Dinosaur Valley State Park
Dinosaur Valley is one of those parks where kids (and let's be honest, adults too) lose their minds. Real, actual dinosaur tracks from 113 million years ago are preserved in the limestone bed of the Paluxy River, and when the water is low, you can walk right up and put your foot inside the footprint of an Acrocanthosaurus. Beyond the tracks, the river itself is gorgeous for swimming and wading, the trails wind through rugged limestone hills, and the campground is small enough to feel intimate. It's a perfect weekend trip with kids.
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Campsite Types
Water + Electric
$26/night36 sites
Walk-in Tent
$18/night8 sites
Primitive Hike-in
$16/night7 sites
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Guide to Dinosaur Valley State Park
Best Campsites
When to Go
March through October, with summer being busiest for families wanting to wade in the river. The best time to see dinosaur tracks is late summer and early fall when the river is lowest.
Tips
- →Dinosaur tracks are most visible when the river is low — check conditions before your trip
- →After heavy rains the tracks may be underwater, but the swimming gets better
- →The main track sites are a short walk from the parking area — accessible for all ages
- →Bring water shoes — the riverbed is slippery limestone
- →Glen Rose is a small town with limited supplies — stock up before you arrive
Highlights
Dinosaur Valley State Park — Frequently Asked
Is Dinosaur Valley State Park hard to book?+
Yes — Dinosaur Valley State Park is one of the more popular Texas state parks and fills up quickly, especially on weekends and holidays. March through October, with summer being busiest for families wanting to wade in the river. The best time to see dinosaur tracks is late summer and early fall when the river is lowest. Using a campsite alert service like Camp.land to catch cancellations is the most reliable way to get a site when it appears sold out.
How many campsites does Dinosaur Valley State Park have?+
Dinosaur Valley State Park has 51 campsites, including Water + Electric, Walk-in Tent, Primitive Hike-in. Sites start at $16/night plus a $8/person entrance fee.
What is the entrance fee at Dinosaur Valley State Park?+
The entrance fee at Dinosaur Valley State Park is $8 per person per day. A Texas State Parks Pass ($70/year) waives entrance fees for you and all passengers in your vehicle.
How far in advance should I book Dinosaur Valley State Park?+
Texas state parks open reservations exactly 5 months in advance. For Dinosaur Valley State Park, popular weekends sell out within minutes of the booking window opening. If your dates are already showing as full, set a Camp.land alert at camp.land/pricing?park=dinosaur-valley — cancellations happen regularly.
How can I get a last-minute campsite at Dinosaur Valley State Park?+
The best strategy for last-minute campsites at Dinosaur Valley State Park is to monitor for cancellations. Camp.land (camp.land) scans every 10 minutes and emails you the moment a site opens up, with a direct booking link. Cancellations are most common 1–3 weeks before the reservation date.
Planning Dinosaur Valley State Park by month
What each month is like, when reservations open, and how hard it is to book.
Don't wait for Dinosaur Valley State Park to open up
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