17 Fun Things To Do at Dinosaur Valley State Park

Finding dinosaur tracks is just one of the fun things to do at Dinosaur Valley State Park in Glen Rose, Texas.

As one of the most popular Texas State Parks near Dallas, Dinosaur Valley provides tourists with a plethora of exciting activities. Even a weekend at the park will not be enough to do all of these cool things at Dinosaur Valley State Park.

Check their events page frequently to see what special things to do at Dinosaur Valley State Park during your visit. Dinosaur Valley State Park is one of the most active Texas State Parks, with a variety of activities available to visitors on weekends. In addition, they actively promote the events on their Facebook and Instagram pages.

Without further ado, let’s take a look at all of the fun things to do in Dinosaur Valley State Park.

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Dinosaur Valley State Park: Things To Do

The following list of things to do at Dinosaur Valley State Park is not ranked. Finding dinosaur tracks was ranked first because it was what first-time visitors to the park wanted to do.

Then you can choose which ones to do next on your first, second, or third visit.

1. Finding Dinosaur Tracks

Finding dinosaur tracks is without a doubt the most popular activity in Dinosaur Valley State Park. Both children and adults enjoy discovering them. Main Track Site is a popular attraction due to its ease of access. Because of the prolonged drought, the Lone Ranger Trail became a global sensation this summer.

But here’s the thing. When it is heavily raining, the tracks are usually not visible or accessible. Check the weather and the park’s Facebook or Instagram page before making travel plans. You can always find out more about the tracks by visiting their Mapping Dinosaur Tracks page.

2. Dinosaur Valley State Park Hiking

Dinosaur Valley has over 20 miles of trails ranging from easy to difficult. Trails on the north side of the river are more interesting than those on the south side. Because the majority of them are on rocky terrain, I recommend that you wear hiking or walking shoes.

The Discovery Loop Trail, Monarch Trail, and Amphitheater Trail are all great short hikes for families. The Paluxy River Trail is also simple, but it is lengthy. These trails are all on the south side.

After seeing the tracks on Main Track Site, first-time visitors like to hike to Paluxy River Scenic Overlook. You’ll hike part of the Limestone Ledge Trail before heading to the overlook. It’s a moderate trail that ascends rocky terrain to the overlook. There will be several openings in the trees where you can get a bird’s-eye view of the scenic Paluxy River.

When it rains, however, the park may close the trails across the river if the water current is strong.

3. Biking

Mountain bikers are permitted to ride their bikes on most hiking trails. The bike sign will be visible at the trailheads. During my hikes in the park, I haven’t seen many bikers. However, if you come across bikers on the trails, you must still be prepared.

4. Running

Running, like biking, is one of the enjoyable activities available here. During one of my hikes, I encountered an elderly couple who had been running here for years. The Dinosaur Valley Endurance Run takes place the weekend before Thanksgiving. There are 5 miler, 25K, 50K, 100K, and 100-mile distances to choose from if you are a runner. I ran into the Endurance Run committee, which was tying ribbons from the leaves to guide runners. More information about the endurance run can be found on their Facebook page.

5. Horse Riding

Another way to appreciate the beauty of Dinosaur Valley is to ride a horse. For more information on horseback riding in the park, visit Eagle Eye Ranch Carriage Company’s Facebook page. Of course, you are welcome to bring your horses. I haven’t done this, but I have hiked the equestrian trail a few times. I don’t recommend it for hiking because the trail is littered with horse droppings.

6. Kayaking

The Paluxy River has both deep and shallow sections. You can rent a kayak from the park store or bring your own. Call the park ahead of time to ensure that you can kayak on the day of your trip.

7. Dinosaur Valley State Park Fishing

Fishing is a fun activity to do in the park with your family and friends. Bring your own equipment or borrow it from the park stores. To fish in the state park, you do not need a license. Some of the fish found here include spotted gar, largemouth bass, white bass, common carp, river carpsucker, and rainbow trout.

8. Picnicking

If you’re coming for a day trip, don’t forget to bring a picnic lunch. Between the Blue Hole and the Main Track Site, there are picnic tables and a children’s playground. You can also have your picnic lunch along the riverbank or on the trails. Just remember to put your trash in the trash can.

9. Dinosaur Valley State Park Camping

One of the park’s most popular weekend activities. As a result, if you do not make a reservation in advance, you may have difficulty finding a camping spot. They suggested making reservations up to five months ahead of time. Although my family and I enjoy camping, we have never had the opportunity to stay in this park for even one night. Primitive campsites, on the other hand, appear to be always available.

Dinosaur Valley State Park has 44 campsites with electricity, as well as 8 walk-in primitive campsites, 7 hike-in primitive campsites (across the river), and two group campsites that can accommodate 40 and 20 people, respectively. There are heated bathrooms in the campsite area.

10. Visiting Interpretive Center

If this is your first time visiting Dinosaur Valley State Park, don’t forget to stop by the Interpretive Center. In a single visit, you can learn about the history of Dinosaur Valley State Park and the dinosaurs that lived there millions of years ago. It is housed in the same structure as the park office.

11. Swimming

Swimming is most enjoyable in Dinosaur Valley State Park from May to August. Between the Main Track Site and the Denio Site, there is a beach area where visitors like to pitch their canopies. Blue Hole in North Texas is a well-known swimming hole where you can swim to dinosaur footprints. Swimming between Blue Hole and the Main Track Site is also popular among park visitors. Visitors are not permitted to swim while the water is shallow and still due to the presence of amoebas. It implies that your pets will be unable to drink river water as well.

12. Stargazing

Dinosaur Valley is a candidate for International Dark Sky Association (IDA) approval. I took part in their stargazing program a few times over the summer. In the beautiful night sky, I was able to see various constellations, planets, and the Milky Way! Try camping during the New Moon phase to see the Milky Way. They also like to offer a family event called Solar System Walk in the evenings during this time.

13. Plunging

Have you ever heard of Dino Dive? It’s a January 1st tradition in which people jump into the water. Typically from a small cliff or large boulder near the Blue Hole. The temperature is occasionally in the thirties or lower, but it is usually in the forties. Participants will receive a special medal for taking the plunge on January 1st. I passed up my chance to receive the medal on January 1, 2021, when the temperature was in the 70s. lol. I intended to do it after I finished my First Day Hike, but I took the wrong turn.

14. Wildlife and Bird Watching

Don’t just stop to look for dinosaur tracks. Other mammals found in the park include white-tailed deer, beavers, armadillos, fox squirrels, and rabbits. Coyotes, bobcats, skunks, opossums, raccoons, and various lizards and snakes also live here. If you’re a birder, check out the park store’s birding kit, which includes a binocular, a reference guide, and a Birds of Dinosaur Valley State Park pocket checklist. Some of the birds found in the park include the golden-cheeked warbler, black-capped vireo, killdeer, and ladder-backed woodpecker. There are seasonal birds as well as year-round birds.

15. Geocaching

I haven’t tried it yet, but I think kids will enjoy this modern-day treasure hunt in the park. Learn more about the Dinosaur Valley geocache by clicking on the link.

16. Join the Ranger Programs

This is something you should do on your first visit to the park. When it’s finished, you can go explore the park on your own. Track Talk is a short program that will teach you about dinosaurs that once roamed the park millions of years ago. My favorite park programs include the Star Party, the Overlook Hike, and the River Rock Crawl.

17. Do the Junior Ranger Program

Stop by the Headquarters and ask for Junior Ranger materials if you are visiting with children. Your children will complete activities based on the book and receive a badge upon completion. It’s even more exciting when they join the Junior Ranger Academy and are accompanied by a ranger. You can find out more about this by visiting their website or following them on Facebook or Instagram.

Where is Dinosaur Valley State Park?

Dinosaur Valley State Park is located in Somervell County, Texas, just south of Dallas-Fort Worth, in the town of Glen Rose. It’s roughly an hour and a half from Dallas and an hour from Fort Worth.

You’ll pass the Creation Evidence Museum and Dinosaur World on your route to the park.

How much does it cost to get into Dinosaur Valley?

Children under the age of 12 are admitted free, while adults must pay $7 per day.

But keep in mind that if it rains heavily the day before your trip, you might not be able to see the dinosaur tracks or hike to the north bank of the river. It’s a bummer, I know. You will then lose money.

However, there is a way out. Purchase a Texas State Park Pass to gain free access to more than 85 Texas State Parks for a year. Everyone in your vehicle will be admitted for free. If you plan on visiting Texas State Parks in the coming year, this yearly pass is a great deal.

What are Dinosaur Valley hours?

Dinosaur Valley is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Visitors are welcome to stay until almost dusk every day.

Do I need a reservation for Dinosaur Valley State Park?

Dinosaur Valley is a popular Texas State Park, especially on weekends. Reservations for both day use and camping are strongly advised.

Despite living less than 45 minutes from the park, I haven’t been able to set up a tent because the available campsites are quickly filling up.

During the week, however, it is frequently empty. I rarely saw more than three to four trailers at the campground and about ten people in the Main Track Site area. However, there are rarely any other trail users.

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

Why is it called Dinosaur Valley State Park?

As the name implies, many dinosaur footprints have been discovered in the park.

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

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

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

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

Can I bring my dog to Dinosaur Valley State Park?

You certainly can! Snoopy, my dog, has consistently accompanied me on my park hikes.

When you go, always keep your dog on a leash and never, ever let your dog run loose in the park. The leash’s maximum length is six feet.

Your dog can swim in the water as well, but not in the swimming areas.

Remember to clean up after them and properly dispose of any waste. Do not simply bag the trash and leave it for the ranger to collect.

Pets are not permitted in the park store, group pavilion, or administration building.

Things to do near Dinosaur Valley State Park:

• Dinosaur World; where you can walk among hundreds of life-size dinosaurs in a natural setting and learn while having fun. Dogs are permitted. The location is just before the Dinosaur Valley SP entrance.
• Fossil Rim Wildlife Center is a safari-themed captive breeding program for endangered and threatened indigenous and exotic species.
• Big Rocks is a free city park where visitors can play on the boulders and the Paluxy River.
• Glen Rose Square; shop and eat in downtown Glen Rose’s historic buildings.
• Loco Coyote; Glen Rose’s version of Luckenbach, in my opinion. The food is delicious, and the service is pleasant.

Nearby State Parks:

• Cleburne State Park
• Meridian State Park
• Acton State Historic Site; the final resting place of Davy Crockett’s second wife, Elizabeth, who died at the age of 72 in 1860.

I hope this list of cool things to do at Dinosaur Valley State Park helps you plan your first or next visit.

Fortunately, I live in close proximity to Dinosaur Valley. When the weather is nice, I go to the park at least once a week. My dog, Snoopy, has usually accompanied me on my park excursions.