Drumheller & the Royal Tyrrell Museum
Alberta's badlands town, hoodoos, and Canada's largest fossil collection.
About Drumheller & the Royal Tyrrell Museum
Drumheller sits deep in the Red Deer River valley, surrounded by badlands. The Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology holds more than 160,000 catalogued fossils, the largest collection in Canada. Nearby, the hoodoos (clay and sand pillars deposited 70 to 75 million years ago) are an easy, iconic stop.
A brief history
Drumheller is named after Samuel Drumheller, who put townsite lots on the market and started coal mining in 1911. The town boomed with coal until after the Second World War. The Tyrrell Museum opened in September 1985 and received its "Royal" title in 1990.
RV tips
- Steep descents into the valley: use a lower gear and go slowly.
- There are several campgrounds in and around town. It's hot in July and August.
- Hoodoo areas are fragile. Stay on marked paths.
Before you go: Hours, road conditions, campground availability, passes and fire bans change. Check the official source below, 511 Alberta and Alberta Fire Bans before you travel. National parks need a Parks Canada pass, and Kananaskis needs a Conservation Pass.
Campgrounds nearby
- River Grove Campground & Cabins (Private, typical about $58/night)
- Dinosaur RV Park (Private, typical about $64/night)
Costs are approximate (checked October 2026). All Alberta campgrounds →
Sources & more information
Related trip planning: Alberta RV routes · Pre-trip checklist · Crown land camping