State: Texas
Address 1: 1629 Park Road 59
City: Glen Rose
Zip: 76043
Phone: 254-897-4588
Open all Year: Yes
Number of Sites: 46
Electric Water: 46
Camp URL: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/dinosaur_valley/#hist
Full Hook: Yes
About: 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, 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 (no horses furnished), river swimming and fishing, and wildlife observation.
Facilities include campsites with water and electric hook-ups, a picnic table, fire ring and/or grill; restrooms with showers. Backpack campsites are 1 to 2.5 mile hike in the North Primitive area (no restrooms in the area, water is available at the trail head); Day use only horseback riding is allowed in the South Equestrian Area (users must provide their own horses, no overnight equestrian facilities); There are 12 miles of hike and bike trails. The park also has a day-use picnic area; a group picnic pavilion with picnic tables and a fireplace (no electricity); a trailer dump station; an outdoor amphitheater; an interpretive center located in the headquarters, and a Park Store that sells dinosaur souvenirs such as caps, mugs, books, toys, etc. Cold drinks and snacks are also available.
The Paluxy River runs through the area, and the terrain is wooded, hilly, and semi-rocky. Plants in the Paluxy River drainage are characteristic of the Cross Timbers and Prairie vegetational areas. The uplands show similarities with the plants of the Edwards Plateau to the south and west, supporting Ashe juniper, live oak, Texas red oak, and Texas ash, with some post oak and mesquite and various grasses and shrubs. Trees in the bottom lands are mainly American elm, cedar elm, Texas sugarberry, burr oak, and green ash. In well-watered zones along the river, the woodlands are made up of pecan, walnut, cottonwood, sycamore, black willow, and several kinds of shrubs, and vines.
The area hosts many species of both resident and migrant birds including the endangered Golden-Cheek Warbler and the Black-Capped Vireo along with wild turkeys. Waterfowl are occasionally seen near ponds and slack water pools. Mammals known to live in this environment include white-tailed deer, coyote, bobcat, raccoon, beaver, skunk, opossum, armadillo, fox squirrel, rabbit, and small rodents. There are also several kinds of lizards and snakes, and a variety of fish live in suitable portions of the river. A bird checklist is available at park headquarters.
