Fossil Rim Wildlife Center-Animal Discoveries

Fossil Rim Wildlife Center in Glen Rose is a 1,800-acre open-range wildlife preserve about 90 minutes southwest of Dallas, and it's one of the most genuinely thrilling family experiences in all of Texas. The core concept: you drive your own car through a 9-mile winding road through native Texas Hill Country terrain, and the animals roam freely and approach your vehicle directly.

This is not a zoo where animals are behind glass and fences. This is a drive-through preserve where a giraffe will stick its entire head through your car window and take food from your child's hand. Where a herd of zebras surrounds your car.

Where rhinos lumber past close enough to touch (though you're strongly encouraged not to). The experience is visceral, immediate, and unlike anything you can find closer to the Dallas metroplex.

Fossil Rim operates as a conservation center — many of the 1,100+ animals across 50+ species are threatened or endangered, and the preserve actively participates in breeding and reintroduction programs for species like cheetahs, black rhinos, and Mexican gray wolves. For families who want their kids to understand wildlife conservation in a tangible way, the Animal Discoveries program provides context and education that complements the drive-through.

Buy the animal feed bags at the entrance gate — they're inexpensive and they transform the experience. When a giraffe leans its head into your back seat and delicately takes food from your toddler's hand, reactions range from delighted screaming to stunned silence. Either way, it's unforgettable.

Practical notes: the drive takes 2–3 hours at a leisurely pace. Pack food and drinks for the car — you can eat while you drive, which is completely normal here. Book special encounters (cheetah viewing, behind-the-scenes tours) in advance as they fill up. Midweek spring and fall visits avoid the biggest crowds.