Summer is here and respite is near. If you’re looking for some place to stay cool this summer, take a trip out to Dinosaur Valley State Park.
Located in Glen Rose in Somervell County, the sprawling park is home to swimming holes, hiking trails, and fossilized dinosaur footprints.
Best swim spots at Dinosaur Valley State Park
Visitors are permitted to swim at any river location that isn’t roped off. The most popular swimming area is the Blue Hole. Situated along the Paluxy River, Blue Hole is a spring-fed, clear water pool that reaches depth around 20 feet. The area also features a small beach area to soak up sun.
Accessed off the main road park, visitors can find ample signage leading to Blue Hole.
Another common spot is the main track site. Located near the main parking area, the main track site swimming area is shallower and more kid-friendly, so it works better for casual wading and families. Off the Main Track Site, visitors can spot dinosaur trackways on the riverbed.
Conditions can change quickly depending on rain, heat, and river flow. Park guidance warns that rocks can be slippery, flash flooding is possible, and you should be cautious about swimming in stagnant water or low-flow conditions.
Other things to do
If you go for swimming, it’s easy to make a full day of it with hiking, picnicking, mountain biking, camping, horseback riding, geocaching, wildlife viewing, and the interpretive center. The park rent out kayaks for $25 per hour. It does not rent horses.
Dinosaur tracks at the state park
While Dinosaur Valley State Park offers scenic trails for all hiking levels, the main attraction is the easily spotted sauropod and theropod footprints. These tracks are divided into four areas, most notably the “Ballroom” in Area 1, which features zig-zagging footprints preserved in a muddy riverbed. Visitors can easily navigate to these ancient track sites using their smartphones via the park’s website.
Admission at Dinosaur Valley State Park
The park is open daily, and day use is listed at $8 for adults with children 12 and under free. Reservations are strongly recommended because the park often reaches capacity, especially on warm weekends. Officials also encourage visitors to check the park’s socials for updates on conditions before visiting.
