Chance Saloon are part of the itinerary, but the Saloon is closed on Tuesdays, which may affect what you see depending on the day you book.

How does pickup work—do you need to be at your hotel at a specific time?

Hotel pickup from Calgary is included. You'll be given a specific pickup time when you book, and the driver will collect you from your hotel before heading to Drumheller.

Is this tour suitable if you're not in great physical shape?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. Most stops involve walking on established trails or viewing areas, and you can move at your own pace. The suspension bridge and canyon viewpoints are accessible, though some walking is involved.