The Dumheller Valley has over 50 attractions located within a 100-sq-km range. (Shutterstock)

Alien settings located on Earth Top Dinosaur Destinations

DRUMHELLER, Alta. -- Tiny prairie dogs are scurrying in and out of their burrows when we arrive at Horsethief Canyon. A trill-like whistle sound fills the air and I see it's coming from my guide Paul Armstrong. His unique vocalization has caught the rapt attention of one of the critters, who approaches him, seemingly mesmerized by the sound.

"You've heard of the horse whisperer? I guess you could say I'm a prairie dog whisperer," Armstrong says. With his arm extended, he rubs his index finger and thumb together as the animal stands at attention on its hind legs.

Horsethief Canyon is popular with visitors for its spectacular view of the Badlands. But in the early settler years it was somewhat of a hiding place.

According to legend, horses would "disappear" into the canyons of the Red Deer River Valley, later to reappear carrying a different brand.

The canyon is one of several stops on the Dinosaur Trail, a 48-km loop northwest of Drumheller -- the Dinosaur Capital of the World. I began the day at the Royal Tyrrell Museum, home to more than 120,000 specimens and 35 complete dinosaur skeletons -- more than any other museum in the world.

Between the various exhibits and the walking trails in the Badlands outside the museum, one could easily spend a day here.

"Have you seen our 65-million-year-old garden?" asks the museum's Leanna Mohan, as I'm about to leave.

It seems one more stop is in order. The Cretaceous Garden, is small but significant as it is one of the largest living collections of prehistoric plants in Canada and includes 600 different species.

Back on the highway, I marvel at a very different and modern plant -- canola. In early July, this variation of rape seed developed in Canada, turns a brilliant yellow and every few kilometres we pass yet another spectacular field stretching several hectares.

From farmers fields and fossils to scenic viewpoints, almost everything on the Dinosaur Trail is a natural attraction, so the next stop -- a man-made structure is a bit of a surprise.

Drumheller's Little Church resembles an oversized doll house and seats 10,000 people -- six at a time!

According to a nearby sign, the church was built in 1968 by a local contractor as a "place of worship and meditation and not just a tourist attraction." In mid-June, an Edmonton couple got married here and were featured in a story in the newspaper inSide Drumheller.

We stop at two more scenic sites -- Horseshoe Canyon and Orkney Viewpoint -- before arriving at Bleriot Ferry, one of only seven cable ferries still in use in Alberta. The ferry was named after Andre Bleriot who homesteaded here around 1904. Louis Bleirot, his brother, gained fame as the first man to fly the English Channel.

The crossing over the Red Deer River takes just a few seconds and is so smooth, I'm unaware that we've left shore 'til we reach the other side!

Leaving the Dinosaur Trail, we take a back road for a quick visit to a gem of a town called Rosebud, then stop to see some of the hoodoos before returning to Drumheller. The mushroom-like rock pillars can be found in various places in the province. The ones we see are located next to the highway. More than 70-million-years ago, dinosaurs roamed here. On this day, visitors walk along defined pathways while children play hide and seek among the unusual sandstone formations.

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IF YOU GO

TO ALBERTA DINOSAUR COUNTRY

The Dumheller Valley has over 50 attractions located within a 100-sq-km range. Many of them can be seen on one of the scenic drives such as the Dinosaur Trail. For more information on Lone Wolf Tours, check lonewolftours.ca or call 403-246-9586. The Royal Tyrrell Museum offers several programs in the Badlands including walking tours and fossil casting. Visit tyrrellmuseum.com. For general tourism information, check traveldrumheller.com or albertasouth.com or TravelAlberta.com or call 1-866-823-8100.