The Ultimate Camping Getaway in the Canadian Badlands

There exists a place where vermilion and indigo morning skies reflect off other-worldly banded hills, bathing the river valley with a welcoming radiance. Where the wind brings soothing scents of sage and sweetgrass from the rolling prairie plateaus. Where rattlesnakes sun themselves next to the fossils of giants and the raptors of today soar over the echoes of their ancestors. Where the coyotes serenade the sun as it dips below the horizon before a blanket of vibrant stars, unhindered by the lights of mankind. It’s a cosmic sight that will take your breath away. 

Don’t let the name fool you, the Canadian Badlands are anything but bad. Camping in this world-class destination is an experience you won’t soon forget.

Discover a world where dinosaurs once roamed

Whether you’re an experienced adventurer or new to the outdoors, the Canadian Badlands offer a camping experience not found anywhere else. Close enough for a day trip from both of Alberta’s major cities, and with plenty to do for a weekend getaway, the region is a must for anyone new to Alberta or those looking for a unique landscape with a deep history. The Canadian Badlands are a place of beauty, history, adventure and discovery.

Access full services among the fossils

Dinosaur Provincial Park is not only widely regarded as the most plentiful site of dinosaur fossils in the world, but is also a recognized UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Canada’s premier badlands destination, Dinosaur Provincial Park is about 220 km (136 mi) east of Calgary. It was once where a river delta met the sea, home to dozens of species of dinosaurs, whose remains are now scattered across the park. Today, Dinosaur Campground is nestled in the Red Deer River and features over 120 full power campsites that can accommodate anything from full RVs to tents, many under the shade of a small forest of Cottonwood trees along the banks of a small creek, plus five comfort camping sites with all the comforts of home. Every site has its own contained firepit and firewood can be purchased near the entrance of the campground.

Onsite, the appropriately named Cretaceous Café provides refreshments, hot meals and camping supplies – incase you forgot marshmallows or matches. The facility also provides laundry services and showers for a fee.

The Royal Tyrrell Museum Field Station is just up a short path from the concession and is a must see as the museum features complete skeletons of the dinosaurs that can be found in the surrounding hills. The Field Museum offers guided tours of their palaeontology lab as well as hands on programs for future palaeontologists.

Hike unique trails and discover your inner paleontologist

Dinosaur Provincial Park features several marked trails that are each worth the time. The 1.3-km (0.8-mi) Badlands Trail, a short ways away from the campground, weaves its way though the banded hills of the park. Interpretive signs tell the story of how the land came to be, from a shallow tropical sea to the distinctive colourful and layered hills it is today. Prickly Pear Cactus line the trail, and if you come during the spring the vibrant yellow blooms add even more bursts of colour to the landscape. Coyotes, white-tailed deer, and both rattlesnakes and bull snakes call the Badlands home. The park also features over 160 unique bird species– a bird watcher’s mecca! If you’re lucky enough to see any wildlife, watch from a distance and give them plenty of space.

Another popular trail near the park is the 1.4-km (0.9-mi) Cottonwood Flats trail, which follows the banks of the Red Deer River through dense forests and a shrub-filled floodplain. Here, under the canopy of leaves, porcupine, beavers and deer call the thickets of trees home and can be a welcome respite from the summer heat. While there are no places to swim in the Red Deer River, there is a boat launch for canoe enthusiasts to explore from the river. 

Directly east of Dinosaur Campground is an area that allows for exploration of the Badlands off marked trails. If you have keen eyes, fossils of dinosaurs, reptiles, rodents and even plants can be found here. Look only with your eyes though, as removing fossils is prohibited in provincial parks. There are two covered fossil displays in this area, one of a hadrosaur skeleton, and another of a Centrosaur. It’s well worth the hike.

You can also hike to the site of a bonebed where hundreds of horned dinosaurs died together with their remains preserved. The three-hour guided tour with a knowledgeable guide reveals the secrets of Cretaceous Alberta and uncovers the science behind why so many dinosaurs were preserved at this site.

Experience a starry night like no other

After a full day of hiking in the badlands, come back to your camp for some rest and relaxation.

As the sun sets over the Badlands, a whole new park emerges. With the nearest town almost 50 km (31 mi) away, light pollution is minimal, which allows the stars to shine brightly. Seeing the Milky Way reaching from valley rim to valley rim is a sight that evokes grandiose awe and humbling beauty. The forests around you come alive with several species of owls hunting small animals on the floor, while small brown bats do their part and chase insects in the sky. You’ll hear coyotes nearby, with their haunting howls echoing off the silhouettes of the hills. 

It’s easy to lose track of time watching and listening to a vibrant nighttime world unfold around you under a cover of stars.

Essential tips for your Badlands adventure

It becomes clear as the prairie landscape opens up into a valley of otherworldly scenery that this is a special destination. The land beckons to be explored, but there’s a few helpful tips to take into consideration before heading out into the hills and valleys.

1. Be prepared. There’s no getting around it, the Badlands are a desert, so make sure you’re prepared for the climate and environment. Sunscreen, hats, long sleeve shirts, and at least 2 litres of water are an absolute must to bring to a place where temperatures can reach over 30 degrees regularly in the summer.
2. Pack the right shoes. If you plan on exploring the hills and valleys on foot, a good sturdy pair of hiking shoes goes a long way. While some of the trails to explore can be done with sneakers, open toe shoes and sandals are not recommended as cactus, sharp rocks and other dangers to your feet are abundant. Hiking boots that provide ankle support are perfect for the uneven ground and will allow you to explore with less risk of a twisted ankle. Be careful exploring after a rain as well, the clay hills can get very slippery and messy. 
3. Download offline maps. The park will help you unplug from digital distractions. Cell signals are spotty in the campground, and even worse out on the trails. Make sure to save hard copies on your phone of maps, booking confirmations and more. This will save you a trip back up top!