Things to Do in Dinosaur Provincial Park (in Just One Day)

Planning a stop in Dinosaur Provincial Park with your family? This incredible UNESCO World Heritage Site in Alberta’s Badlands is one of the best places in the world to see real dinosaur fossils in their natural setting.

We’ve visited Dinosaur Provincial Park twice during our cross-Canada road trips. It’s one of those rare places where a guided tour actually makes the experience. You’ll see what I mean when you scroll down to the fossil photo. We still can’t believe we saw it in person!

But we also know that many families are on a tight schedule. So we’ve built this one-day itinerary to help you make the most of a short visit. This post includes all the best things to do in Dinosaur Provincial Park with kids: fossil walks, hikes, scenic viewpoints, and practical info like what to pack, where to stay, and what not to do when exploring the park.

Disclaimer: Just a heads up, this free article contains affiliate links. If you purchase after clicking one of these links, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost. Your support helps me continue to provide helpful and free content for you.

Where is Dinosaur Provincial Park?

Dinosaur Provincial Park is located in southeastern Alberta, about 48 km northeast of the town of Brooks. It’s set deep in the Canadian Badlands, surrounded by rugged cliffs, wide open skies, and some of the most dramatic landscapes in the province.

One thing that often confuses visitors is that Dinosaur Provincial Park is not in Drumheller. In fact, the two are nearly two hours apart. Drumheller is famous for the Royal Tyrrell Museum, where you can see incredible fossils on display. But Dinosaur Provincial Park is where many of those fossils were actually found. It’s one of the richest dinosaur fossil sites in the world and a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Things to Do in Dinosaur Provincial Park

While the park does have a small but interesting exhibit gallery near the Visitor Centre, most of the experience happens outside. Families come here for the landscapes, the hands-on history, and the chance to hike through terrain that looks more like Mars than southern Alberta.

Dinosaur Provincial Park is one of the richest dinosaur fossil sites in the world. More than 500 fossils from over 40 dinosaur species have been found here, some dating back 75 million years. It’s also home to rare plants, wildlife, and that incredible Badlands landscape. So one of the best things to do in Dinosaur Provincial Park is to look for fossils.

If you’re planning on hiking in Dinosaur Provincial Park, there are five official trails that are short, mostly flat, and perfect for families. Each one winds through badlands, hoodoos, and ancient riverbeds. Some offer fossil viewpoints, others highlight the strange desert-like plants that grow in the area. You don’t need to be an expert hiker, just wear good shoes and bring water. The scenery alone is worth the effort.

But the real highlight (and something we always recommend to friends inquiring about Dinosaur Provincial Park) is joining a guided tour. These are the only way to access the Natural Preserve, a protected section of the park where real fossils are still in the ground. 

On our last visit, we joined the Family Dino Stomp, and it was hands-down the best part of the day. Our guide showed us how to identify fossils, explained what life was like in this area millions of years ago, and even pointed out a complete fossil we would’ve never noticed on our own.

Itinerary for Families Visiting Dinosaur Provincial Park in Just One Day

Dinosaur Provincial Park is packed with things to explore, and while you could easily spend a couple of days here, one full day is enough to experience the highlights, especially with kids. From fossil hunting to badlands hiking, you can see and do a lot without feeling rushed.

Here’s a sample itinerary to help you make the most of your visit, including tips on what to prioritize and how to pace the day so it’s fun (and doable) for the whole family.

Family Dino Stomp Guided Hike

You can start your visit at Dinosaur Provincial Park with a guided hike. My boys and I did the Family Dino Stomp guided hike, and I couldn’t recommend it enough. Because this park is an active paleontologist site, some areas, including the Natural Preserve, are not open to the public unless you’re with a guide.

So, while much of the park’s fossil-rich areas are preserved and inaccessible for general visitors, participating in a guided tour provides an exclusive chance to walk these restricted trails. 

On the Family Dino Stomp tour, you’ll follow a guide through the badlands for two hours and discover many dinosaur (and other creatures) fossils. This tour will turn your little ones into junior paleontologists, learning about fossils and ancient ecosystems with some fun exhibits and activities.

The Field Station and Exhibit Gallery

After the guided hike, return to the visitor center and visit the Exhibit Gallery. The gallery includes dinosaur fossils, models, and interactive, hands-on displays about the badlands. It takes 30-45 minutes to see and costs $2.00 per person.

Scenic Loop Road

When ready (probably after lunch), hop back in your car and drive on the scenic loop road. It’s a 3.5 km scenic drive through the Badlands. You can also walk or bike the loop, but be careful if you’re with little ones. 

There are 5 hiking trails around the loop , including the most popular one: The Badlands Interpretive Trail. It’s an easy hike suitable for young children. The path has informative panels about the park’s natural history.

A little further down the road, you’ll also want to stop at the two outdoor interpretive fossil displays. Other trails like the Prairie Trail and Fossil Hunters Trail are also kid-friendly and worth exploring if time allows.

Inside the scenic loop, you can climb the hoodoos and explore all areas of the badlands. But please leave any fossil material where you find it. 

Where to Stay When Visiting Dinosaur Provincial Park

It’s important to note that lodging is really limited at Dinosaur Provincial Park. If you want to extend your visit with an overnight stay, you’ve got two main options for staying near Dinosaur Provincial Park: 

• camping inside the park or 
• booking a hotel in the nearby town of Brooks, about 45 minutes away.

There are no other accommodations in or near the park.

Camping at Dinosaur Provincial Park

The Dinosaur Provincial Park Campground is a great choice if you want to stay close to the trails and fully immerse yourself in the landscape. The campground sits right in the heart of the badlands, with many sites offering incredible views of the hoodoos and cliffs.

There are powered and unpowered campsites, as well as comfort camping options if you don’t have your own tent (but you’ll still need cooking gear and bedding). Washrooms, showers, and a small store are available on-site. There’s also a dinosaur-themed playground, and during the summer, the park often hosts family-friendly evening programs at the amphitheater.

That said, this campground is very popular, especially in July and August, and it books up fast. If you’re planning to visit in peak season, make sure to reserve early through Alberta Parks.

Staying in Brooks

If camping’s not your thing (or if you couldn’t get a site), Brooks is the best base nearby. It’s about a 45-minute drive from the park and has a range of kid-friendly hotels with pools and breakfast options. Plus, it’s right by the Trans-Canada highway if you’re on a longer Canada road trip. You can look at Canalta Brooks, Heritage Inn & Suites or Ramada by Wyndham Brooks.

While you’re in Brooks, you’ll also find restaurants, grocery stores, and a few family-friendly spots like the Brooks & District Museum or Duke of Sutherland Park, which has a spray pad and playground for little ones. One other spot we loved was Kinbrook Island Provincial Park, located just south of Brooks on the shores of Lake Newell. There’s a sandy beach for swimming, a large playground, and calm waters for paddleboarding or kayaking.  

Another favourite stop near Brooks is the White Barn Fun Farm. It’s a small, family-run farm where kids can meet and feed animals like goats, alpacas, emus, even a dromedary! 

What NOT to Do at Dinosaur Provincial Park

Dinosaur Provincial Park is one of the richest fossil sites in the world — and it’s still an active dig site. That means protecting the land, the fossils, and the ecosystem is taken very seriously. Here are a few important rules to follow during your visit:

❌ Don’t Touch or Move Fossils: It’s tempting (especially for kids!) to pick up rocks or bones you find along the trail, but everything (even small fragments) must be left exactly where it is. Taking fossils, or even moving them, is illegal and can harm scientific research.

❌ Stay on Designated Trails: The badlands are full of fragile formations and protected areas. Some of the coolest-looking spots are off-limits unless you’re on a guided tour. Always stay on marked trails unless you’re with a guide in the Natural Preserve.

❌ Don’t Climb Hoodoos: Yes, they look like natural playgrounds, but climbing hoodoos can cause erosion and damage. Stick to designated climbing areas if your kids want to scramble.

Final Thoughts: Is One Day Enough?

If you’re short on time, one day in Dinosaur Provincial Park is enough to get a real taste of what makes this place special. You’ll be able to hike through the badlands, spot real fossils, and maybe even join a guided tour to explore deeper into the park’s protected areas.

That said, if your schedule allows, staying overnight gives you more time to slow down, explore more trails, and enjoy the quiet beauty of the area. The park feels completely different at sunrise or sunset, and the campground is one of our favorites in Alberta.