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About 75 million years ago, the landscape and climate of Dinosaur Provincial Park were subtropical, similar to northern Florida today.
Lush forests covered the coastal plain. Rivers flowed east, across the plain into a warm inland sea. The low swampy region was home to a variety of prehistoric animals, including dinosaurs.
Conditions at this United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization World Heritage Site were perfect for preserving dinosaur bones as fossils. Today, after a century of excavations, more than 150 complete dinosaur skeletons have been discovered as well as great disorganized concentrations of bones called "bone beds."
Today, three distinct habitats in the park support many animals and plants. Cottonwood and willow trees share the moist riverbanks with saskatoon, rose and buffalo-berry bushes. Cacti, greasewood and many species of sage survive in the hot dry badlands. Prairie grasses dominate the landscape above the valley rim.
Mule, white-tailed deer, cottontail rabbits, pronghorn antelope and coyotes reside in the park.
Bird watching is excellent in May and June in the cottonwood groves. Warblers, woodpeckers, golden eagles, prairie falcons, mountain bluebirds and waterfowl are some of the common species.
Daily tours, led by a park interpreter, into the heart of the badlands explore the unique landforms, dinosaur remains and wildlife. These guided walks are a wonderful way to get a general overview of the park, but reservations are recommended.
Park staff recommend you allow two days to fully explore the park.
Outdoor Activities |
Researchers uncover dinosaur bones.
A dinosaur skeleton on exhibit at the park.
The badlands of Dinosaur Provincial Park.
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