Location: Southern Alberta (2 hours east of Calgary)
Perfect for: Families with dino-loving kids, history buffs, and nature explorers
Ideal visit time: Spring through Fall
If your kids are into dinosaurs (and let’s be honest, who isn’t?), Dinosaur Provincial Park is a must-visit spot in southern Alberta. This UNESCO World Heritage Site isn’t just about incredible landscapes—it’s one of the richest dinosaur fossil sites in the world! Yep, you read that right. Over 50 species of dinosaurs have been discovered here, making it the perfect destination for a family adventure full of learning and exploration.
Why It’s Worthy:
- Fossils, fossils, fossils!
You’ll be walking in the very footsteps of paleontologists. Even though you can’t dig up fossils on your own (we’ll leave that to the experts), you can totally join a guided tour where they’ll show you real dig sites and even let you get hands-on in certain activities. Your dino-obsessed little ones will love it. - Unreal Landscapes.
The badlands here are like nothing else in Alberta—otherworldly rock formations, hoodoos, and vast expanses of desert-like terrain. It’s a stark contrast to Alberta’s rolling prairies and foothills. The wide-open space makes it perfect for kids to run around and burn off energy! - Family-friendly Hiking.
Dinosaur Provincial Park offers a variety of short, kid-friendly trails. The Badlands Trail (1.3 km loop) is great for all ages, and it gives you an up-close view of the rugged terrain. There’s also the Cottonwood Flats Trail if you’re up for an easy stroll near the river, with a bit of shade (much needed on hot summer days). - Hands-on Learning.
The Visitor Centre and the Royal Tyrrell Museum Field Station (located within the park) offer a treasure trove of dino info. You can explore interactive exhibits, watch documentaries, and learn more about the fossils discovered here. It’s the perfect spot for kids (and adults) to geek out on prehistoric history.
What to Do:
- Guided Fossil Tours.
You can’t go wrong with a guided tour if you want to learn the real scoop on dino discoveries. Book a Fossil Safari (perfect for ages 4+) and get to touch real fossils right in the badlands. Or, take the Centrosaurus Quarry hike—an easy family trek that takes you to a real bone bed where they found hundreds of dinosaur bones. - Explore the Badlands.
Bring a picnic, pack some water (seriously, it gets hot), and take in the unique scenery. Let your imagination run wild, and picture yourself back in the late Cretaceous period, surrounded by massive dinosaurs! - Camping in the Badlands.
Make it an overnight adventure by booking a campsite within the park. It’s a bit of a rustic experience (think: no cell service), but that’s part of the fun! Plus, the park is known for amazing stargazing, so it’s a chance for the whole family to spot some constellations after dark.
Tips for Families:
- Sun and Bug Protection.
The badlands get hot in the summer, and the mosquitoes can be relentless near the river. Bring plenty of sunscreen, hats, and bug spray, especially if you’re hiking. Water is also key—there’s not a lot of shade, so you’ll want to stay hydrated. - Book Tours Early.
Guided tours, especially the Fossil Safaris, can fill up fast, so book ahead online if you’ve got your heart set on a specific activity. - Picnic or Packed Lunches.
While there is a small café near the Visitor Centre, bringing your own food is a good idea if you’re planning on spending the whole day. Picnic tables are available, and there’s nothing like a family lunch with a prehistoric view!
Getting There:
Dinosaur Provincial Park is about a 2-hour drive east of Calgary. Head out on Highway 1, then take Highway 36 south and follow the signs. The drive itself is scenic, with rolling prairie landscapes that seem to stretch on forever, until—bam!—you’re in the middle of the striking badlands.
Final Thoughts:
Dinosaur Provincial Park is a worthy destination for any family looking to add a bit of adventure and education to their travels. Whether you’re dino-hunters, history buffs, or just after some unique Alberta scenery, this place has you covered. Plus, it’s the kind of spot that your kids will be talking about long after they’ve hung up their dino hats. “Remember when we walked where the dinosaurs roamed?” Yep, it’s that kind of memorable. 
