The Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology is a world-class dinosaur museum, and it sits among the badlands of Drumheller, about an hour and a half by road from Calgary. This guided day trip handles the driving and the planning. The itinerary covers Horseshoe Canyon, the giant dinosaur statue in Drumheller, a two-hour visit to the museum with admission included, the Little Church, the hoodoos and the Rosedale suspension bridge, and lasts eight to nine hours. It suits visitors without a car, and it is reliable in winter because you do not drive the highway yourself. The museum is the highlight, with a huge collection of dinosaur skeletons and an exhibit hall that traces life through geologic time. Because this is a day tour, not a single-venue ticket, it is listed here as a trip, and its stops can vary slightly with season and weather.
Why go: Alberta's badlands are among the richest fossil beds on Earth, and the museum, founded in the 1980s and named for geologist Joseph Tyrrell, has built a reputation for its displays of dinosaurs found in the surrounding rock. In the main galleries, skeletons stand in lifelike poses, with exhibits on the Burgess Shale, ancient seas and the story of life through time. It is a place where children and adults are equally absorbed.
Season and timing: the museum keeps winter hours from September to mid-May, open Tuesday to Sunday, 10 to 5, and closed Mondays except holidays, with the last ticket slots in mid-afternoon and timed entry. It closes on several days around Christmas and New Year, including 21, 24, 25 and 28 December and 1 January. So choose a tour date on a day the museum is open, and confirm with the operator. Winter roads can be slick, which is a good reason to let a guide drive. Some outdoor stops, such as the hoodoos and the suspension bridge, are short and weather-dependent, so dress warmly.
Practical points: pickup and meeting points are listed on the tour page, and the full day returns to the meeting point in the early evening. Meals are not a feature of this tour, so bring snacks or plan to buy lunch in Drumheller. Most travellers need no special equipment beyond warm clothes and sturdy shoes.
What to expect
The experience
A guided full-day trip from Calgary to the Drumheller badlands with stops at Horseshoe Canyon, the hoodoos, a suspension bridge and a two-hour visit to the museum, with admission included.
Best time
A day the museum is open (Tuesday to Sunday in winter) with a clear forecast; the museum is closed on several days around Christmas and New Year.
How long
Eight to nine hours door to door, with about two hours in the museum.
Tips
Dress warmly and wear sturdy shoes for the hoodoos and canyon. Bring snacks, because meals are not part of the tour, and confirm the exact route with the operator for your date.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Dinosaur fans and families who want a big day out without driving.
- Families
- Children love the museum, though the day is long; bring snacks and entertainment for the drive.
- Couples
- Scenic badlands stops and a relaxed day with a guide at the wheel.
- Pair with
- A quiet evening back in Calgary, or Inglewood for dinner.
- Time needed
- A full day.
Good questions
How far is Drumheller from Calgary?+
It is roughly an hour and a half by road. The Royal Tyrrell Museum is about six kilometres northwest of the town of Drumheller.
Is museum admission included?+
Yes, the product page lists Royal Tyrrell Museum admission as included, with about two hours at the museum. Other costs, such as meals, are not part of the tour.
Does the trip run in winter?+
The museum is open in winter, Tuesday to Sunday, but it closes on Mondays and on several days around Christmas and New Year. Check the exact departure dates and the day's route with the operator.
What are the other stops?+
The itinerary includes Horseshoe Canyon, the world's largest dinosaur statue, a little church, the hoodoos and the Rosedale suspension bridge. Stops can vary slightly with weather and conditions.
Can I visit the museum without a tour?+
Yes, the museum sells timed tickets on its own website, and you can drive yourself. A guided trip is easier in winter if you prefer not to drive the highway.