safari tour glen rose tx

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Fossil Rim Wildlife Center

Fossil Rim is a 1,800-acre wildlife preserve that is home to 1,100 rare and endangered animals that roam free in natural habitats. Started in the 1970s as a collection of exotic animals, Fossil Rim's focus has evolved into a mission for conservation of endangered animals, some on the brink of extinction. Primary importance is placed on the protection and proliferation of these fragile species; their successful breeding programs mean it's not unusual to see baby animals throughout the preserve.

Most visitors to Fossil Rim come for the scenic safari park tour, a 9.5-mile drive through hills, forests, and grassy plains. From the comfort of your car, you may see as many as 50 species of exotic animals, including cheetahs, wolves, giraffes, rhinos, antelopes, zebras, emus, and ostriches. Roll down your window and you may just get a visit from a giraffe or zebra asking for a snack. Halfway through the drive, take a break at The Overlook Café for delicious food surrounded by spectacular vistas. Visit the Children's Animal Center petting zoo, then browse the Nature Store for unique souvenirs and gifts.

Spend a day or two at Fossil Rim to experience an authentic wildlife safari in Texas. You'll come away with a deeper appreciation of the animals we share the planet with, as well a greater understanding of the importance of protecting and preserving them.

Before visiting, be sure to check our website for current pricing and current hours of operation.

Fossil Rim Wildlife Center Hours and Ticket Prices

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Fossil Rim Wildlife Center - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

• Sun - Sat 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
• (4.91 mi) Country Woods Inn
• (4.46 mi) Inn OnThe River
• (5.61 mi) Best Western Dinosaur Valley Inn & Suites
• (1.37 mi) The Lodge at Fossil Rim
• (7.13 mi) Rough Creek Lodge
• (4.74 mi) Storiebook Cafe
• (1.32 mi) The Overlook Cafe at Fossil Rim
• (4.70 mi) Loco Coyote Grill
• (5.42 mi) Hammond's B B Q
• (4.57 mi) Shoo-Fly Soda Shop
• (4.76 mi) Dinosaur Valley State Park
• (5.05 mi) Big Rocks Park
• (6.28 mi) The Promise in Glen Rose
• (4.28 mi) Dinosaur World
• (4.84 mi) Eagle Eye Ranch Carriage Company

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Fossil Rim: A Safari in the Southwest at Glen Rose, Texas

Posted on October 27, 2018 June 18, 2020 Author Priya 6 Comments

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Fossil Rim located in Glen Rose, Texas is just 2 hours drive from Dallas. Fossil Rim wildlife center is home to giraffe, ostrich, zebra, rhino, kudu, cheetah, addax, and other exotic residents.  It is one of the best drive through zoos and wildlife preserve in the US – a great safari experience right here in Texas! On this 9½ mile Scenic Drive  you can feed the animals from your car window. Or you take one of their Guided Tours. 

Kids love feeding the animals with the feed that you can buy at the entrance .  We have a giraffe fan in our family, he grew up with Jeffery the Giraffe by his bed and frequent visits to Toys-r-us to catch a glimpse of Geoffrey in action there.  If you are not from the US and don’t know who Geoffrey is, check him out here .

WHAT IS IN THIS POST

A Safari in Glen Rose Texas at Fossil Rim

Once you buy the tickets at the entrance at Fossil Rim in Glen Rose and start your driving on the loop around the park you will see all the animals out and about in action. We saw rhinos sloshing around, ostrich having a race with each other, kudus nibbling on the grass.  We even had some come to the car anxiously looking for food while others with bellies full from previous encounters with park visitors didn’t care for more of the feed. We had a giraffe with a droopy tongue following us around for a while! We even had a staring contest with a zebra !!

Fossil Rim has a couple of lodging options – A rustic ranch house lodge and Safari Tents . Foothills Safari Camp are tents that are made to look like safari tents in Africa. A two-acre fenced enclosure overlooking one of Fossil Rim’s most popular wildlife watering holes, where an ever-changing variety of animals, from elegant sand hill cranes to families of waterbuck, can be viewed.

We did the Fossil Rim Safari as a day trip from Dallas, staying at the Foothills Safari Camp is on our bucket list! It would be a wonderful experience to see how the kids do before planning a big Safari trip to Africa.

Dinosaur Valley State Park

Not too far from Fossil Rim is a special Texas State Park!  At the Dinosaur Valley State Park you can trace the footprints left by dinosaurs in the bed of the Paluxy River in what is believed to be the edge of an ancient ocean million of years ago.  The foot print areas are roped off for people to view and to preserve them. You can see more details about the Texas State Park here .

Additional Information for visiting Fossil Rim in Glen Rose, TX

Fossil Rim Wildlife Center works to aid in the conservation of animal species under the threat of extinction in the wild. Fossil Rim use these three key strategies to help fulfill their mission – conservation breeding, research and education. Fossil Rim’s large and open spaces provide the ideal situation for successful conservation breeding programs of some of the species that are in peril. They have also been successful in breeding cheetahs, Attwater’s prairie chickens, black rhinos, white rhinos, Grevy’s zebras and several wolf species .  While some animals born in Fossil Rim are reintroduced to the wild, some animals leave the safari park to populate zoos or other conservation centers in the US and abroad.

Fossil Rim is located one hour southwest of Fort Worth and two hours from Dallas via US 67. Approximately three miles west of Glen Rose, turn left onto County Road 2008. In addition to the regular scenic drive, you can also offer other fun programs like the Discovery After Dark, Sunset Safari and dinner, Feed Run, Behind the scenes tour etc.  The feed is about $8 per car.

Weekday Admission prices: Adults: $20.95 per person Child (3-11): $14.95 per person 2 and Under: FREE per person Weekend Admission price Adults: $24.95 per person Child (3-11): $18.95 per person 2 and Under: FREE per person

Where to stay in Glen Rose, TX

While we visited Fossil Rim as a day trip from Dallas, you can easily spend a weekend basing yourself in Glen Rose, TX.  Glen Rose is also home to some excellent golf courses, good bluegrass music, and Dinosaur Valley State Park where you can hike and bike on scenic trails and see the dinosaur footprints.

Located in a peaceful corner of the Fossil Rim park with incredible views, The Lodge has spacious rooms and the stay includes hot breakfast and a scenic wildlife drive. Exclusively available to the Lodge and Foothills Safari Camp overnight guests, there is also the option to experience a Morning Safari Tour or a Behind-the-Scenes Morning Safari Tour – both at a discount from standard rates. The guests are picked up right after breakfast, so there is no need to drive anywhere and will be dropped back off at their automobiles. Staying inside the park gives you a preview of what an African Safari might be like.

Inn on the River is another option, a meticulously restored Inn that offers nice dining, personalized service for family and romantic getaways in Glen Rose, TX.

The foothills Safari Camp is perfect for two people who want to experience an overnight stay at the Park.  For families, you would need to rent more than one Camp.

I hope you plan a Fossil Rim to enjoy a safari experience at this drive-through zoo and wildlife preserve in Texas.

You might also like: Other Day trips from Dallas

If you want some safari inspiration, see a safari in florida , what to pack for a family safari , photos from the  masai mara great migration , soaring about the savannah in a hot air balloon safari in serengeti  and 6 things to do in nairobi and other posts from africa ..

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6 thoughts on “Fossil Rim: A Safari in the Southwest at Glen Rose, Texas”

Wow, looks like such an amazing time!

This looks like a lot of fun. I have seen these in a few states and would love to try. Love the fact that your kid loved Geoffrey too!

This is so fun! We have one here in Nebraska with less exotic but equally interesting animals. I love being able to get so close!!

That is so cool! How fun!

When I was in South Africa I was able to do a safari and it was a great experience! Very cool and educational! I had no idea these existed in the USA but this looks like a blast thanks for sharing!

How fun – we want to go visit South Africa someday, till then it is visits to the Fossil rim to satiate our safari dreams.

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• For general information call: (254) 897-3081

Fossil Rim Wildlife Center

Fossil rim wildlife center, fossil rim wildlife center .

ABOUT THE FACILITY

Fossil Rim Wildlife Center is one of the world’s foremost wildlife conservation facilities, but it also provides guests an opportunity to experience some sights and sounds of an African safari right here in Texas. 

Upon 1,800 acres with a landscape reminiscent of the Texas Hill Country, Fossil Rim is home to approximately 1,100 animals spanning four dozen species. Visitors have the choice to feed the four-legged residents as they travel along a 7.2-mile drive in their own car or have the animal encounters on a guided tour vehicle. 

Fossil Rim also offers in-person or virtual education programs, plus a stop along the wildlife drive includes a café and gift store. 

HELPING ENDANGERED SPECIES

Fossil Rim’s mission statement is multifaceted, but the first objective is “conservation of species in peril.” It was the first-ever “nontraditional zoo” to be accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums in 1986. 

Current endangered species at Fossil Rim include:

*Addax antelope

*American red wolf

*Attwater’s prairie chicken

*Dama gazelle

*Grevy’s zebra

*Japanese red-crowned crane

*Mexican gray wolf 

*Mountain bongo antelope

*Nile lechwe antelope

*Przewalski’s horse

*Scimitar-horned oryx antelope

*Southern black rhino 

2299 County Road 2008

Glen Rose, TX 76043

Phone: (254) 897-2960

Website: https://fossilrim.org/

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Fossil Rim Wildlife Center

• 2299 County Road 2008
• Glen Rose, TX 76043
• Phone: (254) 897-2960
• View Website

The first facility of its kind to have been accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), Fossil Rim Wildlife Center offers guests a chance to see a variety of endangered species as they drive through live oak thickets, limestone outcroppings, and sweeping juniper. HOURS of Operation: 8:30a- 4:30p. The last vehicle must be out by 6:30p. Rain or shine. TICKETS - Tickets must be purchased in advance. PUBLIC GUIDED TOUR Ride in one of our vehicles on a guided Safari Tour. You will be with other groups of people. SELF-GUIDED DRIVE Take your vehicle on the Gosdin Scenic Drive. PRIVATE GUIDED TOUR Ride in one of our vehicles on a single-group, guided Safari Tour. BEHIND-THE-SCENES GUIDED TOURS Ride in one of our vehicles on a special guided tour that includes access to areas not available on our regular tours. TWILIGHT T.W.A.N.G. Take a guided trip through our park as the sun sets to learn about nature after dark. End the night around a campfire while indulging in a sweet treat!

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Texas Kids Adventures

Fossil Rim Wildlife Center

Glen rose, texas.

If your explorer wants their own wild animal adventure, spend the day at Fossil Rim Wildlife Center with free-roaming animal tours and cabins sleeping near the wild animals. Fossil Rim is located in Glen Rose at the edge of the Texas Hill Country with breath-taking panoramic views on 1,800 acres. This wildlife refuge has over 1,100 animals, including more than 50 species of native and non-native animals, and focuses on conservation and education.

Fossil Rim has different options for viewing animals, including driving your own vehicle or taking a tour through the wildlife refuge. Discounts include weekday and senior citizen pricing discounts, and children 2 and under are free. If you want to feed the animals from your car, you can purchase a bag of animal feed for $7 (limit one per vehicle). No reservations are needed to drive through Fossil Rim in your own car, however guided tours and lodging will need advance reservations.

For a kid-friendly guided tour at Fossil Rim, jump in a safari truck to discover animals roaming wild in a natural habitat. Choose between the Safari Tour, the Crack O Dawn Tour (same as the Safari Tour just earlier and 25% cheaper), or the Behind the Scenes Tour. Kids 2 and under are free, and ADA-accessible vehicles are available by calling in advance. All ages are welcome on the Safari Tour and Crack O Dawn Tour, however the Behind The Scenes Tours are restricted to ages 7 and older and closed-toed shoes are required. The Behind the Scenes Tour views animals not visible to most visitors on the paved roads such as wolves and black rhinos.

Located halfway through the Gosdin Scenic Drive, you will find a scenic Overlook, Children’s Animal Center, Overlook Café, Nature Store and restrooms.   The  Overlook Cafe  serves up yummy food and drinks, including fresh salads, burgers, sandwiches, hot dogs, chicken strips, corn dog nuggets and more.  Gluten free and vegetarian options available.   The Nature Store is large with many kid-friendly items.   

The Children’s Animal Center allows visitors a hands-on experience to pet and brush the goats, listen to the cockatoos talk, view tortoises, pot-bellied pigs, red wolves, black-footed cats, and Attwater’s prairie chickens. 

Spend the night at the Lodge at Fossil Rim or the Foothills Safari Cabins. Enjoy a bunkhouse breakfast while watching the addax, sable antelope, gemsbok, waterbuck, and deer graze.

Know Before You Go

No pets allowed on Fossil Rim property. Check website in case of closure due to inclement weather. Summer, weekends and school breaks will have longer lines. Arrive early to avoid lines and view the animals before mid-day naps.

Special needs:

ADA-accessible vehicles available for guided tours, call in advance to reserve.

Weekday rates and more discounts listed  here.

How to get there:

Fossil Rim Wildlife Center 2299 County Road 2008 Glen Rose, TX 76043 (254)897-2960 www.fossilrim.org

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Fossil rim wildlife center: supporting endangered species preservation and survival in the heart of texas.

One of the world’s foremost animal conservation sites, Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, located in Glen Rose, Texas, provides an opportunity for visitors to experience a Texas-sized taste of Africa. Encompassing seventeen hundred acres, and home to more than one thousand animals, Fossil Rim cares for approximately fifty different species which visitors can see via drive-thru tour of the park. Another option for getting up close and personal with the animals is to or spend the night in a tented cabin on-site and take the morning safari guided tour in open-air vehicles!

Photo: Facebook/Fossil Rim Wildlife Center

Enjoy animals you would normally only see at a distance from the comfort of your own vehicle. Supplement this experience with behind the scenes tours as well as educational opportunities. While Fossil Rim Wildlife Center provides this unique African-like safari experience to visitors, its main objective is to assist in the preservation of endangered species – the first facility of its kind to be accredited by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association.

The concept for Fossil Rim began when businessman Tom Mantzel of Fort Worth bought an exotic game ranch in 1974. With a growing personal concern for the loss of world habitats and specific species extinction, Mantzel chose to experiment with a captive breeding program on the ranch. By 1982, the property had partnered with the American Zoo & Aquarium Association in an effort to help repopulate Grevy’s zebras becoming the first ranch to partner in a species survival plan. Due to the success of this work, the ranch coordinated efforts with the U.S. government to allow the importation of cheetahs from South Africa, and this program evolved into Fossil Rim’s greatest propagation success story, with over one hundred and fifty cheetahs being born to date at the property.

Fossil Rim Wildlife Center opened to the public in 1984, featuring self-guided driving tours that followed a nine-mile path through its forested Texas hillsides. Now, from the comfort and safety of your own vehicle, you too, can hand-feed many of the species on-site. In an ever-shrinking world, Fossil Rim is an enjoyable rare Texas travel experience that can make you feel like you’re thousands of miles away, yet you can be confident knowing you’re still deep in the heart of Texas.

Glen Rose, Texas

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Fossil Rim Wildlife Center

• 2155 County Road 2008
• Glen Rose, TX 76043
• Region: Regional (DFW/Texas area)
• Phone: (254) 898-4204
• Visit Website
• Social Media

Fossil Rim Wildlife Center is where Africa comes to Texas. The 1,800-acre preserve holds a 9.5 mile scenic drive where you can interact with over 1,100 rare and endangered animals roaming free in their herds. Stay in your car, reserve your spot on a guided tour, or even spend a night at Safari Camp or Lodge to see over 50 different species of wild animals including cheetahs, wolves, giraffes, rhinos and more.

Property Details

• # of Sleeping Rooms: 12
• # of Kings: 3
• # of Doubles: 12
• # of Suites: 1
• # of Guest Floors: 3
• Hours of Operation: 8:30am-4:29pm (Note: the last car will be admitted at 4:29pm and all visitors must exit by 6:30pm)

Facility Info

• Accommodations
• Fossil Rim Wildlife Center
• Lake Granbury

General Info

What to expect, hours and prices.

• Hours of operation: 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
• Cafe and grill: 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM (grill closes at 5:00 PM)
• Nature Store: 9:30 AM - 5:30 PM
• Children's Animal Center: Currently closed
• The park closes at 6:30 PM
• Visitors must exit by 6:30 PM
• No cars are admitted after 4:30 PM
• Adults: $24.95 per person
• Children (3-11): $19.95 per person
• Children (2 and under): free

• Tickets & Hours
• Children’s Animal Center
• The Overlook Cafe
• Nature Store
• Conservation
• Careers & Internships

Ask Away...We're All Ears!

About your visit, what are your hours.

We are open every day at 8:30 a.m., last vehicle in by 4:30 p.m., and last vehicle out by 6:30 p.m.

Is Fossil Rim open everyday?

Fossil Rim is open year-round, rain or shine, everyday EXCEPT Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

When is the best time of day to visit?

Typically, we recommend coming in the morning for the best chance to view our animals. This being said, the weather is a big factor in what animals are out and about, so keep in mind that chilly mornings or hot afternoons may affect your ability to see certain species. No matter what time of day you visit, you will get to see animals, but you're never guaranteed to see all of them.

How long does it typically take to drive through the park?

It takes approximately two hours. The busier we are that day, the longer it will take. You can get out of your vehicle roughly halfway through at the Overlook to stretch and use the restroom. The paved route has two lanes and you can pull over on the right side whenever you want to stop at watch certain animals for a while.

Do guests pay by car or by person?

We are still charging per person. That means admission for the 7.2-mile Gosdin Scenic Drive is $29.95 for guests age 12 and up, $24.95 for guests age 3-11, and guests below age three will be free. Note: No Refunds.

How can I purchase an admission ticket?

To gain admission to Fossil Rim, you must purchase tickets in advance online. Go to fossilrim.org and click the TICKETS button at the top. All guests will need to select the day of their visit and a window of time in which they will arrive. The eight time windows are: 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. / 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. / 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. / 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. / 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. / 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. / 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. 

Where do I get animal feed?

Guests who booked a self-guided drive will receive one free cone of feed per 5 people at our check-in station when their ticket is scanned. On a guided tour, each guest will be given one free cup of feed by their Environmental Engagement Guide. Extra feed cannot be purchased. 

Do you accept cash payments for admission?

Cash payments can be processed at our Admissions Building, but we highly encourage buying tickets online to reserve a time slot for your visit. We cannot guarantee tickets will be available if you choose to wait until arrival for purchase.

Why am I asked to select my time of arrival?

We are trying to prevent long lines of vehicles and lines at the restrooms, so we are spreading out the visitors over the course of each day.

What if I don't arrive on time?

Most late arrivals can be accommodated for self-guided drives. Guided tours require guests to arrive on time. If you have pre-purchased your ticket, please call 254-897-2960 or email [email protected]. 

What kinds of vehicles can enter the park?

Fossil Rim has a limit on vehicle lengths, including buses and RVs. If you are unsure, please contact us before your visit to see if your vehicle is compliant.

 Jeeps must have solid doors, though tops are not required. Convertibles and other topless vehicles are allowed. 

Guests may ride in a truck bed as long as at least one adult is included and all guests can fit in the cab if needed.

Trailers are not allowed in the park. Please email [email protected] for information on leaving your trailer in our parking lot. 

Are pets allowed?

No pets are allowed in the park under any circumstance. Pets also cannot be left in another vehicle while you complete your drive. If you have an ADA-compliant service animal, please contact us before your visit so that we can ensure your visit goes smoothly. 

About the animals

Why aren't the giraffes out.

During cold temperatures, inclement weather, or when the ground is too wet, our giraffes will be kept in their yard. If they are in the yard they will still be viewable, but cannot be fed. Occasionally, freezing weather may require them to be kept in the barn off view. This is done for the safety of our animals, and we apologize for any inconvenience. 

Will I be able to see all of the animals in the species ID guide?

We cannot guarantee that you will see them all. The animals are free to roam across their pastures as they please. Keep in mind that when temperatures drop below 50 degrees, both the giraffes and rhinos could be put up in their barns for their own protection. The Jim Jackson Intensive Management Area (IMA) is only visited on the Behind-The-Scenes Tour.

Why can't I touch the animals?

All of the animals you will see on your drive are wild. They are not used to human touch and doing so can be dangerous to both you and the animal. Our staff goes through years of training in order to interact with any species. 

Where do your animals come from?

There are three types of animals at Fossil Rim: those who were born here, native species that choose to live here, and those that come from other vetted zoological facilities or our partner institutions. 

Can I donate an animal?

Fossil Rim is not a wildlife rehabilitation facility and we do not accept animal donations of any kind. Please contact your local game warden, extension agent, or veterinarian for information on caring for any rescued or injured animals, as well as animals in need of rehoming. 

Other Common Questions

Are education programs available.

Yes, visit our LEARN page to see what programs are offered through our Environmental Engagement department.

What is your PPE (mask) policy?

No mask are required at this time.

Do you offer Veteran or Elderly Discounts?

Fossil Rim does not offer discounts of any kind at this time. 

Do you host parties?

Fossil Rim does not offer specific party packages, but if you are interested in hosting an event here please email [email protected].

Do I need a ticket to visit the Overlook?

No ticket is required to visit the Overlook. 

Can I book an overnight at Fossil Rim?

Our lodge is now reopened, and has been newly renovated as of September 1, 2023. Learn more on our lodging page .  

Are Drones Allowed?

While handheld personal filming and photography equipment is allowed, drones are prohibited in the park.