Dinosaur Valley State Park

We came just for a day trip and it was well worth it! It isn’t a very big place so you can see a lot of it one day. Staying to camp would allow more time to play in the river though. We hiked up to the Scenic Overlook. You can easily do this if your kids are 6 and up and everyone is in good health. My son is just now 8 and was doing better than me with the elevation change. You do have to cross the river, which is fairly shallow, to get to the trail though. That was easy but be mindful the rocks are a bit slippery. My son’s favorite part was just playing in the river and seeing the dinosaur tracks. On the East side parking of the loop, there are tracks along and in the river. You can play in the river near the East side or on the West (the river has a bend on its north so a decent portion of the park has the river on both sides). My son and I played and waded in the river on the West side near the trailhead for the scenic overlook. He had a ball! Next time we bring a raft and float.

We had a good time, but I would rate it a 4.5. we went during Christmas so it was extremely busy. We camped for one night. They were closed on Xmas so our camp info was supposed to be stored in the foyer of the office but nothing was there. Luckily I preregistered online. Campsites are small but I feel they do a good job at making the small sites seem spacious and not over crowded. Bathrooms were clean enough considering how busy they were. Dino tracks were visible. Would definitely come again.

Awesome experience! The campgrounds were very clean, and the staff was incredibly friendly. This was our first Texas State Park visit, and it definitely set the bar high. The dinosaur tracks were really cool, and the Blue Hole was a highlight—the water is crystal clear and perfect for a swim. The hiking trails are well maintained, and even with some rain, we still had a great time. We also saw plenty of wildlife, including deer, birds, fish, and lizards. Can’t wait to visit more Texas State Parks!

Such an amazing place. Very beautiful. Signage was a bit confusing at first. But it was still wonderful. The staff at the front desk were very kind and helpful. We ended up getting lost but found our way back. There were cool dinosaur tracks that we were able to see. Kind of insane how big they were! Also good trails, lots of cliffs and lots of wildlife. It was quite hot. The gift shop was a nice surprise as well. I would definitely recommend this place for families and hiking.

We went to the Main Track Site. Parking was ample, we had quick and easy access to see some dinosaur footprints. We followed a trail a short way up and found a sweet little spot to swim. Wear some watershoes or Tevas, just as someone warned us that the rocks were slippery my daughter slipped. She wasn't injured, but it easily could have been bad.

What a great way to spend a day! Just an hour and a half outside of Dallas, you can immerse yourself in the time when dinosaurs ruled the earth! There's actual dinosaur tracks preserved in the rock at Dinosaur Valley State Park, and that just adds even more fun to the experience! We went for the day and the entrance fee was $8 per adult. They accept cards and cash at the Ranger Station. Prior to arriving I tried to buy tickets online, but I kept only seeing tickets for overnight camping. Nonetheless, we were still able to pay at the entrance and we were even able to get out and use the restroom facilities at the entrance. Once you pay your entrance fee, a ranger will give you a trail map. There is ample parking inside the park, so there are lots of possibilities on where to start your adventure. We started on the Pawluxy River trail and crossed over to the main track site where the dinosaur prints are very clear. The river crossing has slightly protruding rocks that you have to navigate on foot to get across the river. I wore hiking boots and I think this was ideal for the environment. From there we switched to the overlook trail where the elevation is 850 ft, so you get a great view of the whole Pawluxy River Valley. From there we descended to the Black-capped Vireo Trail, then crossed the Pawluxy River to make our way back to our car. While there's endless combinations of hikes you can take, ours took about 3 hours. Along the way there were lots of people. Mostly gathered at the river and at the tracks. The rest of the trails were actually very quiet and peaceful. In addition to hiking, there are other points of interest. There are dinosaur models, a swimming hole and of course multiple dinosaur track sites. Overall, Dinosaur Valley is a great state park with something for everyone!

We checked this place out recently and had a great time. What a cool place to explore! So much history to see along the river. We made a reservation online since it was around spring break and their Facebook site was showing they were selling out. We arrived around 8:45 and it wasn't crowded at all. We stopped in the Dino store for some water and the cashier gave us some tips on trails to check out. The water levels were higher than when they recommend visiting (summer). We brought water shoes with us and walked in the water in some of the shallow parts right next to million year old tracks! What an experience for our family. By the time we were leaving, the park was filling up quick. We drove around and checked out the playgrounds and camp sites. It would be awesome to camp out in the park. It gave us ideas for our next trip.

What a great park! We crossed the river and played where dinosaurs once walked! The water was a fair depth and cool but not too cold and not too high. The footprints are easy to spot and so cool along with the gently cascading falls of the river as it rolls along the path. We enjoyed the big "mascots Dino near the gift shop and the gift store,

Cool state park with real dinosaur tracks!! The few trails we hiked had some challenging parts for our toddler but it was fun and had beautiful views. We had perfect weather for exploring and I wish we could have stayed longer. Entry for adults is $8 and children under 12 are free! They also had some dinosaurs replicas that were neat! Definitely worth a visit.

I will say it was nice weather today to check out Dinosaur Valley State Park. I loved they had a Kona shaved ice truck available here. It was a good crowd to check out the main site of dinosaur tracks. I will say parking is rough at the main site and dinosaur store so good luck finding a spot.

We had an amazing time camping at this state park! The dinosaur theme of this park is so fun with dinosaur tracks and life-size dinos. The tracks were so impressive that everyone was skeptical if they were real. They have backcountry campsites as well as car camping sites with water, electricity, and restrooms with showers. We couldn't find a wash station for dishes, but I am not sure if we just missed it. We hiked upstream from the campsite through the river to the Blue Hole, which was treacherous as we had to wade on the slippery rocks, and it was a fun adventure. The river was brown, and the Blue Hole was actually a brown hole, but it was a good swimming hole. We jumped off an elevated platform and made sure to clear the shallow rocks. We were initially worried about making the jump, and thankfully none of us were injured. In terms of hiking, the Paluxy River trail is a good main one that goes alongside the riverbank. The Overlook trail had a pretty bad view at the "overlook" because it was obstructed by trees, so we couldn't see the river. There was a much better view a short distance below the overlook along the trail though that had a great view of the river valley. I love state parks, and this one is definitely one of my new favourites!

Actually a lot of fun. To see some of the best tracks you might need to wade out into and accross the river. Cold and slippery but amazing to see footprints that are actually millions of years old. Nice family time.

The kids and I took a school field trip to check out the dino footprint fossils, and while our visit was on the shorter side, it was definitely memorable! We hiked a few trails and had an amazing guide for the fossil tour--super knowledgeable and full of fascinating insights that brought the prehistoric past to life. If you enjoy hiking, splashing around in the water, and a bit of history all rolled into one, this place is a fantastic spot to explore. We'll definitely be back to experience more next time!

This is really cool to walk where dinosaurs have walked. Trails are visible even in water. You can swim blue hole at own risk wish I knew this before going because it looks so nice. Trails are clear easy to walk look out trail is steep but does have some stairs built in. You can have your dogs here. Campground and other areas of interest outside the park. Went for the day had a great time just the dogs and I

So I am an avid fan of dinosaurs so when I heard there was a state park that had real dinosaur footprints I had to go check it out. This is a smaller state park but the trails are easy to walk, the prints are clearly labeled and there are ample places to take photos. Parking was easy as we got there early in the morning. The station at the beginning of the trail had clean bathrooms and it was a really fun adventure. There were more trails that weren't near the prints and we didn't take those but there is a lot to do here.

Entrance fee/ Cost: $8 per adult (or children over the age of 13) Hikes: lots of beautiful hikes in this state park! We did the main hikes along where the Dinosaur fossil tracks were, however, we did not get to see much due to the high water level/spring rain. The state park was kept pretty clean! There weren't a lot of trash on the trails or anything! I was very impressed (and frankly surprised). I would definitely come back to explore the other hikes!

This is our first time and maybe we just enjoy the outdoors more than the average Joe, but we had a blast! There was minimal hiking to all featured spots that was not too challenging for small school age kiddos. There were loaner life jackets available for kiddos in the deeper water areas, which is great if you forgot yours (like I did). There are several picnic areas and a play area. Plenty of shaded areas during the summer that provided respite while hiking or resting. Overall, it was an economical trip (we packed a lunch and just paid admission and visited the gift shop). I highly recommend this, walking in the steps of Dino's, compared to the overpriced Dinosaur World up the road.

My first time in Texas, and when looking at things to do, this stood out. Actual fossilized dinosaur footprints in a slow moving river, beautiful limestone cliffs, and lots of hiking options. The dinosaur models are fun for pictures, you can fly kites in the large fields, and wade in the cool river waters. Best footprint viewing is in summer when the stream is dry, but if you don't mid getting your feet wet, you can see sauropod tracks at the ballroom area. The blue hole area is beautiful, and life jackets are available in case the current pick up. I hiked up the cliff to the overlook and looped back around for a lovely trail hiking

Bring your swimsuits and enjoy the river! There are shallow areas and deep holes for all ages and swimming abilities. Of course, the dinosaur tracks are cool, but the hiking and water activities are also great. There's also a huge shady picnic area above the river.

visited in 2018, such a cool little walking trail to visit! nice stop, would come back!

My daughters and I absolutely loved Dinosaur Valley State Park! Our day pass was $8 on 11/26/2023. We drove around a bit. The park itself is small, but well-maintained and trash-free. The campground was pretty nice with shade trees and plenty of flat ground. I was happy to see so many dogs with their families. The park ranger who assisted us and gave us tips for navigating was quite the genial greeter. A short drive from the small quiet town of Glen Rose, this destination is worth it if you can fit it in your drive through Texas country. How cool was it that my daughter was able to put her foot right next to a dinosaur print in the chilly river?!

This parks upkeep is immaculate given how much foot traffic comes through for a glimpse of some dinosaur tracks. We unfortunately came after some heavy rain and most trails were closed with tracks not visible. We opted to still enjoy the day and ventured in parking near the park store. A ranger tent was set up near the dinosaur models to answer all questions and provide an abundance of education on the park and the dinosaur tracks. By the way the T-Rex & Bron­to­saurus models are an incredible piece of history donated by Sinclair from the 1964 Worlds fair. We walked along the Paluxy River trail which was well kept and passed along the water, giving us a chance to dip our toes. We could see where the tracks were located but water being so high we couldn't safely cross comfortably enough with my two kids (9 & 6). The day area is spacious. There are tons of picnic tables along side a small children's park to burn off some energy. The nearby bathrooms were clean and there was a water spigot located right outside for all cleaning/rinsing off needs. We definitely plan to come back again to catch the well preserved tracks.

The grandkids were very excited to visit this place! I'd pack up a nice lunch and cool drinks even a cook out would be great! Next time,for sure! Don't forget your bathing suits and towels as you can get in the water.

Dinosaur Valley State Park is a cool little state park in Texas' grasslands. Sadly on our visit, the trails were closed and the tracks not visible due to heavy rains the night before. We still enjoyed walking our dogs around the paved areas. We were told by the park rangers to check their social media for updates on the trails/tracks. Their Twitter account hasn't been updated since 2021. We noticed a LOT of giant fireants. I know it's a park with wildlife, but worth mentioning since some folks are allergic. The "Dino Store" is a cute place to stop for souvenirs if anyone in your family is a fossil fanatic.

I was amazed with the natural beauty of this park. Great family friendly hiking trails. Walking down to the riverbed is super fun with Dino tracks in the large riverbed stones. My Son & Grandkids loved it too. Good memories!

Absolutely an amazing place. To be able to walk where dinosaurs were millions of years ago is rare. Plan to do some walking and you can get in the river too. Not to be missed if you are in the area.

A unique experience for adults and kids alike!! I was here for a trail race that was held deep inside the park. Driving through this charming town you would not think such beauty rests inside of the woods but don't be fooled! There's lots to look at and take in. My entrance fee was covered but there's a small price to get inside the park. Enjoy the various loops and scenic overlooks. Parts of the trail will surprise you with how technical it is. But it is a sight to see. If you're interested in the history part you will get a taste of where the dinos once lived. Amazing for families, friends or come solo. Make a real vacay out of it or do a day trip if you live in DFW. If you care about nature and outdoorsy things it will be something to cross off of your fun list!

When visiting the DFW Fort Worth area, you must take a drive to Glen Rose to see Dinosaur Valley State Park. We went on a weekday last week of October and it was perfect. There were very little people in the park so we were able to fully enjoy it plus Texas was on a dry spell so it made it easier to see the actual prints inside of the water. It is quite amazing to think there were such large creatures that roamed this land and to actually see the foot prints will leave you in amazement. We did the whole park in a few hours, but we did take our time to walk around. We are nature lovers. Went into the cute little shop that you will see when you come in and out of the park they sell drinks & souvenirs. Of course we needed a magnet that had a dinosaur footprint and we asked the attendant when is their busiest season and she said it's spring break. So if you want to avoid crowds, do not go at that time plus it'll be hard to see the footprints in the ground because too many people will be kicking up sediment. I rate my experience 10 out of 10 we had a great time. Thank you Texas.

YES YES YES! plenty of options, long or short distance paths. The ballroom is amazing... get in! But BE CAREFUL it's very slippery but you can see the tracks everywhere and even clear out the tracks (I moved my hands by cupping them and moving debris downstream.. the store is also cute. Go online and get your parking it's so helpful.

I didn't know what to expect. I thought cool I'll see a few dinosaur tracks and that's it. Well this State Park did not disappoint. It's one of my favorites. We didn't get to finish, but we did the main tracks and overlook. It is a beautiful park. The views are amazing. I guess this is the reason it's so hard to get camping reservations. We wanted to go back but the weather was not permitting. Maybe one day soon.

Dinosaur Valley State Park is a mix of the Land Before Time, an easy stroll through Jurassic Park, and one of those pit stops that your parents take you on a cliche family vacation- and I say that in a good way. I came here in January because I was visiting Dallas and wanted to explore the nearby outdoor scene. I stumbled onto Dinosaur Valley State Park through a quick Google search, and it immediately piqued my interest. There are so many reviews about the park's beauty and opportunity to see dinosaur footprints and thought to myself, "why not?" When you first arrive and pay the admissions fee, you see two plastic life size dinosaurs. It gives the place a cheesy vibe and nearby is a souvenir shop with different trinkets such as butterfly nets and other items that you would find in a hobby shop. My four star review is mainly because of the ambience you experience after you pass this. There are a few hiking trails you can enjoy, and on the one, my friend and I ventured off to, we saw an overlook of the whole park. Since it was January, we saw some green and some brown of the leaves going through its natural cycle. Dinosaur Valley State Park is the type of park you visit if you want to experience some close by nature. The place has dinosaur footprints, nearby streams if you want relax, and isn't too crowded in January- or at least during the day I visited. I would definitely recommend coming here if you are in the area.

Very cool place to see some dinosaur tracks in the riverbed. The ranger talk at the main track site was very informative and the trails were nice. The souvenir store was filled with cool dinosaur stuff and my youngest was over the moon. Def worth a stop if you are in the DFW area.

This is a great place to take kids (entrance is free for small kids) to hike, picnic, go to the river and look for tracks, horseback ride, or go to the store. During the summer you can swim or kayak. Entrance fee is $7 per adult in October 2020 and you need a reservation because they sell out. We had a horseback riding reservation so we were able to enter but without that we would have been out of luck. So much to do in the nice weather, it really is a gem. We spent several hours here and could have spent more but we had other things to do. I would say this is a must do if you are in the Glen Rose area.

We met with friends to explore the dinosaur prints I've heard about for so many years...it did not disappoint! So incredible to a part of our prehistoric past frozen in time. Loved it!

For months I've been trying to break away from reality for a much-needed getaway to this park. At 10 a.m., one of the rangers walked us through Track Talk. It is in the Main Track Area...basically the river bed and lasted for about thirty minutes. A great discussion of the history of the tracks and the park. Then Ranger Katie took us on a guided hike to the scenic overlook at 11 a.m. There were six of us, and we all made it to the top with great ease and celerity. We even had amiable discussions about the park, prescribed burns, and the future. Please attend this park as it has a lot to offer.

Made a visit after seeing this on the news. It wa amazing!! We got there about 10:45a. Only a few cars ahead of us. The volunteer let us know that the tracks in the news were covered up but tracks 2 were able to be seen. She handed us a map and we were in our way. We found the place we were looking for and luckily found parking too. The area was crowded! We followed the path and made our way across the rocks to see the tracks. rocks are extremely slippery when wet the tracks were amazing to see. Lots of places to hike. I would call before making the trek to make sure the tracks are able to be seen and not covered my water.

My Minnesota grand children visited Texas during a particularly hot spell this summer, but we still had a great experience at the park. My grandson has many interests, and one of his most enduring has been an interest in dinosaurs, but he had never been to where the dinosaurs roamed. We timed our visit to be able to hear the Park Ranger track talk: https://tpwd.texas.gov/calendar/dinosaur-valley/track-talk-30 Oh yes, do make reservations! We did and got in right away.

Beautiful state park about 2 hours southwest of Frisco, TX. The state park has several primitive and a few camp sites with water and electricity hook ups. No cabins in the park but the bathrooms and shower facilities are clean and have plenty of hot water. The hot shower was a pleasant surprise. The state park has tons of dinasaur tracks and hiking trails to explore. I recommend spending a arleast a full day or day and half at the park to see everything. The park is close to Fossil Rim Zoo and several small dinasaur museums.

One of my new favorite parks for sure!!! It was my first time going and definitely not my last, this place is so beautiful and so much fun, at first I thought this place would be only for little kids, but I was wrong for sure, there is so much to do and so much to explore, my husband and dog were two little kids in heaven, it was amazing; The water is so clear, it's so cool being able to compare your foot prints next to Dino prints, a unique experience for sure, I so recommend this place, so many pretty views

I've wanted to take on this park since I moved to Dallas earlier this year. I'm a true science nerd and I go nuts over dinosaurs. I mean... who can resist some dinosaur tracks!? There's a little play park for the kiddos and a neat gift shop. Really the whole package. Sometimes, I get a bit worried that the trails will be one note. This was absolutely not the case! There is plenty of intrigue and variation in the trails, however some of the trail markers are faint. I really believe that these trails would be welcoming for any fitness or mobility level. There are some sites that require some "parkour" but I think even those can be skipped if you are worried. The park is bisected by a stream, but waders can be rented if you would like. We hiked straight through it without a problem. One of the most beautiful parks I've been to. The staff is knowledgeable and friendly. I'm super impressed!!

Wow! what a trail. What a hike! What a site. Viewing the REAL Dinosaurs tracks is an amazing site to see. Visit here for our BSOA event! Bathrooms are very clean. I'll give it 4.5 stars Could use more bathrooms. Maybe each camp site. Or one for every two camp sites. Entry per day $7 for per adults. Kids 13 and younger Free. Military discount ONLY FOR 60% DISABLED Veterans ONLY. Then you're receive 40%off of your National park annual cards that cost $70 per year.

I regret not coming to this park sooner. Highly recommend prebooking campsites and day passes in advance. We showed up at noon and they were already at capacity and turning cars away. My kids are absolutely obsessed with dinosaurs and they loved this place so much. We hiked, got in the river, hunted for dinosaur tracks and even got to take pics in front of the huge dinosaurs in the front. We had great fun as a family and even decided to come back next year. It's about a 2 hour drive from N. Dallas. Pleasantly surprised at the scenery of the hiking trails and everything was family and pet friendly. Highly recommend water shoes and or waterproof hiking boots. Pack water, snacks and lunch. There are park benches in an area to eat before or after your hike. The park rangers were very helpful and this place was easy to maneuver around. Very hard to get lost. Loved the opportunity to go out and hike and hunt for real dinosaur tracks! Campsites were all filled and it was quite busy but groups were respectful and maintained their distance. The weather was perfect and all the fall foliage made for a perfect backdrop. Would highly recommend!!!

How anyone could give this less than five stars is beyond me. Young, old, or in between this is a fantastic place to visit. The Ballroom Track Site is my Favorite.

Fossils and footprints were removed! It's pure marketing - there's nothing dinosaur to see. Go to Vernal UT instead. My kids were bored and kept telling me I had just found an excuse to make them hike.

Loved hiking this state park. Beautiful views. Peaceful atmosphere. Plus there are some dinosaur footprints to see. We will definitely be visiting this park again.

Great place to enjoy the TX outdoors with a short ride from Dallas. My dogs loved it here! We went to see the dinosaur prints, walk along the river, and enjoy the beautiful Bluebonnets. They have large, plastic dinosaurs for you to take fun pics with too!

Great vibes. a good variety of trails for beginners or more advanced people. can spend a couple hours here or a couple days. went on a Thursday morning and no one was there.

A must see. But be prepared to walk on some steep improved trails. Check ahead to make sure the tracks are visible since they are in the river. Plan to wade if you want to see the tracks up close.

This place is absolutely worth it. If you love walking or hiking this is definitely the place for you. I highly recommend walking to all sections through the river path. The river water was perfect as you could see the dinosaur foot prints. Definitely stop by the museum to understand how does prints are there. It gives you an aha moment and more love for what you see. Check out the pics.

Came for the dinosaur tracks and stayed for the hiking and camping... I really enjoyed my stay here, even if it was only for one night. Hiked one afternoon and then the next morning before moving on. The best dinosaur tracks were in the river bed, which sounds inconvenient but on a nice day it was refreshing to walk into the water to view them. And the swimming at the Blue Hole was great. I was there during the week so it was pretty quiet. I can imagine that there are a lot of people there on the weekends during the spring, summer, and fall with this being relatively close to Fort Worth. There are a number of trails, apparently some are good for mountain biking as the Dallas Off-Road Bicycle Association has signs here and help with trail maintenance. Some nice views from the hills above the valley, and there wildlife to be found. But be careful what you wish for; I came across a cotton mouth not far from the water. Overall the trails were well marked with colored blazes. Follow the blazes even if you think that you can follow the trail without them. I got off trail a couple of times when I got over confident. Go here... you'll enjoy it.

My wife and I stopped here on a road trip and really loved it. It's quiet and peaceful in the park and it's amazing how well preserved the tracks are in the park. We both wish that we had a little more time to do a lot more of the hikes.

There's not much to say that hasn't already been said. This is one of the more interesting of the Texas State Parks system. Especially for those of us who live in the metroplex with traffic, noxious fumes and all the rest that goes with big city life. First of all, DVSP is only an hour and a half from my home in east Dallas. And a good part of that drive is just getting outside of the city limits. Next, the terrain is a good bit different from my part of town. Hilly, rocky with lots of cedars and oaks. Then there's the Paluxy River. I'm used to the muddy Trinity. The Paluxy is clear and clean. Not to mention the dinosaur tracks which I wish I had known of back in the days when my son was crazy about dinosaurs. If you're a camper most of the sites have water and electric. Although they're fairly close together you can still feel isolated if that's your thing. I was there during the week and had plenty of elbow room. The staff was both friendly and helpful. The lady who assigned my campsite was patient and found me just the right spot. Cell service was spotty tending toward non existent. And no WiFi. There's a small camp store near the large dinosaurs and their march is skewed toward kids. Although they do offer a few refreshments and supplies. Entrance fees are reasonable, especially with an annual pass. Campsite with utilities is $25 per night. A great place to take kids for a day or two.

Loved this place. I surprised my husband with a day trip here for his birthday. We both love dinosaurs and I only just recently heard about the park. We went on a weekday so foot traffic was light. Can't speak for the weekends. There was plenty of places to sit down and eat. We enjoyed seeing the tracks and getting to walk around. Many people were swimming although we didn't take advantage this time around. We will definitely be back!

Excellent for hiking with your dog. Only had a short day visit, (walked across the water, and along the riverbank), so much more to explore next time! Cute little gift shop as well, with lots of small gemstones at reasonable prices