From there we will travel two hours south to visit Dinosaur Provincial Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where five percent of the entire planet’s dinosaur bones have been discovered. The park – the largest continuous swath of the Badlands in Alberta – is a rich area of dinosaur fossils. Nearly 60 species have been uncovered here. We’ll spend two nights in nearby Brooks giving us the opportunity for a half-day fossil finders hike at the park and to visit their impressive visitor center.
Study Leader
Denver-based geologist Bob Raynolds will be our interpretive guide. Bob has a long history of traveling and teaching at various institutions including Peshawar University in Pakistan, Dartmouth College, the Colorado School of Mines to the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. Bob is currently a Research Associate at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science studying sediments in the Denver Basin that record the uplift of the Rocky Mountains. He is past president of the Friends of Dinosaur Ridge and of the Colorado Scientific Society and previously worked for the US Geological Survey, Exxon, and Amoco.
Location & Transportation
Fly into and out of the Calgary International Airport. Transportation via a comfortable 12-passenger van will be provided for the duration of our trip. For the return, plan to depart Calgary International Airport in the late afternoon/evening on the last day.
Physical Exertion Level/Accessibility
This trip will include several hours at multiple museums and two or more 1–3-mile hikes on rugged dirt hiking trails. There is also a possibility that we may explore off-trail sites. Fall in the Badlands can be either hot and sunny or rainy and chilly. Depending on weather conditions, the trails may be rocky, sandy, muddy, or slippery and will require sturdy hiking shoes. Hiking poles are recommended for extra stability. The planned hiking trails are not wheel-chair accessible and our rented van does not have a wheel-chair lift.
Program Fee
$850 ($100 discount for members–please request discount code before registering). A $450 per person deposit is required at time of registration, with final payment due by May 1, 2025.
Fees include transportation to and from Calgary, all museum entrance fees, guided activities, lectures, study guide, picnic lunches, two group dinners, and snacks. (Fee does not include airfare, lodging, or meals not mentioned above).
Accommodations
A group rate has been reserved in comfortable 3-star hotels with a daily breakfast buffet included. Approximate per person cost for 5 nights: $253 USD double-occupancy; $505 for a single room. (Final cost may fluctuate based on the exchange rate.). Other lodging or camping options are available if you will have your own vehicle. Lodging is reserved and paid for individually after registering with Dinosaur Ridge.
Trip Cancellation Policy
The Alberta Badlands trip is contingent on a minimum of 10 registered participants and will be cancelled 60 days prior if the minimum is not met.
- If the trip is cancelled by Dinosaur Ridge, participants will receive a full refund of program fees paid.
- All cancellations must be received in writing.
- Cancellations received 121 or more calendar days prior to departure qualify for a full refund.
- Cancellations received 91 or more calendar days prior to departure qualify for an 80% refund.
- Cancellations received 61 or more calendar days prior to departure qualify for a 50% refund of program fees.
- Cancellations received 60 calendar days or less prior to departure are assessed a cancellation fee of 100% of the program fees. You may transfer your registration to another attendee or forfeit your payment.
