Horseshoe Canyon: Hiking in the Canadian Badlands
Hiking in the Horseshoe Canyon in Drumheller, Alberta, was one of our favorite things to do in this area. Located in the Canadian Badlands, Horseshoe Canyon is known for its ancient fossils, dinosaur findings, colorful hills, and great hiking trails. This travel guide includes tips on how to get there, where to stay, when to visit, and what to pack.
Located on the edge of the Canadian Badlands near Drumheller in the Alberta province, Horseshoe Canyon offers an ideal opportunity for hiking, postcard-like views, wildlife sightings, and unique landscapes.
Walking through the Horseshoe Canyon is like exploring a different world. Without exaggeration, this is a very unique experience that you're unlikely to find anywhere else.
The landscape around this area is mostly flat, but then the earth abruptly opens up at the Horseshoe Canyon, and Alberta's prairies reveal one of its greatest secrets.
Even without venturing into the canyon, the south rim of the Horseshoe Canyon offers stunning views of the rugged badlands, and it's worth a visit when touring the area around Drumheller.
However, if you are looking for a more adventurous experience, you need to climb down and explore the canyon floor on foot, as this is the best choice to get to know this remarkable area thoroughly.
We lucked out on the day of our visit and could really enjoy the quietness of this place, as only a couple of people were roaming the valley floor, and the weather was great as well.
Horseshoe Canyon has definitely its authenticity, though it lacks the grandiosity of its companion, the nearby Horsethief Canyon, which is also one of the must-visit places in Drumheller.
There are many reasons why you may consider making a day trip from Calgary to Horseshoe Canyon (and the Drumheller area), and we hope that this blog post will show you the beauty of this natural sight in Alberta's badlands through our photos and personal experience.
This Horseshoe Canyon travel guide includes tips on how to get, how to get around, what to expect, and even now, we can reveal this is a budget-friendly activity you'll enjoy.
HORSESHOE CANYON
Horseshoe Canyon was formed and shaped more than sixty-eight million years ago when the large rivers made their way across this area and deposited sediments along the way.
Today you can clearly see the light-colored sandstone and darker siltstone layers stacked like cake layers (and in some areas, even coal seams).
The process of creation is very interesting from a geological point of view, but even travelers who are not interested in history will appreciate the outcome that is very photogenic.
This unique area truly gives you the opportunity to see the province of Alberta from another perspective, as you might get a false assumption that this region is only about the mountains and blue lakes.
Although it is not far from the truth and the majority of travelers arrive here because of the Canadian Rockies, we think it is always worth it to know about alternatives that are worth visiting.
HORSESHOE CANYON HIKE
Driving through Alberta's prairies is not exactly the most exciting thing to do in this otherwise very impressive province.
As soon as we left Airdrie, we spent the remainder of the relatively short journey driving through the vast and mostly flat farmlands.
At work, Lucie and I met many guests arriving in the hotel from eastern provinces such as Saskatchewan, Manitoba, or Ontario, and until this moment, we did not understand how challenging this journey must have really been for them. This short ride briefly reminded us of our own road trip across Australia a few years back.
And then we arrived at Horseshoe Canyon, and everything changed. Despite the fact that we arrived at Horseshoe Canyon early in the morning, it was already hot.
We agreed that it's going to get only worse, and we shouldn't delay our trip into the world of colorful rock formations, rolling hills, and dry valley floor any longer.
When we parked the car, we only packed a few essentials and set off. After a steep but short descent, we emerged on a wide grassy meadow and followed the trail towards the northeast.
The hike itself is very straightforward, great even for families with kids or people who are not in the best shape of their lives. You can stay on the valley floor the whole time and enjoy the immense beauty without a lot of effort.
For us, walking through the million years old landscape on a dusty trail was really special.
At one point, the trail narrowed and kind of disappeared into a grassy and bushy area, so we decided not to follow this trail anymore. Instead, we turned and walked slowly back to the parking lot.
However, we didn't entirely backtrack our steps but opted out for the western trail that allowed us to make a loop and get back to our car.
As soon as we emerged under the rim soaked with sweat, tired from the heat, we started our last ascent to the parking lot.
After more than two hours of exploring this unique place, we slowly made our way to the Royal Tyrrell Museum in Drumheller to learn more about dinosaurs, fossils, and this area in general.
And we also could not wait to get away from the scorching heat of the sun.
TRAILS
The rangers and people taking care of the area recently built wooden stairs that will take you down to the canyon valley and made the valley floor more accessible than ever.
Simultaneously they improved the main trail in the canyon and turned it into a wide gravel path.
However, there are many short and narrow trails in the area, and it's still not very clear where it's fine to walk without damaging the site and where it's not.
This doesn't mean we would wish for turning all trails into gravel ones; just adding more signs for responsible travelers to prevent further damage to this place would be nice. So our best advice is to use common sense when hiking in the canyon.
Said that some of the fresh trails were created by wild animals, and that leads us to another reason why to visit Horseshoe Canyon. Fauna and flora. Only this time, you need to look more carefully.
Unlike the Canadian Rockies, where you can spot big game such as bears, and elks, here it's all about prairie dogs. They are so fun to watch when you are in the mood to observe them.
We even saw some very nice flowers we haven't seen before. Obviously, there is so much more to see. From the prairie crocus to wild roses, cacti, and sagebrush, to deer and garter snakes, Horseshoe Canyon has sure a lot to offer.
For some extra excitement (if this was not enough for you), you can enjoy helicopter rides that will offer you the best aerial view of this place.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
ENTRANCE FEE
There is no admission fee to Horseshoe Canyon, and the parking is free as well. This is one of the reasons why we found the top sites near Drumheller so rewarding.
Not only are they wonderful and worth the time and effort, but the visit won't also ruin your travel budget, which is very pleasant in a country like Canada, which is not exactly the cheapest destination in the world.
HOW TO GET THERE
Horseshoe Canyon is under 90 minutes drive from Calgary, and 15 minutes from Drumheller.
However, you need to either have a car or rent a car in order to get to Horseshoe Canyon as there is no bus service running between the towns.
Depending on the current traffic, the most direct route is via the SH2. Follow the signs to Airdrie, then turn right onto SH567 to Beiseker, and from there drive via SH9 towards east all the way to Horseshoe Canyon.
Horseshoe Canyon has two parking lots just off State Highway 9, so there is plenty of space to park your car even in high season.
In case driving a car is not an option for you or you simply do not want to be bothered with creating an itinerary, yet you want to visit the top attractions in the Drumheller area, consider booking a tour.
This Canadian Badlands Tour also includes a short, but rewarding stop at Horseshoe Canyon viewpoint, or a visit of Royal Tyrrell Museum.
WHEN TO VISIT
The climate in the Canadian Badlands has two distinctive seasons. One of them is hot like a fire, and the other is cold like glacial water. We experienced a fair share of winter in Calgary, and couldn't wait for summer to head outdoors.
Canadian Badlands attracts crowds in the summer, although the word 'crowds' is a bit relevant this time. We visited Horseshoe Canyon at the beginning of July, and it didn't feel that crowded.
At least compared to the Canadian Rockies with its super popular tourist places such as Icefields Parkway, Lake Louise, Banff, or Jasper National Park.
In summer, the best time to visit Horseshoe Canyon is in the morning (or evening) when the temperatures are still pleasant.
Winter brings snow and super cold weather, the summer crowds are long gone, so it might be a perfect time to visit this area.
Keep in mind, that some attractions and places are closed in winter (for example Bleriot Ferry).
WHAT TO PACK
The extreme heat around midday makes the area more empty, as not many people want to hike in temperatures exceeding 35 Celsius. Proper planning is necessary anytime you venture into the wilderness.
Regardless of the time of the day, make sure you bring water bottle with plenty of water, drink a lot of fluids, and stay hydrated. Carry a strong sunscreen with high SPF, and reapply regularly.
You don't need to pack food for the hike, as it's quite short, though a small snack is always a good choice. Think bananas or energy bars. High temperatures, direct sun, and bananas don't go well together, so we sometimes eat our snack before we set off.
Also, cover your head to prevent sunstroke. A multifunctional headwear or straw hat will do the job just fine.
In winter, make sure you bring the proper gear and extra warm layers for the hike. You might want to use microspikes if the trail is icy.
WHERE TO STAY IN DRUMHELLER
Even though a trip to Horseshoe Canyon from Calgary can be made in one day, we suggest you allow yourself at least two days for the Canadian Badlands.
The best place to base yourself on this trip is a small town called Drumheller, with many hotels and motels, restaurants, and stores.
Basically everything you need for a road trip. You won't regret it, as the area around Drumheller offers plenty of things to do for a couple of days.
Check out our favorite picks for the best hotels in Drumheller and Calgary.
Drumheller | Canalta Jurassic - Hotel Jurassic Canalta offers a large indoor hot tub, spacious rooms, sauna, fitness room, free Wi-Fi, complimentary hot breakfast, and a great location right off the SH 9.
Drumheller | Badlands Motel - A very classic motel features air-conditioned rooms, an on-site restaurant, and basic rooms for an affordable price. Badlands Motel has an excellent location on the Dinosaur Trail road close to the Royal Tyrrell Museum.
Calgary | Wingate by Wyndham Calgary Airport - This hotel has a great location for guests who want to catch an early flight or visit Drumheller the next day. Wingate by Wyndham Calgary Airport offers an indoor hot tub and pool, complimentary hot breakfast, a free 24-hour shuttle service, and free parking.
CAMPGROUND
If you have a campervan (or you enjoy camping), you can stay just across the road at the quite recently opened Horseshoe Canyon Campground.
The campground offers 48 fully-serviced sites, a small store, and immediate access to the Horseshoe Canyon (great for catching a sunrise or sunset).
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
