Prehistoric "app"? Here's one for Dinosaur Valley State Park

Looking to view dinosaur tracks? If you're a fossil fool, then Dinosaur Valley State Park near Glen Rose, Texas is your bet. It's also a good bet for hitting the swimming hole, or dipping a line. Those dino-tracks are in the Paluxy, a branch of the Brazos River, and the best time to view them is in late summer.

While you've got your map out and setting plans for Texas, add this to your tool kit: The park now sports on official "app" for your iPhone or Android platform. Using the app will be like having a personal guide for real-time tours at any time. "One of the current problems we face at our park is that our interpretive displays are somewhat outdated, and our staff is just too limited to offer enough tours to meet all of the public demand," said Shannon Blalock, superintendent at Dinosaur Valley State Park. With the dino-app, those problems are--well--as historic as the dinosaurs.

The app will give users up-to-date video and audio clips (shades of Jurassic Park!), photographs, and data right at their fingertips. Once the free app is downloaded to a mobile device, visitors at the park are alerted to various points of interest as they approach by a phone vibration triggered by the hardware's GPS. Users can then click through for detailed information, clips and other options highlighting a specific park feature.

To get the free app, simply search your smartphone's app store and type in "Dinosaur Valley State Park," or "Glen Rose," and download to your device. If you don't have a smartphone, content is still available online, and can be used to help plan people's trip in advance to the state park.

To celebrate the new app's release, on Saturday, October 15 the park will sponsor an "app launch party" complete with "Dino Digs" and activities. Through the month you can enter to win a free iPad2 that the local visitor bureau is using as bait for dinosaur enthusiasts. Through October 31, registration entries can be dropped off on site at the Friends of Dinosaur Valley State Park Store inside the park, or go to the Glen Rose CVB Web site at www.glenrosetexas.net.

photo courtesy Glen Kuban, www.paleo.cc