Fossil Prospecting @ Dino Provincial Park

We arrive at the visitor’s centre in Dinosaur Provincial Park and check in. We’re booked to do a little “Fossil Prospecting”, a search for ancient remains in the scenic badlands and we’re giddy like a couple kids Christmas Morning. We’re that close to squealing with delight. We meet our guide, a pleasant chap and as we are to learn one who’s also most knowledgeable on all things dino-related; and we greet others who’ve signed up for this same outing. People have come from all over to take in this adventure. Handshakes and introductions all around – we’ve made some new friends.

First a little briefing. We’re told what to expect once we’re out in the field, what to look for and the possible dangers underfoot (tripping hazards, cacti, snakes, sinkholes, heat exhaustion). Everyone have on sturdy shoes? Did you bring plenty of water? How about sunscreen? It’ll be a hot one out there. And bug spray? Those little devils have insatiable appetites. Then we’re given a tour of a workshop where fossils found in the park are inspected and catalogued, and then take in some exhibits in the public area.

Time to pile into the van. It dictates how many people (so eight) can participate in the tour. By the way, this is not for the kiddies although those 14-17 can take it in if they’re joined by an adult. Fossil Prospecting Tours generally run once per weekend during the operating season. The adventure lasts most of the day and physically can be quite strenuous. We went up and over several hills and put a good half dozen kilometres behind us, give or take.

We head down this road and that, first paved then gravel, then dirt, then no road at all. Bouncing across some field we come to the lip of a valley. Below, we’re told, the fossils await. We survey the scene and are blown away by the sheer beauty of it all. The area we’re in, which is not open to the general public to visit, is some of the best fossil hunting grounds on the planet. We’re soon to see that for ourselves.

A briefing before we go “fossil prospecting”.

Drop down into the barrens. So little grows here. It’s dry and cracked, inhospitable and hot as Hades even if the plains above are much cooler. Not much rain falls here but when it does the place turns into a muddy quagmire. Thinking back to when Dinosaurs ruled the earth, the place it’s said was much different. Then, it was more tropic-like and for extended periods covered by a warm shallow sea.

We’re told to simply wander about (but stay together) and look down. That’s all you need do and magic is sure to happen. It can’t be that easy, can it? Sure enough, mere minutes into it, a find. Over that way, a good sized bone just sitting there on the ground. Like someone placed it there for us to discover. Excitement grows. Hey, over here! Another fossil is found. Then one more. It’s almost overwhelming at times, but always fun and exciting. When you come, you’ll enjoy the hunt too.

Bigger pieces are left where they are. Smaller specimens can be picked up for inspection or photography, then put back from where they came. By the way, there is no collecting but take plenty of photos. As each piece is found, our guide tells us a bit about what animal it came from (and not all were from Dinosaurs, some came from mammals or birds), what bone it was and the approximate age. Fascinating! Take in a Fossil Prospecting Tour for yourself and come find out what it’s all about.

With everything dating back millions of years this makes them the oldest remains we’ve ever seen. Fossilized Wood is everywhere underfoot. It looks like you could throw some of it on the fire. The cameras are kept busy.

Fossils are not actually organic material but rather a “stone” copy of them if you will, the bone or wood having been replaced by minerals. This requires a lot of things to fall into place, which rarely happens, and explains why overall they are quite rare. A typical scenario – a dino dies, it gets washed down into a swamp, where it settles to the bottom and decays the bones then being buried by sediment which is where the fossilizing process begins. It takes time, then boom, a few eons in, and we have specimen, perhaps one for us to find in Dino Provincial Park while Fossil Prospecting.

By the way lunch is provided on this adventure, yummy stuff coming from the cafe near the Park’s Visitor Centre. Later, at the end of the adventure, our group was treated to ice cream there – now that’s a fine way to wind things down.

We go this way and that. We’re deep into the valley now. Are we lost? No, our guide knows the area well and will get us home. Here and there are metal pegs stuck in the ground. The mark the location of a major find and the date of the discovery.

Sometimes it feels like we’re walking through time. What was it like here so long ago? Palm trees, a swamp, slow lumbering beasts…for a moment we’re there.

In a low (sometimes) marshy area, a solitary tree, and the only shade the entire day. I did speak of sunscreen and its importance when prospecting, right? Over there, part of a hillside gave way. The soil here is heavy with clay and when wet is unstable and can move (and is it slippery).

More and more fossils are found. They just keep coming. Some are small fragments, spotted more out of luck than anything (a lot of the rock here can be mistaken for fossils), others are big, near intact and pretty impossible to miss. This is part of a vertebrae, this other came from a claw and this the section of a toe. The fellow knows his stuff. Some fossils are unique enough that our guide marks their location. Many of the specimens found here are on display at the Royal Tyrrell Museum in Drumheller a couple hours to the west. Dino Park, is in fact a field station for them.

On the road to a most special place.

There’s lots of Hoodoos here and in all sizes. These form when softer soil under a rock or boulder (sometimes even a fossil) erodes away. The cast shadow of these capped pillars looks very mushroom like. Hoodoos are rather fragile and easily toppled over – some of the caps are precariously balanced.

Later that day, a spectacular sunset down by the river. We spent the whole weekend at the park, compliments Alberta Parks. To see what we did, go here: Shoulder Season @ Dino Provincial Park. We had a blast, perhaps the most fun we’ve ever had and learned a lot in the process.

If you’d like to go Fossil Prospecting like we did and have fun and learn all about those bones seen, go here: Dinosaur Provincial Park, a Unesco World Heritage Site and look for the “Tours” link. Hurry up, space is limited and it often sells out. Hint: go in the spring or fall when it’s cooler.

Hand picked just for you…
Scenes of a Modern Farm – how it’s done today.
CL Western Town – where movies are shot.
Red Rock Coulee – geology can be interesting!

If you wish more information on what you’ve seen here, by all means contact us!

Date: June, 2018.
Location: Dinosaur Provincial Park, near Brooks Alberta.
Article references and thanks: Dino Park Staff, who were amazing, Alberta Parks.
You too can take a Fossil Prospecting Tour – entry to the prospecting lands otherwise is forbidden.

Soon to drop down into the scenic badlands.

We’re told to simply wander about and the magic will happen.

In mere moments, our first find.

One need only look down – those bags hold complimentary lunches.

Look for it…a small bone fragment.

Our most knowledgeable guide.

Another find.

A tiny one.

What’s that down there?

Let’s go this way…

They just keep coming.

This marks the site of a major discovery.

Just wandering about…

It’s like walking through time.

So much underfoot.

Wonder what’s over there…

No fossils, just an interesting pattern of rocks.

Pondering where to head next.

A hillside that gave way.

Most fossils were just sitting there on the ground.

Our new friend looks to be smiling.

A solitary tree, the only shade this day.

You almost trip over them.

Wood made of rock.

Smaller pieces can be picked up for examination (then put back).

This valley is world famous for its fossils.

Softer soils below wears away faster.

And here’s another…

The Littlest Hoodoo.

Fossilized Wood looks ready to be thrown on the fire.

And later the same day, this spectacular show.