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 Spring 2005 Selections
Texas is full of extremely popular state parks and natural areas. But there are a few outdoor gems that haven't yet grabbed the attention of the masses.
Consider these great facilities the next time the idea of a grand road trip enters your mind and you simply don't know where to go...
A Park As Old As The Dinosaurs
Little known to even Texans, some of the best preserved dinosaur tracks in the world reside in the Lone Star State. Dinosaur Valley State Park, located just northwest of Glen Rose in Somervell County, is a 1,500 acre scenic park set astride the Paluxy River that offers a grand look into Texas past.
And - believe it or not - there are two resident dinosaurs at the park, a 70-foot Apatosaurus and a 45-foot Tyrannosaurus Rex. Of course the dinosaurs are fiberglass models. But they are somewhat famous. The models were commissioned by the Sinclair Oil Company for display at the 1964-65 New York World's Fair Dinosaur Exhibit.
If you're not into dinosaurs, there's plenty of adventure activities, including seven miles of trails for hiking and backpacking and 12 for mountain biking.
Facilities include campsites with water and electricity; restrooms with showers; and walk-in water sites, which have tables, grills, and water in area. Day use only horseback riding is allowed in the South Primitive Area (users must provide their own horses, no overnight equestrian facilities). Backpack campsites are from 1 to 5.5 miles in to the North Primitive area.
The park is located 4 miles west of Glen Rose. Take US Highway 67 to FM 205 for 4 miles to Park Road 59; then go one mile to the headquarters. There is an honor box located at headquarters for collecting fees after office hours.
 History and Recreation in Dogwood CountryMission Tejas State Park has often been described as a little eerie when conditions are just right. It could be the heavy piney wood environment, so thick in places in blocks the sunlight from reaching the ground.
It may be the history associated with the replica of Mission San Francisco de los Tejas, the oldest Spanish Mission in Texas, or the historic Rice Family Log Home, built in 1828 and restored in 1974. At this out-of-the-way state park you can combine both history and recreation, scenically situated in the heart of Dogwood country in deep East Texas.
Activities include camping; picnicking; hiking; and fishing. A pond located near the picnic area offers an excellent opportunity to explore aquatic life and fish. Hiking and nature trails provide access to the natural beauty of the east Texas Pineywoods. The dogwood are beautiful the last week or so of March.
Facilities include commemorative representation of Mission San Francisco de los Tejas; the restored Rice Family Log Home; picnic sites; campsites with water; campsites with water and electricity; campsites with water, electricity, and sewer; group picnic areas; a group picnic pavilion; restrooms with and without showers; a group camping area; an amphitheater; a trailer dump station; 3 1/2 miles of hiking trails; a playground; and a nature pond.
The park is located 21 miles northeast of Crockett and 12 miles west of Alto on State Highway 21. The entrance to the park is in Weches, where Park Road 44 intersects with State Highway 21.
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