Pets allowed
Allowed with Restrictions
Guided tours
Yes
Backcountry camping
No
Lodging
No
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

Imagine traveling through vast open plains and agricultural fields that extend as far as the eye can see until suddenly the landscape opens to a prehistoric world of rugged terrain, striated hoodoos, bluffs, and rock formations. The first people to cross Alberta’s expansive landscape discovered the Canadian Badlands with much the same excitement and bewilderment.

Dinosaur Provincial Park boasts one of the richest dinosaur fossil beds in the world, which led to it becoming a UNESCO World Heritage site. An entrance road follows a plateau until eventually the land drops and rips open into a breathtaking view of the park. A scenic overlook to the right allows visitors to stop and take in the beauty as well as read informational signs about the park.

Continuing down the road, views of the Red Deer River are visible. A visitor center, complete with exhibits, fossils, theater, and gift shop is nestled into the hillside. At the base of the road is the main entrance into the camping area. A small general store has daily necessities and a rudimentary café. Camping stalls are available for recreational vehicles, tents, and higher-end camping accommodations may be rented as well. Covered picnic areas are dotted throughout the camping areas. Not only does it provide direct access to the badlands and Dinosaur Provincial Park, but the camping area is situated adjacent to the Red Deer River.

The landscape combines an incredibly unique ecosystem of prairie grasslands, the Canadian Badlands, and riverside cottonwoods that grow along the Red Deer River. Trails can be found throughout in a variety of patterns making it hard to discern a designated, distance determined trail, but it still makes for a great adventure nonetheless. Where the topography gives way, or becomes difficult to scale, the park offers stairs to navigate. If guests choose not to hike, guided tours are available. For additional information, and booking reservations and tours, visit their website.

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Spring
Summer
Fall

Congestion

Moderate

Parking Pass

Other

Open Year-round

Yes

Pros

A park with all the amenities. UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Cons

Remote.

Features

General store
Historically significant
Wildlife
Family friendly
Flushing toilets
Rental facilities
Shelters
Geologically significant
Big vistas
Big Game Watching
Guided tours
Picnic tables
Near lake or river
Wildflowers
Bird watching
Potable water
Covered picnic areas

Location

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