Alpine and Jurassic Discoveries

Itinerary best for

Outdoor Adventurers
Animal Lovers
Culturally Curious

This road trip includes highlights of the Canadian Rockies plus Drumheller and Dinosaur Provincial Park, with hidden gems and a hot spring day mixed in.

Starting from Calgary, this road trip pairs icons of Banff and the Rockies with some of Alberta's lesser-known hidden gems. Dig into dinosaur country at Drumheller and Dinosaur Provincial Park, wander a fossil bed, then trade hoodoos for peaks—with fine dining, wolfdogs, local history and a restorative hot spring visit rounding out the journey.

At a glance

8-day itinerary
1,317 km (818 mi) total distance
17 hrs 27 mins drive time
Your starting point is in Calgary

7 destinations

Starts in

Calgary

Day 1 drive time: 40 min, 27 km (17 mi)

Day 1

Calgary

Spend your first day orienting yourself to the wonders of Alberta's natural and cultural history.

A woman stands in front of vehicles in the Gasoline Alley Museum at Heritage Park Historical Village.

Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo

Stroll through the Canadian Wilds and Prehistoric Park exhibits to view some of Alberta’s famous wildlife up close—from grizzlies, cougars and wolves to life-sized animatronic dinosaurs. While you’re having lunch, go online to learn more about how Alberta is leading conservation of Canadian species.

Heritage Park Historical Village

Spend the afternoon at the country’s largest living history museum, where costumed interpreters populate streets and buildings depicting life in Western Canada between 1850 and 1950. Hop on the steam train, take a spin on Big Eli, ride a ferris wheel from 1893, or try your hand at the milk bottle toss.