We’re exploring the Alberta Badlands around Drumheller, Alberta for a weekend. Bella the Boler is here, but Mabel the Dog is safe at home with a dogsitter since so many of our activities aren’t going to be dog-friendly.

We camped at Bleriot Ferry Provincial Recreation Area. This small campground is located on the west bank of the Red Deer River and boasts 28 first-come first-served unserviced campsites. Some of the sites are small and nestled down in the cottonwood trees while others are more big-rig friendly and out on the open prairie. At the time of our visit, camping with $25 per night with payment needing to be either cash or cheque. Maximum stay is 16 nights but you can only register for up to three nights at a time. The campground is open from Victoria Day weekend through Labour Day weekend.

Our first full day starts off crossing the Red Deer River on the Beleriot Ferry. One of just six ferries still operating in the province, the Bleriot Ferry has been in operation since 1913, although the current ferry was built in 1997. It’s a short crossing of just 105m, but it provides a vital link on Highway 838.

We then travel to the “World Famous Gopher Hole Museum”. Don’t believe me that it is world famous? It’s right there on the sign! And, if you want even more proof, check out the pins in the map inside the museum showing where all their visitors have come from. The museum was established in 1996 using a one-time $9000 grant from the Province of Alberta. Admission is by donation, with a suggested amount of $5 – $10 per person. Inside you’ll find 44 dioramas featuring Richardson Ground Squirrels a.k.a gophers dressed in various scenes and poses. It isn’t a large place, but it is certainly worth a stop if you are into roadside oddities and offbeat places like we are!

From there, we make our way over to Rowley. Certainly one of our most-visited places, the Alberta ghost town is like visiting an old friend. It’s not their famous pizza night, but that just means there are a lot fewer people around as we visit some of our favourite old buildings such as the 1920s train station and the three grain elevators which remain in town.