Glen Rose sits at the edge of the Texas Hill Country where the Cross Timbers region meets the limestone formations of the Edwards Plateau. The area features a moderate elevation of approximately 700 feet above sea level with limestone bedrock exposed in multiple riverbeds. Temperatures regularly exceed 95°F in summer months, making river access critical for camping comfort. Water levels fluctuate dramatically between seasons, affecting both recreation options and access to certain camping areas.
What to do
Hiking trail challenges: At Meridian State Park Campground, trails range from easy walks to more demanding routes. The park offers "a wide variety of hiking trails surrounding the lake. Each trail is very much its own with different scenery, rock formations, and trees," with the longest being about 2 miles, making them "perfect for families and kids."
Mountain biking: Cleburne State Park features trail systems specifically designed for mountain bikers of various skill levels. The park is "actually popular with mountain bikers, and is worth even just doing a day trip to hit the trails of various difficulty levels," notes one visitor who appreciates the different challenge levels available.
Riverfront relaxation: The Paluxy River access points provide calm spots for wading and fossil hunting. At Dinosaur Valley RV Park, "river access [is available] right in the park" where guests enjoy "hanging out in the water. Shallow with shelves to sit on...Gentle flow - enough to be clean and refreshing but not too rough."
What campers like
Secluded sites: Cleburne State Park Campground offers campsites with more privacy than many other area options. One camper described their experience: "Our campsite was wooded and overlooked the lake. We were able to fish, hike, and kayak. We got two large tents at our campsite and had plenty of room. The trees were also perfect for hanging out hammocks."
Convenient access: Oakdale RV Resort & Motorcoach provides easy access to town amenities while maintaining a camp atmosphere. It's "right across the street from Big Rock Park and a close drive to Dinosaur State Park" while offering on-site features like "a huge pool with lifeguards and a big playground with updated equipment."
Water features: Many campers seek out spots with good swimming access during hot weather. The "Blue Hole swimming area" gets special mention from campers, and others note that Meridian State Park Lake is "very calm and perfect for paddling around" with "great fishing dock, great facilities, excellent place for kids!"
What you should know
Seasonal challenges: Summer heat requires planning for water access. "When there's been plenty of rain there are lots of places to swim, but during drought, the river is very low and makes it hard to view some of the tracks."
River crossing requirements: Accessing primitive sites at Dinosaur Valley State Park Campground often requires fording the river. "Most of the trails, and primitive camp sites, are accessed by fording the river. This can be impossible depending on recent rain," explains one camper who recommends checking conditions before arrival.
Reservation priorities: For primitive camping areas with river crossings, verify availability based on recent conditions. "If you go hiking, take a map and of course extra water. My map came in handy a couple of times as I was hiking as the actual trails led me off track a few times," advises one camper who stayed in the primitive camping area.
Tips for camping with families
Educational opportunities: Dinosaur Valley RV Park offers unique access to paleontological sites. "They have river access and state park access from the RV park! Dinosaur World, a very cool attraction, is also across the street. My kids really loved their barnyard with goats, a donkey, a horse and a pony!"
Swimming facilities: Facilities with controlled swimming areas provide safer alternatives to river swimming. Dinosaur Valley RV Park features "separate adult and kids pools + a pretty good playground with great umbrellas for shade at the kids pool, plus a nice little water feature that the kids loved."
Shade importance: During summer months, tree cover significantly impacts comfort. At Oakdale RV Resort, the "expansive pool" area includes shade structures to protect children from direct sun exposure, which becomes critical when temperatures exceed 90°F.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: At De Cordova Bend, timing makes a difference in campsite quality. One local advises that "off season is best as July and August are typically overful... Lots of sun and just a little shade, arrive early for a treed spot or bring shade awnings."
Access considerations: Midway Pines RV Park provides easy highway access for larger rigs. A camper noted they "gave us a fantastic pull-through spot with full hookups (30 and 50 amp) for a price that was the best we have ever seen. The trees really do make this environment feel mountainous."
Campsite privacy: Site spacing varies significantly between parks. At Dinosaur Valley RV Park, sites are "pull thru (approx 80') with a lot of space between spaces," which provides more privacy than typical commercial RV parks in the region.
