Canada’s Dinosaur Park — Attraction in Asphodel-Norwood

Our dinosaur-obsessed-toddler LOVED the “dinosaur zoo” - as he calls it.

The food truck they have outside put others to shame, and the zoo staff was friendly enough to make you want to hang around all day.

Bathrooms and pathways were VERY clean despite it being moderately busy and there was a bathroom in the middle of the way through which was perfect for our potty training toddler and his dad who drank 2 litres of water on the way to the zoo. There was a staff member actively tending to the tortoises and snakes to make sure their enclosures were clean and well stocked. The reptiles were lively and each had a digital information card with facts about their features, behaviour and natural habitats.

I would have rated 5 stars but we did have a couple qualms with our visit that we as parents/adults noticed but our little ones didn’t seem to care. And again, we had a great time and would still recommend you stop in and check it out on your way through with littles.

A lot of the animatronics weren’t on during our walk about - however it was raining shortly before we arrived so we just assumed that might have been the reason. Either way, those that were on, were greta and a huge hit with our toddler ! It was very cool to see them in motion - though it would have been nice to just have a heads up that some of the attractions wouldn’t be operational before heading through so we didn’t look like idiots trying to activate their sensors when other groups approached them. It didn’t really matter, but a heads up would have been nice.

The crocodiles were all inside their pools which is in an inclosure that you can’t go into - again, totally understandable, they are wild animals that deserve privacy and a safe place to hang out. AND there was windows you could look in, but because it’s of the brightness outside, there was a considerable glare and we literally had to press our face to the glass to see anything inside - which could be remedied with maybe an awning or tinting on the windows to reduce the glare or even slanting the windows ? I don’t know. Again, not a huge deal as we went for the Dinos but someone else might want a heads up if their little one is excited to see the crocs.

The reptile zoo is too cramped for strollers - which isn’t a big deal when there aren’t a lot of people but we went on a weekday afternoon and it was busy enough we couldn’t really maneuver through there at a good pace, so a heads up to bring a lead, or a baby carrier, or even just having a designated spot to park a stroller while you walk around the reptile enclosure would be all the better. It’s set up really well for the most part but we felt like we were blocking others view and ability to move at their own pace with our stroller in tow.

All-in-all, it was a great experience for our little one. We will definitely visit again when our youngest is old enough, or even just on our way home from Peterborough for some family fun!

If you’re planning on going with a little one who will want a souvenir but you’re on a budget, bring your own from somewhere else as there are some pricey items in there. Most are reasonable in terms of other zoos or what have you, but our 2.5 year old has 8,456,790 dinosaur toys and we didn’t need another so we just pulled out a forgotten one from the closet and pretended like we...

I attended with an educational group and had booked ahead of time to have a guided tour and private show. I attempted to email them 4 times over 2 months to make arrangements and received no response. I finally called and made these arrangements. In addition to this we had planned to play on the croc slide and use the nature walk. This was all discussed when I booked. Not once was I contacted and informed anything differently from these plans. When we arrived I discovered the croc slide was closed, the nature trail was closed and they said to us well if you have any questions we are here (in the store way at the beginning of the zoo) to answer them and the public show schedule. I said no we booked and confirmed a guided tour and a private show. They stated they don't really do guided tours. They are just there if we have questions and they aren't really going to do a private show but we can join one of the public shows. So basically, we paid a whole lot of money to look at a few snakes and Crocs and absolutely nothing we had planned and booked to do. After having to make a lot of noise about it, we did get a private show from a girl who was extremely rude to the kids and adults in our group and we did get a guided tour, but still no croc slide or nature walk or anything really that would have been a fun release for the kids. We asked if there was a deduction of cost for only providing a small portion of their advertised content and they declined. It is also important to note that the owner is a middle aged (or close to) male and every single employee in the zoo is a pretty young girl. There is not ONE SINGLE male employee there. When questioned about this the employee said "the owner likes training girls." I find this absolutely disgusting and disgraceful and highly illegal, not to mention against Human...

A Hidden Gem in Bancroft: Canada’s Dinosaur Park 🦕❤️

If you’re looking for a unique and heartwarming experience in Ontario, Canada’s Dinosaur Park in Bancroft is an absolute must-visit. This isn’t just a fun roadside attraction—it’s a passion-powered, non-profit sanctuary for rescued reptiles and a full-blown dinosaur museum rolled into one.

From the moment you arrive, the care and dedication of the team is obvious. Every rescued reptile here—from snakes and lizards to turtles and dragons—has a name, a story, and a forever home thanks to the people behind this incredible organization. You can feel the love and respect they have for every creature in their care.

The dinosaur exhibits are also impressive—especially considering they’re entirely funded by donations and run by volunteers. It’s part museum, part educational experience, and part walk-through time machine. Kids and adults alike will love the life-sized dino sculptures and fossil displays, and there’s plenty of interactive elements to keep you engaged.

✨ What makes this place truly special: • It’s 100% non-profit, so every dollar supports animal care and education • You get to meet real, living reptiles up close (safely!) • The staff are incredibly knowledgeable and passionate • It’s perfect for families, school trips, or curious adventurers of any age

Whether you’re a reptile enthusiast, a dino lover, or just looking for something cool to do off the beaten path, Canada’s Dinosaur Park is worth the trip. Support a local cause, learn something new, and leave with your heart full.

📍 Located in Bancroft, ON 🦖 Visit them, donate if you can, and spread the word—this hidden gem deserves...