Things to Do in Glen Rose, TX
A small town with an outsized claim to fame — and a lot more going on than just the dinosaurs.
Dinosaur Valley State Park
Glen Rose was officially designated the Dinosaur Capital of Texas by the state legislature, and it's easy to see why. Dinosaur Valley State Park preserves hundreds of fossilized dinosaur tracks — left by Acrocanthosaurus and sauropods roughly 113 million years ago — right in the bed of the Paluxy River. The park sees over 230,000 visitors a year, with paved walkways and short trails that make the main tracks easy to reach, plus over 20 miles of hiking trails through the surrounding limestone hills for anyone who wants to go further.
Visitors can wade into the river itself, depending on water levels, and stand directly in tracks left tens of millions of years before anything resembling a human existed.
Historic Downtown Somervell County
Glen Rose's courthouse square gives the town its small-town center of gravity, with walkable shops, local restaurants, historic buildings, and easy access to the Paluxy River.
Explore downtown Glen RoseFour places visitors ask about first
Dinosaur Valley State Park
Walk the Paluxy River bed when conditions are right, see real dinosaur tracks, and spend the day hiking, picnicking, swimming, fishing, paddling, or camping.
Park details
Fossil Rim Wildlife Center
A drive-through conservation park where visitors can see giraffes, zebras, rhinos, cheetahs, and other wildlife across a wide-open Hill Country setting.
Visit Fossil Rim
Dinosaur World
A family-focused outdoor dinosaur park near Dinosaur Valley, with life-size dinosaur displays, kids' activities, a playground, fossil dig, and gem mining.
Visit Dinosaur World
Big Rocks Park
A free Paluxy River park known for its huge limestone boulders, shallow play areas, picnic shade, river views, and easy access close to downtown.
Visit Big Rocks ParkFrequently asked
Why is Glen Rose known for dinosaurs?
Fossilized dinosaur tracks were discovered along the Paluxy River as early as 1907 and 1908, preserved in Lower Cretaceous limestone. The area was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1968, and Dinosaur Valley State Park opened in 1972 to protect and showcase the tracks.
Can you actually see real dinosaur tracks at Dinosaur Valley State Park?
Yes — the tracks are visible in the riverbed itself, with visibility depending on water levels. Drought conditions have, at times, exposed additional previously hidden tracks.
How far is Glen Rose from Dallas or Fort Worth?
Roughly 90 minutes by car, making it a common weekend or day-trip destination from the metro area.