Dinosaur Provincial Park, Alberta

Location: B+
Amenities: C
Food: N/A
Service: N/A
Fun Factor: B+



Best For: Adventurous, active families with kids 4+
Date of Stay: June 2008

The Lowdown: First of all I should clarify, I am not a camping kind of gal. However, we traveled with a knowledgeable crew and good equipment which was much needed when the heavy rains came in. Dinosaur Provincial Park is stunning. With the hoodoos and exquisite views of the badlands this place is like a journey through time. The park offers guided hikes for the whole family as well as tougher hikes for the enthusiasts. If you have a budding paleontologist this place is a must. The camp ground was a little crowded and a bit close for my total comfort but the kids were able to splash in the water and new adventures were only steps away.

Kid's Comments: We saw dinosaur bone fragments everywhere! The hoodoos were really cool and our camp site near the water was a lot of fun. The drive to get there was boring and it took a long time to take down our tents when we wanted to go home. (5-year-old girl and 8-year-old boy)

Top 5 Things you should know about Dinosaur Provincial Park:

1. Centrosaurus Bone Bed Hike: For ages 7+ this tour is amazing. My niece even found a genuine dino bone! 
2. The View: The hoodoos, the badlands, the ancient river beds. Awe-inspiring.
3. The Cost: at $20-$26/night for a campsite and minimal investment for the tours this is definitely a reasonable family trip.
4. The Convenience: Although setting up camp is a lot of work, the trip to Dinosaur Provincial Park isn't. You'll find this visit with the dinosaurs is only a 2.5 hour drive from Calgary.
5. The Weather: As a camping newbie I didn't think too much about the weather. Day 1 was fabulous, then the rains came. Needless to say, there isn't a lot to do at Dinosaur when it rains.