Big Rocks Park — Attraction in Glen Rose

This is a truly beautiful place. The “big rocks” are ginormous and a sight to behold! There is shallow water (at least when we went mid May 2022) to splash in. However, just looking at photos we were very ill prepared for our visit. So here’s some helpful notes for my next trip and hopefully yours.

When you look at the photos it appears to have ample sand area, this could not be further from the truth. It’s all rock. If you have sensitive feet, make sure you have proper foot wear. No need to take sand toys because there is no sand.

There is also no shade. Bring hats or a canopy to put in the grassy area. Lots of sunscreen because there’s no refuge from the sun if you are in the water.

Once you are in the water, it is very shallow and slippery. There are lots of crevices in the rocks as well so be careful where you step.

Bring camp chairs because other than in the water or on rocks there is no place to sit.

The kids had “fun” but I was miserable. I forgot my water shoes back at the B&B and didn’t want to get my only other pair of shoes I brought in our trip wet and soggy. I wanted to make our visit longer, but like I said, I was very unprepared so it was a fairly short visit this time around.

When I was a child my family took a trip to Glen Rose and my most vivid memories are from this park. The rocks and playing in the water with my sister and cousin. I remember it being one of the...

Not being from the area and arriving after 5pm mid-week, I immediately recognized the river/dam as i passed it, but the parking lot was easy to miss for me. The entrance is right off the main road, sitting close to other fun looking local businesses with a similar large, open, gravel parking lot. Due to our later arrival the empty lots ran together and I missed the turn. **The parking lot itself is slightly sloped and quite bumpy!! It's primarily made up of dirt and embedded stones rather than loose gravel, giving a more cobblestone feeling. It was fairly level aside from a few small holes and dips from normal traffic wear. My small vehicle got in and out with no problem but do be sure to drive slowly and keep eyes on the road, especially if in a car low to the ground. The park seemed smaller than I expected but still a beautiful area! There were some bits of litter here and there that were likely carried off by the wind and got trapped between the rocks, but the park was generally clean. The surrounding nature looked nice and healthy, water was clear and clean. Fish, deer, birds/cranes, along with other little critters were out and about. It was so beautiful and relaxing, we're excited to go back and stay...

We have never seen anything quite like Big Rocks Park! Like lots of other reviewers, the rocks are SO cool!! Be careful in the warmer months...snakes. The water level was really low when we visited, so that made the water a bit brackish, but it was a great place for the kids in our group. The water was shallow enough that the parents felt comfortable letting the kids explore together.

Important things to note: There is not a lot except for the river and the rocks there. No picnic tables, benches, nothing. You will DEFINITELY want to bring some kind of shade (canopy, umbrella, etc) because there is NO shade. HIGHLY recommend water shoes! It is so rocky everywhere, I cannot imagine having a good time without proper footwear. Camp chairs! Sunscreen! Wear old bathing suits/clothes because you're going to probably get a little dirty. Our kids slid down the dam on their bottoms (so fun) and a couple of the boys got holes in their shorts.

Overall, definitely a cool place to visit. I'd like to go again when the water level is a little higher. We spent a few hours here and then popped over to Dinosaur Valley State Park for a couple hours....