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The hike down and back up can be quite a challenge especially if you head down the West side of the canyon near the parking area. Great view of the canyon even if you don't do the hike. A great way to spend an afternoon if you are into hiking and exploring.
- (614)
- Attraction
- Highway 838 Starland County
Jan 16, 2024 · Drive along the road for about one minute until you reach the parking lot. Horsethief Canyon parking lot is free, and you shouldn't have a problem getting a spot.
- Horsethief Canyon vs Horseshoe Canyon
- Getting to Horsethief Canyon
- Where to Stay
- Where to Eat
- Why Is It called Horsethief Canyon?
- Why Visit Horsethief Canyon
- Guide to Hiking Horsethief Canyon
- Best Time to Visit
- Safety Tips
- Plants and Animals
First things first, if you have seen mention of both Horsethief Canyon and Horseshoe Canyon: Yes. They are different canyons! Horse Thief Canyonis just north of Drumheller and is the less famous of the two. Horse Shoe Canyonis right beside one of the highways leading into Drumheller, which is my theory as to why it is busier and more famous.
Horsethief Canyon is just north of the town of Drumheller. It’s actually very close to the Royal Tyrrell Dinosaur Museum, so it’s a great activity to plan for the same day. If you are coming from far, Calgary is the nearest big city to arrive in. You will need a car to get to Horsethief Canyon and the other attractions of the Alberta badlands. From...
If you want to stay very close to Horsethief Canyon, there are camping and hotel options in and around Drumheller. Drumheller can be on the pricier side when it comes to small town Alberta hotels, especially during the summer. For that reason we have never actually stayed inDrumheller. When we visit the Drumheller area, we either stay in Calgary an...
It’s a good idea to pack a lunch when you go to the canyon, so that you can sit a while and enjoy the incredible views! There is no place to eat in the vicinity, so you will need to bring food from your accommodation, or pick something up in Drumheller. For more about where to stay and eat during your trip to Drumheller, see this article about the ...
I was pretty curious about where this canyon got its name. Being in the badlands it conjures up images of the wild west. So is that why? Apparently, yes. The canyon was supposedly used to hide stolen livestockback in the day. The legend says that horse thieves would travel the canyon as part of their route to slip into Montana. If you read the pict...
The views of Horsethief Canyon are absolutely incredible! Layers of different coloured sand, clay, and rock deposits, form small colourful “mountains” as far as the eye can see. It is the closest thing we have to the Grand Canyon here in Alberta (and maybe Canada!) When we visited in mid-May, the canyon was even a little green still. A nice scene b...
If you want only a quick photo op, then the parking lot above will do perfectly well. There is no need to enter the canyon for a good view. The prairie dogs will greet you as they pop out of their burrows in the grassy field above. There is something about the canyon that calls you to get right in there and explore! If you weren’t sure when you pla...
I would advise checking what the weather has been like in the days leading up to your hike. The clay holds moisture like nothing else, and even though it was dry when we went, there were still slippery patches hidden under the sand. As per usual, I slipped and fell (a hiking norm for me) and this was near the topof a hill, where you would think it ...
There is limited or no cell service in Horsethief Canyon, so if you are hiking alone, bring a whistle or flares in case you injure yourself. Be careful in narrow or steep sections of the trail because of the hidden claythat I mentioned earlier. It really does look like the rest of the dirt, so do test your footing with caution. For the same reason,...
Speaking of safety tips, there aresnakes in Horsethief Canyon. The majority of them are harmless. Dinosaur Provincial Park (also the Alberta badlands) does have rattlesnakes, so in theory this area could too. We did see a small garter snake, but no rattlers, and I would not be too concerned about them. Despite what you see in movies, rattlesnake bi...
Book your tickets online for Horsethief Canyon, Drumheller: See 615 reviews, articles, and 384 photos of Horsethief Canyon, ranked No.3 on Tripadvisor among 39 attractions in Drumheller.
- (614)
- Attraction
- Highway 838 Starland County
Horsethief Canyon offers stunning views of the valley below, which is an outstanding example of the classic badlands landscape. You can see it all from the parking lot, but it’s best to stand on the rim of the canyon and marvel at the stratified rock and the otherworldly formations.
From the parking area, follow the easy to find trail to the canyon lookout point for 400 m. The flat and simple trail to the Horsethief Canyon is manageable for all hikers. The canyon is named after the old western outlaws who hid their stolen livestock deep in the canyon over 100 years ago.
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613 reviews. #3 of 38 things to do in Drumheller. Canyons. Write a review. What people are saying. “ What a view! Sept 2023. Wow, what a view ... you could spend hours hiking the canyon... or you can just enjoy the view from the parking lot..... By michaelpoto4. “ Great Canyon Hiking In The Badlands Of Alberta ” May 2023.
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