Camping near Drumheller
Rugged hikes and ancient life—adventure awaits in Drumheller, dino capital of the world.
Popular camping styles for Drumheller
Camping near Drumheller guide
Overview
On the Red Deer River in the Badlands of Alberta, Canada, sits 70-million-year-old Drumheller centred in a region of untamed nature, rich history, and unparalleled camping. Drumheller, Alberta is best known for its famous dinosaur museum, the Royal Tyrrell Museum, but rustic waterside campsites along Elbow River make the area ideal for canoeing and kayaking, too. Tent sites on working cattle ranches (with friendly cows onsite) and RV sites overlooking the Badlands are both within reach of campers visiting Drumheller.
Where to go
Dinosaur Provincial Park
Dinosaur Provincial Park offers a unique camping experience to the south of Drumheller. Here, paleontology lovers hunt for traces of ancient history in one of the most fossil-dense areas on Earth, and photographers line up to take the sunset tour for the best views. Trek through the Badlands or wander the looming hoodoos (otherworldly rock formations) and twisting canyons where dinosaurs once roamed, then settle in for the night at a nearby Hipcamp.
Midland Provincial Park
In the Badlands of Drumheller is Midland Provincial Park, a renowned Canadian destination for mountain biking, fossil hunting, hiking, and geocaching—even if it is a day-use park only. If you’re interested in more recent history, take a short walk through the Midland Coal Mine Day Use Area to see 1970s mining artifacts. Then, wind down next to the fire pits at your rustic A-frame rental, enjoy some lakeside glamping to relax with modern comforts, or live every kid’s fantasy in a forest treehouse.
Hoodoos Trail
Through twisting, wild ravines on Hoodoos Trail, otherworldly sandstone pillars and other rock formations soar above an almost alien environment. Nearby, campers can find a small convenience store with washrooms, potable water, and other refreshments. Elsewhere in the area, enjoy a glamping stay at a family-owned farm, stay the night in a cozy cabin in the woods, or park at a serene RV site.
When to go
Drumheller, AB experiences cold winters (with an average high of 0°C), so the most popular times to visit are spring or summer. Nearby campsites book quickly in these months, so plan and reserve ahead. During this time, days get hot in the Badlands, with highs averaging around 26°C. Visit Drumheller in May or September to beat the crowds, avoid the hottest and coldest seasons, and best experience all the rugged beauty of these ancient lands.
