Glen Rose Things to Do Tips by VeronicaG

Three-toed dinosaur tracks

Look closely into the water and you'll see tracks. Three toed tracks, to be exact. These dinosaur imprints were made millions of years ago in the soft mud edging an old river basin skirted by the Puluxy river, which cut through the ancient rock formations and still winds through Dinosaur Valley State Park today.

Here's some history of the site: The tracks were first discovered in 1909, but this wasn't widely known until 1938 when Roland T. Bird of the American Museum of Natural History visited. He discovered several sites, but the most surprising were imprints of a giant sauropod dinosaur (similar to a brontosaurus) with a second set of prints found alongside the first prints--those of a large carniverous dinosaur.

Mr. Bird felt that these particular prints laying side by side in the rock recorded an actual predator hunting its prey. They were removed and sent to New York, where they were displayed at the museum. Happily, many more prints are still in place at the park!

There are other sites in the park containing dinosaur imprints. A map can be obtained at the office at the park entrance, where a moderate admission fee is charged. You can call ahead to make sure the tracks are visible.

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Phone: 1-800-792-1112;1-512-389-8900
Address: Glen Rose, Texas
Website: www.tpwd.state.tx.us

Things To Do: A Record In The Rocks

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Updated by VeronicaG

on Jul 26, 2008

A Cast Of Imprints

At the entrance to the park, you'll find this display, which is an actual cast of some of the footprints found along the Puluxy River. If the water level is high, it might be difficult to see the actual prints. When we traveled there in December, it had rained for two days previously. The tracks were still visible on site #1.

There are fifteen different sites extending from Del Rio to north of Dallas that mark the presence of these prehistoric creatures. It is thought that great storms prevalent in those times, drove the dinosaurs from marshes and upland forests down to the flats bordering what was then the Gulf of Mexico. The Gulf had moved towards the central and north-central parts of Texas during the Cretaceous period.

It was exciting to actually see evidence of these prehistoric creatures. I want to return to see all of the sites on our next visit.

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Address: Glen Rose, Texas

Things To Do: The Puluxy River

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Updated by VeronicaG

on Jan 11, 2008

The Puluxy River

The Puluxy River, which winds through Dinosaur Valley State Park, is a tributary of the Brazos River. There was an ancient sea here at one time. The river carved a path through the ancient rock formations aeons ago. The dinosaur tracks were left on the soft mud edging the water, sediment filled the imprints and hardened, leaving the evidence of their presence we see today.

A path leads down to the river, but you have to climb over large boulders and fallen tree limbs. Once you are down to river level, you'll need to be careful as you progress along the edge. The river's depth varies depending on rainfall that feeds it.

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Things To Do: A Gift From The World's Fair

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Updated by VeronicaG

on Jan 11, 2008

Creatures from the Past

These giant creatures were once on display at the New York World's Fair in 1964-65. Our family traveled to the fair that year--I remember the occasion was positively overwhelming and a magnificent event!

The Atlantic Richfield Company donated the 70 foot Brontosaurus/Apatosaurus and a 45 foot Tyrannosaurus Rex to the park. It is noted that the head of the Apatosaurus had to be replaced to give a more accurate picture of its appearance.

You'll see these dinosaurs after you pass the park office at the entrance to the park. If you're traveling with children, you definitely have to stop to get an up close and personal photo!

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Address: Glen Rose, Texas

Things To Do: A Return Visit--Site #2

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Updated by VeronicaG

on Jul 17, 2008

Site #2 in the summer

by VeronicaG , 2 more photos

UPDATE: We returned to Glen Rose during the summer and were able to visit the entire site #2 area this time. Certain areas were roped off with plastic tape, affording a great view of the dinosaur footprints. (New pics provided)

Over Christmas, we drove to Glen Rose to see the dinosaur tracks with some of our family. This time we had just enough daylight to see Site #2, also. Most of the prints seemed to be on the other side of the river, however.

A track guide at the site was very helpful in locating some prints nearby. According to the guide, a Sauropod most likely made the print shown in this picture. We had an exciting time finding the prints and trying to identify which creature made them!

picture #2 Dinosaur Footprints
picture #3 A handy track guide

The river was shallow enough here to attempt a crossing, but we weren't wearing appropriate clothes to do so. Unfortunately site #3 was not open to exploration, but maybe next time!

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Address: Glen Rose, Texas

Things To Do: The Hills On Fire?

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Written by VeronicaG

on Jan 11, 2008

The Hills Afire With Light!

Just before the sun set, a marvelous effect occurred on the hillside. The hill covered in a thick, green canopy of trees turned a warm salmon orange for a few minutes. I was able to capture this before the area turned into dark shadows before darkness fell.

We witnessed a similar effect at the Albuquerque Balloon fiesta, when the Sandia Mountains overlooking the festival turned this same shade of orange as the sun went down. I wasn't able to photograph it before it disappeared, though.

I thought it was stunningly beautiful and was so thrilled to have had the opportunity to catch the effect this time.

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Address: Glen Rose, Texas
Directions: At Dinosaur Valley State Park

Things To Do: Swimming in the Paluxy

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Written by VeronicaG

on Jul 17, 2008

A Laza Swim in the Afternoon

A summer excursion to Dinosaur Valley State Park added something new to the mix--swimming in the Paluxy River.

Site #1, which I have already described in an earlier tip, is the ideal spot to cool off in the summer. A ledge which contains the dino footprints, allows for a shallow wade into the river, while the middle is deep enough to swim and in some spots dive.

Families towed inner tubes and floats down a narrow path and over and around boulders, managing to carry all that they needed to make it a relaxing afternoon.

There was little shade when we visited around 2 p.m.

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Address: Glen Rose, Texas

Things To Do: A Dive Off the Hillside--Site #1

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Written by VeronicaG

on Jul 17, 2008

A Diving Spot

by VeronicaG , 1 more photos

As we watched a number of people dive or jump from a small hillside into the river, our 13 year old grandson grew impatient to try this for himself.

After jumping a few times, he launched himself forward into a dive (pic #2). This picture captures his efforts--all that's above water are his feet as he lunges head first into the river.
From that point on, it was all diving.

FYI: A narrow ledge runs at the bottom of this jump, so one has to be very careful to clear it. As a caution, parents should be aware of this before allowing their child to attempt the jump and especially before diving.

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Address: Glen Rose, Tx

Things To Do: Something New Has Been Added...Dino World!

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Updated by VeronicaG

on Jul 27, 2008

Looks like fun!