Did you know Texas has its own version of Jurassic Park? Okay, that’s a bit of a stretch, but there are places where visitors can walk the steps of the magnificent creatures that roamed the Earth 65 million years ago.
Glen Rose, the “Dinosaur Capital of Texas” just outside of Fort Worth, is also home to Dinosaur Valley State Park, a popular destination since guests can walk through dinosaur footprints in the bed of the Paluxy River. Millions of years ago the area was the edge of an ancient ocean and the dinosaurs who roamed there had their footprints fossilized. Now, when the river goes down enough, folks can dream of dinosaurs once again.
“The sheer wonder of standing in an actual dinosaur footprint is something children never forget, and the park makes it easy to find them,” The Dyrt writes. “The park also features a dinosaur interpretive center and life-size dinosaur replicas that kids of all ages will love.”
The Dyrt also praised the park’s opportunities to picnic, hike, mountain bike, swim, fish and paddle the river, watch for wildlife, ride horses and much more. Dinosaur Valley is open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., with park offices open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., providing 20 miles of trails to explore the famed wilderness. Guests are able to take a guided tour, but solo exploration is also an option.
The busiest period is from March through November, and Texas Parks and Wildlife recommend reservations for camping and day use. Be warned, parts of the park can be closed off due to wet conditions, and the dinosaur tracks may not always be visible due to river levels.
The park does allow RVs, fires and pets. Visitors can secure reservations or day passes here.