Walk in dino tracks in Tumbler Ridge BC #DinoTrail

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Have you always dreamed of walking in the footsteps of dinosaurs? Tumbler Ridge is one of the world's most significant sites for dinosaur research, laying claim to the world's only series of Tyrranosaurid footprints ever discovered.

In addition, land formations left over from prehistoric times actually give the northeastern BC town of Tumbler Ridge its name, and the region’s designation as a UNESCO Global Geopark. 

The eponymous ridge features rock formations that almost look like dinosaurs themselves! The coal rich region is full of natural history, showcased at the Tumbler Ridge Museum—one of four prime stops along the #dinotrail, connecting northern BC and Alberta in one epic prehistoric road trip; learn more on our #dinotrailexpedition page!

Tumbler Ridge Museum 

Not many people can say they've seen dinosaur footprints in the wild! Prior to 2011, very few dinosaur footprints had been discovered, and never had there been a series of Tyrannosaur footprints in a row, made by one creature. 

Fossilized dinosaur footprints at the Tumber Ridge Museum.

The first such series was discovered by local outfitter/guide Aaron Fredlund, in the Peace Region near Tumbler Ridge, in 2011. Then in 2016, over a thousand more dinosaur footprints were uncovered in the area, over a 700m2 area.

Tumbler Ridge Museum has a large collection of dinosaur fossils in addition to tracks.

On the museum's unique Trackway Tours, you literally walk beside the footsteps of dinosaurs along the region's creekbeds. 

These special guided hikes last approximately two hours, and distances are reasonably short (between 1.5 - 2 km). Both day and evening tours are available.  

The main dinosaur gallery at the Tumbler Ridge Museum covers a 450 million year span from the Ordivician through to the Ice Ages, with large scale fossil replicas, footprint casts and interpretation primarily from the Cretaceous period. Learn more about the palaeontology being done in the area. 

Tumbler Ridge UNESCO Global Geopark 

A UNESCO-designated geopark is defined as an area that has “internationally significant geological heritage.”

That includes both the aforementioned dinosaur tracks, as well as incredible geological formations that harken back to prehistoric times. 

Kinuseo Falls, Shipyard Titanic, Bergeron Falls, Monkman Cascades... so many unique locations and experiences dot the landscape around the town and throughout the region. 

MAP: geosites in the Tumbler Ridge Global Geopark

Check out this top 10 list of sites on the Global Geopark website, just some of many you'll want to check out! 

For a complete guide check out the Geopark website

Monkman Provincial Park 

Hiking trails and natural areas will round out your dinosaur travels within a landscape reminiscent of the prehistoric. There are over 100 kilometres of trails in the region. Get out and stomp around like a dinosaur!

Photo: BC Parks
Monkman Falls, in the provincial park.

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