The Islands Tour

The Islands Tour (14 km)– guided kayak or canoe tour starting from the Kneehill County line and ending at the Red Deer River Adventures main site. The river gradient decreases approaching Drumheller, and the current slows allowing for a relaxing slower pace and the opportunity to really study the features of the badlands. Some of the earliest and most important dinosaur discoveries in Alberta were made in the badlands in this area and we will pass near the site where the first Albertosaurus was discovered.

There are a number of islands on this stretch of the river which gives this tour its name. Wildlife sightings are common in this area. You will see the broad river valley where some of the last big cattle drives took place in Alberta and you will be able to see some of the remains from the coal mining communities of Kirkpatrick, Nacmine, and Midland as we pass. The coal mines in this area provided the fuel for the railroads which were developed here between 1909 and 1913. We will pass under the old railway bridge. The track has recently been removed from this stretch of track and rail cars no longer roll through the area.