Long before the dinosaurs made Drumheller famous, coal was the reason people lived here, and the Atlas Coal Mine in East Coulee is where that story is told at full scale. The site sits at 110 Century Drive, at the far southeastern end of the valley, and it preserves the machinery, buildings and working landscape of a mine that once supplied fuel to the prairies. It is a National Historic Site, and it is run as a working heritage attraction rather than a quiet museum. The tipple, or processing plant, is the centrepiece, a tall timber structure where coal was sorted and loaded, and it is often described as the last wooden tipple of its kind in the country. Around it stand the mine offices, the lamp house, the washhouse and the rail yard, set against bare badlands walls that make the whole place feel like a film set. There are several ways to see it. General admission lets you wander the site on your own, reading signs and looking at the equipment, but some parts can only be reached on a guided tour. The tours are sold as add-ons to admission: a short train ride of about twenty-five minutes, a processing plant tour of about forty-five minutes that takes you through the tipple, and a mine portal hike of roughly an hour and a quarter that walks you up to the mouth of the mine itself. Guides explain how miners worked, what the conditions were like and why the valley boomed and then faded as demand for coal fell away. Children enjoy the train and the chance to climb around the machinery, and adults tend to find the human stories, of long shifts, small wages and close communities, the most memorable part.
What to see
If you can only do one tour, the processing plant tour is the one that explains the place best, because you move through the building in the order the coal travelled, from the rail cars at the top to the loading chutes at the bottom. The mine portal hike is the better choice for people who like to be outdoors and want views of the surrounding coulees.
The train ride is the easiest option for small children and for anyone who prefers not to climb stairs. Allow time between tours to look at the buildings, the old vehicles and the interpretive displays, and ask your guide about the other mining sites along the valley.
Practical planning
This is a seasonal attraction. The site is closed for the winter and reopens in spring, with the main season running through the summer and into early autumn. In summer it is generally open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the last entry at 4 p.m., and in the shoulder season the days can be shorter, so check the schedule before you drive out. A few evening Christmas events are normally held in early December.
Tickets for the site and the tours are sold online through the mine, and it is wise to book the tours ahead in July and August because places on each departure are limited. Wear sturdy shoes, bring a layer even in summer, because the valley floor can be cool in the shade of the tipple, and bring water. The site is spread out, with uneven ground, gravel and steps, so check with the mine about access if anyone in your group uses a wheelchair or struggles with stairs.
Fitting it in
Atlas is about twenty-five to thirty minutes southeast of downtown Drumheller, on the same road as the Hoodoos, so the two make a natural pair. The Coal Dust Trail, a self-guided route of eighteen roadside stops with signs about the valley's mining history, runs from Nacmine to Atlas, and a brochure and map are available at the World's Largest Dinosaur.
The East Coulee School Museum is a few minutes away and fills in the community side of the story. Most visitors spend half a day here, and keen history fans can easily fill longer.
What to expect
The experience
A self-guided walk around a preserved mine site, with optional guided add-ons: a short train ride, a processing plant tour and a hike to the mine portal.
Best time
A dry summer morning, when all the tours run and the badlands light is soft, with the plant tour booked in advance.
How long
Two to four hours, depending on how many tours you add.
Tips
Check the season before you drive out, book tours ahead in summer, wear sturdy shoes and bring water and a layer.
Quick picks
- Best for
- History fans and families who want to see what the valley was built on, beyond the dinosaurs.
- Families
- The train ride suits young children, and older children enjoy the machinery and the tipple tour.
- Couples
- An atmospheric half day with great photo light, especially paired with the Hoodoos on the way.
- Pair with
- The Hoodoos and the East Coulee School Museum sit on the same road.
- Time needed
- Two to four hours, longer if you add every tour.
Good questions
When is Atlas Coal Mine open?+
It is a seasonal site that is closed for the winter and reopens in spring, running daily through the summer. Check the mine's schedule before you go, since the hours shift between summer and autumn.
Which tour should I choose?+
The processing plant tour gives the clearest picture of how coal was handled. The mine portal hike suits outdoor lovers, and the train ride is the easiest choice for small children.
Do I need to book ahead?+
Tickets are sold online through the mine, and booking the guided tours ahead is wise in July and August because each departure has limited places.
Where is it?+
It is at 110 Century Drive in East Coulee, at the southeastern end of the Drumheller valley. You need a car or a tour, and the drive from downtown takes about half an hour.
Is it suitable for children?+
Yes, many families visit. The train ride and the machinery are popular with children, though the ground is uneven and the portal hike is better for older children.
