National park · Canada
Dinosaur Provincial Park
Go for the guided badlands bus tour and a fossil walk: day-use entry is free, the visitor centre exhibit is about CAD 4 for adults, and the 2-hour tours sell out in July–August, so book ahead and arrive before 10:00.Go for the guided badlands bus tour and a fossil walk: day-use entry is free, the visitor centre exhibit is about CAD 4 for adults, and the 2-hour tours sell out in July–August, so book ahead and arrive before 10:00 AM.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
73 km² (28 sq mi)28 sq mi (73 km²)
approximate
Established
1955
Best months
May–Jun, Sep
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 6Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- Canada ↗Visa-exempt travellers flying to or through Canada usually need an eTA; check your passport on the official Government of Canada site (canada.ca) and apply only there.
- Canada ↗A Parks Canada pass is needed to stop in national parks such as Banff and Jasper; some spots (for example Moraine Lake) are reached only by shuttle or tour, so book ahead.
- Canada ↗Keep well away from bears, elk and moose; carry bear spray on Rockies trails and follow trail closures.
At a glance
- Country
- Canada
- Area
- 73 km² (28 sq mi)28 sq mi (73 km²)
- About 73 km² of badlands and river valley along the Red Deer River (check).
- Established
- 1955
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
Dinosaur Provincial Park protects a stretch of badlands along the Red Deer River in Southern Alberta where the Late Cretaceous rock has yielded dozens of dinosaur species, including complete skulls and bone beds. It was made a provincial park in 1955 and a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979, one of the few listed for fossils rather than scenery. The visitor centre and the paved public loop road with its two display houses are open to anyone; the quarries, bone beds and most of the badlands core sit inside a restricted zone reached only on a guided tour. Day-use entry is free, so the real cost is the exhibit and the tours, and the tours are what sell out in July and August.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 1979Listed for its badlands and the density of Late Cretaceous dinosaur fossils.
Size and age
73 km² (28 sq mi)28 sq mi (73 km²) · national park since 1955
About 73 km² of badlands and river valley along the Red Deer River (check).
Why go
- One of the richest dinosaur fossil beds on earth: dozens of species have been named from specimens found here.
- Walkable badlands: hoodoos, coulees and striped cliffs a few minutes from the parking lot.
- Guided tours reach fossil quarries and bone beds that are closed to independent walkers.
- A UNESCO World Heritage site you can see in half a day from Brooks or as a stop between Calgary and Medicine Hat.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarCaution
- AprGo
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovCaution
- DecAvoid
- JanCold, snow on the coulees; most facilities closed
- FebCold; trails icy
- MarMuddy after thaw; visitor centre limited hours
- AprCool and quiet; visitor centre opens 1 April
- MayMild, dry, tours running, few crowds (check)
- JunLong days; wildflowers; book tours ahead (check)
- JulHot (30 °C (86 °F)+); tours sell out; rattlesnakes active (check)Hot (86 °F (30 °C)+); tours sell out; rattlesnakes active (check)
- AugHottest and busiest; start early (check)
- SepWarm days, cool nights, thinner crowds
- OctClear and quiet; shorter visitor centre hours
- NovCold; visitor centre closes 30 November
- DecWinter; no tours (check)
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prairie rattlesnakeMay–Sep · Active in warm months; watch where you put hands and feet. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Mule deer and pronghornAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Cottontail rabbitsApr–Oct | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Birds (curlews, Canada geese and about 165 species)Apr–Sep | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Brooks
North on Highway 873, then Highway 544 and Highway 876 to the park entrance; signposted but patchy in places.
45–60 min
From Calgary
Trans-Canada Highway east to Brooks (about 2 h), then the park roads; about 200 km (124 mi) in total.Trans-Canada Highway east to Brooks (about 2 h), then the park roads; about 124 mi (200 km) in total.
2.5–3 h
Open the page →
From Medicine Hat
Trans-Canada Highway west, then Highway 884 and Highway 554 via Patricia.
2–2.5 h
From Drumheller and the Royal Tyrrell Museum
Drive south via Highway 56 and the Trans-Canada; a natural pairing with Midland Provincial Park.
2–2.5 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Visitor centre and campground area | Exhibits, fossil prep lab, gift shop, theatre and the campground. | Open with visitor centre hours; campground by reservation. |
| Public loop road | Paved loop past two display houses with fossil exhibits, open all year. | Drive or cycle; stay on the road. |
| Badlands trail area | Short signed trails below the visitor centre through hoodoos and coulees. | Open on foot; stay on marked trails. |
| Restricted fossil zone | Quarries, bone beds and most of the badlands core. | Guided tours only; no independent entry. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
5 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions from the visitor centre along the public loop road, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (day use) | Free | vehicle | No gate fee is charged for day use; the park charges for the visitor centre exhibit and guided tours instead (check). |
| Visitor centre exhibit | CAD 2–4 (≈ US$2–3) | person | Youth 4–17 about CAD 2, adult about CAD 4, senior about CAD 3, under 3 free (2026 estimate, check). |
| Guided badlands tour (bus) | CAD 15–25 (≈ US$11–19) | person | About 2 hours; price varies by tour type (2026 estimate, check). |
| Fossil hike or quarry tour | CAD 20–40 (≈ US$15–30) | person | Longer guided walks; book through the visitor centre (2026 estimate, check). |
| Camping at Dinosaur Campground | CAD 30–45 (≈ US$25–35) | night | Unserviced site; reserve ahead in summer (2026 estimate, check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Day-use entry no permit
Guided tour booking permit or guide
Backcountry or off-trail walking permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- C$2–4≈ US$2–3
- C$15–25≈ US$11–19
- C$20–40≈ US$15–30
- C$30–45≈ US$25–35
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on Alberta Parks — Dinosaur Provincial Park before you go.
Park rules
- Stay on marked trails and roads
- Off-trail walking is not allowed; the badlands core is guided-tour only (check).
- Fossil collecting
- Removing fossils, rocks or plants is illegal; report finds to the visitor centre (check).
- Camping
- Only in the designated campground; no wild camping in the park.
- Dogs
- Keep dogs leashed and out of the badlands trails; rattlesnakes are present (check).check
- Drones
- Not allowed without park permission (check).check
Where to stay
In the park
Dinosaur Campground
Unserviced sites in the park, a short walk from the visitor centre; reserve in summer.
Near the park
Brooks
Motels and hotels about 48 km (30 mi) away, the nearest full services.Motels and hotels about 30 mi (48 km) away, the nearest full services.
Near the park
Duchess and Patricia
Small hamlets with limited services; gas at Duchess about 35 km (22 mi) away.Small hamlets with limited services; gas at Duchess about 22 mi (35 km) away.
Safety
Heat and exposure medium
Prairie rattlesnakes medium
Slippery clay after rain medium
No fuel nearby low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The visitor centre, campground and loop road are paved and reachable by car.
- The Badlands Trail and guided bus tour involve uneven ground and steps; ask at the visitor centre about the easiest options.
- Guided tours vary in walking difficulty; check before booking if mobility is limited.
Visiting lightly
- Do not pick up or pocket fossils; leave everything where it lies.
- Stay on trails to protect fragile badlands slopes from erosion.
- Pack out all rubbish; bins are limited away from the visitor centre.
- Respect wildlife and keep a distance, especially around snakes and nesting birds.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Dinosaur Provincial Park?
Day-use entry to the park is free; there is no gate fee. You pay for the visitor centre exhibit (about CAD 4 for adults, CAD 2 for youth, CAD 3 for seniors, under 3 free) and for guided tours, which run roughly CAD 15–40 per person. Camping is a separate nightly fee. Prices are 2026 estimates; check current rates.
What are the best hikes in Dinosaur Provincial Park?
The self-guided Badlands Trail (30–45 minutes) is the easiest and starts at the visitor centre. For anything beyond it you need a guided tour: the badlands bus tour is mostly driving with short walks, while fossil hikes are longer walks to quarries and bone beds. Off-trail walking is not allowed. Check current trail and tour options at the visitor centre.
When is the best time to visit Dinosaur Provincial Park?
May, June and September: mild, mostly dry and quieter, with tours running. July and August are hottest and busiest, so book tours ahead and start early. The visitor centre is open 1 April to 30 November, with shorter hours in spring and autumn. Check tour dates before you travel.
Do I need a guided tour to see the dinosaur fossils?
For the display houses and the visitor centre exhibits, no. For the quarries, bone beds and most of the badlands core, yes: that zone is closed to independent walkers and entered only with a park guide.
How do I get to Dinosaur Provincial Park?
Drive from Brooks (about 48 km, 45–60 minutes) via Highway 873, Highway 544 and Highway 876. From Calgary it is about 2.5–3 hours; from Medicine Hat about 2–2.5 hours. There is no public transport to the park, and the nearest fuel is in Brooks or Duchess.
Can I camp in the park?
Yes, but only at Dinosaur Campground inside the park. Wild camping is not allowed. Reserve ahead for summer weekends; Brooks has motels if the campground is full.
Are there rattlesnakes?
Yes. Prairie rattlesnakes live in the park and are most active in warm months. Stay on trails, wear boots, watch your step, and never try to handle one.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go