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Dinosaur Provincial Park

Alberta Parks
Information

Dinosaur Provincial Park is located 48 km northeast of Brooks, Alberta and is approximately a two hour drive from the Town of Drumheller and the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology. See Driving Instructions.

Recreational Activities

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    Tours and Events

    Biking

    • Bicycles are restricted to the park's paved and gravel roads.  Bikes are not allowed on the interpretive trails or in the badlands.
    • Please secure your bike in the racks located near all trailheads.

    Fishing

    Hiking

    • There are self-guided interpretive trails in the park.
    • The trails are for pedestrian use only. There are bike racks located near all trailheads.
    • Wear sturdy footwear, stay on the designated trails and follow our other safety tips.

    Outdoor Fossil Displays

    Two outdoor fossil displays along the public scenic loop road are accessible year-round, road conditions permitting.

    • Fossil Display #1 contains the nearly complete skeleton of a "duck-billed" dinosaur. These bones are "in-situ", still partially encased in the sediment that buried them 75 million years ago.
    • Fossil Display #2 contains a re-creation of a palaeontological quarry or dig-site. This site is modeled on the "Centrosaurus Bone-Bed", an important quarry found in the park.

    John Ware's Cabin

    Drop by John Ware's Cabin and discover the legacy of Alberta's most famous black cowboy.

    • Artifacts and displays tell the story of John Ware and other local ranching families at the turn of the century.
    • Open seasonally for self-directed visits. Check our Programs and Events page for updated hours.

    Paddling the Red Deer River

    Get a new perspective on Dinosaur Provincial Park while floating or paddling down the Red Deer River. With a little planning, you can experience this little-seen part of the badlands from your canoe or kayak.

    • The closest upstream access to the Red Deer River is at the Steveville campground.  It is located just off Highway 876, on the west edge of Dinosaur Provincial Park.
    • Following the river, it is 13 kilometres from Steveville to the Dinosaur Provincial Park campground. This can take 2 ½ to 4 hours to paddle, depending on the water level and time of year.
    • While in Dinosaur Provincial Park, camping is ONLY allowed at the designated campground. If you are paddling and planning to camp on private land, ensure you have the landowner's permission.
    • There are no canoe rentals at Dinosaur Provincial Park.
    • Heading downstream starting from the park campground, the first river access point is 35 km away.  This is well past the park's east boundary, where Highway 884 crosses the Red Deer River. It can take over 6 to 7 hours to paddle this stretch.
    • Download our map of canoe access in the Red Deer River corridor north of Dinosaur Provincial Park.
    • Alberta Environment & Water has information on river flows and levels on Alberta's River Basins.
    • Paddle Alberta provides information for paddlers.
    Tips
    • Always tell someone where you're going.
    • Wear a lifejacket and take all required safety equipment.
    • The boat launch in the day use area is recommended for hand-launch only. Boat trailers and vehicles may get stuck in the river sediment and silt.

    Photography

    Nearby Attractions

Updated: Jul 24, 2026
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