Step into one of the world’s great dinosaur museums, set in the heart of Alberta’s Canadian Badlands.
The Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology is Canada’s only museum dedicated exclusively to the science of ancient life, and the crown jewel of any Drumheller visit.
The Royal Tyrrell Museum is more than a building full of fossils. It’s a journey through 4.6 billion years of Earth’s history.
Towering dinosaur skeletons, immersive galleries, and real scientific research all come together in a landscape where many of these fossils were first discovered.
Whether you’re a lifelong dinosaur fan, travelling with kids, or simply curious about the story beneath your feet, this is the must‑see attraction in Drumheller.
The Royal Tyrrell Museum is recognized internationally for its fossil collections and research. Inside, you’ll find one of the largest displays of full dinosaur skeletons anywhere, along with thousands of fossils that reveal how life on Earth has changed over time.
Behind the scenes, paleontologists and technicians are actively studying new discoveries, preparing fossils, and uncovering Alberta’s prehistoric past. When you visit, you’re stepping into a living research centre as much as a museum.
Walk among giants. Dinosaur Hall showcases spectacular skeletons, including Alberta’s own Albertosaurus, horned dinosaurs, duck‑billed hadrosaurs, and more. The scale of these fossils, and the way they’re displayed, makes this one of the most memorable rooms in the museum.
Step into a lush indoor forest that recreates the plants and environments that once covered Alberta. The Cretaceous Garden pairs living plants with fossil displays to show how ancient ecosystems looked when dinosaurs roamed here.
Watch real fossil preparation in action through large viewing windows. Technicians carefully remove rock from around bones using fine tools. It’s a slow, meticulous process that brings fossils from field to gallery and offers a rare chance to see science unfolding in real time.
This exhibit tells the stories of fossils uncovered during construction projects across Alberta, from roadwork to mine sites. It’s a fascinating look at how chance discoveries can change what we know about ancient life.
The Royal Tyrrell Museum is designed with curious minds of all ages in mind. Interactive displays, engaging storytelling, and hands‑on elements help bring the science to life for kids and adults alike.
If you’re planning a family trip to Drumheller, set aside time here. It’s often the highlight of the day.
The museum’s setting is part of what makes it so special. Just outside, the rugged hills and layered rock formations of the Canadian Badlands stretch in every direction.
Behind the museum, a short interpretive trail winds through the coulees and hoodoos of Midland Provincial Park. It’s an easy walk with big views and interpretive signs that connect the landscape to the fossils you’ve just seen inside.
Don’t forget your camera. The combination of museum architecture and Badlands backdrop makes for some of the best photos in Drumheller.
The Royal Tyrrell Museum is located a short drive northwest of downtown Drumheller, along a scenic road through Midland Provincial Park. Many visitors choose to pair their museum visit with nearby viewpoints and canyon stops.
The museum is open year‑round, with extended hours in the summer season.
Admission fees apply, and advance online tickets are strongly recommended during weekends and peak summer months.
Check the museum’s official website for current hours, pricing, and special programs before you go.
The Royal Tyrrell Museum brings the story of the Badlands to life, from the smallest fossilized leaf to the largest carnivorous dinosaur. It’s a place where science feels exciting, history feels close, and the landscape outside the windows reminds you that this is where it all happened.
Whether it’s your first time in Drumheller or a return visit, the Royal Tyrrell Museum deserves a spot at the top of your list.