2025 Alberta Badlands Trip Full Payment

Dates: Sept 9-14, 2025

Travel North of the border with Dinosaur Ridge to the Canadian Badlands, to explore the unique landscape carved by water and wind that is famous for its many dinosaur fossils. Our destination is Dinosaur Valley and the town of Drumheller to visit the world-renowned Royal Tyrrell Museum---Canada's only museum dedicated exclusively to the science of paleontology. We’ll get a behind-the scenes tour of their collections and immerse ourselves in the region’s fascinating geology as we stop at scenic vistas, hike through colorful hills and canyons, and explore the magical sandstone spires called hoodoos or fairy chimneys.

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 travelling and teaching at various institutions from 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 of walking/standing at multiple museums and two or more 1–3-mile hikes on sand/dirt developed hiking trails. There is also a possibility that we may explore off-trail sites. Depending on weather conditions, the walking and hiking surfaces may be rocky, sandy, muddy, or slippery. Our planned hikes are not wheelchair accessible and our rented van will not have a wheelchair lift.

Program Fee: $850 per person ($100 discount with member coupon code - please ask trip coordinator). Includes van transportation to and from Calgary Airport, all museum entrance fees, guided activities, lectures, study guide, one group dinner 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 by July 1st 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.

Questions? Contact trip coordinator Barbara Farley Barbara.Farley@dinoridge.org