Drumheller proudly calls itself the Town of the Dinosaurs. 75 million years ago, in the Upper Cretaceous Period, various species of dinosaurs roamed this region. Some remains of this life form have been preserved in the sedimentary strata.
From 1910 to the 1940s Drumheller depended on coal-mining. Then oil and natural gas largely took over from coal as energy sources so that today the little town is mainly a commercial center for the farmers of the region. The very dry Badlands, quite unsuitable for agriculture, have long attracted numbers of tourists.
The Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology is a modern museum that has gained worldwide acclaim. The museum displays hundreds of fossils, including dinosaur skeletons, and other finds from the area.
This scenic drive offers great views over the dramatic landscape around Drumheller. The main features are the hoodoos, along with other unique rock formations.
The Bleriot Ferry, at Bleriot Ferry Provincial Recreation area, is in operation from early May to the end of October. It embarks from the little township of Munson, 23 km northwest of Drumheller, and carries passengers across the Red Deer River. This ferry, which has been in operation since 1913, is one of the last sailing-ferries still used in Canada.
From the western bank of the river the tour returns to Drumheller.
There is a campground here at Bleriot Ferry Provincial Recreation Area with year round camping.
Hours:
8am-10:45am
Tips: Hours may vary in the early spring and late fall.
The Homestead Antique Museum can be found about 1 km (2/3 mi.) north-west of the town. In the grounds of the museum can be seen different pieces of farming equipment and machinery from the pioneering period.
On display are a wide range of items including period clothing, jewelry, furniture, tools, musical instruments, toys, medical equipment, along with an early period beauty parlor and barber shop.
The Homestead Antique Museum offers visitors a chance to step back into pioneering times.
After a small chapel built in 1957 had collapsed the Horsethief Canyon Viewpoint was constructed, from where there is a good view of the various sedimentary layers in the canyon. Footpaths lead down to fossilized oyster-beds.
Horsethief Canyon is so named because it was once used to hide stole live stock.
Reptile World is a privately owned attraction that was established in 1989. Over 200 reptiles and amphibians are on display including a 600 pound alligator, poison dart frogs, anacondas, and gila monsters.
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Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology
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