Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology Tours and Tickets

The Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology houses a display of dinosaurs that is among the largest in the world. It’s named after geologist Joseph Burr Tyrrell, who in 1884 discovered a 70-million-year-old dinosaur skull. Today, it’s filled with interactive displays to engage palaeontology enthusiasts of all ages.

The Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology is located 4 miles (6 kilometers) northwest of Drumheller, and 84 miles (135 kilometers) northeast of Calgary. The museum is within Midland Provincial Park in the heart of the Alberta Badlands, a region where many of the dinosaur fossils now housed within the museum have been found.

The Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology is more than 30 years old—the museum opened to the public as the Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology in September 1985. In June 1990, the museum was renamed the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology, after it was bestowed its ‘royal’ title by Queen Elizabeth II.

Some of the things you can see at the Royal Tyrrell Museum include an extensive collection of dinosaur fossils, including some of the most complete dinosaur skeletons ever discovered. The museum has exhibits of fossilized ancient sea creatures, displays showcasing the evolution of mammals, and hands-on exhibits where you can touch fossils.

It takes at least two hours to tour the Royal Tyrrell Museum. However, many visitors recommend allowing a half-day, or possibly even longer, to explore the exhibits. You can also allow time for taking a scenic walk along an interpretive trail, stopping for refreshments at the café, and browsing for souvenirs in the gift shop.

To get to the Royal Tyrrell Museum from Calgary, drive northeast along AB-566 to AB-9—the drive takes around 1.5 hours. Parking at the museum is free. Alternatively, you can book a guided tour of Drumheller Provincial Park and the Canadian Badlands, which includes a visit to the museum.