Situated within the badlands of southeastern Alberta, Dinosaur Provincial Park is a singular panorama full of historical past. And we’re not speaking Nineteenth-century historical past both. The park was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Web site in 1979 because of the necessary fossil specimens found from the Dinosaur Age.
The Dinosaur Age was lengthy, with most dinosaurs in Canada tracing again to the Late Cretaceous Interval (75 million years in the past). Dinosaur Provincial Park has excellent examples of each identified group of Cretaceous dinosaurs. The park exhibits patterns of main geological processes and distinctive pure magnificence.
Initially known as Steveville Dinosaur Provincial Park underneath the Alberta Provincial Parks Act, the park options climbing trails and interpretive shows. The park’s badlands span 27 km of just about undisturbed riparian habitat—which is a elaborate method to say riverside. This lends itself to virtually 20,000 acres of extraordinary, desert-like surroundings.
We visited the park on our cross-Canada street journey in 2021 and have been completely amazed by the distinctive landscapes and interesting shows all through the park. It’s a vacation spot properly value a go to! To finest discover the world, right here’s all the things it’s essential to find out about visiting Dinosaur Provincial Park.
The best way to Get to Dinosaur Provincial Park, Canada
Dinosaur Provincial Park is positioned in Southeastern Alberta, about 220 km away from Calgary. The drive from Calgary takes 2 hours quarter-hour on the Trans Canada Freeway, which passes by means of the city of Brooks. When you hit Brooks, you’re simply half-hour (48 km) away from the park. Brooks is the closest city to the park and serves as a hub for lodging choices for these not ready or prepared to remain on the campsites contained in the park.
Many vacationers initially confuse Dinosaur Provincial Park with the city of Drumheller, positioned north of Calgary. Drumheller is residence to the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology and is positioned 2 hours away from the park itself. Dinosaur Provincial Park is extra fossil-focused, celebrating an important fossil specimens from the Dinosaur Age of earth’s historical past.
The best way to Get Round Dinosaur Park, Alberta
Having your individual wheels is one of the simplest ways to discover Dinosaur Provincial Park. You may keep contained in the park, hike most of the trails proper from the campground and use your car to drive the scenic loop looking for fossil shows.
However since an excellent chunk of the park is a restricted nature protect, the one method to see this part of the park is thru one of many Interpretive Tour Packages organized by Alberta Parks.
Dinosaur Provincial Park gives bus excursions, guided hikes, and household excursions that may be organized on the customer centre.
On the street to Dinosaur Provincial Park, Alberta
Greatest Time to Go to Dinosaur Provincial Park in Alberta
Like many in style vacationer locations, the perfect time to go to Dinosaur Provincial Park is throughout shoulder season. It may well get very busy within the summertime, with campground reservations filling months prematurely. We suggest visiting in Could or September to keep away from the crowds and luxuriate in gentle temperatures. Additionally, observe that the Customer Centre is simply open from April-November.
Much like the climate in the remainder of Alberta, Dinosaur Provincial Park climate may be unpredictable. Summers, particularly, may be extraordinarily sizzling, particularly on the sandy hills of the badlands. So make sure you carry a number of water, sunscreen, and a hat if visiting in the summertime months.
Dinosaur Provincial Park in late Fall
Issues to do in Dinosaur Provincial Park
Hike the Interpretive Trails
Guided hikes are the perfect method to expertise the distinctive riparian habitat options however if you wish to take your time and never observe a schedule, these trails are may be explored by yourself too.
Path Map at Dinosaur Provincial Park. Courtesy of Parks Alberta
Badlands Path (1.3 km / 45 minutes)
The Badlands Path is by far the preferred path in Dinosaur Provincial Park. The trailhead is adjoining to the general public loop street, not too removed from the Dinosaur Provincial Park Campground. The path permits guests to discover the badland and have glorious alternatives to view the character protect. You’ll move by means of hoodoos and different fascinating rock formations with loads of interpretive indicators to elucidate the geology and panorama. If you happen to solely have time to do one path within the park – that is it! Put together for lovely views and distinctive landscapes – our favorite!
On the Badlands Path, Dinosaur Provincial Park
Views from the Badlands Path, Dinosaur Provincial Park
On the Badlands Path, Dinosaur Provincial Park
Cottonwood Flats (1.4 km / 1 hour)
This path begins from the Dinosaur Provincial Park Campground and follows lush riverside world beneath the cover of plains cottonwood timber. This path will not be a lot concerning the views however is a favorite for chicken watchers. There’s numerous life on this zone, with an abundance of cottonwood timber and over 160 chicken species.
Coulee Viewpoint (0.9 km / 45 minutes)
The Coulee Viewpoint path begins on the Customer Centre and climbs uphill opening as much as lovely views of the valley and of Little Sandhill Coulee. This path is a little bit more durable than the opposite trails, so households with children ought to take explicit warning. We did this path within the afternoon, having fun with lovely gold hour mild alongside the way in which.
On the Coulee Viewpoint Path in Dinosaur Provincial Park, Alberta
Prairie Path (0.3 km / quarter-hour)
This brief path is carved out of the grassy, semi-arid steppes that cowl many of the area. It’s not on the prime of our listing by way of excellent aesthetic worth however is an fascinating distinction to the rocky badlands.
Path of the Fossil Hunters (0.9 km / 40 minutes)
This path begins at Fossil Shelter #2 and is all concerning the dinosaurs. It options completely different shows of bones and highlights necessary historic figures like Joseph Burr Tyrrell of the Royal Tyrell Museum.
Fossil Shelter in Dinosaur Provincial Park
Seek for Dinosaur Fossils
For sure, top-of-the-line issues to do at Dinosaur Provincial Park is to discover some fossil beds. The Dinosaur Park Formation is residence to a range of fossils, together with these of Cretaceous dinosaurs, reptiles, turtles, fish, and different mammals.
One of the simplest ways to see them is on an interpretive tour within the nature protect. The park gives completely different excursions to find out about fossils and see them within the wild. However, chances are you’ll even be fortunate sufficient to see fossils by yourself whereas strolling the public-access trails. If you happen to do, make sure you depart the fossils the place you discovered them and maintain land conservation in thoughts.
For a assured fossil expertise, head to the 2 fossil show homes. They include high-quality specimens representing a number of kinds of superb fossils found in Dinosaur Provincial Park. You’ll shortly see why it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Web site!
Test Out the Guests Centre and Museum
The Dinosaur Provincial Park Customer Centre (known as “discipline station” on some maps) is a good place to begin your go to. There are shows of geology and wildlife from the world, together with interactive displays of you guessed it—dinosaurs.
The doorway to the museum space is CAD $4 per individual, which is a small price to pay for the exceptional shows. Over 49 completely different species of dinosaurs have been found in Dinosaur Provincial Park, sparking fascinating analysis concerning the space. There are many historic sources and even an 80-seat theatre.
The Customer Centre can also be the place to order and decide up tickets for interpretive excursions. If you wish to take a bit of the park residence with you, there’s a small reward store and data desk as properly. Simply observe that the Guests Centre and Museum is simply open from April-November.
Drive the Scenic Loop
Wrapping the japanese portion of the park is a 3.2 km gravel street that gives scenic views of the badlands. This was one of many highlights of our time within the park! It is a one-way loop that begins east of the campground and accesses three of the park’s trailheads. That is additionally the place you’ll discover the two fossil show homes, every with its personal parking space. You may drive, stroll, or bike the loop however observe that bikes aren’t allowed on any of the interpretive trails.
Alongside the scenic loop inside Dinosaur Provincial Park
Fossil show alongside the scenic loop in Dinosaur Provincial Park
Fossil show alongside the scenic loop in Dinosaur Provincial Park
Get pleasure from Tenting on the Park
Dinosaur Provincial Park has a giant campground and seven seasonal glamping tents to get pleasure from. The campsites are set proper in the midst of the badlands with quick access to the Cottonwood Flats Path. Plus, some websites sit alongside the Crimson Deer River, which is a superb perk on these sizzling summer time days. The Consolation Tenting tents are proper on the river and are available outfitted with personal decks and barbecues.
Overlooking the campground at Dinosaur Provincial Park from one of many trails
Paddle the Crimson Deer River
To see the badlands of Dinosaur Provincial Park from a distinct perspective, hit the water on a canoe or kayak. The Crimson Deer River runs alongside the northern border of the park and has a number of entry factors alongside the way in which.
You can begin or finish your journey on the park as there’s a canoe launch close to the Consolation Tenting tents and Cretaceous Café. Sadly, there are not any canoe or kayak leases within the park so you will want to have your individual gear. Take a look at the river map for extra particulars.
The place to Keep at Dinosaur Provincial Park, Alberta
Dinosaur Provincial Park Tenting
The campground at Dinosaur Provincial Park gives year-round tenting with over 120 tent and RV websites. There are a number of serviced and unserviced websites with superior views of the badlands and surrounding cottonwood timber. That is by far the perfect place to remain to discover the Dinosaur Provincial Park!
Simply make sure you reserve your campsite properly prematurely as spots get booked up shortly. Websites are CAD $31-39 per evening and may be booked right here.
Campground at Dinosaur Provincial Park from one of many trails
Consolation Tenting in Dinosaur Provincial Park
The park additionally options 7 glamping tent-style models for individuals who choose to journey with out tenting gear. Every tent has a mattress, barbecue, fridge, and personal deck. You’ll have to carry your individual linens however the secluded riverside places are pretty. Consolation tenting prices CAD $100-115 per evening from June-October and may be booked right here. As you may think about, the demand for these tents is actually excessive, so make sure you e book prematurely!
Inside Dinosaur Provincial Park
Greatest Resorts in Brooks, Alberta
If you happen to don’t need to camp or are unable to safe lodging contained in the park, the city of Brooks, positioned 50kms exterior the park is the best choice for lodging close to Dinosaur Park.
There are a number of resorts just like the Ramada, Days Inn, and Heritage Inn. Every has snug rooms with entry to a swimming pool and free breakfast. We suggest the Ramada as a sustainable possibility because of its efforts to scale back waste, water, and power consumption. It’s a 30-minute drive to the park and rooms begin at CAD $150 per evening.