They say all kids go through a dinosaur phase, but mine seems like it’s never going to end haha! Dinosaur Valley State Park in Glen Rose, Texas is a GREAT place to visit if you’re still going through your dinosaur phase as well. This post will share how my recent trip to Dinosaur Valley went as well as share six things you should know about the park before you go! 

How My Visit to Dinosaur Valley State Park Went

Here’s a video of my trip to the park! Check out my Youtube Channel for other videos of me traveling and being silly.

 

1. Texas Monthly just named Dinosaur Valley State Park as one of the best hikes in Texas!

Check out their write-up here!

 

2. The tracks at Dinosaur Valley State Park were discovered separately by a nine-year-old and a moonshiner in 1909.

1908 was a year of flash floods, which may have uncovered the tracks. Nine-year-old George Adams stumbled across the three-toed therapod tracks. About the same time, Charlie Moss was looking for a place for his moonshine still and also discovered tracks in the Paluxy River.

 

3. Some of the tracks at Dinosaur Valley State Park belong to a relative of the T-Rex.

The theropod prints probably belong to the carnivorous Acrocanthosaurus, a smaller relative of Tyrannosaurus rex. Acrocanthosaurus was about 20 to 30 feet long and left tracks ranging from 12 to 24 inches long and 9 to 17 inches wide.

Whaaaaaat therapod print in the river!!!! ???? . . . .. #roadtripsoul #dinosaurvalley #dinosaurvalleystatepark #dinosaurs #fossils #geology #paleontology #icandiehappynow #glenrosetx #texasstatepark

A post shared by Lindsay at Road Trip Soul (@roadtripsoul) on Mar 23, 2018 at 2:38pm PDT

 

4. The Sauropod tracks at Dinosaur Valley State Park belong to Paluxysaurus jonesi, which was named the official Dinosaur of Texas of 2009.

Sauroposeidon proteles (aka Paluxysaurus jonesi) stood 60 to 70 feet long and 12 feet high, with a 26-foot long neck.

 

5. There are over 10 miles of hiking trails in Dinosaur Valley State Park.

There’s more than just dinosaur tracks here! While I spent most of my time in the park tromping around the river, I also hiked up to a scenic overlook. Click here for a park map.

 

6. The models at the front of Dinosaur Valley State Park DON’T represent the dinosaurs that actually lived in the area.

Don’t get confused! The models were made for the 1964 World’s Fair in New York City but represent dinosaurs that never actually lived in the park. There’s a sign behind the models explaining their history.

How I imagine this sign came to exist: Head Park Ranger: “These stupid models are confusing people because these species have literally nothing to do with Dinosaur Valley.” Assistant Park Ranger: “But sir… the photo ops…” Head Park Ranger: “Good point. Just put a sign in the back saying the models are misleading. Problem solved!” ??? . . . . . #dinosaurvalleystatepark #dinosaurs #dinosaurvalley #misleadingmodels #roadtripsoul #roadtrippin #glenrose

A post shared by Lindsay at Road Trip Soul (@roadtripsoul) on Mar 23, 2018 at 12:20pm PDT

Have you been to the park? Did I miss anything important? Leave me a comment and let me know! – Lindsay

 

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