Last updated on August 30th, 2024 at 02:31 pm
Dinosaur Provincial Park is a popular spot and for good reason! I finally got to head out for a few days of camping in the park. The large campground makes for a perfect spot to explore the park, the exhibits, the trails and still enjoy the relaxing vibe of the campground.
We decided to try out Dinosaur Provincial Park campground in May, when it was fairly quiet still and just getting ramped up for summer. The forecast showed this was the best spot to find some sunshine during an otherwise fairly wet Spring, so we went for it and now I have a feeling visiting Dinosaur Provincial Park campground will be an annual Spring trip for us.
Please note that some of the links below are affiliate links, so I may earn a small commission on any purchase made, at no additional cost to you. This helps me keep the blog running, so thank you for your support!
Table of Contents
Dinosaur Provincial Park Camping Experience
There are over 120 camping spots at Dinosaur Provincial Park, 92 of them are powered sites, while 29 of them are unserviced. They are split into two main loops which sit on each side of a creek. Many offer beautiful views of the badlands, while others back onto the creek, some are pull through sites for bigger units.
Dinosaur Provincial Park also offers comfort camping options, these come in the form of covered canvas wall tents, which come furnished with a bed, fridge and table as well as an outside firepit. Perfect for those looking for a little more luxury in their camping experience!
There is also a group camping area which can be reserved for larger groups, which has its own washroom building and offers a little more space for those looking to travel together in a larger group.
For individuals each camping spot in Dinosaur Provincial Park has a picnic bench, most of these appear to be movable within your site. They also all have fire pits, although check for fire bans before heading out.
There are pit toilets dotted throughout the campground, these were all clean and well stocked with toilet paper and sanitizer. There was also garbage and recycling bins and potable water taps within easy reach from all the sites.
The main service building in Dinosaur Provincial Park, is mostly taken up with a cafe, which makes a great breakfast sandwich, they also sell a number of small goods you might need, from soft drinks to camp games available to purchase. Located in the same building is the campers’ check in desk, the showers, which operate on change, as well as running water and flush toilets! Next door to the showers is laundry as well, so if you are on the road for a while this is a huge bonus!
When Can You Camp At Dinosaur Provincial Park
It is possible to camp at Dinosaur Provincial Park year round. In winter there are limited sites available and they are offered on a first come first serve basis. From mid April through to the end of October, the full campground is open and fully reservable.
Make sure to do your research before heading out as the weather is highly variable in the park throughout the year, with hot temperatures in the summer and frigid nights and snow in winter.
How To Reserve Your Camping Spot
It is possible to reserve a campsite at Dinosaur Provincial Park for stays between mid April and the end of October. Camping can be reserved online through the Alberta Parks Reservation site and you can reserve 90 days in advance.
It gets very busy in Dinosaur Provincial Park during the summer and I’d recommend booking as far ahead as possible so you aren’t disappointed. We camped here in May and there were plenty of spots but during the busy weekends or July and August, ti is a different story.
Things To Do When Camping At Dinosaur Provincial Park
Directly from the Dinosaur Provincial Park campground you can access the Visitor Centre by walking a short distance, this has a cool gift shop as well as a small interpretative centre which is absolutely worth a walk around and costs $2 to enter. You can also book on to a number of interpretative programs at the visitor centre, although they do advise you book in advance. These range from bus tours, to hiking tours, to getting hands on behind the scenes.
There are also hiking trails straight from the Dinosaur Provincial Park campground, most of these are shorter hikes and some offer interpretive panels. The hikes are clearly signed and easy to follow, offering great views of the river and the badlands.
Where Is Dinosaur Provincial Park
From Calgary, Dinosaur Provincial Park is approximately a 220 kilometre drive, via Highway 1, heading East and then onto the 550.
The nearest major town is Brooks, this has everything you might need if you realise you forgot something, as well as plenty of gas stations and grocery stores. Dinosaur Provincial Park is signposted from the town.
Things You Might Need
It can get really hot in the Dinosaur Provincial Park in the height of summer and there are limited trees to offer shade in some sites in the campground. I’d personally pack a sunshade to make sure you have a break from the sun while hanging out in camp.
The Dinosaur Provincial Park campground has lots of electrical spots perfect for a trailer, but if you are camping in a tent, I love the Marmot Tungsten tent, it is spacious, lightweight and offers plenty of ventilation for warm days.
If you intend on hitting the trails in Dinosaur Provincial Park, pack some solid shoes, I wore my On Running shoes, these are lightweight and breathable but offer plenty of grip on the trails. Perfect for hot, dry days.
Other Spots To Go
If Dinosaur Provincial Park isn’t enough, follow the signs and head up to Drumheller, it makes for a great week long road trip and takes in two awesome spots. Drumheller is home to the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology and is well worth a visit. There are also more badlands hiking trails to explore in Drumheller.