A Western Canada Road Trip – Day 19
It’s finally time to go to the Drumheller Badlands. The land of dinosaurs.
This is something I’ve wanted to do for years. I’ve always found dinosaurs, interesting, so it’s cool to go to a place where they roamed.
Early Morning in Canmore
We woke up early and, thankfully, didn’t get in trouble from sleeping in our campervan on the streets on Canmore.
When I peeked outside of the campervan, I was greeted by the cutest little bunnies. It was a lovely way to start my morning, but in my eagerness to capture a video of them, I whacked my head on the campervan window 😩 It hurt, but honestly, it was totally worth it for a closer look at those adorable bunnies 🐰
After a quick bunny-watching session, we drove over to Eclipse Coffee Roasters to grab a quick breakfast (and use their bathroom). We’re trying not to buy too many groceries as our campervan days are dwindling down, so it was great to be able to try a new coffee place, and have breakfast.
Drumheller Badlands: Horseshoe Canyon & Hoodoos
Our drive to Drumheller was mostly highway driving — definitely not as scenic as the Icefields Parkway.
With it being the last long weekend of the summer (before kids go back to school), it felt a lot busier on the roads. We saw a bunch of people pulled over on the highway near Canmore, heading towards some trailhead. Must be a pretty popular hike!
The drive from Canmore to Drumheller took about 2.5 hours. To get into the prehistoric spirit, we listened to the, “Rise and Fall of Dinosaurs” audiobook. Good vibes. I recommend.
Maybe it was the time of year or being a long weekend, but Horseshoe Canyon was packed packed! It was still cool to explore, but I have to admit, the crowds made it hard to fully appreciate the place. It’s tough to really soak things in when you’re constantly thinking about crowds, and COVID.
We drove over to the Hoodoos, but it was even more crowded there, so we just admired them from afar and went for a drive. Honestly, I enjoyed the drive more than the hoodoos as we got to see more of the landscape without the hordes of people.
The Royal Tyrell Museum was unfortunately closed due to COVID. I felt like visiting this renowned palaeontology museum would’ve added a lot of context to the region. It’s supposed to be amazing, with the world’s largest display of dinosaurs! It’s definitely on my list for a future visit.
Atlas Coal Mine
After our dinosaur times, we headed to the the Atlas Coal Mine. This National Historic Site was operational from 1936 to 1979, and is considered the most complete historic coal mine in Canada. It boasts the last standing wooden coal tipple in North America. This was actually pretty fascinating.
They usually offer tours, but we opted to just wander around, and take some pictures and videos. It was a welcome change of pace from the hordes of people at the dino sites.
Where To Next?
Afterward, we headed into town for a much-needed ice cream break at Dairy Queen (it was hot out). We also started looking for a place to stay but ultimately decided to try our luck back towards Calgary since that’s where we were headed next.
Finding a spot wasn’t as easy as it was in Cherryville, but eventually, we ended up at ACME / Frank Fooks Memorial Park and Campground.
The campground felt a bit like it was tucked away on the edge of a playground, but it served its purpose. We were able to have a campfire, and plug in our trusty campervan. We also went for a walk around the area, and its prairie vibes made me wonder if this is what Saskatchewan feels like.
The sunset that evening was stunning, and we took some beautiful photos. We cooked dinner, and then settled in for our last night in the campervan. All in all, had a lovely day in the Drumheller region, and at our campsite.
The next day, we were off to Calgary to meet up with some of Callum‘s friends before our flight home the following morning.
What an amazing trip. I am so glad we went out to the Canadian Rockies. It reinvigorated my love for the outdoors, and this was a great first trip as a couple. I can’t wait for our next one.
Prepare for your Trip
Learn
A few books, documentaries, and podcasts I recommend consuming before or during your trip to Canada 🇨🇦. Evolving Pop Culture Guide to Canada.
Discover the beauty of Canada’s sunniest province! Majestic mountains, diverse hikes, glacial lakes, dinosaurs and more. Alberta (AB) is home to North America’s largest mountain range, the second largest dark sky preserve in the world, iconic Canadian wildlife, and a place where dinosaurs used to roam. No matter the time of year, AB won’t disappoint (I would know because I have visited in almost every season)! Learn from my firsthand human, Canadian experience what Alberta is like, must-sees, and tips in my Alberta Travel Destination Guide.
