Experience Alberta Badlands
Horsethief Canyon, Photo Courtesy of Travel Alberta/ Katie Goldie
Bleriot Ferry The cable-operated Bleriot Ferry links the South and North sections of the Dinosaur Trail (Hwy 838). This free ferry ride across the Red Deer River is a great addition to a scenic road trip through Drumheller Valley in the Canadian Badlands. travelalberta.com/ca/listings/bleriot-ferry-1470
Horsethief Canyon At the secluded Horsethief Canyon, 16 km northwest of Drumheller on North Dinosaur Trail (Hwy 838), adventuresome souls can hike deep into the coulees where the canyon’s namesake horse thieves hid to rebrand their stolen steeds. traveldrumheller.com/attractions/horsethief-canyon
Horseshoe Canyon Offering stunning vistas and scenic hiking trails, Horseshoe Canyon’s glacier-carved “U” is located 17 km southwest of Drumheller along Hwy 9. A pathway east of the parking lot leads to a lookout point. From there, descend to the canyon floor, where numerous unmarked trails allow hikers to explore the valley and maybe even discover a dinosaur or two! traveldrumheller.com/attractions/horseshoe-canyon
Hoodoos Trail The Drumheller hoodoos are internationally recognized icons in Alberta badlands. The tour allows you to see the results of wind and water erosion on sedimentary rocks throughout the millennia. Looking like petrified mushrooms; the hoodoos have a protective rock cap, which shelters their shaft from
Hoodoos Photo Courtesy of Travel Alberta/ Nate @natesvscrocodile
disintegrating at the same pace as the surrounding sandstone. travelalberta.com/ca/listings/hoodoos-and-hoodoo-trail-4517
Star Mine Suspension Bridge The bridge spans 117 m across the Red Deer River in Rosedale, just outside of Drumheller. It was built in 1931 for the coal miners of the Star Mine. The bridge is now a favourite among locals for fishing and for accessing stunning Badlands terrain. Enjoy hiking, hill climbing, and a day use area in the vicinity. travelalberta.com/ca/listings/rosedale-suspension-bridge-4513/
Historic Wayne Along this stretch of highway from the Star Mine Suspension Bridge to The Last Chance Saloon and The Rosedeer Hotel, you cross 11 bridges once used to transport coal through local mining communities. This gauntlet of bridges actually holds the Guinness Book of World Records title as the most bridges found within the shortest distance! The Rosedeer Hotel opened in 1913 in the dusty boomtown of Wayne. Back then, the population topped out at over 2,500, but has dipped to just over 2 dozen since the mines closed down in the 1950’s. The Last Chance Saloon is family friendly, serving snacks and beverages. Jojo’s Haberdashery Ice Cream & Gift Shop is just nextdoor. visitlastchancesaloon.com
Atlas Coal Mine Enthusiastic guides at the Atlas Coal Mine National Historic Site show off artifacts and share colourful stories about miners who lived and work there. A walk up the gantry takes you to
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