I had always wanted to see the famous dinosaur tracks, preserved in time, about an hour southwest of Fort Worth just south of Glen Rose, Texas. Highway signs direct you to Dinosaur Valley State Park, the place where you can see dinosaur footprints, perfectly preserved from 113 million years ago! The beautiful natural area is a wonderful place for a quick-see of the replica castings of the natural footprints in the area, if you only have a few minutes to stop at the Visitor Center. But a far better plan is to stay a day, or spend your vacation at the RV Park and Campground. The REAL tracks are marked and quite visible in various places along the river, except after heavy rains.
The fees are nominal, and spring and fall are the most beautiful times, although the park is open year-round.
In 1849 a trading post was established in this area, and from that the community seat of Somervell County grew. Glen Rose is situated on a beautiful spot on the Paluxy River, just above its confluence with the Brazos River. Hiking trails by the river and on the higher overlooks and meandering through the woods and fields abound and are popular year-round for hikers and bikers. Many visitors hope they just might be the one to discover more dinosaur tracks…Surely, they haven’t ALL been found yet!
For an exciting and educational experience for the whole family, be sure to go 3.5 miles farther west on Hwy 67 to the 2,700 acre Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, where you can see endangered animals roaming in this protected place. You will see white rhinos, cheetahs and Grevy’s zebra and about 60 other species of wild animals, which formerly might have become extinct. The Learning Center has a wealth of information and is fun for the family, and you’ll want souvenirs from the Nature Store. You can safely pet some animals in the petting pasture. Trails offer wonderful outdoor exploration for the family. The center is open year-round except Thanksgiving and Christmas. (1 254 897 2960)
For other family attractions nearby be sure to visit Dinosaur World, where you can eerily walk among 100 huge dinosaur replicas and children can dig for fossils. Open 9 – 6 daily. This is a 22 acre area with walking trail, museum, and picnic area. (1 254 898 1526)
There are several bed and breakfasts in the nearby area. The Inn On The River, (1 254 897 2929) a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark built in 1919, has accommodations. Just nine miles away on Hwy 67 is the 11,000 acre ranch, Rough Creek Lodge and conference center. This is a beautiful place to stay with guides and an 80-acre lake offering catch- and-release bass fishing and upland bird hunting. (1 800 864 4105)
Real Travel Adventures
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