Drumheller: Badlands to the Bone!

by Dave Williams

When we Americans think of touring Canada in our RVs our eyes mist over with that overwhelming anticipation of stress-vaporizing peace, serenity and natural beauty. We think of the magnificent Canadian Rockies and breathtaking glaciers; of Lake Louise, Banff and glorious fishing pools in a summer sunset around, say, 10:00 p.m.

Banff National Park

Talk to me of driving through Canada and I automatically begin converting U.S. gallons into litres, comparing dollar for dollar and yearning for the all of Canada's wonders and the excitement of the Calgary Stampede.

But when you mention Canada we Yanks don't usually think of roaring motorcycles, demolition derbies and dinosaur bones.

Welcome to Drumheller in Canada's Badlands !


A mere 81 miles (130 km) northeast of Calgary lies a mostly desolate region of breathtaking beauty and prehistoric wonder. Here you'll find active archaeological digs, the Royal Tyrrell Museum, named for the man who first discovered dinosaur bones in the region and a lifestyle that epitomizes the hearty Canadian spirit with the roar of motorsports, including awesome hills to climb on two wheels, a demolition derby and a tire-burning competition right in the streets of Drumheller.

Canadian Badlands Passion Play

Here, too, many of Canada's finest actors perform during the annual summer Canadian Badlands Passion Play upon a wonderful outdoor stage composed of hardpan, rocks and natural terraces.



The Canadian Badlands Passion Play is performed in July. For more information see their website at www.canadianpassionplay.com/  

For general tourism information on the area see
www.traveldrumheller.com/