Tyra is the roadside giant that put Drumheller on the postcard rack: a Tyrannosaurus rex sculpture about 25 metres, or 86 feet, tall, standing at the Drumheller visitor centre on Riverside Drive West. She is many times the size of a real T. rex, and the point is the fun of it. Visitors can climb 106 stairs inside her body to a viewing platform in her mouth, where you look out across downtown and the valley through her teeth. The site also holds a gift shop and the visitor information centre, which makes it a sensible first stop for maps and local advice. Standing beside her feet for a photo is free, and the climb itself costs only a few dollars, with children five and under free and a family rate for groups up to eight.
Why it works
The climb is short, a little sweaty on a warm day and a good way to get a sense of the valley layout, with the river, the downtown streets and the pale badlands walls all in view. Children treat the stairs as a challenge, and the jaw platform makes a funny photo. It takes well under an hour, so it slots easily between other stops.
Practical planning
The climbing hours change with the season, and Tyra's own website gives two different schedules, one running daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and another running Thursday to Monday, so check the website before you go in winter. The last climb is fifteen minutes before closing, and in the autumn the dinosaur has closed on weekdays for maintenance, so do not count on a Tuesday visit.
The gift shop and visitor information centre stay open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Climbing is not suited to anyone who cannot manage over a hundred steps.
Good to know
The Drumheller and District Chamber of Commerce has said the dinosaur, gift shop and visitor centre will close when the current lease ends in December 2029, and a structural assessment in September 2025 found the sculpture safe and stable. For now she remains open, so there is no need to rush, though it is another reason to visit while you can. Park nearby and combine her with a stroll along the downtown pathways.
What to expect
The experience
A self-guided climb up 106 stairs inside a giant sculpture to a viewing platform in the dinosaur's mouth, beside a gift shop and visitor centre.
Best time
Late morning on a clear day for the best valley views, after checking the winter climbing days on the website.
How long
Plan on thirty to sixty minutes including photos, the climb and a stop in the visitor centre.
Tips
Check the season's climbing days first, wear shoes with grip, allow for the last climb fifteen minutes before closing and take the stairs slowly.
Quick picks
- Best for
- First-time visitors and families who want the town's signature photo and a quick viewpoint.
- Families
- Children enjoy the climb, and the family rate covers one or two adults and children aged six to seventeen, up to eight people.
- Couples
- A light-hearted stop with a good view, easy to pair with a downtown walk and a coffee.
- Pair with
- The Royal Tyrrell Museum, the Little Church and the downtown pathways make an easy full day.
- Time needed
- Under an hour.
Good questions
How tall is the World's Largest Dinosaur?+
The dinosaur's own website gives her height as about 25 metres, or 86 feet. Some other sources round it up to 26 metres.
How many steps are there?+
There are 106 stairs inside the sculpture, ending at a platform in the dinosaur's mouth. Take them slowly and rest if you need to.
What does it cost?+
The climb costs only a few dollars per person, children five and under are free, and a family rate covers one or two adults and children aged six to seventeen. Looking at her from outside is free.
Is she open in winter?+
The website shows two different winter schedules, so check before you drive in. The gift shop and visitor information centre stay open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Will the dinosaur stay open?+
The chamber of commerce has said the lease ends in December 2029, and an assessment in September 2025 found the structure safe and stable. She remains open for now.
