6 Adventures you can enjoy when you go to the Dinosaur Capital of Texas
You can enjoy a drive-thru Safari (Fossil Rim Wildlife Center), small-town charm, and a host of unique, family friendly things you can do this summer
Fossil Rim Wildlife Center is a really fun drive-thru safari, with all types of animals you can see from the comfort of your car, and some nice scenic views.
Dinosaur Valley Park is great for camping, hiking and getting outdoors. You should also include a visit to Big Rocks Park.
A visit to Glen Rose can include a safari featuring exotic animals and the top cheetah breeding program, discover dinosaur tracks, and relax in a local B&B.
We have some great suggestions for places to stay nearby to Downtown Glen Rose too!
Glen Rose, Texas has a little bit of everything! It’s one of our favorite spots to travel in Texas. Find out why!
How far is Glen Rose from Dallas?
It’s about 75 miles from Downtown Dallas to Glen Rose in a southwest direction following the US-67 route. Non-stop you can get there in less than 90 minutes.
Your Itinerary in Glen Rose, Texas
Where to visit in Glen Rose? First Stop: Fossil Rim Wildlife Center
Fossil Rim Wildlife Center
Location: 2299 Co Rd 2008, Glen Rose, TX 76043
Call: 254-897-2960
Hours: 8.30am – Last Car in by 4.30pm, close at 6.30pm
Cost: $24.95 for ages 12-61; $19.95 for guests age 3-11. Under-3 are free.
Purchase tickets ahead of time and check in on your desired day and 2-hour arrival window.
8.30 – 10.30
10.30 – 12.30
12.30 – 2.30
2.30 – 4.30
No private tours are currently available but self-drive tours are. You can stay as long as you like after you have checked in.
Take a drive through and feed, photograph, and enjoy the majesty of the animals at Fossil Rim Wildlife Center at this awesome drive-through safari park!
Many of the animals will come right up to your car and put their head in to eat the food they give you to feed them
You’ll allow two hours for the tour, it takes longer when it is busier and you can get out of your car to stretch, visit the cafe and use a Porta-pottie at the halfway point (please wear masks outside of the vehicle, all facilities are sanitized).
You can also pull over during the tour to watch certain animals for a while. Be sure to give the animals a good handful of feed at each stop – do not skimp with the food!
With your visit, you’ll also be supporting but an organization committed to conservation, education, research, recreation, and professional training.
Current involvement in Species Survival Plans (SSP) include animals like the Cheetah, Southern African Black and White Rhinoceros, Red and Mexican Gray wolf, Grevy’s Zebra and the Red-crowned crane.
What makes Fossil Rim a Distancing Destination in Glen Rose? You will experience the wildlife at Fossil Rim from the comfort and privacy of your own vehicle!
Tips for your Visit
- To get food and drinks, you can visit the Overlook Cafe (with a limited to-go menu) and Nature Store in a modified manner (from May 2020).
- You can sit at picnic tables or eat in your car.
- You will need to bring your own food, beverages, and coolers before you reach that point.
- For the safety of the animals, you may not bring glass bottles, alcoholic beverages, or plastic straws.
Dinosaur Valley State Park
Location: 1629 Park Rd 59, Glen Rose, TX 76043
Call: (254) 897-4588
Discover dinosaur tracks: It’s easy to find dinosaur tracks in the park – just head to the river and keep an eye out for an elusive dinosaur footprint
Hike & Bike: Explore over 20 miles of trails!
Ride your horse: Bring your own horse to explore the 100-acre South Primitive Area. The river runs through this wooded, semi-rocky part of the park
Take a guided tour: Eagle Eye Ranch Carriage Company offers a variety of equestrian services from guided horseback riding to horse-drawn wagon rides, and wrangler-assisted trail rides for children 3 to 14 years old. To saddle up and enjoy some spectacular views along the park’s scenic trails, contact them at 817/382-9855 or make a reservation.
Day passes must be reserved online – tickets must be purchased in advance so we recommend you purchase these ahead of time as they may be allocated if you wait until you arrive. Restrictions apply.
Dinosaur World
Where Learning and Fun, and Social Distancing Go Hand in Hand!
This small park and museum is in front of the State Park, so you can visit both at the same time.
- Wander outdoors among hundreds of life-sized dinosaurs in a natural setting
- Coolers encouraged – bring your own healthy snacks and drinks
- Dinosaur World is also a dog-friendly attraction for those well-behaved, leash-trained puppies you want to bring along for the ride.
- Tickets are available online but we understand that tickets are cheaper at the door.
- Dinosaur World is all paved and great for strollers.
- It seems to be the largest collection of Dinos in North Texas, bigger than the number at the Heard Museum in McKinney.
- They have a large lake where you can feed fish and you can buy a pack of food for $1.
What makes Dinosaur World a Distancing Destination in Glen Rose? The walking path to view the expansive collection of over 150 life-sized dinosaur replicas is long, and there is plenty of room for you and other explorers to enjoy your space!
Big Rocks Park
Location: 1014 NE Barnard St, Glen Rose, TX 76043
Call: (254) 897-3081
Located on the Paluxy River in Glen Rose, Big Rocks Park is full of unusually large rocks. There are plenty of shallow areas for children to climb, explore, and play.
Families can enjoy swimming, floating, fishing, sliding down the dam, and cooling off from the Texas heat or enjoy lunch sitting underneath the trees.
There are plenty of areas to walk along the Paluxy. The park is completely free!
What makes Big Rocks Park a Distancing Destination in Glen Rose? The Paluxy River and Big Rocks are a great place to roam, jump, swim, fish and relax!
There is plenty of room for you and other explorers to enjoy your space!
Paluxy River Walk & Heritage Park
Location: Matthews St. Glen Rose TX 76043
Enjoy a stroll, walk, or run along the Paluxy River Walk. The River Walk runs beside the south side of the Paluxy River, connecting Big Rocks Park to Heritage Park. Starting from Big Rocks Park, a sidewalk leads to a weir (low profile dam) which impounds water for use by the Somervell Water District.
What makes The Paluxy River Walk & Heritage Park a Distancing Destination in Glen Rose?
The Paluxy River Walk leads you to Big Rocks Park and is a great place to take a stroll, jog or walk! The beautiful scenery will keep you engaged, especially for those nature lovers and bird hunters!! There is plenty of room for you and other explorers to enjoy your space!
Wheeler Branch Reservoir Park
Location: CR 326, Glen Rose, TX 76043
Call: (254)898-2805
Somervell County Water District opened Wheeler Branch Park on August 7, 2010. Park hours are from 7:00 AM until the closing time posted at the gatehouse. The park has a boat ramp with a floating dock, a beach area that also has its own floating dock island, public restrooms, covered picnic areas, and a large pavilion. There is also a very nice fishing pier.
Cash payments may be made in exact amounts, or payments by credit card may be made online or by phone.
What makes Wheeler Branch Reservoir Park a distancing destination in Glen Rose? The lake makes the perfect place to roam, swim, fish, and relax! There is plenty of room for you and other explorers to enjoy your space.
Where to stay in Glen Rose?
Best Western Dinosaur Valley and Holiday Inn Express & Suites – both easy places to stay with all the normal chain-hostel amenities.
Search the best possible rates for accommodation in Glen Rose below
There are also some cute B&B Places like Country Woods Inn, Cedars on the Brazos, Live Oak Bed and Breakfast and Inn on the River.
Where to eat?
Shoo-Fly Soda Shop – 102 Walnut St, Glen Rose, TX 76043
Handcrafted soda fountain and ice cream shop with sandwiches and fun retail including nostalgic candies
Pie Peddlers – 102 Walnut St, Glen Rose, TX 76043 – quite truly THE best pie you’ll ever eat
Especially for Moms, check out local winery: Bull Lion Ranch Wine Shop – 202 NE Barnard St, Glen Rose, TX 76043
Fast Food Options include Burger King, Sonic and Dairy Queen
For other great Food Options, check out:
The Green Pickle, offering Burgers – 212 NE Barnard Street (take out and delivery as of May 2020)
Hammond’s B-B-Q, Barbecue – 1106 NE Big Bend Trail (take out)
Riverhouse Grill, American – 210 SW Barnard Street (take out and delivery)
Take a walk around the Glen Rose Downtown Square for shopping and dining.
Tips before you go
- You don’t need to buy animal feed before you arrive. You’ll get one bag at the check-in.
- As restrooms are not open in many places, you may be using Porta-potties. Bring your own toilet paper and hand sanitizer with you.
- Plan to go to the Visitor Center at 100 NE Barnard Street for information about the area
Josh Werner
Wednesday 20th of January 2021
You forgot about the Creation Evidence Museum! This is a must if you're visiting this area! Dinosaur footprints fossilized right beside human footprints!.. Incredible!!!
Isabel
Thursday 24th of September 2020
Thanks for this post. This is helpful.