The 12 best things to do with kids in Glen Rose

Big Rocks Park in Glen Rose is a hidden gem for a laid-back family outing. The shallow river is perfect for kids to splash around, and the massive limestone rocks make it feel like nature’s playground. The sunset views were beautiful, and the whole area felt peaceful and relaxed. One thing to be aware of: we spotted a snake in the water, so stay alert, especially with young kids. Still, it felt safe overall, and the mix of water, rocks, and open space made it a memorable stop. A great spot for a picnic, photos, and cooling off on a hot day.

Not being from the area and arriving after 5pm mid-week, I immediately recognized the river/dam as i passed it, but the parking lot was easy to miss for me. The entrance is right off the main road, sitting close to other fun looking local businesses with a similar large, open, gravel parking lot. Due to our later arrival the empty lots ran together and I missed the turn. **The parking lot itself is slightly sloped and quite bumpy!! It's primarily made up of dirt and embedded stones rather than loose gravel, giving a more cobblestone feeling. It was fairly level aside from a few small holes and dips from normal traffic wear. My small vehicle got in and out with no problem but do be sure to drive slowly and keep eyes on the road, especially if in a car low to the ground. The park seemed smaller than I expected but still a beautiful area! There were some bits of litter here and there that were likely carried off by the wind and got trapped between the rocks, but the park was generally clean. The surrounding nature looked nice and healthy, water was clear and clean. Fish, deer, birds/cranes, along with other little critters were out and about. It was so beautiful and relaxing, we're excited to go back and stay longer next time!

The water depth is very shallow. Too shallow to really swim in if an adult. Very rocky near the river. No shade anywhere. The rocks and sand are quite hot in the summer.

The park was a very beautiful area. Love the river rock bed.

Still like I remember from my childhood in the 80s.. The water was very low, but it's still. A beautiful place. No amenities available. Bring your own chairs.

​Big Rocks Park in Glen Rose, TX, is a scenic and family-friendly day trip destination known for the massive, smooth rocks lining the Paluxy River. ​The water is shallow and safe, making it ideal for younger kids to wade and play during the summer. It's also a great spot for dogs, provided they are strictly kept on a leash. ​Be aware that the parking lot is made of uneven stone, so wear appropriate shoes and drive carefully. ​Overall, this park is a beautiful, low-key, slice of nature perfect for a relaxed family outing.

Pretty cool place. Just as described. Rocks have holes in them and stuff, my girlfriend dug it.

Order when you walk in! It takes a while to get your food, but it's good! I had the Buddy Holly on sourdough, and my kids only had the pb&j. But no one left anything on their plate. Super cute shop with stools and a couple of tables. Lots of old times, candy and toys and clothes, and so much more to look at while you wait. A wonderful stop to eat and refresh after a hot morning at Big Rocks Park!

Absolutely loved this adorable old fashioned ice cream and trinket shop! It's so cute and the homemade waffle cones were incredible! The lady that was working was wonderful (deserves a raise for sure). She was so nice and had excellent customer service skills! Sat there much longer than I had originally planned and just chatted with her. Will definitely stop by next time we come to town! Side note - If you're reading this, you're doing a good job, Mama! Don't let anyone tell you otherwise! ❤️

An old 1950s style shop playing music from the 50s and 60s, A sweet elder couple, runs the shop. The ice cream was off the chart good, The toys in the shop are cool, saw some candy I have not seen in 30 years there. Overall sweet atmosphere, 27$ for a banana split, 2 scoop ice cream cup, 1 banana pudding shake medium and one harmonica and one bottle water. I thought the price was reasonable. Everything was clean, neatly priced and I can see some unique Christmas ideas here too.

Friendly, ice cream(blue bell) and homemade sodas, also gift shop. We had 4 icecreams with toppings, a homemade root beer soda and toffee candy. $25.parking downtown Glen Rose. My scoop of ice cream was larger, just forgot to take pic before I started eatting.

Loved this ice cream parlor! I felt like I had traveled back into time with the way everything was set up. I absolutely loved the Dr. pepper float! It was so delicious and probably the best floats I have tasted in a very long time. If you’re ever visiting Glenrose this place should be on your list!

My son and I had a fantastic time here! There were so many options at the soda fountain to choose from. The staff explained everything thoroughly and encouraged us to take our time to make a great choice. They were enjoyable to talk to and incredibly kind to my son. The ice cream was delicious, and I also found a Father’s Day gift for my husband while we were there. It has a great vibe, and I can't wait to come back!

Wonderful quaint ice cream and novelty shop in historic Glen Rose, Texas. Took grandkids in fir ice cream treat and they made the boys feel super special. Daughter bought a jar of spicy pickles and went back for more the next day. Not just a sweets shop. ALL kinds of novelty items to shop for.

Brisket was way too lean and dry. Pulled pork was better and the pork ribs were good. The fried okra tasted like it had been cooked twice and was overcooked. Potato salad was good as were the sweet potato fries.

I've been gling here for the past 4 years..Great stop, cool venue, nice staff.... I had the baked potato loaded, with sliced brisket... They gave me slices from the point, which produced good texture, moisture and bark... A very solid BBQ spot.... If you want to be impressed, stay away from the sides, just get the brisket and ribs [not the sausage]

Uh, hello kinda hidden gem! I'm a coffee person, but now, I might be more serious about texas bbq & brisket. This was advertised at Fossil Rim and I was definitely hungry! Read reviews and landed in the parking lot pretty quickly. We went at an off-peak time so there was no wait. This isn't counter service. We immediately sat at out table and got to ordering and our food was served quickly after that. The reviews weren't wrong! The brisket was juicy! I appreciate that I got to choose if I wanted marbled or lean. Our waitress was amazing and friendly and I can't wait to return!

Excellent BBQ! I was hoping to find some nice Texas BBQ while visiting. Open since 1966! Portions are as great as the price. I had the "child size bbq plate" for like $10 and it was a nice size unch! The ribs were so satisfying. The staff were so nice. It was very busy about 1:30p on a Saturday but worth it.

Yummy, Delicious food. Very Good atmosphere. Staffs are friendly and very good service.

We spent $55 for our ribs and brisket to come out cold and dry. It tasted like it was made yesterday and microwaved. Even the bone was cold, so it was definitely in the fridge. The server was very friendly and attentive.

The food is great. They may focus on BBQ but they don't ignore the quality on the side dishes. Don't pass on dessert. In fact I would go just for the desserts.

Picked this place by chance and am so glad we did! Went in for lunch and had the chicken salad sandwich, with the fries. I opted to upgrade to the truffle fries with aioli! So worth it! Wait staff was polite, and well trained. Provided us information on the specials of the day! One of the best chicken salads I have had! Great job with this place. It is located in the old McPherson house near downtown. Parking was random, but close! Definitely worth your time to stop by!

Four of us went on a Saturday at around 12:30. I realize this is a busy time, but parking is pretty horrendous. It’s a gravel parking lot with lots of really rough areas and you have to kind of end up parking on the grass, because there’s no street parking available. We had gone down for a festival, and our relatives came from Oklahoma as well. The house is charming and the wraparound porch would be fun to sit on, but there were no tables available at all at that time of day. We were seated by the door, which wasn’t bad, And our waiter was very courteous. However, the wait for food was at least 40 minutes after we ordered. That seems a little bit long even with a busy Saturday. I ordered catfish which I expected to be excellent and it was a good piece of fish, and crispy, but the batter was way too salty. The tartar sauce tasted like mayo, just mayo. The coleslaw was blah. I would not eat either of those again. French fries were good. The guys had hamburgers and both loved them. They also enjoyed the fries. The other female at our table had the special, which was a shrimp salad with five pieces of shrimp. She enjoyed it. She also had a mimosa, which was pretty good. So, the main stars off are for the horrible wait, the not so great parking, and the food not being up to par from what you would expect when a restaurant says it’s a four-star restaurant. We would go back, but perhaps at a less busy time. And for those who do not know, they are closed between two and five, so be sure and plan accordingly. Hope this helps someone.😎

Today was our first visit and what a great place! Ariana was our server and she was awesome! She was friendly, explained all the specials and checked on us often. She was a true joy with excellent customer service. We had the blue cheese burgers and fries. They were delicious! Made perfectly! Ariana made a very good drink as well. The atmosphere is wonderful, soft lighting and soft jazz music. We hope to come back again very soon. I would suggest reservations on the weekend since they have limited seating.

What an unexpected surprise! I was traveling through the area and stumbled across this gem. I was instantly in love when I walked in due to the casual elegance of the place, which was only surpassed by the food. Having lived in NYC for 30 years I have had some amazing food. This place ranked right up there with the best of them. Good, clean simple food full of flavor but not over done. Our server, Sherry, was also terrific. She was very friendly and fun and seemed to enjoy serving us. This restaurant is perfect. I wish I could take it with me.

This was a relatively nice place to stop. We sat on the patio and even though it was a warm day, it really wasn’t bad at all, apart from the flies🪰. We liked the atmosphere here, and our server Lucy was very friendly. The place is very homey. The food wasn’t the best, and the steaks we had weren’t really seasoned. The mashed potatoes were delicious but the veggies were just ok. The portion for the price was just ok as well. There aren’t many options for kiddos, so if you have kiddos, keep that in mind (I think it was just grilled cheese, corn dog, or penne pasta). All in all, it was mid for us.

Loved this atmosphere! Unfortunately the food, not so much. The steaks are frozen, the mashed potatoes boxed, the vegetables undercooked. I was really excited to try this place and expected so much more with the food. At $35 for a steak, I didn't expect it to be frozen, I expected fresh. Saddened that I could have made the same dish at home. However, I loved the vibe, the atmosphere, the service, it made the trip well worth it.

An oasis! Great service, pleasant staff, sat on the porch, perfect. Wasn't crazy about the squash ravioli, however. Came soaked in olive oil... didn't sit well with me at all. A friend ordered the same... same thoughts about the dish. We'll give it another try, however, as it may have been that one item we didn't care for. The experience makes me want to visit again.

Such a cute little lunch spot! Our family had a great time - my daughter loved her pbj, my chicken salad was amazing and the pickles were so good we got some to go.

Stopped in after a HOT day of hiking and these sandwiches hit the spot! They have gf bread and wraps available. We had the chicken salad sandwich and the triple decker club. Both tasted wonderful and were lightly toasted. It came with chips and sweet pickles. The inside is very cute like something out of a literal storybook. Incredibly kid friendly with tons of toys and kids' books. Including the outside area, there is an abundance of seating options, and the staff was super friendly. We would go back in a heartbeat. Wish we had a place like this by us!

Absolutely legit! Marvelous environment. Fantastic service and food. I had the Ruben Sandwich with Tomato Basil soup… delicious!! My wife had the Greek Chicken Wrap along with soup which she loved as well. Our 3 kiddos had a blast… tons of books to read, tons of games and toys. Highlight was the carousel and spring-horses out front which my 3 kiddos road off into the sunset!! Tons of fun!

Such a treat when we visit. The salad and chicken salad sandwich was delicious and their kids menu is perfect! Enjoy their peach tea! This is a great place to go with kids!

Such a quaint place. Full of atmosphere from the bookcases, to mis matched tables and chairs, so many fun things to take in. I ordered the club sandwich which was perfect and served with some amazing pickles…dill, but also sweet and spicy. Staff was friendly and service was fast. I’ll be back when I visit Glen Rose.

Very cool cafe in Glen Rose. Staff friendly and inviting, and food tasty. I had grilled cheese and bacon on sourdough (yum) wife had grilled ham and cheese on crescent roll that she enjoyed. We had our lunch in the children's room since we had our grandson with us. We played a few games and enjoyed our time here. I definitely recommend this cafe!

Gluten free bread was great! The pickles they used on the sandwich were top tier! The place was eye candy for my book loving soul! The ladies who helped us were so very sweet!

I googled fishing places in Glen Rose and this park came up and my mom and I went there to check it out on a Saturday. It is very nice and clean, has a small playground for kids, big pavillion area for events. A paved walkway down by the river that goes all the way to the Glen Rose dam. The fishing there is ok for bass, perch or turtles. The park has clean bathrooms and plenty of parking. There were very nice people that helped me to get up the hill from the river cause it is a bit of a walk. My mom caught a perch and we let it go back to grow some more. Overall it is a nice historical park for all to enjoy.

Great place to refuel before continuing on our day trip/adventures.

Great location for a walk and the kids to play. There is a restroom and picnic tables in the shade!

This was a really nice place to visit

We visited the park during our visit to Glen Rose. Our granddaughter enjoyed playing with friends at the playground. We also enjoyed the river walkway.

A great place for a family picnic. The kiddos had lots of fun on the playground and allenjoyed the river walk.

It was a nice park with a good-sized play area, plenty of seating and tables. Someone's dog was off leash and came up to harass mine, but other than those poor manners, the children around all played nicely with each other. There is a party that takes you closer to the water.

We really liked coming here. It was a bit limited on parking and there was about a 20 minute wait, but we still enjoyed what we ordered. The pricing is very reasonable and there’s a lot of flavors to choose from. Just an FYI, the sprinkles are very hard so if you aren’t into that kind of texture, best to skip them. 🙂 It’s worth the stop for an afternoon treat.

Funky Munky shaved ice is a tropical treat that will transport you to paradise. With every spoonful, you’ll experience a burst of refreshing flavors that dance on your taste buds. The shaved ice is finely crafted, creating a light and fluffy texture that melts in your mouth. The variety of flavors is incredible, from classic favorites to creative concoctions. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, always ready to recommend the perfect combination of flavors. Whether you’re a local or a tourist, a visit to Funky Munky shaved ice is a must-do. It’s a delightful escape into a world of pure fruity bliss.

Well. Unfortunately we won’t be back. My boys said the snow cones were tasty, but they ring up at $.75 more per snow cone than advertised. When I brought it to the attention of the young lady who rang me up, she said she couldn’t fix it even though she acknowledged that I was being charged the wrong price. She said she would have the manager put the right price on the menu board next to the window, and the menu board behind her. But that she had to ring it up at the higher price because that’s what her computer screen told her. And there are no bathrooms

Very tasty and everyone is friendly. i hate to minus a whole star, but the wait is super long, and in the afternoon, the hot sun is baking you while you wait. everyone's pleasant and the cost is more than reasonable. so really it's ☆☆☆☆½.

7/11/2025 We were at the Funky Monkey in Glen Rose 10 mins before they closed 8 pm, there was a small line but they would not take our orders. These girls need to be taught customer service. This is the 2nd time this has happened to us.... I think we will be going to the Stephenville Funky monkey from now on! Just very disappointed!

great variety of snow cones 🍧 there were only two younger people working & it was busy so there was a little wait, but absolutely not a big deal!!

Was a nice enjoyable Shaved Ice delight. My friend and I were out riding our motorcycles, and he suggested we stop. I'm glad we did. It was a welcome relief to the heat. I had the Mango man it was good! Stop by and try some yourself! You won't be disappointed.

We randomly found this place and decided to check it out on a Thursday (very empty), and ended up staying 7 hours!! 😅😆 What a gem this place is and my kids couldn’t get enough of it. You can go fishing (kids caught their biggest bass yet!), kayaking (we brought our own), swimming (with the fish!), and just enjoy the beautiful view! Loved that the water was soooo clear and clean, they had built-in overhangs that saved us from the heat and tables, convenient and clean bathrooms, free life vests to borrow, and really friendly staff! It wasn’t too far from the highway and was just the perfect family day that we needed! We’ll be back for sure, well worth the visitor fee!! (The only thing you got to watch out for, is duck poop everywhere but hey, it’s nature! 😅)

This place is absolutely amazing! The water is very clean and the park is very well kept! So needless to say, do your part to keep this place enjoyable for everyone!

Let me start off by saying how CLEAN Wheeler Branch Park is. LETS LEAVE THIS PLACE THAT WAY ! The water is super clear, seaweeds here and there but is doesn’t harm anybody. The best part is the flooding board, kids had a blast jumping all day. Fishes swimming all around it’s BEAUTIFUL - They provide lifejackets from toddlers to adults FREE Adults $10 Kids 13 and under $5 If I could give 10 stars I would ! Dallas resident (:

Wheeler Branch is a well-kept, scenic park that offers a solid setup for scuba training and casual outings. Underwater visibility typically ranges from 10 to 20 feet, so while conditions can be a bit rough, it’s still a reliable spot for practice and skill-building. The grounds are impressively clean—tables, restrooms, and common areas are all well-maintained, which adds to the overall comfort. The gatekeeper woman is consistently polite and welcoming, setting a positive tone right from entry. On the flip side, the male attendant could stand to ease up—taking payment without unnecessary hassle would go a long way in improving the guest experience. Visitors tend to be friendly and respectful, which helps make each trip enjoyable. All in all, it’s a decent place to train, relax, and spend time outdoors.

We had the most perfect birthday for son Krue!! This location is truly the greatest. We rented the pavilion for the party and it was just awesome! Tony the park manager is the true MVP he went above and beyond to accommodate us while we were there. Anything and everything we needed was taken care of before we even asked. I will forever have our sons birthdays here as long as they let us ❤️ Thank you Mr. Tony for everything, you truly blessed me and my family. Love Raul & Amanda Martinez

It is the best place to de-stress and have a nice family day, very clean, the water very clear🤙🏼

Wheeler Branch Park is a nice sized park and lake. Entry is off of a small farm road (paved) and there is an entry fee for the park (I believe it was $7 per person?). We were there for my Daughters' SCUBA lessons which is a perfect use for this lake as there is no motorboat traffic (only kayaks and/or open hulled boats - small electric trolling type motors are allowed). The park is clean and well maintained. There are on-site restrooms with changing facilities and these too are kept clean. There are several covered picnic areas with built-in BBQ grills available which I think are first come first serve. The diving here is quite good, all things considered... with marked underwater features (platforms, an old bus, poker table, etc.). The water is easy to wade into even when loaded down with dive equipment on.

This is a great RV park around of very nice pool with a lot of other activities for the whole family. We took our new trailer here for our shakedown cruise, it's only about an hour and a half west of Dallas. Access is good, there are a lot of pull through spaces, full hookups, the power and water are good and stable. The park is clean and well maintained. The staff are friendly and helpful. Live music, a nice fire pit and even pancakes outside on Sunday morning, weather permitting of course. Right across the street is Big Rocks Park and you're walking distance from downtown Glen Rose. This is truly a jewel in the heart of Texas.

This place used to be the place to go. It's under new management and has become the place where you remember better times. I was there in August '24 the water was green and most people just got in to cool off then left. They took away the diving board which was theain attraction and the simple kiddy slide. Really sad to take my fiance there and not be able to share the same great memories as only a few years ago.

Love Oakdale Park. We only stayed for a night, but we were able to walk into the quaint beautiful town of Rose Glen. In the morning we walked into town again, and we then made our way to Fossil Rim Wildlife Center and then Dinosaur State Park. Definitely stop here if you can. It is lovely.

I stayed in a Casita over the weekend and they are very cute. There two full size beds, which would fit a family of four. great property, staff is very friendly! Unfortunately the extension plug blocks did not work and had to use wall plug to chg phone. The casita needs either a sm chest of drawers or something to put ur clothes in but overall a great place!!

My family has been coming to this park for 50+years. This park gives the authentic old school family vacation vibes that everyone from 0-100 years old enjoys. We usually rent a cabin which is great because I can't live without a/c, but we have tent camped as well and there's full camp site amenities. Your kids will have a blast going to big rocks park right across the street and the huge on site swimming pool. I really enjoy the new pool side bar/grill. Whatever your family needs may be you'll be really happy with the amenities provided by the park! Can't wait to come back next year!!

Excellent R.V. park. The poole is great. Definitely recommend a stay here.

We have our family reunion here every year. Its probably the best place we have ever had it. Staff is friendly. Pool is great. Funky Monkey Shaved Ice right outside the gate. Plenty of RV and camper spots. Cabins are nice and the AC works unlike some places we have been. There are various sized cabins depending on family size. The Paluxy River is right across the street. Speed limit is 5 MPH. Porch lights are automated. There is the occasional food truck that pulls in from time to time. Also there is an awesome playground for kids.

Our stay here was amazing! We all enjoyed the farm life experience but my 7yo son absolutely loved it. He loved all the animals, especially the bunnies, he didn't want to leave them and is already asking to come back. The property is beautiful and peaceful, great for families with kids, especially animal lovers. Location is great too. We stayed at the Carriage House which was so cute and cozy and is right next to all the animals. Breakfast in the barn Saturday morning was really good. The couple that takes care of the property was so nice and sweet. Totally recommend this place if you want to unplug and enjoy time with family and nature!

We stayed in the Santa Fe rail car very cool train themed room. Kitchen full-size bathroom had everything we needed or could ask for had a cool little back patio on it to sit out on at night and it was kind of back away from the main entrance so it was very quiet. The staff is super friendly. They were on top of everything we asked they even had some animals on site that you could interact with all around. It was a very cool set up. I only stayed for a weekend, but At some point when I get a chance, I will book a whole week to stay out there. I recommend it to anybody.

Love the peaceful times we've spent there. If ya just need to get away from life and slow down this is your place. You can truly enjoy God's beautiful country and quiet. The animals make it even more special, feels like home only better. This is our second time to stay and the attention to detail in each place is just amazing, fun and interesting. The cost is more then a hotel but knowing it's quiet and so beautiful to get up to makes it worth it. Walking trails, deer, donkey and horses just wraps it all up. I highly recommend this place. Check it out. Words don't do it justice.

We had a wonderful experience here, and we are looking forward to returning again, in the near future. Wonderful, friendly, and quiet. Our trailer was very clean, and well maintained. When we first arrived, we were greeted by a very large, and friendly cat. As we were sitting at the picnic table, we were greeted by two horses, and a donkey. Along with the livestock, a small herd of deer, was grazing in the field, across from us. It was a wonderful way, to decompress, after a very long, and stressful day.

We had the most amazing stay at Country Woods Inn! Our two boys loved all the animals and the location was perfect. We enjoyed time on the river building "damns" and splashing around. You can easily walk to the downtown area to eat and visit some of the shops. Highly recommend Baked for an amazing breakfast or lunch. I do have to say do not come expecting a luxury experience. That's not what this is. This is a farm with some really cool restored historic buildings with so much charm! It has all the basic amenities you need plus so much attention to detail in the decor. Little tip - the goats love the leaves that fall from the tree next to the farmhouse. The will eat them right out of your hand. The little brown goat had so much personality and was so sweet. We would often find him handing out in the art studio waiting for some head scratches. Thank you for the amazing memories!

The Railcar was a train-lovers paradise! The attention to detail was amazing! It was filled with model train cars, train books, and other memorabilia. Our seven-year old grandson was thrilled with our stay. Every convenience was provided including all kitchen appliances and even bath robes for every adult and child for our stay. The setting with deer and other wildlife was beautiful. We will be returning soon!

This was exactly what our family needed and hoped for: a place in nature to explore, relax, enjoy, and play together. The rooms are rustic but comfortable and full of old-timey charm.

It was a lot of fun. I got to see animals I've never seen before. My only feedback is make the entrance two lanes or control the traffic coming in because it was horrible. Also there was a lot of missing animals and even if there isn't enough staff just having one engaged staff is a big plus already. The animal exhibit at the far far end was lonely per say, crickets... Lots of good stuff inside. I suppose I can't blame the guy for just sitting at his desk. Overall the tour guides did a great job. Take the bus not your car, it's worth the extra money. Oh can y'all get cushion seats for the tour bus please

This place is definitely worth the drive. A lot of animals and you can feed them all except the rhinos and cheetahs. The giraffe will stick their heads in your car to eat the food so dont have them waiting too long lol. Customer service at the gate was great. Gift shop super expensive. 5 stars!!!!!

Cool place to go with your family, we've been 3 times now and the drive there is almost 2 hours away from home BUT its worth the drive. Id recommend driving your personal car instead of doing the tour bus. Tour bus is uncomfortable and there's rules in place for touching animals etc. Take your personal car thru and experience it at your pace. Tour guides were nice and informative but not worth the extra price for those tickets.

Was super fun and animals were great, graffes were fabulous feeding them by hand was great experience. Could have better advertised all the stuff that you can do at the halfway point, the petting area and tortoises were a bit of from the main area but once found great to see. Didn't bring proper footwear for the hikes but if we go back would do the hikes as well.

Awesome! Amazing! So much fun! I laughed so hard I cried. We did the self drive tour. It took almost 3 hours, with a break in the middle. Watch out for the Ostrich at the entrance he’s not afraid to get his own food from your bag.

We love going to Fossil Rim! We have been coming here for over 5 yrs and have been members for many years. It's so peaceful and a lovely getaway. The animals are so precious and friendly. I love seeing all of them. Going earlier in the day is best because the animals start to take a nap closer to closing time. We have seen lots of giraffes, zebras, cheetahs, deers, water bucks, turkeys, goats, turtles, salamanders, rhinos, emus, ostriches, and so many more animals. They have a gift shop, restaurant, & nature center when you're about halfway through the park. I would highly recommend going to Fossil Rim if you love animals.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Fossil Rim Wildlife Center is an absolute must-visit! 🦒🐐 From start to finish, it was an unforgettable experience for the kids and adults alike. The drive-through safari was incredible — getting up close to giraffes, zebras, and so many other animals was pure magic. The kids were in awe the entire time, especially when feeding the animals right from the car. The petting zoo was another highlight — goats, pig,turtles and other friendly critters kept the little ones smiling from ear to ear. Everything was well-maintained, staff were friendly, and the animals looked healthy and happy. If you’re looking for a fun, educational, and interactive day with the family, Fossil Rim is the place to go. The kids are already asking when we can come back!

If you're planning a visit, make sure to arrive early! While parking is sufficient, it can get limited as everyone arrives for the day. The location boasts a spacious picnic area equipped with grills and tethers for your furry friends. You'll find plumbing for restrooms in the picnic area, along with portable toilets at the entrances to most trails. The water is stunningly clear, allowing you to spot everything from dinosaur footprints to seashells. The trails are clean and well-maintained, with connections that let you choose between long treks or shorter loops. Most trails are shaded, providing a welcome break from the sun. That said, it does get quite hot, so be sure to bring extra water and layers for sun protection. There’s also a charming little store that offers all the essentials. Overall, this place is fantastic for everyone, from seasoned hikers to toddlers just looking to splash around in the water.

It was so peaceful once we walked down to the river. I wish the signage was a little better. The dinosaur tracks in the river are just really neat to see and think about. It was a pretty warm day, but the river was so nice and cool. My husband road his bike around some of the trails. He liked it.

It's a nice place to cool off in the water. I took my shoes off and walked across the slippery rocks to see the dinosaur tracks. I was amazed at how big they were! They offer life jackets to use for safety in the swimming area, too. It's a very clean park that offers several hiking trails, horseback riding, and picnic areas. They also have a fun souvenir store. I can wait to go again.

We were driving through Glen Rose, Texas, and noticed several dinosaur statues and signs around town. Curious, we asked Siri why—and learned about Dinosaur Valley State Park. We decided to take the short 10-mile detour, and it was absolutely worth it! The river area is beautiful, and the dinosaur tracks are fascinating to see up close. The trails to the tracks were well marked, and parking was plentiful and convenient. All of the track sites were within a couple hundred yards of the parking areas, making them easy to reach.

We love coming here. There are some easy hikes and some hard. The river is peaceful and relaxing, and warm enough to play in. The dinosaur footprints are pretty visible and really cool!

As a child my parents took me here, so I knew I had to take my kids as well. We stopped by the little “merch” shop (that’s my kids call it), and I got them some t shirts. I would highly recommend bringing swim clothes for the kids and yourself, so they can swim close to the Dino tracks. There was a high amount of algae today, so certain areas of the Dino tracks were not that visible. Other than that we had a great time in the creek / river.

Lovely place. Drive was worth it. Dino footprints are located in an area called Ballroom something. It's all under water. Take water shoes, water runs knee high in the summer. You'll have to cross the river. Glen Rose is a bit of a corny town. Dino statues are everywhere Clever idea! Nice picnic area to eat at. Bathrooms are decent. Best to go during the week. It will take less time to arrive. Tickets are purchased by time slots.