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Park · Brooks, Alberta
Dinosaur Provincial Park
Badlands in the Red Deer River valley with one of the world’s richest dinosaur fossil beds, about 75 million years old. UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Dinosaur Provincial Park
Dinosaur Provincial Park lies in the Red Deer River valley in southeastern Alberta. Erosion has cut into the prairies and formed badlands: a maze of bare hills, gullies and sandstone towers in bands of grey and ochre. The exposed layers are about 75 million years old, from the end of the Cretaceous, when the region was a warm, humid coastal plain.
Since the late 19th century, paleontologists have removed hundreds of dinosaur skeletons of dozens of species, now displayed in museums around the world. In 1979 the park was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List for its fossil richness and landscape.
The visitor centre has exhibits and a laboratory where technicians prepare fossils. Short trails and a loop road pass overlooks and protected outdoor bones. Most of the park is a natural reserve only visitable by guided tours, by bus or on foot, with reservation.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
Half a day to a full day.
Best time
From mid-May to early October, when guided tours run. In summer, prefer mornings: the badlands get very hot in the afternoon.
How to get there
Take the Trans-Canada to Brooks and then Highways 873 and 544, about 50 km from the town.
Tip
Book a guided tour in the natural reserve in advance; it is the only way to see bones still in the rock in the richest areas.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Dinosaur Provincial Park
How old are the fossils at Dinosaur Provincial Park?
About 75 million years old, from the end of the Cretaceous.
Is Dinosaur Provincial Park a UNESCO site?
Yes, since 1979.
Do you need a guide in Dinosaur Provincial Park?
For the natural reserve, where the richest areas are, yes; trails and overlooks can be visited independently.
Is Dinosaur Provincial Park the same as Drumheller?
No. Drumheller is about 170 km away; Dinosaur Provincial Park is near Brooks.