Vacation rentals in Glen Rose

Glen Rose, Texas, is an exceedingly family-friendly destination, but you don’t have to be a kid to delight in the sight of 113-million-year-old dinosaur tracks or to cannonball into a swimming hole on a hot day. There’s no doubt that dinosaurs drive tourism to this little enclave of 2,500 in the middle of Northern Texas, but if you come for the sauropods, you’ll stay for the small-town charm. Glen Rose’s historic downtown area is a cluster of family-owned restaurants, shops, and antique stores, as well as churches and museums. It also hosts a long-running weekend farmers’ market. Twenty-nine buildings in Glen Rose are on the National Historic Register, including an ancient mill turned art museum; the visitors’ bureau provides an informational pamphlet that details the legacy of each. And just a mile from downtown along a tree-lined riverwalk, people gather at idyllic Big Rocks Park to splash in the river and cool off during the hot Texas summers.

Spring and fall are the most pleasant times of year to visit Glen Rose. In April and early May, the days are warm and sunny and wildflowers such as the Texas state flower, the bluebonnet, are in full bloom. September and October boast similar weather but different colors as the leaves turn red, yellow, and orange. Fall is also the quietest time of year around here.

Amateur paleontologists should visit in the summer, particularly in August. The days are hot and the weather can get humid, but the Paluxy River is at its lowest then, exposing the famous fossilized footprints on the riverbed. Summer is also the best time to soak up small-town culture, whether you’re cooling off in the water at Big Rock Park, attending summer concerts and outdoor movie nights, or taking part in such annual events as the National Day of the Cowboy celebration in late July.

Hiking in Dinosaur Valley State Park

At Dinosaur Valley State Park, everyone gravitates to the riverbed to check out the tracks of Acrocanthosaurus, a sort of smaller T. rex, which roamed the area millions of years ago. But the park also contains a number of hiking trails of varying lengths and difficulties that will bring you to overlooks, natural springs, and interesting rock formations. Keep an eye out for winged wildlife including black vultures, great crested flycatchers, eastern bluebirds, and many kinds of butterflies.

The historic farmers’ market

The Glen Rose farmers’ market has been running for so long that even locals aren’t quite sure when it started. Each weekend, they gather to proffer handmade or homegrown items — that’s important, because the city doesn’t allow vendors to sell commercial or prefabricated goods — including seasonal produce and preserves.

Wheeler Branch Park

Opened in 2010, Wheeler Branch Park sits on the southeastern edge of Wheeler Branch Reservoir and is a popular place to pass a summer day. The park features a boat ramp with a floating dock, a beach area, a fishing pier, a pavilion, and public restrooms.