Roaming with Raptors: The Ultimate Family Hike at Dinosaur Provincial Park + How to Win a Road Trip Adventure from Toyota
- Jun 2
- 4 min read
Updated: Jun 12
Welcome to Alberta’s prehistoric playground—Dinosaur Provincial Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where desert-like badlands stretch for miles, fossils peek from sandstone, and kids can let their imaginations run wild. If you’re dreaming of a family road trip filled with discovery, dirt, and dino bones, this is the park to put on your list!
And here's the best part: Toyota is giving families the chance to win “Road Trip Bucks” to help make this dino-sized adventure a reality. So while you're planning your next memory-making getaway, you could also win your way there. (Details at the end of the post!)
Five Reasons why we love our 4Runner for exploring with kids
1. It Fits the Chaos (and the Car Seats)
Let’s be honest, packing for a family adventure feels like prepping for an expedition. Coolers, diaper bags, hiking gear, snacks for days... and that’s just your stuff. The 4Runner has space for all the things (plus the chaos that comes with them).
2. It Goes Where the Trail Begins
Some of the best family hikes don’t start at a paved parking lot. Whether we’re bumping down gravel roads to a hidden lake or climbing up to a trailhead in the Rockies, the 4Runner handles it like a champ! We get through mud, gravel, and snowstorms.
3. It Feels Safe, Even When Everything Else Feels Wild
Adventure with kids means so curveballs like tantrums, missed naps, and snack meltdowns. Knowing the 4Runner’s safety features have our back lets me breathe a little easier behind the wheel. It's one less thing to stress about when the rest of the trip is unpredictable.
4. It Handles Alberta Weather (aka All Four Seasons in One Day)
From desert heat in Dinosaur Provincial Park to snowy mornings in Banff, this vehicle is built for real Canadian adventure. Heated seats, powerful climate control, and the ability to shift into 4WD without drama? Yes, please.
5. It Turns Road Trips Into Core Memories
Our kids won’t remember the perfectly packed snack bins but they’ll remember the cranked country music, the silly games, the mountain views, and the feeling of being together. The 4Runner gives us space to make memories in motion and the best naps in the backseat, lunch with a view, and one more hour before we head home.
Why Dinosaur Provincial Park Is Perfect for Kids
This is more than just a hike—it's a walk through time. Kids can explore fossil displays, dig into hands-on learning at the visitor centre, and climb the alien-looking hoodoos scattered across the badlands.
Best Kid-Friendly Hike: The Badlands Trail
Distance: 1.3 km loop
Time: 30–45 mins
Difficulty: Easy
Highlights: Hoodoos, dinosaur fossil displays, and sweeping views of the canyon below
Kid Review: “I want to go back and search for dinos again and camp in the 4Runner!"
The trail is clearly marked and packed with opportunities for climbing, jumping, and exploring. Bring a sense of adventure and a camera—you’re going to want to capture the joy on your kids' faces.
What to Pack for Exploring With Kids
Prehistoric terrain calls for practical gear. Here’s what we recommend:
Sturdy shoes or hiking sandals (no flip-flops in the badlands!)
Plenty of water – it gets hot!
Sun protection – hats, sunglasses, and reef-safe sunscreen
Snacks and more snacks – trail mix, fruit, dino gummies
Small backpack – let little explorers carry their own gear
Binoculars & magnifying glass – for fossil spotting and bug inspecting
Trail Tether or safety strap – for toddlers who roam
Where to Camp With Kids
Dinosaur Provincial Park Campground
Location: Right inside the park
Sites: Powered and unserviced options available
Bonus: You're camping among the badlands which is just steps away from adventure
Kid-Friendly Perks:
Clean washrooms
Playground
Fossil programs
Evening interpretive shows
Make sure to plan and book early as this spot is wildly popular during the warmer months!
If the campground is full, consider nearby spots in Brooks, Alberta (about 30 minutes away), or try one of the private campgrounds along the Red Deer River.
How to camp with the 4Runner
One of the things I love most about the Toyota 4Runner is how it flexes to fit your family’s camping style so no matter what season of parenting or kind of adventure you’re in. You can set up a rooftop tent (you'll need the roof rack but just ask your local dealer). If you’re more of a front-country family (we love a good playground and running water), it’s perfect for hauling all your gear to a provincial park and pitching a classic tent right beside it. Want a little more comfort? Hitch up a tent trailer or micro trailer and hit the road—this SUV is built to tow with confidence. Whether you're wild camping in the backcountry, booking a powered site at Dinosaur Provincial Park, or chasing sunsets with your toddler in tow, the 4Runner turns camping into something that actually feels doable (and even cozy).
How to Explore with Kids in Tow
Plan hikes early or late in the day to avoid the mid-day heat.
Mix structure and free play: Always be on the lookout for dinos!
Make it a scavenger hunt: Look for “dino eggs” (round rocks), hoodoos, and bones (fake or real).
Join a fossil safari or guided hike—park programs are designed with curious kids in mind.
This is a park where science meets adventure. Your little ones will learn without even realizing it. My husband is a Scientist and loves to show the kids all about our world while exploring on the trail.
Win Your Road Trip: Enter Toyota’s Family Adventure Contest
Here’s the icing on the cake—Toyota is giving away “Road Trip Bucks” to families who are dreaming of a summer escape. Whether you’re driving a trusty SUV like the 4Runner or dreaming of an upgrade, this is your chance to fuel your family’s next great outdoor journey.
How to Enter:
Head to Toyota’s Contest Page
Cross your fingers—and maybe start packing just in case
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