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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.
51 campsitesNorth Texas2 hr 45 min from Austin$8/person entrance feeFull Dinosaur Valley State Park camping guide →
Short answer
Dinosaur Valley State Park campsites release on a rolling 5-month window at 8 a.m. Central. Popular dates sell out fast. If your dates are already taken, privately-owned cabins and vacation rentals around Glen Rose are bookable today.
Getting a site at Dinosaur Valley State Park
Texas state parks release campsites on a rolling 5-month window at 8 a.m. Central, and Dinosaur Valley State Park fills up fast for weekends and holidays. Popular dates can be gone within minutes of the window opening. If your dates are already taken, the surest way to lock in a place to stay is a cabin or vacation rental nearby.
Places to stay near Dinosaur Valley State Park
River-side cabins and ranches await, near ancient tracks and wading rivers.
See cabins & rentals near Glen Rose →We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Prefer to try for a state park site? Book direct on ReserveAmerica →
Texas state parks don’t have live cancellation alerts yet — but most sold-out sites free up 1–2 weeks before the date. We’ll email you the booking playbook (exact release times, the cancellation window, how to pounce) and tell you first if live Texas alerts launch.
Get the Texas state-park booking playbook
Campsite Types
Water + Electric
$26/night*36 sites
Water, 30-amp electric; picnic table, fire ring/grill (35-ft trailer max)RV OKTent OK
Walk-in Tent
$18/night*8 sites
No water - pack in; fire ring and lantern post only, no restrooms or showersTent OK
Primitive Hike-in
$16/night*7 sites
No water - pack in; reached by a 1–2.5 mile hike across the river, no restroomsTent OK
Dinosaur Valley State Park fills up fast — lock in a cabin nearby
River-side cabins and ranches await, near ancient tracks and wading rivers.
See cabins & rentals near Dinosaur Valley State Park →We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.
Guide to Dinosaur Valley State Park
Best Campsites
For Families:Book the campsites with electricity first — they have water, power, picnic tables and fire rings, and they go fastest in summer
For Privacy:The hike-in primitive sites offer the most solitude, but you have to cross the river and hike 1–2.5 miles to reach them
For RVs:The electric/water sites are your only RV option; keep trailers under 35 feet because of the winding, tree-lined campground roads
For Couples:The walk-in primitive sites are a short carry from the parking area and far quieter than the electric loop, with just a fire ring and lantern post
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
Real dinosaur tracks preserved in the Paluxy River riverbed — 113 million years oldSwimming and wading in the Paluxy RiverTwo life-size fiberglass dinosaur models from the 1964 World's Fair20+ miles of hiking and mountain biking trailsBlue Hole swimming area — a deep natural pool in the riverJunior Ranger programs for kids
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. If your dates are already full, book direct on ReserveAmerica the moment the 5-month window opens, or reserve a cabin or vacation rental nearby that you can book today.
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, at 8 a.m. Central. For Dinosaur Valley State Park, popular weekends can sell out within minutes of the window opening, so book the instant it opens. If your dates are already full, a cabin or vacation rental near Glen Rose is the quickest place to stay you can lock in today.
How can I get a last-minute campsite at Dinosaur Valley State Park?+
Cancellations at Dinosaur Valley State Park happen regularly, most often 1 to 3 weeks before the date, so it is worth checking ReserveAmerica directly for openings. If nothing is available for your dates, privately-owned cabins and vacation rentals near Glen Rose are bookable today as a backup.
Parks Near Dinosaur Valley State Park
Planning Dinosaur Valley State Park by month
What each month is like, when reservations open, and how hard it is to book.
Cabins & vacation rentals near Dinosaur Valley State Park
Privately-owned cabins and rentals around Glen Rose are bookable today on Vrbo.
See cabins near Glen Rose →