The Lone Star State has been around officially since 1836, but for ages prior to that, dinosaurs called this land their home. The evidence still remains at public sites throughout Texas, in the form of fossilized skeletal remains, many of which are still largely intact. Their footprints can also be found etched in stone for visitors to see on excursions throughout parts of the state. What better way to learn more about them then on a fossil tour?
Things to Do
Unravel the Prehistoric Mysteries of Texas on a Fossil Tour
Waco Mammoth National Monument
Photo: Facebook/Waco Mammoth National Monument
Home to the Waco Mammoth National Monument, a family trip to Waco won’t disappoint in terms of prehistoric pastimes. The site can be found on 100 beautifully wooded acres, including a dig shelter from which guests can see the original dig site where the remains of a number of mammoths can be seen still half-encased in the earth. The first mammoth bones to be discovered at this site were found in 1978. Since then, 61 mammoths, an entire herd, have been identified, which includes the lone nursery herd in the U.S. In addition to mammoth remains other animals have been excavated at the site, including camel, some fish, a giant bear, llama, wolf, prairie dog, and various fossil specimens of invertebrates and plants.
Dinosaur Valley State Park
Photo: Facebook/Dinosaur Valley State Park
Located in Glen Rose, just outside of Fort Worth, is what’s known as the “Dinosaur Capital of Texas.” Dinosaur Valley State Park exists because ages ago, the Paluxy Riverbed was used by hundreds of dinosaurs as a pathway. An abundance of their footprints were fossilized in the thick mud they stepped in and remain visible today. The park consists of five main sites, making two types of tracks visible, one being sauropod and the other theropod. Guests to the park can follow a map to each set, which are identified in blue and red, respectively. Families can also picnic, hike, camp, and mountain bike the property, which has over 20 miles of trails. There’s also swimming and fishing available on-site, geocaching, and even horseback riding. A fossil tour in Texas can be anything but dull!
Other sites throughout Texas at which families can enjoy fossils as evidence that dinosaurs once roamed the state can also be found in Mineral Wells and Georgetown. Your group’s opportunity to unravel the prehistoric mysteries of Texas in a fossil tour is just a road trip away!