Circle Tour: Airdrie to Wayne – Hoodoos, Highways & Prairie Legends
From Grainfields to the Badlands | South Central Alberta Road Trip
This South Central Alberta circle tour links the bustling hub of Airdrie with Wayne, the “Ghost Town of 11 Bridges,” deep in the Drumheller Valley. The route winds through farmland, hoodoo country, and small prairie towns — each with its own stories and surprises.
What makes this tour special? It’s the perfect mix of prairie roads, badland scenery, and Alberta’s quirkiest small-town stops.
🌾 From Airdrie to Wayne: Prairie Roads to the Badlands
Start in Airdrie, then head east through Irricana, Kathyrn, and Beiseker, where grain elevators mark the horizon. Continue north to Acme, Linden, and Three Hills, small towns rich in farming heritage.
From there, take a detour through Torrington, famous for its quirky Gopher Hole Museum, then into Trochu, where the Arboretum offers a peaceful prairie walk. Wimborne and Carbon provide quiet small-town charm before you reach Drumheller, gateway to the badlands and hoodoo country. Just south lies Wayne, with its 11 historic bridges and ghost-town atmosphere.
🛣️ Return from Wayne: Badlands Backroads & Prairie Hamlets
Looping back west, take the scenic roads through Dalum, Dorothy, and Finnegan, where abandoned farmsteads and coulees create unforgettable prairie views.
Continue through Standard, Rockyford, Nightingale, and Hussar — quiet farming towns where Alberta’s rural roots run deep. Finish the loop back into Airdrie, closing the circle where city and prairie meet.
☕ Hidden Gems Along the Way
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Roadhouse Bed and BBQ, Rosedale – Rumble Alberta partner stop with food, rest, and stories
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Wayne’s Rosedeer Hotel – Alberta’s famous “last chance saloon”
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Torrington Gopher Hole Museum – quirky, hilarious, and unforgettable
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Dorothy’s Abandoned Church – haunting prairie photo stop
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Trochu Arboretum & Gardens – a prairie oasis