Photo Essay: The Horseshoe and Horsethief Canyons, and the Orkney Viewpoint in Drumheller, Alberta, are Stunning

By MALIK MERCHANT

welcome to drumheller
One of 3 locations with signs welcoming visitors to the town of Drumheller, Alberta; August 26, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.

Having visited the dramatic Badlands National Park in South Dakota during my drive from Toronto to Vancouver in 2012 and then, five years later, making a special detour to see Alberta’s Dinosaur Provincial Park that I found to be minnows in comparison, I never entertained the thought of visiting the “Badlands of Canada” in Drumheller. Moreover, a number of reviews comparing Dinosaur Provincial Park with Drumheller had recommended the former because of its remoteness. Well, I personally prefer a place with people around. At the time of reading the comparions, I was left with the impression that the landscape at both the Alberta badland locations was similar and thus not as stunning as what I had seen in South Dakota. There had to be a compelling reason for me to go to Drumheller!

Allison Russell performs an inspirational concert singing her folks, blues and roots music, with the rugged terrain forming a backdrop at the Badlands Amphitheatre
Allison Russell performs an inspirational concert singing her folks, blues and roots music, with the rugged terrain forming a backdrop at the Badlands Amphitheatre, Drumheller, Alberta; August 26, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Allison Russell performs an inspirational concert singing her folks, blues and roots music, with the rugged terrain forming a backdrop at the Badlands Amphitheatre
Allison Russell with her band of 4 “sisters” take to the stage at the Badlands Amphitheatre singing her folks, blues and roots music, Drumheller, Alberta; August 26, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.

As it turned out, Allison Russell’s concert at the Badlands Amphitheatre drew me to visit Drumheller, irrespective of what nature would offer me. Set against a magnificent bakdrop of rugged terrain, the Amphitheatre is widely recognized as Canada’s largest outdoor stage. And what about accomodation? With hotel prices at peak, I lucked out at the 11 Bridges Campground. I was able to to book the last available cabin with two twin beds at a very decent price.

Thus, I made my way to Drumheller, which like Kananaskis Country and Banff National Park, is only a stone’s throw from my seniors dwelling in Calgary.

A view of Horseshoe Canyon, Drumheller, Alberta, August 26, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.

My opinion about the badlands of Alberta changed when I arrived at the parking area of Horseshoe Canyon, which is located on Hwy 9, a few kilometres before entering Drumheller. I saw rock formations and buttes that rose as majestically as those I had seen in South Dakota.

The trip to Drumheller was already proving to be worth every penny!

My next stop at the visitors centre before settling into my cabin at the 11 Bridges Campground was truly exceptional. When I explained my reason for visiting Drumheller — that I was there for the concert that same evening and that my focus was to stay outdoors — I was well guided about the sites I should visit. The 47.3 Dinosaur Trail loop became my focus. I also visited the Hoodoos at sunrise. I carried with me plenty of fruit and water bottles. For meals, I tried and loved Whifs Flapjack House for breakfast, Chopped Leaf for salads and Heller Good Sandwiches for lunch.

Enjoy the photographs and share this post with your family members and friends!

Horseshoe Canyon with visitors walking through easy trailpaths along the canyon floor, Drumheller, Alberta; August 26, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Horseshoe Canyon with two visitors walking around stunning rock formations, Drumheller, Alberta. August 26, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THE CANADIAN BADLANDS

Seventy-five million years ago, when dinosaurs walked the earth, southern Alberta was a subtropical paradise of towering redwoods and giant ferns. Today, fertile plains suddenly drop away into a world of multi-hued canyons and wind-sculpted hoodoos. Spanning east from Drumheller to the Saskatchewan border and south to the United States, this region is known as the Canadian Badlands. It is home to the largest deposits of dinosaur bones in the world.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

11 Bridges Campgroun and Cabins.
My wooden cabin at the 11 Bridges Campground and Cabins. It came with two twin beds. It truly had a feel of a camp with a fire pit outside, alongside a picnic table; August 26, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

A partial view of my comfortable cabin at the 11 Bridges Campground;
A partial view of my comfortable cabin at the 11 Bridges Campground; August 26, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Drumheller church
One of the highlights on the northern section of the Dinosaur Trail — The Little Church with a capacity for 6 worshippers i(see next photo) is open at all times; Drumheller, Alberta; August 27, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

A view of The Little Church in Drumheller, Alberta, with seating for six; August 27, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Prairies
Contrasting landscapes — the beautiful golden Prairies versus rugged rock formations; Drumheller, Alberta, August 28, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

A beautiful sight of Prairies with wheat fields stretching for miles on the northern section of the Dinosaur Trail; Drumheller, Alberta; August 28, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wheat
Wholesome Prairies Wheat! Northern section of The Dinosaur Trail, Drumheller, Alberta; August 28, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Eagle drumheller
Eagle on roadside by a Prairies farm, northern section of Dinosaur Trail, Drumheller, Alberta; August 26, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Horsethief Canyon located along the northern section of the Dinosaur Trail, Drumheller, Alberta,
The stunning and majestic Horsethief Canyon located along the northern section of the Dinosaur Trail, Drumheller, Alberta, August 26, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Horsethief Canyon located along the northern section of the Dinosaur Trail, Drumheller, Alberta,
Visitors walk down a steep trail at Horsethief Canyon located along the northern section of the Dinosaur Trail, Drumheller, Alberta, August 28, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Bleriot Ferry
The historic Bleriot Ferry transports vehicles across the Red Deer River from the North to the South sections of the Dinosour Trail, Drumheller, Alberta; August 28, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Orkney Viewpoint located on the southern section of the Dinosaur Trail, Drumheller, Alberta,
Sunsrise at the stunning Orkney Viewpoint located on the southern section of the Dinosaur Trail, Drumheller, Alberta, August 28, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Orkney Viepoint located on the southern section of the Dinosaur Trail, Drumheller, Alberta,
A couple with their dog enjoy a view of Red Deer River Valley at the Orkney Viewpoint, a tourist attraction located on the southern section of the Dinosaur Trail, Drumheller, Alberta, August 28, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Red Deer River Orkney Viewpoint located on the southern section of the Dinosaur Trail, Drumheller, Alberta,
A view of the Red Deer River from Orkney Viewpoint, a tourist attraction located on the southern section of the Dinosaur Trail, Drumheller, Alberta; August 28, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THE HOODOOS

A hoodoo is a tall thin rock spire made of sandstone with a hard and dense rock sitting on top, like a hat. Or as the sign at the park describes them: “Eroded pillars of soft sandstone rock topped with a resilient cap.“ The hoodoos are formed over hundreds of years through erosion from freezing, frost, melt and wind. Over time, the sandstone erodes into long chimney-like formations that remain standing because the hard rock “hat” keeps it from completely eroding away.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Drumheller Hoodoos
The Hoodos shortly after sunrise, Drumheller, Alberta; August 27, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Cactus drumheller
Cactus plants along an unpaved road near the Hoodos, Drumheller, Alberta; August 27, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hoodos Drumheller
The Hoodos just as the full sunlight shines on them, Drumheller, Alberta; August 27, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

The mighty dinosaur drumheller
World’s largest dinosaur statue standing at 30 metres, located near the visitors information centre in the heart of Drumheller, Alberta; August 28, 2023. Photograph: Malik Merchant/Simerg Photos.

Finally, I should add that children will love Drumheller, judging by numeous locations that provide fun activities for the young ones. The safe trail leading to the floor of the Horseshoe Canyon can be conquered by anyone. Children will also take delight in seeing the world’s largest dinosaur statue in the heart of Drumheller as well as admiring around 30 smaller donosaur statues in and around the town.

Date posted: September 2, 2023.

______________

Before departing this website, please review our Home Page for links to our fantastic photo essays. We welcome feedback/letters from our readers. Please use the LEAVE A REPLY box which appears below. Please share this article link with your friends and family members. Please also visit this blog’s sister websites Simerg for Insights from Around the World and Barakah for pieces on His Highness the Aga Khan, members of his family and the Ismaili Imamat. The editor may be contacted at mmerchant@simerg.com.

Category : Uncategorized