Ultimate Guide to Dinosaur Provincial Park
As a special needs and neurodiverse family we appreciated the peaceful landscape. Driving down into the park felt like entering a movie set; it was truly spectacular. In fact it was used as the backdrop for the newest Ghostbusters movie. We definitely recommend this unique and exciting park for your next family vacation.
Heads up!!! DPP is NOT close to Drumheller. It’s a few hours drive away. So don’t expect to swing by the Royal Tyrell Museum while at DPP, you’ll sadly be disappointed.
What is Dinosaur Provincial Park?
Dinosaur Provincial Park (DPP) is part of Albertas Badlands. This area is truly unique due to the large concentration of dinosaur bones and and other fossils. DPP is the 'world's most abundant and diverse dinosaur locality, yielding more than 166 vertebrate taxa, including 51 species of non-avian dinosaurs', and is included in the International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS) 100 'geological heritage sites' around the world. DPP has the best representation of late cretaceous fossils in the world.
This beautiful terrain was made a Provincial Park in 1955 and UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979.
Alberta Parks has a good website for information and booking.
Whats There?
Campground - The campground is perfectly situated in a green area with plenty of shade.
Dino Service Center/Cretaceous Cafe is the main building at the campground with a small shop, cafe, laundromat, showers and flush toilets.
Red Deer River - a slower moving river that runs alongside the campground. This is great for cooling off, a river float or canoeing.
Trails for hiking and biking
Visitors Center and interactive exhibit
Areas for self guided exploration
Large restricted areas with no public access - natural preserve and research area. This is to protect the landscape, wildlife, fossils and visitors. If you want to explore these areas you can register for a guided tour and program or request a permit.
Where is it?
Dinosaur Provincial Park is located in southeast Alberta, Canada. Driving to the park from Calgary takes about 2hrs 30min and is around 220km. Alberta Parks has useful driving instructions.
Where to Stay?
Dinosaur Provincial Park Campground is the best place to stay. From small tent camping to cozy cabins theres options for many comfort levels. Theres 29 unserviced campsites, 92 serviced campsites and 7 comfort cabins. Heres a link to our campsite guide or click on the picture below.
About 45 min away is the closest city of Brooks, Alberta. Theres multiple options for staying overnight in Brooks, including motels, hotels and AirB&Bs.
Where to Eat?
The best option is to bring your own food. DPP is a fairly isolated area and not close to grocery stores, restaurants or fast food. The Cretaceous Cafe is part of the main building at DPP campground and is the closest option for snacks or a meal. Theres seating both inside and outside the building.
The campground at DPP has general use picnic tables and fire pits - check for fire bands before relying on cooking in a fire pit.
The next closest option is Brooks, a 45 min drive away. Brooks has restaurants, fast food, cafes & grocery stores.
What to do?
Hike & Bike - Theres plenty of hiking trails through the park. Oksana and Max at Drink Tea Travel has a great article on the hikes through Dinosaur Provincial Park
Playground
River and stream
Visitors Center/museum
Photography, especially the stunning sunrises and sunsets
Nature and natural history exploration - plants, rocks, fossils, animals and small creature, etc.
Other activities you can register for - guided walking and bus tours. Indoor and outdoor activities
Autism Travel Rating 9/10
Physical Accessibility – Good accessibility to campsites - all are flat. The roads are moderately smooth gravel so depending on the wheelchair or stroller its not too challenging to navigate. The main building has wheelchair accessible showers and bathrooms.
Sensory - When we were there it was pretty quiet, but it really depends on your camping neighbours. The weather was getting hot so make sure to have things that help your temperature sensitive child - fan, ice packs or cool cloths, lots of water, etc.
Entertainment – Dinosaur info galore! If your dinos are your thing then this is the place for you. Theres also gorgeous scenery, land formations, sunsets and sunrises. Lots of space to run around with trails for hiking and biking. A calm stream & river to play in. A play ground with in the campground.
The lack of TV or Wifi was a little challenging but it’s no problem when the weather is nice. If you have autistic kids that depend on internet access for comfort or regulation it’ll be challenging. We made sure to download lots of shows the kids liked. Make sure to bring entertainment for both indoors and outdoors.
Location - Beautiful location and surrounding area. I can see why its a World Heritage Site. The drive isn’t too exciting but as you drive down into the park it looks like you’re driving into a movie set. About 2.5 hour drive from Calgary.
Land Acknowledgment
Dinosaur Provincial Park is on the traditional territories of Cree, Assiniboin, Salteaux, and Chipewyan First Nations. We acknowledge all of the many First Nations, Métis, and Inuit whose footsteps have marked these lands within and around Dinosaur Provincial Park for centuries.
Dinosaur Provincial Park is a protected area. It is ILLEGAL to take anything from the park. You can’t keep rocks, plants, sticks, small critters or anything else you find. If we all took something there wouldn’t be anything left for others to enjoy. Be a good human and leave it better than you found it.
Have you visited Dinosaur Provincial Park? What were your experiences?
Hello!
I’m Kate and I’m a mom of four. Since 2010 we’ve had one baby born with a bilateral cleft lip and palate and three children diagnosed with autism. Parenting certainly hasn’t been what I was expecting - it’s been harder (like A LOT harder) and much more wonderful. My world has expanded and knowledge deepened as I’ve spent the last decade raising these four special kids. Supporting other moms of autistic and cleft children is my passion. Here you’ll find information, strategies and first hand experiences to help you navigate these special challenges on-the-go and in your own home.
