World Famous Gopher Hole Museum — Attraction in Alberta

The Torrington Gopher Hole Museum is one of those rare cultural gems that balances whimsy, local heritage, and unexpected artistic expression in a way that defies simple description. What might sound like a quirky roadside attraction at first glance is, in reality, an imaginative and lovingly curated museum that has earned its reputation on the world stage.

At its heart, the museum features taxidermized gophers placed in meticulously crafted dioramas, each one depicting scenes of rural Alberta life with humor, charm, and surprising detail. Far from being a novelty alone, the displays reflect a fascinating intersection of folk art and social commentary—capturing everything from small-town occupations to local traditions in a way that is both playful and oddly poignant. The craftsmanship in the miniature sets is remarkable, and one cannot help but admire the creativity and dedication poured into each exhibit.

What elevates the Gopher Hole Museum beyond kitsch is its authenticity. It is not trying to be something it is not; instead, it proudly embraces its eccentricity and, in doing so, provides visitors with an experience that is disarming, memorable, and deeply human. In a world where museums often strive for grandeur, Torrington’s gophers remind us that storytelling and cultural identity can thrive in the most unexpected forms.

Whether approached with curiosity, humor, or genuine academic interest in vernacular art, the Gopher Hole Museum rewards its visitors with a uniquely Canadian experience that lingers long...

This is such a wonderful little hidden gem, that you would never know about unless you are actively looking for something out of the ordinary. The gophers are real, let's get that out of the way. They were all donated by farmers, labs, and other credible sources (according to the owner), and are stuffed in the funniest and most anthropomorphic ways. Entry is donation based, so we donated $5/person. The room is dimly lit so the dioramas are more visible, but light enough to be comfortable and not run into others. The building is small, run down, and the floor is easily out of level by 2", but that just added to the memory of the museum. When you have completed the tour (it took us about 15 minutes), you can purchase many different items from the gift shop, and you are the presented with a brochure showcasing the gophers, with names and back stories, that are painted on all of the fire hydrants around the town. We found all of them in about 25 minutes. It was pretty cute. All in all I would highly recommend visiting the Gopher Hole museum if you are anywhere near the town, or want something different to do with...

An Alberta Masterpiece in Gopher Form

We visited the Gopher Hole Museum as part of filming for Pierced Lifestyle and Community, and let me tell you — we expected quirky, but we got gopher-level greatness.

This tiny gem of a museum in the middle of Alberta features taxidermy gophers living their best (and sometimes most precarious) lives. Whether it’s a gopher in a wedding dress, one being arrested, or another running for office (probably with better policies than half the politicians I know), each scene is handcrafted taxidermy gold.

It’s surreal. It’s strange. It’s shockingly adorable. And it’s absolutely worth the trip.

If you're looking for something completely unexpected on your Alberta road trip — something that will have you smiling, laughing, and questioning your life choices in the best way — this is the place. The museum is small, the charm is huge, and the gophers? Iconic.

Highly recommend for your next “what is happening and why am I loving it?” Alberta adventure. 10/10 would be...