What a great way to spend a day! Just an hour and a half outside of Dallas, you can immerse…read moreyourself in the time when dinosaurs ruled the earth! There's actual dinosaur tracks preserved in the rock at Dinosaur Valley State Park, and that just adds even more fun to the experience! We went for the day and the entrance fee was $8 per adult. They accept cards and cash at the Ranger Station. Prior to arriving I tried to buy tickets online, but I kept only seeing tickets for overnight camping. Nonetheless, we were still able to pay at the entrance and we were even able to get out and use the restroom facilities at the entrance. Once you pay your entrance fee, a ranger will give you a trail map. There is ample parking inside the park, so there are lots of possibilities on where to start your adventure. We started on the Pawluxy River trail and crossed over to the main track site where the dinosaur prints are very clear. The river crossing has slightly protruding rocks that you have to navigate on foot to get across the river. I wore hiking boots and I think this was ideal for the environment. From there we switched to the overlook trail where the elevation is 850 ft, so you get a great view of the whole Pawluxy River Valley. From there we descended to the Black-capped Vireo Trail, then crossed the Pawluxy River to make our way back to our car. While there's endless combinations of hikes you can take, ours took about 3 hours. Along the way there were lots of people. Mostly gathered at the river and at the tracks. The rest of the trails were actually very quiet and peaceful. In addition to hiking, there are other points of interest. There are dinosaur models, a swimming hole and of course multiple dinosaur track sites. Overall, Dinosaur Valley is a great state park with something for everyone!

What a great park! We crossed the river and played where dinosaurs once walked!…read more The water was a fair depth and cool but not too cold and not too high. The footprints are easy to spot and so cool along with the gently cascading falls of the river as it rolls along the path. We enjoyed the big "mascots Dino near the gift shop and the gift store,

Merry Christmas! Didn't want to waste the day by staying secluded at the apartment all day. I…read morewanted to go hiking and to enjoy a cigar next to a campfire. All accomplished...woohoo! The only drawback is I had to rent a campsite for the day in order to get a fire blazing. Kind of sucked since I wasn't planning on spending the night. Oh well! It was all still worth it as I supported nature and TPWD. The hiking trails were challenging and invigorating. Thankfully they were also very clearly marked. They were a challenge with all the natural rock and rock cliffs. Penitentiary Hollow was the main attraction of the hike. Wow, Lake Mineral Wells rocks with awesomeness! Please camp here!

Really pretty lake. Had a picnic lunch played some Frisbee. Watched several folks successfully…read morefishing. Nice slot canyon walk/climb at Penitentiary Hollow. I am older and have less than great knees so I sat out the trip down into the canyons. But the views at the top were breathtaking. The family had a great trip.

Large, open spaces for kids to run and place. Nice, well kept equipment and grounds. The kids play…read moreareas are shaded and protected by weather as is the sport court. Perfect place to walk around as well and plenty of benches and several covered picnic tables for a meal outside or a birthday party. I wish it had a mobility area as every time we come, there's a little girl in a wheelchair that has to sit there and watch her siblings play. Other than that, a public restroom and more smaller kid swings would be nice additions. I grew up going to both parks here in town, each holding many good memories. It's great to see both are still full of life and laughter!

This is one place that will never be accused of false advertising!…read more There are indeed BIG ROCKS here! You can scramble, and/or boulder, around and over them. If water conditions are safe, there is also swimming... So bring your floaties! There are also bathrooms, and (I think) changing rooms. There might be a snack shop, but I've never been here when it's open, so maybe not. Only reason I'm not going 5 stars is that the unpaved parking lot is a navigation nightmare! It's also very bumpy, and entry in and out is rather steep. To top this quagmire off, there's also a huge, Texas-sized, truck blocking the parking isles. The truck usually has an over-sized trailer hitch making things even worse. Lastly, be sure to read the warning sign. If the water is not moving, i.e. stagnant, there is the danger of unhealthy "amoeba organisms."

We accidentally stumbled upon this park while leaving Glen Rose so we pulled over into the small…read moreparking lot. There are long cement pathways down the one way lined with fishermen. The other direction has a sort of dam you can walk across to see the older defunct dam with water spilling over it. If you continue walking you will come up to these giant rocks that you can climb on and look over. The river has small pools of water, a mini waterfall of sorts and several trees which change color during the seasons. It's very picturesque. Be careful of aomebas in the shallow warm water.

I was here for a walk and a look around this 8 acre park that is centered around Bailey Lake. Yes,…read moreit is actually stocked with fish. Yes, you need a fishing license. I'd really recommend catch and release (who knows what fertilizers and such drain into here) but it is stocked with catfish and perch. The lake includes a large picnic shelter with tables and a fireplace. Restrooms (thank you!) and a walking trail that loops 0.6 miles around the lake. The parking lot isn't huge but it was good enough. This park does not have a playground. [Review 16028 overall - 215 in Texas - 1533 of 2021.]

Nice walk around a beautiful lake, very pleasant. I think it's a little over 1/2 mile around, not…read moresure... but there are lots of other longer trails off of the main one, both paved and not. Love to explore when I have time. Very beautiful at sunrise with the mist on the lake-- walk counter-clockwise for the prettiest view of the pink sky reflected in the lake. Sometimes the ducks are out and an egret or two

This is a great place to stretch out your legs and find some neat things along the way. The sign at…read morethe entrance is informative and interesting to explain what you'll find. We came in November, so the weather was really cool and comfortable. However, it had rained heavily the night before and the area where the fossils are was a mud pit. If you visit during warmer times, bring plenty of water as there isn't much shade.

This is a nice little place to escape to and it's free!…read more When you first get there it kind of looks like a hole in the ground, but once you get closer to the ground, the entire floor is "littered" with tiny fossils. You don't really need a shovel, just a bucket for all the fossils you find.

This play is so fun to go swimming at and you can walk about and let your kids play in playground…read moreor sand at the water and you can take graduation pictures

This review is for hiking- there are two short hiking trails. I'd you are coming to hike, don't…read more You will get through them in 20 minutes. Luckily for us we did have kids who were complaining of being tired by the midway point of it, so it is perfect for families. But if you are an avid hiker who hikes for miles and miles, this is not the spot. We did go to the beach to look around, but didn't get in as it is winter right now and was at 30-50 degree weather. It is a beautiful place, very clean and well kept. If you are coming in with family, this is perfect, but if you want to hike, this is not your spot.

Wanted to get out of Fort Worth for a mental health day. This particular state park was a little…read moreover an hour away. As soon as I drove into the front entrance, I stopped in the office in order to print the day pass I purchased online yesterday. All three ladies were extremely friendly and helpful. They showed me the key highlights of the park on the map. Then I shopped their merchandise in the park store. The trails were very well maintained and laid out. Each path was clearly visible so as not to get lost or off the marked walkway. I even spent some time in one of the day use areas to read this month's issue of Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine. What a way to finish enjoying such a wonderful park. Please check out!

Beautiful park set in the midst of Fort Worth's urban sprawl. The park is over 250 acres and…read moreoffers trails amongst towering trees, a pond, a river, a playground, tennis courts, and a memorial to Fort Worth's fallen offcers and firefighters. It also is a great hosting place to events, like the Trinity River Book Festival for which I was at the park. Review #2140

I was shocked by the amount of food trucks at the park. It was crowded but still a good amount of…read moreparking spaces when I arrived. Great place to enjoy an evening with family and friends.

Loved the scenery here on my vacay. Came here to check out the beach on the lake. It was very nice…read more It was a great time to take pics and video because there wasn't anyone there. I am glad I didn't want a swim because even though the lake was high it was 60 degrees or so that day. The only ones in the water were the geese and ducks. The restroom and outside shower were nice. That is the side of the park w the beach parking. I accidentally parked in the conference center parking lot. I had a nice time and saw a turtle on the catwalk. It dived under water. All in all a great place to spend a bit of quiet time at the start of my day. I included a pic of the rules and even though the water level was high I saw pics on Yelp where it wasn't so you might want to keep that in mind as well.

Most relaxing spot to be at with your family. As well as an amazing way of spending your summer or…read moreany type of holiday I definitely would recommend as a tourist attractions