Under the Bones: A Day through Drumheller’s Badlands

BANFF GUIDED TOUR FIELD GUIDE

Under the Bones: A Day through Drumheller’s Badlands

A full-day guided loop from Calgary that traverses the Badlands to visit the Royal Tyrrell Museum, suspension bridges, hoodoos and coal‑mining sites—this guide distills the route and practical facts for planning the 8–10 hour outing.

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Under the Bones: A Day through Drumheller’s Badlands.

Duration
8-10 Hours
Location
Banff
Operator
Alberta Blue Sky Tours
Category
Guided Tour
Robert Eric Crews
Founder & Editor, The Adventure Collective
Published Verified

Leaving Calgary behind, this guided day tour threads east across prairie and into the sculpted Badlands around Drumheller, where world‑class paleontology, exposed canyon walls and a pocketed human history — from coal mines to ghost towns — punctuate an 8–10 hour circuit.

Highlights

Outing Highlights

THE HISTORY

Royal Tyrrell Museum — a paleontological anchor

The Royal Tyrrell Museum is the tour’s recommended stop for its extensive dinosaur exhibits; museum entry is available as an add‑on to the tour and is highly recommended.

THE ROUTE

Star Mine Suspension Bridge — a canyon crossing

The itinerary may include a walk across the Star Mine Suspension Bridge, which spans the Red Deer River and offers commanding canyon views as the tour works its way around Drumheller.

THE LANDSCAPE

Hoodoos and Horsethief Canyon — the Badlands’ signature forms

Eerie hoodoos, sweeping Badlands vistas and the panoramic outlooks at Horsethief Canyon are focal landscape moments on the route, offering the geological context for the region’s fossils and mining history.

What the day feels like

What the day feels like

Across an 8–10 hour day you travel by coach from Calgary into the Badlands, punctuating the drive with museum time, brief on‑site walks to lookouts and geological features, a lunch stop, optional historical stops at a coal‑mining site or ghost town, and a return to Calgary as the day closes.

Suitability

Who it's for

Who this day trip suits

1
Day trippersWell suited to travelers who want a single‑day excursion from Calgary without strenuous activity.
2
History buffsA good match for those interested in industrial and local history thanks to optional visits to the Atlas Coal Mine or the ghost town of Wayne.
3
Paleontology enthusiastsIdeal for visitors wanting museum time to see dinosaur exhibits, since the Royal Tyrrell Museum is a recommended stop (museum entry available as an add‑on).
4
Travelers with limited mobilityAppropriate for those seeking a low‑exertion day trip—this tour requires minimal physical activity, though some short walks at sites are part of the experience.

Practical planner

Details to review before reserving

Timing & Duration

Plan for a full day: the tour runs approximately 8–10 hours.

What to Bring

Confirm operator guidance for any recommended items; general personal essentials are advised.

Logistics & Pickup

The tour meets in Calgary; check with the operator for exact pickup details or to arrange alternate start/finish locations.

Booking Notice

Review cancellation policies before reserving.

Frequently asked questions

Planning Your Outing

Can the start time be changed?

Yes — the operator can start the tour a little earlier or later by request.

Can the tour start and end in different locations?

Yes — the operator can provide pick‑up and drop‑off in Calgary or Drumheller and can accommodate luggage.

Can the itinerary be customized?

Yes — the listed itinerary is a sample and can be adjusted prior to booking to include different stops or to skip places you've already seen.

How long is the tour?

The tour duration is approximately 8–10 hours.

Where does the tour meet?

The meeting location for the tour is Calgary.

Is entrance to the Royal Tyrrell Museum included?

Museum entrance is available as an add‑on to the tour and is highly recommended.