Heading south, a short drive leads to Glen Rose. Near the intersection of Texas highways 67 and 144, prepare for more than expected when visiting this community. Known as the Dinosaur Capital of Texas, you can’t visit without reminders of the beloved beasts.
Dinosaur Valley State Park offers a well-known place to see tracks. While splashing in the river within the park, you might stand in the middle of one. Several areas feature giant footprints, cast forever in the Paluxy River bed. DVSP only begins the adventure.
The Creation Evidence Museum of Texas also displays dinosaur and human prints besides other interesting archeological finds. Annually, the museum offers a public excavation of tracks, a memorable hands-on paleontological experience. The McFall Mountain Dinosaur Tracks, also managed by the museum, boasts the longest continuous set of tracks.
Dinosaur World’s dominant feature consists of a 1-mile trail with more than 150 life-size dinosaur replicas. Admission includes a fossil dig site for kids, a museum and more.
To continue, visit the Somervell County Museum. One room contains a wall mural of a 1954 National Geographic article about track excavations and mammoth bones found in the area. For those who love history more than the beasts, the museum has amazing displays, from war heroes to local history.
The museum dedicated one wall display to John St. Helen who claimed his identity as John Wilkes Booth. Yes, the infamous Booth who assassinated Lincoln. The display includes an authorized biography by Finis L. Bates and a derringer found behind St. Helen’s log cabin. The cabin now resides in the downtown area.
While visiting, be sure to venture to Bernard’s Mill. Now an art museum, the building itself tells a story. Immense rooms contain limestone walls and massive beams. Filled with art, it makes a great place to spend several hours. Built in 1890, it once served as the hospital. Nurses lived on the upper floor, which still depicts their daily life.
Looking to get outside? On warm days, enjoy the coolness of the Paluxy River in and around DVSP or at Big Rocks Park. When the water becomes too chilly, families still enjoy climbing over the enormous rocks or strolling along the Glen Rose Riverwalk, a lighted, paved walkway that runs beside the river. Plus, the state park includes miles of hiking, biking and even equestrian trails.
While there, don’t forget Fossil Rim Wildlife Center. The safe way to experience the thrill of a safari has many options. Many of their resident animals appear on the endangered species list, the center striving to save them.
You can always visit the amphitheater to see The Promise in fall months. Check out the Somervell Expo Center for a wide variety of events and time your visit for one of those.
With a vast assortment of restaurants, finding cuisine to fit your tastes doesn’t take long. At Storiebook Café, you can browse and read books while enjoying food. At Sexton’s Feed Company, enjoy a view of the river while dining. Then, partake in a fun activity such as axe throwing, cornhole, live music, pool and an arcade room.
With a choice of hotels, bed-and-breakfast locations, cabins and multiple RV parks, you can spend days enjoying the history and adventure of Glen Rose. When you leave, you can say, “I walked where dinosaurs trod.”
Written by Lisa Bell
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