Having roamed the eastern part of Canada for three weeks the summer of 2018 seeing three different fossil sites we were kind of tired of fossils, but we we knew this would be quite something else and really there is. A morning flight from Quebec took us to Calgary Alberta round noon and another rental car brought us to the park in two-three hours. As others have done we also found the scenic overlook just before the park entrance – and watched the stunning badlands from above. The three in east Canada are all coastal sites while this is far inland.

We had pre-booked the Sunset tour knowing we would arrive in the afternoon (after 3 p.m.). The tour starts at 7 p.m. so we had time to do something on our own. We began with the rather well-organized and informative visitor center and continued with the 3.2 km loop drive with short hikes seeing some of the badlands up close and some fossils, all in the non-reserved zone. After q quick bite at the café at the parking lot we were ready for the Sunset tour.

It was a really hot afternoon (between 30 and 40 degrees) so the 10 to 15 people group were recommended to bring a water bottle each and something to cover your head. On the bus, into the reserved zone, off the buss – and then we were walking between dinosaur fossil bones and teeth – amongst typically local hoodoos. Fantastic! We could pick up fossils and ask the guide for information about the items, but we had to put it back again. The badlands is probably much the same everywhere it exists, but as we’re not too used to badlands – this one was very scenic even from “the bottom”. The setting sun made profiles and shadows changing and it made then “dead badland” more alive. An almost complete fossil skeleton was covered and locked – until the guide opened it to us. Really magnificent!

At the end of the two hour we drove to the nearest town to spend the night. The motel and town Brooks didn’t have much to offer, but it was sufficient for us as we headed on the next morning. Great breakfast though.

 

### Randi & Svein