Bleriot Ferry opens for summer season in Drumheller
Rare cable ferry operating since 1913 welcomes visitors May 1 through October for free seven-minute Red Deer River crossings.
One of Alberta's last surviving cable ferries is back in operation this summer — and it's completely free.
The Bleriot Ferry, tucked along the North Dinosaur Trail near Drumheller, has been shuttling people across the Red Deer River since 1913. Built by André Bleriot, the ferry was once essential for moving cars, people, and goods through the valley. Today it stands as a living relic of rural Alberta's past, one of just a handful of cable ferries still operating in the province.
The seven-minute crossing is powered by a guided cable system rather than an engine — the ferry is literally pulled across the river on steel lines. It can carry up to 45 passengers and 13 mid-size cars. No booking required, no fee. If you miss one, the next departs within minutes.
One caveat: the ramp on and off is steep. If your car sits low to the ground, approach slowly to avoid scraping the undercarriage.
The ferry operates daily from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. from May 1 through October 30. A campground sits right beside it, and the area offers access to Horsethief Canyon and several underrated viewpoints. It's the kind of detour that reminds you how people once moved through the valley — long before bridges and highways took over.
If you're heading to Drumheller this summer, it's worth the stop.