Dino Secrets
Hey Lykkers! Ready to step back in time and have an epic adventure together? Let’s plan a 3-day trip to Dinosaur Provincial Park in Alberta, Canada! Dinosaur Provincial Park is seriously one of the coolest places ever.
It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to one of the richest dinosaur fossil beds in the world.
Over 40 species of dinosaurs have been discovered here, so it’s like a playground for paleontologists and anyone who loves a good adventure. The landscape is wild—think badlands, hoodoos, and deep canyons that make you feel like you’re on another planet. Let’s dive into the details and get this trip rolling!
Day 1: Getting There and Getting Settled
Morning:
We’ll start our adventure with a road trip from Calgary to Dinosaur Provincial Park. It’s about a 2.5-hour drive, and trust us, the scenery gets wilder the closer we get. The rolling prairies turn into crazy cool badlands, with hoodoos and canyons that look like they’re straight out of a movie.
Accommodation:
Once we arrive, we’ll set up camp at the Dinosaur Campground. It’s right in the park, so we’ll be in the heart of all the action. Camping is super affordable—around $25-$40 a night (cost may vary). If we’re feeling fancy, we can stay at the nearby John Ware Cabin for $150-$250 a night (cost may vary). Either way, we’re going to have a killer view!
Afternoon:
After we’re all checked in, let’s head over to the Visitor Centre to get the lowdown on the park. They’ve got some really cool exhibits, and we can even watch paleontologists work on real fossils. It’s a great way to get hyped for what’s to come.
Evening:
For dinner, we’ll hit up the Cretaceous Café near the campground. They’ve got tasty meals and a killer view of the badlands. We can chill, eat, and soak in the scenery—dinners will set us back about $15-$25, but it’s worth it. After dinner, we’ll take a little walk along the Coulee Viewpoint Trail to catch the sunset. Trust us, it’s going to be a show!
Day 2: Fossils, Hikes, and Starry Nights
Morning:
We’ll kick off the day with breakfast at The Prairie Girl. They’ve got everything from pancakes to breakfast burritos—perfect fuel for our big day ahead. Expect to spend around $10-$15 for breakfast, and we’ll be ready to roll.
Then, it’s time for the main event: a guided fossil safari! We’ll head into the restricted areas of the park with a guide who’ll show us all the best spots. Who knows, we might even find some dino bones ourselves! The tour is about $20-$30 per person (cost may vary), and it’s a total must-do.
Afternoon:
After the fossil fun, we’ll grab a packed lunch (around $10) and hit one of the park’s self-guided trails. The Badlands Interpretive Trail is a solid pick. It’s a 1.3-kilometer loop through some of the park’s most dramatic landscapes. We’ll see hoodoos, crazy rock formations, and get some seriously Instagram-worthy shots.
Evening:
Back to Cretaceous Café for dinner—because why mess with a good thing? Then, we’re in for a treat with the park’s night sky program. The badlands have some of the darkest skies around, so the stargazing is off the charts. It’s free, but the experience is priceless!
Day 3: Rafting and Final Adventures
Morning:
For our last day, we’ll start with another awesome breakfast. Then, we’re hitting the water for a river rafting adventure on the Red Deer River! This guided tour gives us a totally different perspective of the badlands. It’s around $40-$60 per person (cost may vary), and it’s going to be an absolute blast.
Afternoon:
After rafting, we’ll head to Boston Pizza in Brooks for lunch. They’ve got killer pizza—perfect for refueling. Expect to spend $20-$25. Then, let’s check out Dinosaur Valley Studios nearby. We can see life-sized dino sculptures being made, which is pretty cool, and it only costs $5-$10 to get in.
Evening:
Before we head back to Calgary, we’ve got time for one last hike. The Trail of the Fossil Hunters is a short one, but it’s packed with great views and tons of dino history. It’s the perfect way to wrap up our adventure.
On the way back, we’ll stop at The Old Grouch in Drumheller for dinner. This place is all about comfort food and good vibes. We’ll spend about $15-$20 each, and it’s a great way to end the trip on a high note.
So, what do you think, Lykkers? Ready to explore some of the most epic dino territory and have an adventure of a lifetime? Let’s do this!
Hope this gives you all the vibes for an unforgettable trip!