Years ago, I wrote about Fossil Rim Wildlife Center in Glen Rose, TX. It’s a drive through safari-park experience and one of my favorite things to do with out-of-towners when they visit, and has been for years! We visited recently and a few things have changed, so I figured it was time for a new post with more current info.
Fossil Rim Wildlife Center
First, let me just note that I can’t say enough good things about our visits to Fossil Rim. It’s a drive from our house, but despite that, we’ve been so many times. It’s a drive-through experience, so that can mean a lot of time in the car! Recently, they’ve shortened the route. It used to take about three hours to get through, but now it’s a couple miles shorter and takes about half the time as it used to. Which means you’ll probably have time to do other things in Glen Rose if you make a day out of it!
Where is Fossil Rim?
Fossil Rim is located in Glen Rose, TX. That’s about an hour and a half southwest of Dallas.
How much are Fossil Rim tickets?
Fossil Rim tickets for the drive-through experience are between $15.95 (kids 3-11) to $21.95 (adults), with discounted rates for seniors. Children 2 and under are free. Even though you’ll be driving through in one car, you still have to buy tickets for each individual. You can also buy animal feed, and that is basically the whole point of visiting, so get the feed! 🙂
Pro tip: you can only buy ONE bag of feed per car. The feed is alfalfa pellets. Break them in half to make your bag last longer.
You can also do a guided tour, but will need to book that in advance.
Can you feed the animals at Fossil Rim?
Yep!
How long does Fossil Rim take to drive through?
It used to be close to three hours (counting a stop halfway through to stretch your legs and use the bathroom). It’s been shortened, and the last time we went it took us about an hour and a half to drive through. This was on a day without traffic, which can make a huge difference.
Is Fossil Rim open when it rains?
YES, and this can be the very best time to visit! The animals don’t care about rain the way we do (unless it’s a huge storm, in which case they will probably be seeking shelter), and the rain keeps the crowds away. I’ve been several times in the rain and loved it.
What animals are at Fossil Rim?
You can see all of the animals here. My very favorite is the giraffes. We usually get lucky and have a giraffe come up to the car, but there have also been times when they didn’t approach. So it’s kind of hit or miss regarding which animals you will see. I have never seen the Przewalki’s horses or a wolf. I think we’ve seen most of the others, though (lots of deer). The ostriches and emus always seem to find us, too! The zebras used to come up to the car, but I haven’t seen them (at all) in years…they either moved them, or we’ve managed to miss them the last 3-4 times we’ve visited.
Does Fossil Rim have seasonal hours?
It does – the hours are different during the winter and the summer. You can find hours here.
Is there food at Fossil Rim?
Animal food, yes. And people food, yes! About halfway through your drive there is a lookout point with a restroom, a gift shop, and a place to get some food. You will also find some fantastic views in this spot. You won’t believe you’re in Texas!
Can you bring pets to Fossil Rim?
No. You cannot bring your pets. Definitely leave them behind for this one.
When is the best time to visit Fossil Rim?
We like getting there right when it opens on a school day. You miss the crowds this way. And by getting there early, the animals are still interested in food, although we’ve been there later in the afternoon and still had plenty of critters to feed. And like I menioned earlier, I like going on a (lightly) rainy day! It can get crowded on the weekends and there will be a long line of cars.
What else is there to do in Glen Rose?
Glen Rose is a cute little town – with a lot of outdoorsy activities. You can see all of the fun things to do in Glen Rose here – but a few favorites are visiting Dinsaur Valley State Park (depending on the time of year, you can stand in dino tracks!) and Dinosaur World. We also like to eat at the Storiebook Cafe – just check their hours before you go as they’re not always open.
Let me know if you have any questions. And if you have useful tips, please add them in the comments below!
