Fossils, badland coulees, and big prairie skies
Fossils, badland coulees, and big prairie skies
Drumheller, AB T0J 0Y0Regina, SK S4S 0B3
Trip overview
Embark on an epic journey from Calgary's high plains into the surreal, striped coulees of Alberta's Badlands and across the vast Saskatchewan prairies. Uncover ancient dinosaur fossils, descend into underground history, and witness the endless northern sky fire up at sunset.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1 — Drumheller
Horseshoe Canyon
A dramatic introduction to the Badlands, this steep-sided chasm reveals the vibrant, multi-colored sedimentary layers of the earth.
Township Road 274, Drumheller, AB T0J 0Y0
Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology
One of the world's premier paleontological research institutions, housing an astounding collection of complete dinosaur skeletons unearthed in the local area.
1500 N Dinosaur Trail, Drumheller, AB T0J 0Y0
Bernie & The Boys Bistro
A retro local favorite legendary for its mammoth burgers and over 100 choices of custom milkshake flavors.
305 4 St W, Drumheller, AB T0J 0Y1
Heartwood Inn & Spa
A cozy and uniquely decorated local inn offering a relaxing, personalized atmosphere in the heart of the valley.
320 Railway Ave W, Drumheller, AB T0J 0Y6
Day 2 — Drumheller
Drumheller Hoodoos
Wander among delicate, thousands-of-years-old sandstone pillars topped with hard caprocks, a signature image of the Alberta badland erosion.
Highway 10, Drumheller, AB T0J 0Y0
Atlas Coal Mine National Historic Site
Explore Canada's most complete historic coal mine, featuring the country's last standing wooden coal tipple and subterranean tunnel tours.
110 Century Dr, East Coulee, AB T0J 1B0
Day 3 — Iddesleigh
Dinosaur Provincial Park
A striking UNESCO World Heritage site containing some of the most important fossil discoveries ever made, set against an incredible maze of eerie badlands.
Dinosaur Provincial Park, Iddesleigh, AB T0J 1T0
Camp Cookhouse & General Store
Indulge in hearty, high-quality comfort food scratch-made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients in the middle of Cypress Hills.
12 Elkwater Lake Rd, Elkwater, AB T0J 1C0
Elkwater Lake Lodge & Resort
Relax in a cozy lodge surrounded by lush pine forests in Cypress Hills, a shocking ecological oasis rising high above the surrounding flat prairies.
401 1st St, Elkwater, AB T0J 1C0
Day 4 — Sceptre
Great Sand Hills
Climb massive, active sand dunes rising surrealistically out of the Saskatchewan prairie grasses—a truly hidden geographic gem of the plains.
Sceptre, SK S0N 2H0
Hopkins Dining Parlour
Dine inside an atmospheric, beautifully restored 1905 Victorian mansion known for its historic charm and hearty prairie fare.
65 Athabasca St W, Moose Jaw, SK S6H 2B7
Tunnels of Moose Jaw
Take a theatrical, underground tour exploring Moose Jaw's connection to Prohibition-era bootlegging and early Chinese immigration history.
18 Main St N, Moose Jaw, SK S6H 3J6
Temple Gardens Hotel & Spa
Soak your travel-weary muscles in Canada's largest geothermal mineral water pool, drawn from an ancient artesian well deep below the prairie crust.
24 Fairford St E, Moose Jaw, SK S6H 0C7
Day 5 — Regina
RCMP Heritage Centre
Discover the history and traditions of Canada's iconic Royal Canadian Mounted Police at their historical and active national training academy.
5907 Dewdney Ave, Regina, SK S4T 0P4
Leopold's Tavern
A cozy, memory-packed dive bar celebrating Saskatchewan's local community with outstanding poutine and draft beers.
3737 Albert St, Regina, SK S4S 3P4
Wascana Centre & Legislative Building
Stroll through a massive urban park surrounding a picturesque lake, anchored by the grand, Edwardian-style Saskatchewan Legislative Building.
2405 Legislative Dr, Regina, SK S4S 0B3
Experiences & guides
Bookable tours and stops worth a detour along this route.
Guide content may not reflect current conditions. Always verify information before your trip.
Frequently asked questions
The Badlands & Prairies road trip covers about 639 mi and roughly 10h 49m of driving, comfortably spread across about 5 days.
This itinerary maps out 16 stops from Drumheller, AB T0J 0Y0 to Regina, SK S4S 0B3. Highlights include Horseshoe Canyon, Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology, and Dinosaur Provincial Park.
It begins in Drumheller, AB T0J 0Y0 and ends in Regina, SK S4S 0B3, following a mapped, road-following route the whole way.
The estimated cost is around $878, covering fuel, lodging, food, and activities. Your actual total varies with the season, your pace, and the choices you make along the way.
Open Badlands & Prairies in the free Road Trip app for turn-by-turn navigation, the full day-by-day itinerary, live weather, and gas-cost tracking along the route.
More road trips
Open this trip in the app
Take this route with you — navigation, live weather, and gas tracking inside Road Trip.
