Be careful if you walk across the river while water is flowing, as the concrete roadbed is very slippery from algae growth. BLUE HOLE 32.2489° -97.8181 ... Dinosaur Valley State Park Walk where the dinosaurs roamed. Dinosaur Valley State Park, Glen Rose Picture: blue hole - Check out Tripadvisor members' 2,495 candid photos and videos. The photo mosaic files are four to six megabytes each; the track files are much smaller. You can usually see this site under a few inches of water, and often from the top of the bank. My friend and I jumped in to wash our selves off after camping for a few days. Mar 28, 2017 - The "Blue Hole" in the Paluxy River at Dinosaur Valley State Park - Texas Parks and Wildlife has been a local swimming spot for over a century! In 1940, this track site was attached to the Bird Site but has since broken off due to erosion. We're committed to building a better, more inclusive home for the modern outdoors. The Ozark Site - This is directly across from the Bird Site, attached to the east bank of the river. This is the longest theropod trail in the park, at over 350 feet. 100_1636 (2009-07-29s)-cr.jpg Bring your own, or rent from the Park Store for only $25 for all day. The Denio Island - When the park opened in 1972, the Denio Island Site was connected from the south to the larger Denio Site. They erode almost as fast as they are uncovered because the usually dry site is exposed to freeze and thaw cycles during the winter. In addition, transport out of the valley is via the Scenic Railway which is unable to take mobility devices, or prams. I went and ventured off the trail a bit and it was so beautiful, also a lot of alternating terrain to get a workout in. Dinosaur Valley State Park, Glen Rose Picture: You can swim and fish in the Blue Hole - Check out Tripadvisor members' 2,519 candid photos and videos of Dinosaur Valley State Park It has several eroded sauropod trails headed in a southwest direction, as well as many well-preserved theropod tracks. Full Details. Explore the Paluxy River on a kayak! Some of the theropod tracks in this area are elongated tracks. Starting at the Cedar Brake Outer Loop trailhead, leave your car and toss your pack on your back. Dinosaur Valley State Park: Swimming hole - See 757 traveler reviews, 578 candid photos, and great deals for Glen Rose, TX, at Tripadvisor. Shop our park store for souvenirs, camping and fishing supplies, books and much more. Baker Site - This is the most southeastern of the park's track sites, and has several theropod trails and tracks. The North Blue Hole - This site is about 132 feet long and 10 feet wide, with four recognizable sauropod tracks. The site is relatively small with mostly theropod tracks. It is difficult to see the pattern of these trails. The Mid-Ozark Site - Just south of the Ozark Site, this site contains both types of tracks. Land Manager: Texas State Parks and Wildlife - Dinosaur Valley. - Check out Tripadvisor members' 2,501 candid photos and videos of Dinosaur Valley State Park Dinosaur valley state park Blue Hole in Dinosaur Valley State Park. Two types of tracks are visible at these sites: For each site listed here you will find one or two downloadable KMZ files. The South Main Site - This is about 22 feet by 13 feet and is usually dry. This site is eroding quickly, and the photo mosaic file shows a large area of tracks present in 1985 that are now gone. Trail Ratings 3.3 from 3 votes #6 in Dinosaur Valley State Park #22165 ... Blue Hole is a great place to swim in the summer! Dinosaur Valley State Park, Glen Rose: Hours, Address, Dinosaur Valley State Park Reviews: 4.5/5. Hike between 1 and 2.5 miles across the river to … The Blue Hole trail isn't that long, so it's an easy spot to get to even after hiking on other trails all day. The south end of the site has some long furrows that have not been positively identified. These track sites were made later than the Main Layer tracks, and lie in a layer of limestone called the Taylor Layer. Drawing of a Sauroposeidon proteles and an Acrocanthosaurus by Mike O'Brien. Please help preserve the area for future generations. Many of the tracks look different from their Main Layer counterparts. This track site is often covered in sand and mud. Blue Hole Site Dinosaur Valley State Park, Glen Rose, Texas Photos © Glen J. Kuban Click on image for full size view. The Blue Hole is a popular swimming hole for locals near the small town of Glen Rose TX. Only theropod tracks are visible at this site. Five or more sauropod trails head mostly in a southern direction and show distinct patterns. The Paluxy River, also known as the Paluxy Creek, is a river in the U.S. state of Texas.It is a tributary of the Brazos River.It is formed by the convergence of the North Paluxy River and the South Paluxy River near Bluff Dale, Texas in Erath County and flows a distance of 29 miles (47 km) before joining the Brazos just to the east of Glen Rose, Texas in south central Somervell County. Please note as an alternative that the Scenic Pass ticket does include some dinosaurs … These tracks are very deep and the trail is crossed several times by other theropod trails headed in different directions. Most of the sauropod tracks in this area point south, suggesting that the dinosaurs traveled in herds. The best time of year to see this track area is in the late summer when water levels are lowest. The Outbound works best with JavaScript enabled. You can see a few tracks close to the ledge on the south bank of the river. To see several unmapped theropod trails, walk the river downstream from the Bend Site about 1,200 feet. They can be hard to see even when the river is dry because some of the tracks are in-filled by harder sediments. The East Taylor Site - A group of in-filled tracks that are difficult to see. When planning your next trip to Dinosaur Valley State Park make sure you pack your swimsuit. At the southwest end of the trail the tracks have eroded, but they seem to reappear further south in the Taylor Site. Billy Paul Baker was the park's longtime superintendent. adventures and follow local regulations. Its one trail of sauropod tracks is so eroded that the direction cannot be established. R.T. Bird first identified the tracks of the dinosaur, now called Sauroposeidon proteles, here. At the park, you are allowed to swim anywhere on the river unless otherwise stated or roped off. No horses allowed in this area. All proceeds go to benefit the park and provide free educational programs. The photo mosaic files mostly contain photos taken during the mapping project in 2008 and 2009, and some photos from earlier. Shared By: John Shuttlesworth. Dinosaur Valley State Park, Glen Rose Picture: A sweet spot near the blue hole. Welcome to an adventure! Dinosaur Valley State Park, Glen Rose Picture: A sweet spot near the blue hole. Blue Hole Site, Dinosaur Valley State Park, Glen Rose, TX Select Theropod tracks (probably Acrocanthosaurus) Close-up (C) Glen J Kuban Click on thumbnail imgage for larger view. See temporary closures and business changes, Dinosaur Valley State Park trails data (KMZ). Dinosaur Valley State Park, Glen Rose Picture: A sweet spot near the blue hole. Cedar Brake Outer Loop is a 8.3 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Glen Rose, Texas that features a river and is rated as moderate. Explanations vary from dinosaur tail drags to driftwood dragging the mud as it floated in the tide. Being on the back of a horse gives you a different perspective of the park’s untouched beauty and a connection with the past. Dinosaur Valley State Park (Blue Hole) 06 14 09 071 - YouTube Five main track site areas have been mapped within Dinosaur Valley State Park. 5.0. 2. This area's eight track sites are part of a foot thick layer of limestone called the Main Layer. - Check out Tripadvisor members' 2,519 candid photos and videos. 40 wooded acres on the Paluxy River with a river walk to the historic downtown square. As you wade across the cool, clear waters of the Paluxy River, look for the footprints of Sauroposeidon Blue Hole at Dinosaur Valley State Park around Glen Rose Texas. | The Overlook (CLOSED) - The overlook is part of the Main Layer. Another thing to make note of is the possibility of the tracks not always being visible after heavy rains. My friend and I jumped in to wash our selves off after camping for a few days. These are compressed versions of Keyhole Markup Language (KML) files that you can open with geospatial software like Google Earth, ArcGIS, and other mapping software apps. This is an awesome spot to jump in and cool off after hiking in the park. Explore 20 miles of trails. The Ballroom - The largest site in the park gets its name from the many directions of the tracks, as if the dinosaurs were dancing. You can also download the Dinosaur Valley State Park trails data (KMZ) to see where the tracks are in proximity to the trails. Iris’s Site - This trail of weathered sauropod tracks head in a southwestern direction. Many of the tracks here are in-filled and difficult to see. Alligator? The Blue Hole at Dinosaur Valley State Park: a cool place to be this Summer! I mountain biked, which is great to get away from the crowds, and the trails became extremely remote. Dinosaur Valley is located in the small town of Glen Rose about an hour and a half Southwest of Dallas. I believe there are over 20 miles worth. This site has disappeared due to erosion. In some of these tracks you can see the impression of the dewclaw. Dinosaur Valley State Park - Texas Parks and Wildlife, Glen Rose, TX. The South Ozark Site - This is just south of the Ozark Site. These are my favorite types of tracks because they're the most pronounced and easiest to find regardless of water level. Hit BACK key to return to photo gallery In 1940, Bird and his workers excavated a large group of tracks. Most of the tracks in the Taylor Layer were made by theropods. There is another trail to the right, but this takes you along the Paluxy River Nature Trail and doesn't have any tracks that way. Make tracks of your own in this park where dinosaurs left their footprints. This site contains nine very large (36 inches long) sauropod tracks with mud swells rising 8 inches above the surface. The Main Site - This area (50 feet by 15 feet) has a long sequence of sauropod tracks headed south. The Main Crossing - This is an eroded section of limestone that contains only a few sauropod tracks. One trail is clearly headed in a western direction and the others seem to be headed south. Dogs are also able to use this trail. Be Respectful. #exploreglenrose Find dinosaur tracks, camp, picnic, hike, mountain bike, swim and fish in the river, watch for wildlife, look for a geocache, ride your horse, or visit our interpretive center.Stay at one of our campsites. Dinosaur Valley State Park, Glen Rose: Hours, Address, Dinosaur Valley State Park Reviews: 4.5/5. The ledge also has some very deep theropod tracks ranging from 22 inches to about 8 inches.. Opossum Site - This site is in the bed of Opossum Creek, which feeds into the Paluxy River. Giant catfish? You will see the tracks overlaid on top of the photos, with sauropod tracks in blue and theropod tracks in red. The Bird Site - This site is about 200 feet by 40 feet, is usually underwater, and is just south of the Main Site. Located in the South Primitive Area. These sites don't have showers, restrooms, picnic tables or water. EERCC is honored to share … Continue reading "Dinosaur Valley Park Trail Rides" The Main Ledge - This 20-foot by 10-foot area across the river from the parking lot has both types of tracks. You can usually see this site under a few inches of water, and often from the top of the bank. One of Texas best kept secretes. We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on. The Blue Hole Trail is a short hike along the limestone riverbed of the Paluxy River and has several sites where you can find theropod tracks (the three toed footprints). Please explore responsibly! Rate Quality . Blue Hole Dinosaur Track-site is a fossil trackway in Dinosaur Valley State Park, TX. The Blue Hole trail isn't that long, so it's an easy spot to get to even after hiking on other trails all day. Several nice theropod tracks are here, one so deep the toes form tunnels. From the parking lot you'll follow the trail towards the river and follow it to the left. Some of the tracks are the elongated type. dinosaur-related gift items are available. Perfect for a day trip from Dallas or an overnight trip at one of their campgrounds. Mar 28, 2017 - The Blue Hole in @Dinosaur Valley State Park The north end of the Denio Site has lost about 50 feet of track-bearing limestone since 1980. The Denio Site - This area gets its name from Denio Creek. While the main purpose of the park is the continual preservation of dinosaur tracks that were fossilized at the edge of an ancient ocean millions of years ago, there are also tons of activities that make this spot a great outdoors destination. The most popular swimming area can be found at the Blue Hole. Dinosaur Valley State Park Glen Rose Blue Hole State Parks Places To Go River Summer Outdoor Outdoors. Minutes from Fossil Rim, ... Country Woods Inn is a family-friendly property located in the Texas Hill Country. Two are headed south, but one trail cuts across them headed west. The most abundant tracks at this site are theropod and range from about 6 inches to about 18 inches long. About half of the site has eroded since then and many of its tracks have disappeared. Explore this unique one mile trail that preserves dinosaur tracks along the Paluxy River. This site has many theropod trails, mostly headed north and south. The closest potable water is 1/3 - 1/2 mile away. A UNIQUE HORSE ADVENTURE IN DINOSAUR VALLEY STATE PARK Saddle up and enjoy some spectacular views as you ride along Dinosaur Valley State Park scenic trails. Blue Hole Swimming Area is a swimming hole on Opossum Branch and Paluxy River in Dinosaur Valley State Park, TX. The original hay barn for the animals, this cabin rental at Country Woods Inn is in the middle of all the barnyard fun! In the 1980s, Denio Island was connected to the Denio track site. You'll walk along some pretty single track-style paths and depending on what season you've chosen, you might be treated to some lovely Texas wildflow... Fossil Rim Wildlife Center started it's journey about 30 years ago when a few passionate conservationists took it upon themselves to start a fight to save many endangered species. Ready for the Dino Dive January 1st. These allow you to see the track sites as they looked during the mapping project. Erosion separated them, and in 2011 it was washed away completely. Google Maps will take you to the correct location if you head to Walling Bend Par... Lake Mineral Wells is one of the closest state parks in the area located less than an hour and a half from Dallas and only 45 minutes from Fort Worth. Sometimes only the mud swells surrounding the large sauropod tracks show. The Bend Site - This site is remarkable for the many small shallow theropod tracks close to the limestone ledge on the east bank. Content of this site copyright Texas Parks and Wildlife Department unless otherwise noted. The B.P. - Check out Tripadvisor members' 2,491 candid photos and videos. One theropod trail of elongated tracks goes on for about 60 feet. At the south end you can see three trails of sauropod tracks. The viewing area above the river has been closed because it is unstable. Fossil Trackways are sensitive in nature and deserve the utmost respect. Each of these areas has named individual track sites. 76K likes. Head to fdvsp.com to check out the store online! Area 5 is on the southwestern end of the Paluxy River as it enters the park. Ten smaller (22 inches long) well-preserved juvenile sauropod tracks show evidence that a young sauropod was being pursued by a theropod. The trail is primarily used for hiking, running, mountain biking, and backpacking and is accessible year-round. Dinosaur Valley State Park, Glen Rose: Hours, Address, Dinosaur Valley State Park Reviews: 4.5/5. Four track sites were originally part of the Main Layer. The mud swells of a few sauropod tracks rise above the sand on the east bank of the river just north of the roadbed. Mar 11, 2016 - Blue Hole on the Paluxy River. Go PRO to support our mission and get benefits like gear deals, no ads, and more! © 2020 The Outbound Collective - Terms of Use - Privacy Policy. 0.4mi Add Rating. This site is usually dry and good for viewing. The Lone Ranger Site - A very long, unbroken theropod trail heads southwest at this site. The site is usually underwater, but if the water is clear you can see four long trails of sauropods headed south. You must hike between 1/3 - 1/2 mile. The West Taylor Site - This is a crossroads for many theropod trails headed in various directions. If you have a mapping device or mobile computer/smartphone that supports KML files, and that can show your location using Global Positioning System (GPS), then you can view these files with your location marked. If your main purpose is to see the dinosaur tracks I would call ahead to the park office to make sure it's a good time to head out there. It once had several theropod trails but they have mostly eroded. Dinosaur Valley State Park Dinosaur Valley State Park, near Glen Rose, Texas, has some of the best preserved dinosaur tracks in the world, including what are arguably the best preserved sauropod tracks anywhere.Many are preserved in the limestone floor of the Paluxy river, and occur in the lower part of the Glen Rose Formation (Lower Cretaceous, Albian/Aptian), approximately 110 million years old. 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