|
So Dinosaur Provincial Park made your ‘must see’ list for 2010. Good choice!
Now the planning begins as you balance your ‘wish list’ of activities with the realities of travel and accommodations. Before you get locked into a rigid schedule here are a few tips to make your visit as enjoyable as possible. This advice is especially important if you are a first time visitor.
Tip #1: Decide your priorities early.
Research places and activities, including the program schedules, BEFORE you book travel and accommodation. Often there are more choices for travel options than there are for destination experiences.
Tip #2: Allow two full days to have an in-depth park experience.
Why so much time? Most of the park is a Natural Preserve, where our very popular interpretive bus tours and hikes are staged. On these events you see spectacular badlands, fossils and sometimes wildlife.
However, this area has restricted access to protect sensitive features and public safety. Entry is only by our guided programs, and there is limited room.
In July and August demand often exceeds our capacity, so be flexible and allow extra time in case your first choice is sold out. The most common regret voiced by one-day visitors is: ‘We didn’t plan enough time for a Natural Preserve tour or other interpretive program.’
Tip #3: Interpretive Program reservations are strongly recommended.
All programs (except Family Theatre Programs) are ticketed events. Reserve your tickets using VISA or MasterCard online or by calling (403) 378-4344.
When booking by phone please note Alberta is on Mountain Time (UTC-7). Note there is a $4 non-refundable reservation fee charged per transaction (you may reserve multiple tickets and only pay this fee once).
2010 reservations begin on Monday, March 8 while programs run from Saturday, May 22 to Sunday, October 10.
Tip #4: If you are planning to camp, reserve you campsite in advance.
Dinosaur Park has a 126 site campground. During weekends in May and June and anytime in July & August campsite reservations are very strongly advised.
You can book your campsite on-line or by phone (1-877-537-2757) through our central reservations call centre. There is a non-refundable reservation fee of $10 for each campsite.
Dinosaur Park has no overflow area for camping. When we are at full capacity, consider camping at nearby Kinbrook Island or Tillebrook Provincial Parks.
Reservations are strongly advised on weekends in May and June and anytime in July and August.
- Tillebrook offers a cool shady oasis setting, adjacent to the Trans-Canada Highway, 6 km east of the City of Brooks. Driving time to Dinosaur Park: 40 minutes.
- Kinbrook Island Provincial Park is connected by a causeway to Highway 873, 15 km south of Brooks, by the warm waters of Lake Newell. Driving time to Dinosaur Park: 45 minutes.
Tip #5: If time permits look into other activities and attractions in the area.
For information about Brooks and the County of Newell contact:
- Newell Regional Tourism Association: www.nrta.ca
- Canadian Badlands: www.canadianbadlands.com
- Brooks & District Museum. 568 Sutherland Drive East, Brooks. (403) 362-5073. Open late May to early September.
Tip #6: If you can’t join our interpreter-led events, there is still plenty to do!
You can still experience the park through our visitor centre’s exhibit galleries, theatre and gift shop.
There are two outdoor fossil display buildings and five self-guided trails in three different habitats.
The fossil displays and two trails are "barrier-free" for physically challenged visitors. Check with Visitor Centre staff for the latest information on trail conditions, flowers in bloom, and wildlife sightings.
Tip #7: Safety is always important, especially on holidays.
Sun screen (at least SPF 30), a hat, and a water bottle are important items to bring along as it can get very hot in the badlands. Sturdy footwear is required for hiking.
You should respect park wildlife which means they should not be touched or approached, but given room to move away from you. This is especially important if you encounter rattlesnakes, black widow spiders or scorpions.
Tip #8: The Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology needs a full day to enjoy.
If the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology in Drumheller is on your ‘must see’ list, be aware that it is a large facility and needs a full day to enjoy.
Don’t try to visit the RTMP and Dinosaur Park on the same day. Considering the significance of both sites and the two hour drive (200 km) between Drumheller and the park, you should allow at least two and a half days for a combined visit.
Tip # 9: Build in some ‘quiet’ time during your visit.
It’s not just about what you do in the park, it’s also about absorbing ‘a sense of place’ that slowly reveals itself, creating memories that you will treasure for a lifetime.
With lots to activities, it’s very easy to get caught up in a hectic schedule on your visit. Make time to enjoy the subtle treasures of a visit to Dinosaur: paddling your canoe down the Red Deer River, walking through the badlands in the evening, exploring the cottonwood groves at dawn, or witnessing a prairie sunrise or sunset at the entrance viewpoint.
Tip #10: Participate in one of our enriched learning programs
Experience the park on a deeper level by participating in one of our enriched learning programs.
If you have the time, join us for these events that feature in-depth experiences and small group sizes.
View a full list of Park programs visit our Events page
|