Read all the information below
Each participant must complete an RSVP
Dallas Group, Lonestar Chapter
Fall Campout at
Dinosaur Valley State Park
Fri – Sun, October 16-18, 2026
Trip Leader: Alana Platt (alana.e.platt@gmail.com)
Photo credit: Jim Holland
Journey back in time with us as we roam like the dinosaurs along trails at this historic state park only 90 minutes southwest of Dallas. We have reserved the large group campsite just down a path from your car and have optional hikes of various lengths planned for Saturday. Read this complete trip description, complete your reservation and get ready for a weekend of fun!
Overview: This treasured National Natural Landmark lies along the Paluxy River, just ten minutes west of Glen Rose, TX (about 1 ½ hours southwest of Dallas). The park features not only scenic hiking trails but prehistoric dinosaur footprints in the riverbed. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department website features more park information, pictures and trail descriptions https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/dinosaur-valley
The plan: Arrive at our campsite Friday after 3pm and before 9pm. After breakfast Saturday we'll help anyone wanting to practice packing your backpack, then everyone can choose to join Outings Leaders on optional hikes of various lengths. The rest of Saturday afternoon participants may enjoy other trails or park activities on their own. We’ll gather Saturday night for dinner and enjoy an evening chat about fun camp and trail food options, ideas, and recipes. The trail fairies may even have a surprise dessert for everyone! Games to play in camp are welcome!
Transportation / Arrival: Drive yourself or ride share. Sierra Club policy prohibits leaders from assigning or arranging car pools. Shortly before the trip we will happily provide information about who’s willing to drive and who’s looking for a ride so you can coordinate shared rides. Arrange cost-sharing for your car group before the trip. Our campsite will be available after 3PM on Friday and the outing begins when the trip leaders arrive at the campsite mid-afternoon on Friday. Transportation, any activities you do at the park before or after our outing or away from a group led by Sierra Club leaders are on your own, at your own risk, and not part of the Sierra Club outing.
Directions: The park is about 85 miles southwest of Dallas and 10 minutes west of Glen Rose, TX, off US 67. The address is 1629 Park Rd 9, Glen Rose, TX.
End of outing: The organized outing ends after breakfast Sunday morning. All participants are welcome to stay in the park longer on Sunday (on your own) to enjoy the park or visit other area attractions.
What to bring: This outing involves tent camping and optional hiking. A day pack will suffice for hiking, although it’s a perfect place to carry a full pack if you want practice for a future backpacking trip. Each person is responsible for bringing his or her own equipment and food. We offer gear guidelines here, but you’re encouraged to contact the trip leader with any questions as you prepare for the outing. Bring a tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad for comfort, containerized fuel and stove (do not plan on individual campfire since burn conditions are uncertain), cookware, water containers for use while hiking and to carry water from nearby faucet, strong whistle, headlamp or flashlight, toilet paper/kit for hike, garbage bag, and your personal first-aid and health items. Bring layers of clothing. Normal temperatures average in the 70s during the day and 50s during the night, but record extremes vary by about fifteen degrees. Rain is always possible, so bring rain gear. Don’t forget a hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, bug spray and a towel if you plan to get wet. Swimming is not part of the Sierra Club outing. The trails are rocky and can be slippery. We recommend you wear hiking boots, hiking shoes or sneakers for on trail. Flip flops, slip-ons, sandals or flat shoes are not suitable for park trails but are fine while you’re in camp.
NOTE: Most hikes involve walking across the river and water levels vary throughout the year. Bring water shoes and a towel for the hike. A trip leader will update everyone on trail conditions shortly before the outing.
Bring meals and snacks for the entire time you’ll be in camp and Saturday lunch on the trail. Plan to cook on your stove since campfires may not be allowed. Keep in mind we’ll have limited/shared table space for cooking. Participants are expected to clean up after themselves, keeping the campsite clean and following Leave No Trace outdoor ethics at all times. PLAN AHEAD – grocery stores are miles away.
Bathrooms and water – bathrooms and spigots with potable water are a short walk from our campsite.
A word of caution - Like any outdoor venue, the Park has various creepy crawlers. Participants should always stay alert and aware of their surroundings and keep tent doors zipped. Don’t leave shoes or other items on the ground unattended.
Yes, a few rules and expectations for all outings: PETS, SMOKING, MUSIC PLAYERS, AND FIREARMS ARE NOT ALLOWED, for safety and in consideration of others. Leave the batteries at home and enjoy nature! Public consumption of alcohol is illegal in state parks. Participants are expected to be respectful of others and adhere to park quiet hours. If you must make/take a call, please do it out of the range of others. No earbuds while hiking with our group – we want you to be in tune with your surroundings and others in our group. Leave No Trace ethics (low-impact wilderness ethics) are expected of all participants.
Experience and Conditioning: Participants in normal good health will enjoy hiking any of the trails, provided they bring appropriate footwear, clothing and skin protection. If uncertain about preparedness, discuss your personal situation with the trip leader before signing up. The trip leaders reserve the right to determine whether a hike is suitable for a prospective participant, based on equipment, general health or other factors.
Medical/common hiking safety tips for all outings: Trip leaders have first aid training but are not medical professionals. Participants are responsible for bringing their own personal first aid supplies and a basic knowledge of how to deal with emergencies. Medical information you provide may be shared with medical professionals who treat you in the event of injury or sickness. Inform leaders if you have a medical condition such as controlled diabetes, heart problems or allergic reactions that could require special treatment in an emergency. Carry necessary medications on your person and let the leader know where you store them. If you’re extremely allergic to bee stings, poison ivy or anything else that we may encounter, ask your doctor if you should be carrying an antidote kit. If you’re lost without your corrective lenses, bring a spare. We’ll be hiking in an area where rescue is time-consuming.
The trip leaders are in charge of the trip program and reserve the right to change the planned hikes due to group capabilities, weather or safety concerns. It’s important for group safety to follow the leaders’ directions. By failing to do so, you assume the risks and consequences that result. Participants who leave the led group against leader advice will be asked to sign out of the trip, and are no longer part of the outing. If you get lost, stop on a trail and wait to be found; don’t wander aimlessly. When day hiking, bring a strong whistle, jacket, rain gear, hat, water, food, map and compass, flashlight, first-aid kit, and matches.
COST: $20 per person (non-refundable), covers Friday and Saturday night campsite costs. Kids 12 and under are free but must have individual reservations and be accompanied and supervised by their parent or legal guardian at all times. Participants will pay their own park entrance fees ($8 pp age 13 and older for Fri-Sun, or free with state park pass). No separate day use park tickets are needed – it’s included in your reservation.
Any proceeds from the weekend will be used by the Dallas Sierra Club for future conservation, outing and other Club efforts, including training and first aid classes required for our outing leaders. The outing will go on rain or shine unless called off by the leader due to safety concerns.
PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED for EACH PARTICIPANT: Reservations will be accepted until Tue., October 13 or the trip fills, whichever occurs first. No “show-ups” or “walk-ons” may join the group. Space is limited. To make a reservation, each participant must:
- Read this complete trip description,
- Complete and sign both online registration forms, and
- Make their payment. Payment options are listed at the end of this write-up.
Youth: Parents or legal guardians must complete separate trip forms for each minor child. Kids age 17 and younger must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian who will accompany and supervise them at all times during the weekend.
Please contact the Trip Leader if you do not receive an email confirming your reservation after a week of when it was completed. Be sure to notify us before the trip if your medical information or circumstances change after you make your reservation.
Questions? Please contact the Trip Leader: Alana Platt, alana.e.platt@gmail.com or 469-929-5116.
Cancellations: The trip cost is non-refundable but please notify us if you can’t make it so another eager camper may fill your spot.
CST 2087766-40. Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by the State of California. (California has a law called the California “Seller of Travel” Law. Since the Sierra Club is a California non-profit corporation, we are required to post this notice.).
Payment Options
To pay, you have three options:
1. PayPal: You can pay via the Dallas Sierra Club PayPal shopping cart. You do not need a PayPal account; any credit or debit card may be used. If paying for more than one person, adjust the quantity on the PayPal page: https://tinyurl.com/dsc-paypal-dino-valley-oct26
2. Zelle®: Send payment to pay@dallassierraclub.org using Zelle®. Please include your name and "DVSP Trip" in the notes.
3. Check or Money Order: Mail a check or money order to the address provided by the Dallas Sierra Club. Please contact the trip leader for mailing instructions.