AndiDinosaur Valley State Park is one of the coolest state parks in Texas. It’s not often you can walk where dinosaurs trekked millions of years ago. These tracks are some of the best preserved tracks in the world! Here are 5 things you have to do in Dinosaur Valley State Park.
Location:
Dinosaur Valley State Park is located south of Fort Worth in Glen Rose, TX. It’s less than a two hour drive from Dallas.
1629 Park Rd. 59 Glen Rose, TX 76043
Best Time To Visit:
The park is open daily year-round. Their busy season is March through November. For less crowds, I recommend the winter months.
For best viewing of dinosaur track sites I recommend the end of summer when the river is low.
Spring and Fall are great times to hike and camp for optimal weather. Fall also brings beautiful fall foliage to enjoy while hiking.
Cost:
$7 Daily entrance fee per person aged 13 and older.
$70 Texas State Park Annual Pass. This is good for everyone in your immediate family for one year. It pays for itself quickly depending on the ages of your family members. Highly recommend!
What To Bring:
- Bug Spray
- Sunscreen
- Water
- Snacks
- Hiking Shoes
- Backpack
- Water Shoes
- Swimsuit
- Towel
- Change of Clothes
- Camera
- Texas State Parks Pass
5 Things You Have To Do In Dinosaur Valley State Park
1. See the Main Track Site
This is why most people come to Dinosaur Valley State Park. To see dinosaur tracks! The main track site is the easiest to see.
There is a close parking lot to the stairs that take you down to the river. Once at the river, you will need to cross using the big rocks as a bridge. It’s very easy to cross and not scary at all. In fact if you happen to fall in, the river is shallow and slow moving so you’ll be fine. After crossing the river, the tracks are roped off in hopefully a shallow area of water. Rainfall will affect the depth of water and how well they are visible.
2. Overlook Hike
This trail shows a great view of the Paluxy River. Some parts can be a little daunting for the smaller kids, but I’ve seen most ages accomplish this trail.
.5 mile and has a little elevation. Worth the climb!
3. Play in the Paluxy River
Like I said above, this river is shallow in most areas and slow moving. If visiting during the brutal Texas summer, it’s a perfect way to cool off. Plus the water is clear and offers beautiful views. Even in November, I braved the water because it looked so inviting.
4. See the Ballroom Track Site
This dinosaur track site is said to have hundreds of tracks. They named it the “Ballroom” because it looks like the dinosaurs were dancing. Most of the time the tracks are submerged but we were still able to see them under the water. They are on the far side of the river, but that didn’t stop me from wading in to get closer. Fyi, the water is COLD in November!
5. Swim in the Blue Hole
You’ve got to swim in this natural swimming hole that is around 20 feet deep. The water is a pretty blue and a perfect way to cool off in the summer. There are dinosaur tracks surrounding this area as well. When the water level drops, they can be seen around the ledge.
Tips For Visiting Dinosaur Valley State Park
If the main focus is seeing dinosaur tracks, check the status of the tracks online or call the park before coming out. I would hate for you to get there and not be able to see anything.
Make reservations online ahead of time. This is a popular park and they can fill up months in advance especially on weekends.
Summer time is hot! Bring lots of water. If planning to hike do so early in the morning.
They have a small store with souvenirs and snacks.
For more Dinosaur Valley State Park info click HERE.
There you go, 5 things you have to do in Dinosaur Valley State Park. This park is a family favorite. Have you been to Dinosaur Valley State Park? Did I miss anything?
For more Texas State Parks to visit click HERE.
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