Dinosaur Provincial Park
| Dinosaur Provincial Park | |
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Chasmosaurus belli, which was found in the Park, on display at the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology
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| Location |
County of Newell / Special Area No. 2, near Brooks Alberta |
| Coordinates | 50°45′42″N 111°29′06″W / 50.76167°N 111.48500°WCoordinates: 50°45′42″N 111°29′06″W / 50.76167°N 111.48500°W |
| Area | 73.29 square kilometres (28.30 sq mi) |
| Founded | 1955 |
| Governing body | Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation |
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IUCN Category III (Natural Monument)
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| Provincial Park of Alberta | 1955 |
| Type | Natural |
| Criteria | vii, viii |
| Designated | 1979 (3rd session) |
| Reference no. | 71 |
| Country | Canada |
| Region | Europe and North America |
 Location of Dinosaur Provincial Park in Alberta
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Dinosaur Provincial Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located about two-and-a-half hours drive southeast of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, or 48 kilometres (30 mi), about a half-hour drive northeast of Brooks.
The park is situated in the valley of the Red Deer River, which is noted for its striking badland topography. The park is well known for being one of the richest dinosaur fossil locales in the world. Forty dinosaur species have been discovered at the park and more than 500 specimens have been removed and exhibited in museums around the globe. The renowned fossil assemblage of nearly 500 species of life, from microscopic fern spores to large carnivorous dinosaurs, justified its becoming a World Heritage Site in 1979.
The Dinosaur Provincial Park Visitor Centre features exhibits about dinosaurs, fossils, and the geology and natural history of the park. There is a video theater, fossil prep lab area, and a gift shop. Public programs are offered in the summer.
John Ware's Cabin is a restored early 20th century cabin that was used by John Ware, an African-American cowboy and important figure in Alberta's ranching history. The cabin is located near the visitor center and is open on select days in the summer.
Established on June 27, 1955 as part of Alberta's 50th Jubilee Year with the goal of protecting the fossil beds, the first warden was Roy Fowler (1902-1975), a farmer and amateur fossil hunter.
The park was established as a UNESCO World Heritage Site on October 26, 1979 both for its nationally significant badlands and riverside riparian habitats, and for the international importance of the fossils found here.
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