Dinosaur Valley State Park

Things to Do

Dinosaur Valley State Park contains some of the best preserved dinosaur tracks in the world. The dinosaur tracks are located in the riverbed, so please call ahead to check on river conditions. There are two fiberglass models, a 70-foot Apatosaurus and a 45-foot Tyrannosaurus Rex. They were built, under commission of the Sinclair Oil Company, for New York World's Fair Dinosaur Exhibit of 1964 - 1965. Other activities include camping, picnicking, hiking, mountain biking, equestrian use in a separate 100-acre area, river swimming and fishing, and wildlife observation.

Equestrian:  The South Primitive Area, a 100-acre section of the park, is set aside for equestrian recreation, and horses may be ridden only in this area of the park. Visitors must provide their own horses. There are no marked trails. A river runs through the area, and the terrain is wooded and semi-rocky. A parking area is provided for horse trailers; no potable water is available. River water is available for horses, but you must bring your own bucket. Restrooms without showers are located in the day-use park complex.

Volunteer Information: For information on volunteer opportunities at the park, contact us, go to the TPWD Volunteer Opportunities page, or check the LDL Friends of Dinosaur Valley State Park web site.

Ranger Programs

The park offers a variety of educational opportunities, including dinosaur track tours, stargazing and wildlife viewing. Check the calendar for upcoming events or contact the park for special tours.

• Interpretive Guide to Dinosaur Valley State Park
•  First-Ever Citizens Park Ranger Academy Slated for Dinosaur Valley State Park

Dinosaur Valley SP will hold their first Citizen’s Park Ranger Academy, starting on August 17. During the eight-week course, which will meet every Saturday, students 15 years of age or older, will experience the adventures of working in a state park and learn the various operating aspects, including wildland firefighting, search and rescue operations, interpretive programs, infrastructure operations, park law enforcement, and other related fields. There is no cost for the program and when students graduate they will receive a certificate and T-shirt.
More information on the Citizen’s Park Ranger Academy.

Area Attractions

Nearby attractions include Meridian State Park; Cleburne State Park; Acton State Historic Site (Texas' smallest state park); Somervell County Museum; Somervell County Expo Center and Amphitheater; Comanche Peak Visitor's Center; Squaw Creek Reservoir; and the Fossil Rim Wildlife Park.

Free Smartphone App now available for Dinosaur Valley SP & the Glen Rose area!

The volunteer organization "LDL Friends of Dinosaur Valley" has launched a free app for Apple & Android smartphones/tablets. Visitors can experience real-time tours, at points of interest throughout the Park, & the Glen Rose area. Users will be able to access video, audio clips, photos & written information, from their mobile device. Using the GPS on your device, the app can alert users to nearby points of interest.

• To download the app go to your device's app store, type in “Dinosaur Valley State Park”, or “Glen Rose”, and download to your device.
• If you do not have a smartphone, content is also available online, for Dinosaur Valley State Park & for the Glen Rose area.