Dinosaur Provincial Park

Did you know you can find hoodoos, dinosaur fossils, and cacti in Alberta? And it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site? The remarkable landscapes of Dinosaur Provincial Park delight everyone who ventures to southeastern Alberta. This lesser-known park is well worth the two-and-a-half-hour drive from Calgary, with its small network of trails exploring this unique desert landscape among the Prairies.

Dinosaur Provincial Park appeals to all ages, but it’s especially engaging for kids. All the trails are relatively short, allowing plenty of time to pause and appreciate the desert vegetation along the banks of the Red Deer River, like cottonwood trees and cacti. Aside from hiking, visitors can canoe or kayak, and of course, keep watch for wildlife roaming like antelope, coyotes, rabbits, and over 150 bird species.

Dinosaur Provincial Park welcomes visitors for day use and camping in its remarkable scenery. For a wilderness experience, a well-equipped front-country campground offers tent pads nestles in the valley with a babbling creek nearby. If you want more comfort, walled tents are available for a glamping experience. Make sure to plan and bring all the necessary supplies because the nearest city, Brooks, is 29.8mi away.

For families with younger children and anyone seeking a canyon-like landscape in the middle of Alberta, plan a visit to Dinosaur Provincial Park. If you stay overnight, find a spot to admire sunset—it’s truly stellar out here!