Want to see dinosaurs in Texas Hill Country?
The Heritage Museum of the Texas Hill Country is one of the best things to do in Central Texas with kids.
Very few people know of this hidden gem, making the Dinosaur Museum Canyon Lake TX one of the best off the beaten path attractions in the Lone Star State.
Also Read: 14 Best Dinosaur Museums in Texas
This small museum has plenty of attractions including over 350 fossilized dinosaur footprints, Texas.
These are spread over 28 separate tracks, making it one of the top spots to see dinosaur tracks in Texas Hill Country.
The museum also has indigenous artifacts, vintage farm equipment, and a dino dig pit for kids.
The Heritage Museum Canyon Lake Texas is a great place to spend a couple of hours while learning about the dinosaurs that once lived in this part.
Also Read: 21 Most Interesting Museums to Visit in Texas
Where is the Heritage Museum of Texas Hill Country located?
The Heritage Museum of the Texas Hill Country is located in Canyon Lake, Texas.
Canyon Lake is located an hour away from San Antonio and can be easily visited in a day.
The area also makes an interesting day trip from the state capital and the attraction is a great option for dinosaur museum near Austin, TX.
The Dinosaur Museum and Canyon Lake also make a good day trip from Houston.
Also Read: 28 Best Things to do in the Texas Hill Country
Things to do at the Heritage Museum, Canyon Lake
There are several things to do at the Heritage Museum of the Texas Hill Country, one of the best dinosaur museums in Texas.
In this list, we have included most popular attractions including the tracks, bronze sculptures, pioneering exhibits, kids activities, and souvenirs at this little museum.
Also check out our the Heritage Museum of the Texas Hill Country photos to know more about what to expect on a visit.
Here are some of our favorite activities at the Canyon Lake museum.
Also Read: 29 Fun & Cool Things to do in Texas with Kids
See the Canyon Lake Dinosaur Tracks
Kids can see the fossilized dinosaur tracks at the Heritage Museum on a guided tour.
The guides are knowledgeable and friendly, and do an excellent job of narrating the geological past of the area.
The guides narrate how the Canyon Lake dinosaur tracks were first discovered.
They explain the types of dinosaurs that left each type of dinosaur track and its distinct features.
The dino tracks are covered by a shaded pavilion to stop their erosion due to the elements.
It is fascinating to see the footprints preserved in the limestone bed.
While the tracks at this historic site are not as numerous as those at Dinosaur Valley, they still are enough to make any dino lover’s day.
Visitors cannot touch these dino tracks, unlike Glen Rose.
However, you can see the tracks from various angles by taking the boardwalk trail which goes around the tracks.
The trail stairs also lead you to an observation deck overlooking the tracks from where you can enjoy fantastic bird’s eye views of the dinosaur footprints.
The tours start every 15 to 30 mins depending on the number of visitors.
Learn about the dinosaurs that made the tracks
The preserved dinosaur tracks are over 110 million years old and created during the early Cretaceous period.
At that time, this area of Texas was covered by a shallow sea.
Gradually, the algae covered mud flats of the Upper Glenrose formation began depositing due to the uplift.
The soft muddy flats were perfect for leaving behind deep footprints by the dinosaurs that lived in Central Texas.
The tracks left in the limestone are left by Acrocanthosaurus and Iguanodon.
Eventually these dinosaur footprints in Texas Hill Country hardened to stone due to the environmental factors and thus, were preserved for future generations as dinosaur flats!
See the murals
Visitors can see murals created by Hill Country school children on the top of the amphitheater at the Texas Heritage Museum.
It is amazing to see the interpretations of the children on how the dinosaurs looked and lived in vivid colors.
Nearby, you can also see a life-size replica of dinosaur leg bone at the Hill Country museum.
Hike the trail to see more tracks
A small trail leads from the boardwalk stairs to an outdoor area which contains even more dinosaur tracks.
Kids love seeing the tracks and getting up close to them – more close than other places that have dinosaur fossils in Texas!
Go on the adventurous Fossil Ridge Tour
This guided tour will take you up the mountainside and the guides will show fossils and tracks preserved in the ground.
You will also learn about unique rocks and geology of the area.
This dinosaur tracks Canyon Lake tour is perfect for older kids and teens who are interested in paleontology and geology.
Look at the historic artifacts inside the museum
In addition to learning about dinosaurs, the museum is also a great place to learn about the cultural history of Central Texas.
Inside the visitor center and store, you will see a variety of historic artifacts including objects made by indigenous people, old photographs, and fossils.
You can see items like arrowheads, projectile points, pottery, and tools made by the Native American tribes of the Hill Country area.
The arrowhead collections, especially, are pretty neat.
The museum also includes interesting information on the history of Canyon Lake dam.
See the giant dinosaur sculptures on the grounds
Need something more exciting than fossils of real dinosaurs in Texas?
On the museum grounds, kids can see a variety of giant dinosaur statues.
You can have a picnic near the dinosaurs in the Cretaceous Garden; the grounds have several picnic tables.
Dig for dinosaur bones
What is a dinosaur museum without a chance to be a budding paleontologist?!
The hill country dinosaur museum has a dinosaur dig pit for kids where they can search for replica dinosaur bones.
Kids have fun digging for a variety of buried treasures at the fossil digging area.
There are also some other interesting activities in the museum’s outdoor dinosaur park, Canyon Lake, TX.
See the pioneer farming equipment
The heritage museum grounds also have a variety of pioneer farming equipment on display.
The extensive display of antique farming tools is fantastic to see and a great way to imagine the life of early settlers in the area.
Buy souvenirs at the store
Inside the small museum store, you will find a variety of souvenirs including t-shirts, magnets, and more.
They make excellent gifts for any dino lover.
Leave a donation to preserve the tracks!
While this is one of the best dinosaur museums in Texas, the museum is very small and runs on a limited budget.
In spite of that, it does an excellent job of preserving the tracks and sharing them with visitors.
We recommend doing your part in preserving the legacy of the prehistoric beasts of Texas by leaving a generous donation.
Take a tour of the Canyon Lake Gorge to see even more fossils in Texas Hill Country
After visiting the Heritage Museum of the Texas Hill Country, you can explore the beautiful Canyon Lake area.
Check out the dam at Overlook Park and drive the Scenic River Road along the Guadalupe River.
For more dinosaur related fun, take the Canyon Lake Gorge tour while in the area!
Museum Hours and Fees
The Heritage Museum is open Wednesday – Sunday, from 12 pm to 4 pm.
The entry fees to the museum are very nominal.
As our reader Joan informed us, the most current prices are $7 per adult and $5 for kids 4-11. Kids 3 and under are free while Seniors/military/1st responders are charged $6. (Thanks, Joan!)
It takes about 2 to 3 hours to see the tracks, historic exhibits, and explore the museum.
If you are also going on the Fossil Ridge Tour, then we recommend keeping aside an entire day at the museum.
The Heritage Museum of Texas Hill Country is a fascinating place to visit with kids of all ages.
Even adults enjoy seeing the fossil tracks of the dinosaurs.
The museum also offers many educational programs and activities for kids.
We definitely recommend the Heritage Museum, Canyon Lake TX attraction for a fun and educational trip.
Did you like the Heritage Museum of the Texas Hill Country reviews? Let us know in the comments.
The admission prices have changed:
Adults $7
Seniors/military/1st responders $6
Kids 4-11 $5
Kids 3 and under free
@Joan, Thank you so much for informing us about the updated prices. Did you have a good time at the museum?