Discover Alberta’s Ancient Past: Dinosaur & Paleo Experiences to Have This Summer in Northwest Alberta

Millions of years ago, dinosaurs called this landscape home. Today, you can walk in their footsteps.

Northwestern Alberta is one of Canada’s most significant dinosaur regions, where ancient river valleys continue to reveal fossils that are reshaping what we know about prehistoric life. It’s a place where world-class scientific discoveries meet unforgettable visitor experiences, from uncovering real fossils and exploring badlands to floating the Wapiti River with expert guides and coming face-to-face with one of Canada’s largest dinosaur collections.

It doesn’t matter if you’re fascinated by prehistoric life or simply looking for a one-of-a-kind summer adventure, there’s no better place to experience Alberta’s ancient past than where the discoveries are still being made.

Start Your Journey at the Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum

Your prehistoric adventure begins in Wembley at the Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum, one of Canada’s leading destinations for paleontology.

Interactive exhibits, towering dinosaur skeletons, and an active fossil preparation lab bring Alberta’s ancient past to life. Visitors can watch real fossils being prepared while learning how scientists continue to uncover discoveries from the nearby Pipestone Creek Bonebed.

One of the world’s richest dinosaur fossil sites, the Pipestone Creek Bonebed is home to thousands of Pachyrhinosaurus fossils and continues to provide researchers with new insights into life millions of years ago.

Go Beyond The Museum

The best way to experience Alberta’s prehistoric past isn’t just by looking at fossils, it’s by exploring the landscapes where they were discovered.

Float the Wapiti River, search for ancient fossils with expert guides, and stand in places where dinosaurs once roamed. These hands-on experiences offer a rare chance to connect with one of Canada’s richest fossil regions in a way that’s both educational and unforgettable.

Secrets of the Wapiti River Float

Step aboard the Secrets of the Wapiti River Float and explore the ancient river valley with expert guides who bring millions of years of history to life. As you drift downstream, towering cliffs reveal layers of ancient rock, fossil-rich formations, and the stories of the dinosaurs and ecosystems that once thrived here.

Along the way, you’ll stop to explore points of interest, see fossils in their natural setting, and gain a deeper appreciation for one of Alberta’s most remarkable prehistoric landscapes. It’s an unforgettable way to experience the Wapiti River, and a perspective few visitors ever get to see.

Follow the river through Alberta’s prehistoric past.
→ Discover the Secrets of the Wapiti River Float

Bonebed Tour

The Bonebed Tour takes visitors to the legendary Pipestone Creek Bonebed, where thousands of Pachyrhinosaurus fossils have been uncovered. Walk where researchers have made remarkable discoveries, learn how fossils are found and protected, and experience one of the world’s most significant dinosaur fossil sites.

Ready to stand where history is still being uncovered?
→ Book the Bonebed Tour

Palaeontologist for a Day

Ever wondered what it feels like to uncover a dinosaur discovery?

With Palaeontologist for a Day, you’ll step into the role of a real palaeontologist. Work alongside experts, learn how fossils are identified and excavated, and experience the science behind some of Alberta’s most exciting discoveries.

It’s a hands-on adventure perfect for curious travelers, aspiring scientists, and families looking to experience something completely different.

Your prehistoric adventure starts here.
→ Become a Palaeontologist for a Day

Continue the Journey Through Time in Grande Cache

The story doesn’t end in Wembley. Continue west into the mountains and discover another chapter of Northwest Alberta’s prehistoric past at the Grande Cache Tourism & Interpretive Centre.

Explore exhibits featuring fossils, Ice Age mammals, wildlife, geology, and dinosaur discoveries that reveal how this landscape has changed over millions of years.

Grande Cache is also home to the story behind Canada’s largest known exposed dinosaur trackway. Thousands of preserved dinosaur footprints were discovered here, offering an incredible glimpse into the creatures that once travelled across this landscape.

While the track site itself isn’t accessible to visitors, the discovery lives on through exhibits at the Grande Cache Tourism & Interpretive Centre, allowing travelers to connect with one of Canada’s most significant paleontological discoveries.

Continue your journey through time.
→ Visit the Grande Cache Tourism & Interpretive Centre