Central Alberta 
Make the most of your trip to Drumheller this summer with this activity guide.
When you plan a trip to the Dinosaur Capital of the World, there are a few important things to keep in mind: it gets hot, and Dinosaur Provincial Park is about 90 minutes from town.
In addition to dino-themed fun, you can find here like the museum or T-rex, there are also many attractions to visit, festivals to look forward to, and free outdoor attractions to explore.
Summer Events and Festivals
1. Catch a Show at the Badlands Amphitheatre
There is an excellent lineup of performances and events for summer 2022 at the Badlands Amphitheatre. For the first three weekends in July, the Passion Plays are on stage each Friday-Sunday, with the final weekend reserved for the Badlands Vanfest. In August you can catch major acts like the Barenaked Ladies or Tom Cochrane on the amphitheater stage.
When: June-September
Where: Badlands Amphitheater
How much: $30 & up
2. Attend a Music Festival in Rosebud
The town of Rosebud, a short drive south of Drumheller, is a thriving place with an even more exciting arts and cultural scene. To showcase their art world, Rosebud hosts two summer music festivals.
When: July 4 to 22, 2022
Where: Rosebud
How much: Chamber MF $28 per person
3. Loud as Hell Festival
Drumheller is going to get Loud as Hell for August long weekend 2022. This heavy rock and metal festival is still accepting band submissions for the event, with the lineup announcement suspected to be coming soon.
When: July 29-31, 2022
Where: Dorva MX Motocross Track
Drumheller
How much: Regular weekend tickets are $150 each.
4. Shopping the Summer Markets
Cath the first summer market on June 18th with Vintage in the Badlands. After this, you can catch the Drumheller Farmers’ Market downtown all summer. Head to Rosebud later in the summer for their annual Artisan Market.
When: Saturdays June-September
Where: Drumheller and Rosebud
5. WayneStock
WayneStock brings you 3 days of music featuring over 60 artists! Enjoy musical styles such as rock, bluegrass, country, hillbilly, gypsy blues, and more!
When: September 2 to 5, 2022
Where: Last Chance Saloon, 555 Jewell Street Wayne
How much: $30 & up
Best of Drumheller Attractions
1. Royal Tyrrell Museum
The world-famous Royal Tyrrell is an awe-inspiring display of natural history with Alberta-specific exhibits, the Dinosaur Hall, gardens, and so many bones!
Book your spots online as soon as you can for the Royal Tyrrell Museum this summer! They are only accepting timed entries, but this does help you avoid lines and spend more time in the museum.
When: Open Year Round, May 15 – August 31: Open seven days a week, 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Where: Midland Provincial Park – 1500 N Dinosaur Trail, Drumheller
How much: $10-$21 per person
2. Midland Provincial Park
The site of the Royal Tyrell Museum, Midland Provincial park offers great spots for hiking and wildlife viewing. It is a day park only, with no camping facilities. It is the site to the former Midland Coal mine and has been a provincial park since 1979. Be sure to visit the fossil beds and the old mine site. The mine is known for the horrible tragedy of the mid 1920’s.
Where: Midland Provincial Park – 1500 N Dinosaur Trail, Drumheller
How much: Free
3. Cross the River via the Bleriot Ferry
The short ride across the Red Deer River via the Bleriot Ferry is a unique experience in Alberta, a fun way for kids to see the river, and allows for the fast access to Horsethief Canyon while north of Drumheller. The ferry uses cables to take you 105m across the Red Deer River and can hold up to 13 cars.
When: May9-October 30
Where: Highway 838 over the Red Deer River
4. Visit the World’s Largest Dinosaur and More
Who is Tyra? A 65-tonne and 25-meter-tall T-Rex! The famous and climbable t-rex in the centre of Drumheller is a must-see and a must-do. The unique attraction perfectly sums up the area with the dino itself, and the views from the top (inside the dinosaur’s mouth and behind the fangs). There are other nearby attractions like the Aquaplex, Visitor’s Centre, skatepark, the Rotary Spray Park, and several spots for shopping or dining.
When: year-round
Where: 60 1 Ave W, Drumheller
How much: $5 per person
5. Tour the Atlas Coal Mine Natural Historic Site
The completely restored Atlas Coal Mine is open for tours and visitors which means you can explore the outer workings of the mine, and the actual underground shafts. Tours include train rides, walks through the processing plant, walks through the junkyard, and the underground Mine hike.
When: Summer: 10 AM to 5PM
Where: 110 Century Dr W, East Coulee
How much: $12.50/Adult, $9.50/Youth, Senior, tours: $13.50 to $15.50
6. Barney’s Outdoor Adventure Park
The outdoor experiences at Barney’s in southern Alberta would make a big adventure for any kid. These include a petting zoo, cart racing, pig races, small ziplines, roller racers, and gigantic jumping pillows.
When: June 18th – Oct 31st
Where: Highway 10X West, Drumheller
How much: $24.15 per person
7. Spend a day at the Races with Dinosaur Downs Speedway
The summer 2022 schedule for the Dinosaur Downs Speedway is live, with exiting thrills planned up until September. Stop by to view the drag races, demolition derby, car shows, and more.
When: July 1-September 10
Where:5 St SE, Drumheller, AB T0J 0Y0
8. Stop at all the Natural Sights
There are several natural formations and areas you’ll want to check out on a trip to Drumheller, all of which can easily be accessed with the highways or a short walk. On the far southeast side of the area are the trails of Dinosaur Provincial Park where you can explore the fossil-filled hills. A little closer to Drumheller itself are the famous badland hoodoos which you can access via Highway AB-10 and a short trail. Once on the northwest side of Drumheller, you can stop by the Orkney Viewpoint and Horsethief Canyon which offer views from either side of the river. The entire drive could be done in a day, including stopping time.
You can visit most of the attractions when you drive the Dinosaur Trial. The 48 km scenic drive follows the south and north side of Red Deer River along Highway 575, 837, and 838. From Calgary, you can reach the trail via Highway 9. Before you take the drive on the Dinosaur Trail, stop at the Drumheller visitor centre to pick up maps and brochures about the trail.
9. Picnic at Dry Island Buffalo Jump
Head up to Dry Island Buffalo Jump PP for short hikes followed by a scenic picnic. There are two main trails in the Provincial Park which head at Township Road 344A; you can either hike a 7km or 9km trail, and finish with a meal overlooking the badlands and river valley.
Where: Township Road 344 via Highway 21
How much: free
Guided Tours in Drumheller
1. Explore with Red Deer River Adventures
Find the Red Deer River Adventures basecamp at Newcastle Beach in town. From here, the adventure company can guide you on the waters via canoe or kayak while showing you all the best sights of the Red Deer River Valley.
Where: 980 2nd Ave. West, Drumheller (Newcastle Beach)
When: open 7 days a week, May to October
2. Walk it out with Drumheller Nordic Walking
The educational hikes offered by the Drumheller Nordic Walking group offer a chance to get out on the trails with someone who truly knows the area. You’ll learn about plant and wildlife, geological features, and how to navigate the badlands. They offer a Museum, Riverside, or a Badlands Tour.
When: June-August
Where: 1337 Riverside Avenue
How much: $15 per person
3. Book a Bus Tour with Wild West
You can avoid any driving or navigating between different tourist attractions in Drumheller by hopping on with the Wild West Badlands Tours. They offer two different trips with their Badlands, Dinosaurs, & Prehistoric Times taking you to the famous stops on Dinosaur Trail. The second tour, the Wild West Adventure, brings you on a full ranch experience complete with wagon rides and live buffalo herds.
When: May-September
Where: will pick you up from your accommodations
How much: $42-$60 per person
Outdoor Fun in Drumheller
1. Self-Guided Dinosaur Arts Tour
Take a walk through Drumheller and along the river valley and you can find many dinosaurs of all shapes, sizes, and colours. The DinoArts Association created a hand map for you to follow, and #dinoarts for sharing photos of your favorite sculptures/skeletons.
When: year-round
Where: all throughout Drumheller
How much: free
2. Scooter with Scootsee
You can rent yourself a unique way to see the town of Drumheller this summer with Scootsee, the town’s first e-scooter company. You’ll need to download the free Scootsee App first, and from there you can pay for your ride time on the scooters. You can pick up scooters from their new docking station and be off on your gentle ride around Drumheller’s coolest spots.
Where: 308 Centre St, Drumheller
3. Book an E-bike Picnic
Bikes and Bites are a company in Drumheller with two goals: to get you adventuring around town with their e-bikes, and to pack you the perfect picnic for your ride. You can choose to only rent e-bikes, or you can add a picnic to your rental. The owners can provide guides and maps to help you along your Drumheller bike adventure. If you have smaller kids in tow, you can rent their e-bike with trailer! All rentals include a helmet and bike lock as well.
When: June 27-September 11
Where: 80 Veterans Way. Inside the Badlands Community Facility. Drumheller
How much: $20-$60
4. River Beaches & Swimming
When the Red Deer River is calm and slow flowing, you can easily find shallow parts for a dip in the water on a hot day. The two main and popular spots along the river for swimming and beach fun include the McMullen Island Day Use and Newcastle Beach areas.
McMullen Island Day Use Area: via the N Dinosaur Trail, Midland Provincial Park
Newcastle Beach: 2nd Avenue via Newcastle Trail, Drumheller
5. Water Fun on Red Deer River
If you have any sort of non-powered boat, you are free to launch it on the Red Deer River. This means you can enjoy canoeing, kayaking, or even stand-up paddleboarding through the valley and the badlands. If you don’t own your own, or can’t bring a boat with you, then visit Red Deer River Adventures for canoe, kayak, or double-kayak rentals.
There are many locations along the Red Deer River where you can launch on and off for your lazy floating trip. There are stops on the northern part of the river near the Tolman Rangelands campgrounds, as well as at the bridge crossings. July and August are the best times for a short float with an inflatable, and drinks or a picnic.
Summer Stay
1. Badlands Camping
Whether you prefer tent or RV camping, there is camping in and around Drumheller for you. Pick between either the privately-owned campgrounds, or the Provincial Park sites surrounding Drumheller. The Bleriot Ferry PRA is a short drive north of Drumheller with first-come-first-served camping; Dinosaur Provincial Park is a little further at about an hour drive from Drumheller, but also offers f-c-f-s camping at the Steveville Bridge site.
How much: $12-$40 per night
2. Spend your Time at a B&B, Spa, or Cottage
You can camp, rent a vacation home, or stay in a hotel/motel while visiting Drumheller. Or you can enhance your stay and your experience with one of the area’s many unique accommodations. These include a few feature Bed & Breakfasts, Country Inns and Cottages, or the Heartwood Inn & Spa.
