Dinosaur World is an outdoor dinosaur park in Glen Rose near Fort Worth in Texas, home to more than 150 life-size dinosaur replicas. It’s a sister site to Dinosaur World in Plant City, Florida and Dinosaur World in Cave City, Kentucky.
This guide was updated in August 2026. The park has just added the Dino Express, a brand new train ride winding through the jungle past dinosaurs, a feature many existing guides won’t mention yet. Advance booking is recommended for busy weekends, since Glen Rose is a popular day-trip destination. You can book through Viator before you go.
Quick facts about Dinosaur World
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 1058 Park Road 59, Glen Rose, TX 76043 |
| Opening hours | Daily, 9am–5pm; closed Christmas Day |
| Adult admission | $18.95 (Daily Pass) |
| Child admission (3–12) | $14.95 (Daily Pass) |
| Nearest road access | US-67, next to Dinosaur Valley State Park |
| Typical visit duration | 1.5 to 3 hours |
Why book Dinosaur World tickets?
- 🏛️ More than 150 life-size dinosaurs: Wander a natural Texas jungle setting dotted with dinosaur replicas.
- 🎟️ Right next to genuine dinosaur tracks: Dinosaur Valley State Park, home to 113-million-year-old footprints, is just outside the gate.
- 🌿 Free on-site parking: Coolers are encouraged, so you can bring your own snacks and drinks.
- 📜 A brand new train ride: The Dino Express now winds through the park’s prehistoric landscapes.
- 💰 A dog-friendly day out: Leashed dogs are welcome throughout the entire park.
Opening hours at Dinosaur World
Dinosaur World opens every day of the year from 9am to 5pm, with one exception. The park closes on Christmas Day. Hours don’t change between weekdays, weekends, or seasons, so it’s a reliable stop any day of the week.
5 great Fort Worth experiences to book
- 🎸 Visit the legendary Billy Bob’s Honky Tonk – with a dinner and photo package.
- 🏛️ Take a small group historical tour of Fort Worth – including the Livestock Exchange Building.
- 🍖 Taste the best of the Fort Worth Stockyards – on a foodie tour.
- 🍷 On a wine tour, explore the best wineries of North Texas.
- 👻 Discover the spectres of the stockyards – on a Fort Worth ghost tour.
Ticket prices for Dinosaur World
| Ticket type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult Daily Pass | $18.95 |
| Child Daily Pass (3–12) | $14.95 |
| Adult Excavation Pass | $36.95 |
| Child Excavation Pass (3–12) | $32.95 |
The Excavation Pass adds the Fossil Dig and Dino Gem Excavation to general admission, plus a ride on the Dino Express. Annual passes are also available. Book in advance through Viator to avoid queuing at the gate. All ticket sales are final, with no refunds.
How to get to Dinosaur World
By car, Dinosaur World is just off US Highway 67, on Park Road 59 in Glen Rose. It’s about 70 miles southwest of Dallas–Fort Worth, roughly an hour’s drive.
By public transport, there’s no direct bus or train service to the park, so a car is the most practical way to get there.
On foot, Dinosaur World is right next to Dinosaur Valley State Park, so the two make an easy combined visit without moving your car.
Parking at Dinosaur World
Parking at Dinosaur World is free, with ample space directly outside the entrance.
How long to spend at Dinosaur World
Most visitors spend one and a half to three hours here, depending on how many extra activities they add. Families combining a visit with Dinosaur Valley State Park should plan for a full day.
Accessibility at Dinosaur World
Dinosaur World is wheelchair accessible, with paved paths throughout the park and accessible restrooms. Some sections have a gentle incline, so visitors using mobility devices may want extra time. Leashed dogs are welcome everywhere except inside the indoor museum.
What to see inside Dinosaur World
The Dino Express is the newest addition, a train ride that carries visitors through the park’s prehistoric landscapes, weaving past dinosaurs hidden among the trees.
The indoor museum holds a long corridor of fossils and artefacts, followed by around 20 animatronic dinosaurs staged in scenes.
The Boneyard is a giant sandbox where children uncover a life-size dinosaur skeleton buried beneath the sand.
Uncle Rex’s Gem Mine and the Fossil Dig let visitors pan for real minerals and search for genuine fossils, both included with the Excavation Pass.
The dino-themed playground gives younger children somewhere to burn off energy between exhibits, with slides and swings under the trees.
Practical visitor tips for Dinosaur World
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Bring a cooler | The park encourages visitors to bring their own snacks and drinks. |
| Pair it with Dinosaur Valley State Park | The two sites sit side by side, so combine them for a full day of dinosaur-themed sightseeing. |
| Wear comfortable shoes | Paths wind through a natural, sometimes uneven, jungle setting. |
| Buy the Excavation Pass upfront | Adding it once inside costs more than including it with your original ticket. |
| Check ticket terms before buying | All sales are final, with no refunds once purchased. |
Frequently asked questions about Dinosaur World
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is Dinosaur World open every day? | Yes, except for Christmas Day. |
| Do I need to book tickets in advance? | It’s not required, but booking in advance through Viator can save time at the entrance. |
| Is parking free? | Yes, parking is free with ample space at the entrance. |
| How is this different from Dinosaur Valley State Park next door? | Dinosaur World shows dinosaur replicas and museum exhibits, while Dinosaur Valley State Park preserves genuine 113-million-year-old dinosaur tracks. |
| Can I bring my dog? | Yes, leashed dogs are welcome throughout the park, except inside the indoor museum. |
Things to do near Dinosaur World
Dinosaur Valley State Park is right next door, with genuine 113-million-year-old dinosaur tracks preserved in the Paluxy riverbed.
Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, a drive-through safari park, is about 20 minutes away and home to more than 1,000 exotic and endangered animals.
Downtown Glen Rose’s historic square has local shops and restaurants, a short drive from the park.
The Paluxy River offers a shallow spot for wading and cooling off, close to both Dinosaur World and Dinosaur Valley State Park.
The Creation Evidence Museum, a short drive away, presents a young-earth perspective on the same dinosaur tracks found nearby.
Alternative attractions to Dinosaur World
Genuine dinosaur-focused museums are scarce close to Glen Rose, so these two lean toward the wider Dallas-Fort Worth area.
The Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, about 45 minutes away, houses DinoLabs and DinoDig, including Paluxysaurus jonesi, the official state dinosaur of Texas.
The Perot Museum of Nature and Science, in Dallas around 75 minutes away, has a dedicated dinosaur hall with a working paleontology lab.
More Texas travel
Other Texas travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- The Kimbell Art Museum and Amon Carter Museum of American Art pair masterpieces by European painters with major collections of western and American art.
- The Fort Worth Botanical Garden includes Japanese gardens, rose collections and shaded walking trails beside the Trinity River.
- The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame explores the lives of ranchers, performers and pioneers who shaped the mythology of the American west.
- The Dallas Zoo spreads across 100-plus acres with a strong African savanna section and regular animal feeding sessions.
- Hall of State, Texas Discovery Gardens and the African American Museum of Dallas are all part of the historic Fair Park complex built for the 1936 Texas Centennial Exposition.
