Dinosaur Provincial ParkAbout Dinosaur Provincial Park
Dinosaur Provincial Park in Alberta, Canada is a UNESCO site known for extensive badland landscapes and exceptionally rich Late Cretaceous fossil beds. It is one of the world’s most important sites for dinosaur palaeontology.
Wide expanses of eroded coulees, hoodoos and exposed sedimentary strata reveal fossil-bearing layers and dramatic scenery. The park’s visitor centre displays many recovered fossils and runs guided programs including supervised fossil digs and interpretive walks that explain the geology and palaeontological discoveries.
Scientific collecting and research have taken place here since the early 20th century, producing large numbers of scientifically important dinosaur specimens used in global palaeontology. The area was designated a provincial park and later recognised for its international palaeontological value.
The park lies in the badlands of southeastern Alberta near the town of Brooks, within a rural landscape of mixed prairie and eroded river valleys. It is reached by road from Brooks and other regional centres in Alberta.
- Fossil significance: The park contains one of the richest concentrations of Late Cretaceous dinosaur fossils in the world, with dozens of species represented and thousands of specimens recovered by scientists.
- Access and tours: Access inside the protected area is seasonal and often requires joining guided tours or field programs run by the park for safety and conservation reasons.
What to See#
- Fossil badlands: Badland formations and fossil-bearing coulees where fieldwork has revealed large numbers of dinosaur skeletons and other vertebrate fossils over many decades.
- Visitor centre and field programs: The park’s visitor centre and interpretive displays that present recovered specimens and explain regional geology and palaeontology; seasonal guided programs and supervised digs operate from this centre.
Best Time to Visit Dinosaur Provincial Park
Summer provides full visitor services and guided programs; spring and autumn offer quieter visits but check program availability.
Weather & Climate near Dinosaur Provincial Park
Dinosaur Provincial Park's climate is classified as Cold Semi-Arid - Cold Semi-Arid climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -18°C to 27°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -18° - -7° | -20° | 13 mm | overcast | 85% | 4.5 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.4h |
| February | Poor | -14° - -2° | -15° | 9 mm | overcast | 79% | 4.3 m/s | 0.3 low | 9.9h |
| March | Acceptable | -8° - 5° | -7° | 17 mm | overcast | 67% | 4.6 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 11.7h |
| April | Good | -1° - 14° | 3° | 25 mm | partly cloudy | 58% | 4.7 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 13.6h |
| May | Very Good | 4° - 20° | 12° | 41 mm | partly cloudy | 54% | 4.5 m/s | 1.4 high | 15.3h |
| June | Very Good | 9° - 24° | 17° | 70 mm | partly cloudy | 57% | 4.1 m/s | 1.7 very high | 16.2h |
| July | Excellent | 11° - 27° | 19° | 44 mm | some cloud | 52% | 3.7 m/s | 1.8 very high | 15.7h |
| August | Excellent | 11° - 27° | 19° | 36 mm | partly cloudy | 53% | 3.6 m/s | 1.4 high | 14.3h |
| September | Very Good | 5° - 21° | 13° | 36 mm | partly cloudy | 58% | 3.9 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 12.5h |
| October | Good | -1° - 14° | 3° | 15 mm | partly cloudy | 66% | 4.4 m/s | 0.4 low | 10.6h |
| November | Acceptable | -10° - 3° | -9° | 14 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 4.6 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.8h |
| December | Poor | -16° - -4° | -17° | 13 mm | overcast | 83% | 4.5 m/s | 0.1 low | 7.9h |
How to Get to Dinosaur Provincial Park
Dinosaur Provincial Park is about 48 km east of Brooks, Alberta, off Highway 1 (Trans-Canada Highway). Follow Highway 873 south from Brooks to access the park entrance. The park is managed by Parks Canada; check their site for visitor centre hours and guided programs.
Tips for Visiting Dinosaur Provincial Park
- Join a guided tour led by Parks Canada for the best chance to see fossil sites and to understand site protection rules.
- The badlands are fragile - stay on designated trails and observe all site protection signage to avoid damaging paleontological remains.
- Early morning and late afternoon light render the sedimentary layers beautifully; avoid midday for photography.