Fossil Rim Wildlife Center...Why Bother??!!!

We have been to Fossil Rim Wildlife Center several times over the past few years.   It quite simply blows the whole Zoo experience out of the water!!  (all photos in this post are from our most recent trip to Fossil Rim...so hopefully you can get a true idea for the experience.)

Fossil Rim is a couple of hours South of  where I live .... so we drove a few hours (it's Located by Glen Rose, TX) ..to spend a few hours in the car driving through the wildlife center.  Some people ask, "WHY WOULD I DO THAT?...so here's a little

SHOW AND TELL

click on thumbnails of any picture to see a larger version

It is a fun up close and personal experience with the animals.

 

Jeff's having a little stare down here! Actually, he put food on the window ledge to get the animals to come up to his window so we could get cool shots like this!

The tour is very laid back. Because of  the very slow pace of the drive, kiddos are not restricted by car seats and seat belts.

When you first arrive..you pay for your tickets and pick up 1 bag of animal feed.   You are supposed to toss the feed out the window.  Many people (although not recommended) let the animals eat out of their hands.

It is quite entertaining to be cruising along...and have a Zebra sticks its head in your window!  Or..have a giraffe  bend down and eat from your hand.

  

(at one point the Zebra reached in and turned on our blinker!!)

 

(be sure to click on the thumbnails above...

my neice had a blast trying to get the giraffe to eat out of her hand!)

About 1/2 way through the tour...there is a LOOKOUT point...a place to go to the restroom, have a picnic or buy lunch.

And a great place for a group photo and of the beautiful scenery!!

There's a gift shop and a petting zoo as well. ( for those too timid to actually stick their hands out the window along the way.)    This is a great opportunity for kiddos to get out and run a little before you finish up the tour.


Fossil Rim is a great experience and in my opinion, a must see.   Today for instance..in our vehicle..the youngest was 6..the oldest..was over 40...and we all had a great time!

On Wednesdays, entry is discounted about $10 off.  You can also get a coupon if you have an Entertainment Book for a Free child's ticket with the purchase of an adult ticket.  It's a fun day trip..but if you're looking for a little more...you can stay overnight on sight or go camping really close by at Dinosaur Valley.    It's just a hop skip and jump from Fossil Rim.

And you can feed the Cheetahs!

Just kidding..the Cheetah's and Rhino's are in very large enclosed areas, but you are still able to see them up close yet safe from becoming their afternoon snack.  :)

Whether you like to just hop in the car and go or prefer to load up your car with picnic food and snacks, Fossil Rim is a great day trip.  Go on a whim or plan ahead...either way, you'll have a blast.  Don't be scared..you can always role up your window if the animals make you nervous or get too close for comfort.