The Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology stands about six kilometres northwest of Drumheller on Highway 838, inside Midland Provincial Park, and it is the reason most people come to town. The museum runs through thirteen exhibits, including Dinosaur Hall, the Cretaceous Garden, the Cenozoic Gallery, the Palaeozoic Era and First Life galleries, a Triassic Giant, and a Preparation Lab that explains how fossils are prepared. The galleries follow life from its earliest forms through the age of the dinosaurs and on to the ice age mammals, and the skeletons are displayed so that you can walk right up to them. The museum itself says to allow about two hours, although dinosaur fans and children often stay much longer. It is run by the Government of Alberta, and the setting among the badlands makes the whole visit feel like part of the science.
What to see
Start with Dinosaur Hall, where the big skeletons stand in lifelike poses and the scale of the animals becomes real. Then slow down for the earlier galleries, which cover the deep history of life, and finish in the Cretaceous Garden, a planted space that suggests the landscape the dinosaurs lived in. The Preparation Lab shows how fossils are cleaned and prepared, which is a good reminder that every skeleton in the hall began as a lump of rock, and the Learning Lounge is aimed at younger visitors.
Practical planning
From 1 September to 14 May the museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the last ticket time at 3:30 p.m., and it is closed on Mondays except holiday Mondays. It is open on Wednesday 11 November 2026, and it will be closed on 21, 24, 25 and 28 December 2026 and on 1 January 2027.
Tickets are bought online through the museum, children aged six and under are free but still need a ticket, and a family rate is available. The museum shop sells souvenirs, and the badlands trail outside starts at the front door.
Fitting it in
The museum is a short drive from downtown Drumheller, and the road to it passes the Little Church, so combine the two. Winter visits are quieter than summer, when the museum stays open until 9 p.m., and a cold afternoon is the ideal time to be indoors. Dress in layers for the walk from the car park, wear comfortable shoes for the polished floors, and leave time to walk the interpretive trail if the weather allows.
What to expect
The experience
A self-guided museum visit through thirteen exhibits, with big skeletons, a preparation lab and a planted Cretaceous Garden.
Best time
A weekday morning in winter, when the galleries are quiet, or a cold afternoon when you want somewhere warm.
How long
The museum suggests about two hours, and many families and fossil fans stay half a day.
Tips
Buy tickets online, check the winter Tuesday to Sunday hours before you drive out and arrive well before the last ticket time.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Anyone who wants to see real dinosaur skeletons in a world-class setting, and the one stop you should not skip.
- Families
- Children love Dinosaur Hall and the big skeletons, and children six and under are free with a ticket.
- Couples
- A relaxed indoor afternoon that pairs well with a sunset walk among the badlands outside.
- Pair with
- The Badlands Interpretive Trail, the Little Church and the World's Largest Dinosaur fit naturally into the same day.
- Time needed
- Two to four hours, depending on how closely you read the galleries.
Good questions
What are the Royal Tyrrell Museum's winter hours?+
From 1 September to 14 May the museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the last ticket time at 3:30 p.m. It is closed on Mondays except holiday Mondays.
Is the museum open at Christmas and New Year?+
It is closed on 21, 24, 25 and 28 December 2026 and on 1 January 2027. Check the museum's hours page before you travel, since holiday dates can change.
How long do I need?+
The museum suggests about two hours to see the galleries. Families with young children and keen fossil fans often stay longer.
Where is the museum?+
It is about six kilometres northwest of Drumheller on Highway 838, inside Midland Provincial Park. You need a car, a taxi or a tour to reach it, because it is outside the downtown core.
Can children visit free?+
Children aged six and under are free but need a ticket. There is also a family rate for two adults and children aged seven to seventeen, and members enter free.
