Dinos in Dallas – 7 Fossil Themed Field Trips in the Metroplex

I doubt that there is a single kid on the face of this planet that has not been completely entranced by dinosaurs at some point in their life. I’m a full-grown man and I’m still completely entranced by them. The fact of the matter is that there is something wonderful and terrifying about these “terrible lizards.” They both captivate our imaginations and transport us into a world of adventure.

Who doesn’t love that?

During our time in Dallas, my family indulged that sense of wonder as we sought out the best fossil experiences we could find to explore the paleontological past of the DFW area. If you’re on the hunt for a fossilized field trip, then this list of the best fossil experiences in Dallas is exactly what you need.

Dinosaur Valley State Park

The first stop on our fossil-finding field trips was to Dinosaur Valley State Park in Glen Rose, TX. As you may have guessed from its name, this state park’s main attraction is its ties to the past. The park boasts a large number of fossilized footprints from not one, but two species of dinosaur. 

Of course, that is far from all the park offers. Alongside the footprints, the park also boasts fishing, swimming, hiking, kayak rentals, and even horseback riding with Eagle Eye Ranch Carriage Company.

Also, make sure to check out their Jr. Ranger program to get the kids excited about preserving this wonderful State Park.

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Dinosaur World

Not far from Dinosaur Valley State Park, Dinosaur World boast a huge variety of life-sized statues depicting dinosaurs from all over the world. They also have fossil digging activities for the kids, a dinosaur-themed playground, animatronic dinosaurs, and a small museum where several exciting fossils are on display.

I personally don’t think it is worth the trip out there on its own, but if you are already out there for the Dinosaur Valley State Park, it makes a worthy add-on.

Waco Mammoth National Monument

One of the newest National Monuments in the States, Waco Mammoth National Monument was the next stop on our fossil field trip, and it is 100% worth the trip to Waco. Waco Mammoth National Monument doesn’t have just a single Mammoth. Instead, they have turned up the skeletons from 22 different Columbian Mammoths including the nation’s only nursery herd.

They have constructed an entire building over the mammoth skeletons so that they can remain in place for everyone to see without risking being worn down by the weather.

Fun Fact: The mammoth bones are not petrified. The high clay concentration in the soil has prevented the bones from becoming stone. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t fossils. In fact, a fossil is any evidence of life that’s preserved in stone or ice. Pretty neat.

Baylor Mayborn Museum

If I had one complaint about the Waco Mammoth National Monument, it would be that the bones were too far away. Which is why we went to the Mayborn Museum!

The Mayborn Museum has a ton of super interesting exhibits, but the reason we went there was to get closer to the Waco Mammoths. The museum boasts casts of the Mammoth bones placed so you can see them up close and get a better appreciation for the sheer size of these animals.

Also of note. When we were there, they had a Paw Patrol exhibit that my kids absolutely loved. Not really fossil related, but a fun diversion, for sure.

Ladonia Fossil Park

At this point in our trip, we decided that we wanted some fossils of our own. If that idea intrigues you, then going fossil hunting with your kids can satisfy your itch for discovery.

Ladonia Fossil Park is located outside Ladonia, TX, and is essentially a really big ditch. That’s not a bad thing though, since undeveloped land is essential to the fossil hunting experience. It is most definitely a rustic experience, without any modern amenities, but it is a great place to looking for fossils. You can find anything from small fossil shells to mosasaur teeth hidden in the mud there.

Mineral Wells Fossil Park

Mineral Wells was a completely different experience than Ladonia! While it was still definitely a rustic experience, it was a much drier location than Ladonia. Instead of using stream water to wash mud from the fossils, we simply picked fossils straight off the ground.

Both fossil parks were great experiences, but they each had their strengths. If I was going to go back myself, or if I was taking an older kid, I would probably head to Ladonia. However, Mineral Wells would probably be a better choice for smaller kids due to the ease of access and some well-placed porta-potties in the parking lot.

Definitely check both of them out!

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Perot Museum of Natural History

The pièce de résistance, the Perot Museum of Nature and Science was my absolute favorite spot on this list. Their dinosaur exhibit is amazing! They have tons of fossils on display from dinosaurs that you probably already know, like T-Rex, as well as several dinos you might not know. One such is a new ceratopsian dino, Pachyrhinosaurus, that was identified right here in Dallas! (Though it was discovered in Alaska.)

The crowning moment of my trip was taking our fossils to one of the Perot’s world-class Paleontologists for identification. If you managed to find anything during your own fossil hunt, I 100% encourage you to do the same.

Alongside their fossils, the Perot also has exhibits on geology, astronomy, biology, and more! 

From our first stop in Dinosaur Valley, following in the footsteps of dinosaurs, to taking the fossils that we found ourselves to be identified at the Perot, this trip has been filled with experiences that my kids won’t soon forget. We have enjoyed each and every one of our family’s fossil finding adventures.

Whether you are a Dallas native, or just passing through, a fossil-themed field trip is a great way to sneak some science into your off time.

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