SPEND THE NIGHT WITH WILDLIFE AT FOSSIL RIM WILDLIFE CENTER IN GLEN ROSE, TEXAS
Did you know you could stay the night with the animals at Fossil Rim Wildlife Center?
Well, not technically, but this is the closest way to stay overnight and share the evenings and mornings with your favorite animals of Fossil Rim. There are two options for lodging at Fossil Rim: The Lodge and the Foothills Safari Cabins. I’ve had the opportunity to stay at both and they’re both such wonderful experiences. Guests can experience the comforts of home while surrounded by untarnished Texas hill country and unique animals, both native and exotic.
What it’s like to stay at the The Lodge
The Lodge is a unique blend of vintage Texas charm and updated conveniences. The perfect home base for a weekend of discovery and outdoor fun in Glen Rose. Built in the 1980s, by Fossil Rim’s original owner, Tom Mantzel, this historic home has been converted into a guest house for visitors from all over the world. There are four bedrooms in The Lodge for guests to rent or they can rent all four which is what our family did the last time we stayed.
In addition to the bedrooms this beautiful lodge offers a spacious Great Room, perfect for gathering. Enjoy one of several seating areas inside, either chatting with fellow guests or enjoying something on the TV. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer incredible, up-close views of the park without having to change out of your pajamas. The renovated balcony wraps around the majority of the second floor and was our favorite spot to enjoy morning coffee and watch the animals. Step through the sliding doors of the Great Room and rest easy on any of the seating options. Fans keep the air circulating even in the Texas summers which is a BIG deal because it can get HOT.
Overall, The Lodge is the perfect spot for big families to rent out, couples to enjoy a room and mingle with others, or friends to enjoy and also mingle with others!
What it’s like to stay at the Foothills Safari Camp Cabins
The Foothills Safari Cabins offer a more rugged feel in what looks like a safari tent from the inside. There are 7 cabins total in the Foothills Safari Camp and a beautiful Glass Walled Pavillion where breakfast is served. The views from these cabins over the pond are stunning, especially at sunset and sunrise. If you’re quiet and lucky you’ll be able to enjoy the view with some of Fossil Rim’s wildlife!
What are the cabins like at the Foothills Safari Camp?
Worried about a cabin in Texas? Don’t be because they have AC for the summer and heat for the winter as well as a full bathroom with a toilet, sink, and shower. These feel more on the luxury side of cabins and tents but not quite in the glamping category that The Lodge would be. Under each twin-sized bed are drawers for storage which came in handy for sure in such tight quarters. Something we enjoyed about these cabins was that we were able to take a warm shower in our cabin after a long day exploring Glen Rose and hiking in Dinosaur Valley State Park which is very rare to find in cabins or at least the ones I’ve stayed in around the country.
In front of each cabin are chairs and a picnic table so guests can enjoy their time outside in nature and have ample opportunity to view the animals — which are quite literally outside your door. We were given this delicious Zebra Blush wine as well as a yummy cookie we enjoyed outside during the sunset. It was beyond relaxing and I wish I could relive this moment over and over again watching the deer run by while sipping on wine in the beautiful Texas countryside that honestly didn’t even feel like Texas.
Is breakfast included at The Lodge or Foothills Safari Camp Cabins?
Breakfast is included for both lodging options. While at the Foothills Safari Camp Cabins, you’ll see the Glass Walled Pavillion nearby and that’s where breakfast is served. When we stayed at The Lodge we also made our way over to the Glass Walled Pavillion for breakfast but I think that’s changed since I’ve been. It was a hot breakfast buffet with pretty much everything you could think of accompanied by coffee, milk, juice, and water. While you enjoy an early morning breakfast you can gaze out where the animals roam.
What it’s like to visit Fossil Rim’s Scenic Drive Through
There are 5 different options to choose from to tour the scenic drive. I recommend the public or private guided tour for your first visit as it’s a great way to learn all about the animals and what Fossil Rim does for them. I’ve had the opportunity to do the private guided tour a couple of times and it’s SO worth it. The private tour takes guests on a tour along the Gosdin Scenic Drive before a stop in our Intensive Management Area (IMA). In the IMA, you will get to see and learn about species not visible to drive-through guests, like wolves and black rhinos. Seeing the wolves and rhinos up close are memories I’ll absolutely cherish forever. If it’s your second or third visit, I recommend the self-guided tour where you can drive your own vehicle through the park. Read my full post on everything you need to know about Fossil Rim Wildlife Center here.
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