Dinosaur Valley State Park was recently named one of the best family camping destinations in the US. Here’s everything you need to know.
Not that we’re actively wishing spring away, but planning a few trips for the summer in advance can help you secure bookings, lodgings, and tickets before they sell out. This is especially true for one North Texas state park that was recently named one of the best places in the US to go camping with your kids. Dinosaur Valley State Park, located roughly 60 miles outside of Fort Worth, cracked The Dyrt’s Top 5 on its 2026 list of family-friendly campsites. For those unfamiliar, The Dyrt is an app designed by the camping and RV community to help adventurers find the best spots anywhere in the country.
When drafting its 2026 Best Places to Camp With Kids list (presented by Kelty), the brand took several factors into consideration, like whether a site had fishing ponds, arcades, playgrounds, bounce houses, and other outdoor activities that appealed to the younger generation. They also weighed how enjoyable each park would be for parents who were hoping to experience a little rest and relaxation themselves while their kids got some pent-up energy out. Dinosaur Valley State Park checked those boxes and then some, which several reviewers agreed with.
“The trails are great even in the Texan summer as many of them are beside the river where you can cool off. Highly recommended for families with kids [of] all ages!,” one visitor wrote. Another commented, “Every camp spot has its own water source and electricity hookup, [which] makes a huge difference at the hot Texas summer days and perfect for spending the nights not in a complete dark in case you’re using only a tent without a generator.” All of those elements are impressive on their own, but the real magic of being at the Glen Rose park can be linked directly to the enormous creatures that once called the area surrounding Paluxy River their home.
Dinosaur Valley State Park is steeped in history
One of the primary appeals of visiting Dinosaur Valley State Park is right in its name: dinosaurs. The Dyrt noted that the North Texas campsite was one of the most exciting on its list because “The sheer wonder of standing in an actual dinosaur footprint is something children never forget, and the park makes it easy to find them.” Additionally, life-size dinosaur replicas and an interpretive center are located at the park, allowing visitors of all ages to learn more about which breeds roamed the land millions of years ago. Plus, the area is sacred to Native American tribes who lived there for over 6,000 years before the region became colonized. For a closer look at Dinosaur Valley’s history, click here.
In terms of the camping aspects of the state park, roughly 70 campsites are located here, many of which include electricity and all of which include proximity to hiking and mountain biking trails, a pond for fishing and swimming, horseback riding tours, and more. You can check out the available sites here to determine cost and availability during your desired time to visit. Most camping trips at Dinosaur Valley State Park cost between $16 and $60 depending on the size of the camping area and the amenities it includes. There’s also an $8 entrance fee applied daily that you’ll need to pay before you venture out to track dinosaurs or sleep under the stars.
P.S. This handy guide will help you find Theropod and Sauropod tracks during your stay. Here’s to creating longlasting memories with your happy campers!
