Guide to Dinosaur Valley State Park Fall Colors

Are you planning a trip to Dinosaur Valley State Park to see the fall colors?

I can assure you that it is tricky.

For the past three years, I’ve visited Dinosaur Valley State Park during the fall season and documented my visits with my cell camera. Now I’m going to tell you what I discovered on my trips.

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Dinosaur Valley State Park Fall Colors

Many of the blogs I read mentioned Dinosaur Valley State Park in Glen Rose as one of the best places in Texas to see fall colors.

It piqued my interest because I had never seen such lovely fall foliage in the park. Perhaps I went on a wrong day, week, or month?

I live about a 40-minute drive from the park, and Dinosaur Valley has become my favorite place to hike with my dog. So I went there several times over the years and began documenting my visits three years ago.

After visiting the park for several years in a row, I finally got to see the fall colors at Dinosaur Valley State Park last year. It’s the best one yet.

Before we go any further, I must remind my readers from the Northeast, Northwest, and Midwest that fall colors in North Texas are not the same as they are in their respective states. We don’t have red or purplish leaves in general. Only yellow and orange are present, and we are delighted to see them.

We don’t even have cypress trees like in the Texas Hill Country. They transformed the Guadalupe River and other rivers that flow through parks like Garner State Park into “fire”!

There are no bigtooth maples that turn to spectacular red, orange, and yellow colors like those found in Lost Maples State Natural Area. Or the oaks, maples, sweetgum, and sassafras that turn red, yellow, and orange in East Texas’ Daingerfield State Park, Lake Bob Sandlin State Park, and Tyler State Park.

Best Time to See Fall Colors in Dinosaur Valley State Park

Texas’ astronomical fall began on September 22, the same day as the rest of the Northern Hemisphere. Fall in Texas means nice weather. It has less rain and cooler temperatures during the day.

Almost every blog I read stated that the best time to see fall colors in Dinosaur Valley State Park is from the end of October to early November.

Well, based on my observations, the fall colors at Dinosaur Valley State Park are at their peak around the second week of November.

However, this is not always the case. Years went by when I only saw a few trees with colorful leaves. They sometimes turned brown quickly or fell before turning yellow or orange. Sometimes they stayed green until they died.

That’s why I said it’s tricky to see fall colors in Dinosaur Valley State Park. I recommend calling the park office ahead of time. Especially if you live a long distance away from the park.

Following that, I’ll tell you what I discovered at the end of October, the first week of November, and the second week of November.

End of October in Dinosaur Valley

At this time of year, everything is still green.

If you visit the park around this time, I recommend stopping by a certain location. It’s the prairies that stretch between the Main Track Site and the Campground.

Take a hike along the Paluxy River trails and watch the native grasslands move like waves on the ocean when it’s windy. It’s also lovely as a photo backdrop.

When starting early in the morning, you may need a jacket.

First Week of November in Dinosaur Valley SP

By this time, some leaves had begun to turn yellow, while others had already turned brown. And there are trees that have already shed their leaves.

Take the Limestone Ledge Trail across the river if you’re visiting around this time. Follow the trail until you reach the rock outcropping, which is the most popular photo location in Dinosaur Valley State Park for fall colors. Sometimes the leaves surrounding that area have changed colors already. This location is difficult to overlook.

Fall Colors at Dinosaur Valley State Park in the Second Week of November

The majority of the trees along the Paluxy River are turning yellow, with a few spots turning orange. The park is breathtaking, especially when viewed from the Main Track Site area.

Some trees on the hiking trails to the north and south of the river are also turning yellow.

It’s the most beautiful time of year for fall colors in Dinosaur Valley State Park, though it doesn’t happen every year.

Temperatures are typically low. This time of year is ideal for a visit to the park.

Facts on Dinosaur Valley State Park in the Fall

• Because the rain volume is low, there is a good chance of seeing dinosaur tracks in the park.
• The temperature is 30 degrees lower than in the summer.
• This is an excellent time for hiking and camping.
• Weekends are usually packed. Remember to reserve your park passes.
• If you intend to stay for an extended period of time, bring a picnic lunch.

Where is Dinosaur Valley State Park?

Dinosaur Valley State Park is located just south of Dallas-Fort Worth in Glen Rose, Texas. It is about an hour and thirty minutes from Dallas and an hour from Fort Worth.

On your way to the park, you’ll pass the Creation Evidence Museum and Dinosaur World.

Dinosaur Valley is open daily beginning at 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Visitors can stay until almost dark daily.

Dinosaur Valley is a popular Texas State Park in North Texas that is frequently overcrowded on weekends. Reservations for both camping and day use are strongly advised. I live less than 45 minutes from the park, but I haven’t been able to camp because campsites are quickly filling up.

Admission to the park is $7 for adults and free for children 12 and under. Alternatively, you can gain free admission by using your Texas State Parks Pass. If you plan on visiting Texas State Parks frequently in the coming year, you should think about buying one.

Address: 1629 Park Rd 59, Glen Rose, TX 76043.
Ph.: (254) 897-4588.

Why is it called Dinosaur Valley State Park?

Many dinosaur footprints have been discovered in the park, as the name implies.

George Adams, a nine-year-old boy, was the first to discover large, three-toed tracks in the river in 1909. It was later given the name Theropod tracks.

R.T. Bird, a fossil collector for the American Museum of Natural History in New York, returned to the Paluxy River about 20 years later. He discovered more tracks and was astounded by his discovery, sauropod tracks in addition to therapod tracks.

Dinosaur Valley State Park was established in 1972 with the goal of preserving these valuable dinosaur track sites and allowing visitors to learn and enjoy them.

Dinosaur Valley State Park park rangers and volunteers believe there are more tracks in the river waiting to be discovered. It’ll only be a matter of time before the water levels drop and expose them one by one.

Are dogs allowed at Dinosaur Valley State Park?

Yes! It’s one of my favorite parks in Texas to visit with my dog Snoopy. We enjoy going for a hike at Dinosaur Valley after looking at the tracks.

Even if you think you’re alone hiking with your dog on the north side of the park, keep your dog on a leash at all times. The maximum length of the leash is six feet.

You can swim with your dog in the water, but not near the swimming areas.

Also, remember to collect their trash and dispose of it properly. You may be wondering why I suggested throwing out the trash. Because some people simply bagged their trash and left it for a ranger to collect.

The summer before Covid, there was even a hike with your dog program and a session on basic dog training.

The park store, group pavilion, and headquarters are the only sites where pets are not allowed.

Nearby Texas State Parks

• Cleburne State Park, but no fall foliage to speak of. However, it is a popular hiking destination in North Texas.
• Meridian State Park also lacks fall foliage, but it is lovely in the spring.