Everything is much bigger in Texas, including prehistoric creatures. The largest flying creature of all time was discovered on the land that is now home to Big Bend National Park. To see it for yourself, you’ll want to check out Big Bend National Park, which happens to be the best national park to visit in Texas.

Tucked away in the vast desert landscape of Big Bend National Park, the Fossil Discovery Exhibit is one of the most unique museums you'll ever visit.
Google/James Moore
It offers a self-guided journey through 130 million years of geologic time, showcasing how the region slowly evolved from an ancient sea into the dry, mountainous terrain that exists in the present day.
Divided into five sections, the museum is intended to be experienced chronologically.
Google/Txtravler
You'll start off in the Early Cretaceous period, when the entirety of Big Bend was underwater, eventually making your way to the Volcanic Highlands environment, which ended just 10,000 years ago.
For many, the highlight of the exhibit is the Gallery of Giants, which is filled with the most massive creatures that roamed the area between 83 and 65 million years ago.
Google/Jonathan Delgado
You'll see life-size bronze skulls of the giant alligatoroid, Deinosuchus, Tyrannosaurus rex, and the largest flying creature ever discovered, Quetzalcoatlus northropi.
Wing bones and skull pieces have been found scattered throughout the park, and they were pieced together to form this skeleton.
National Park Service
It almost takes up the entire ceiling!

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Quetzalcoatlus was a large pterosaur that lived alongside the dinosaurs.
Google/JAMES
It flew around the globe like modern albatrosses and waded in the water to seek out mollusks like the shorebirds of today. You'll also see bones from the long-necked sauropod, Alamosaurus, as well as rocks that cross the boundary line signifying the extinction of dinosaurs.
This rendering shows how Quetzalcoatlus probably looked - remarkable, isn't it?
Fossil Discovery Exhibit
Seeing one of them next to a dinosaur really puts their size into perspective.
As if the exhibit wasn't cool enough already, just wait until you see the views.
Google/JJ HOTSHOT
The sprawling Chisos Mountains open up before you, providing 360-degree panoramas that will leave you breathless.
You'll find the exhibit located eight miles north of Panther Junction on the Persimmon Gap Entrance Road (Highway 385).
Google Maps
Hours: dawn to dusk, seven days a week.

There is no charge to visit the Fossil Discovery Exhibit. Visit the official website for more information.

Have you ever seen the remains of the world’s largest flying creature at Big Bend National Park? If so, we’d love to hear all about your experience in the comments below. Tell us how it went, then check out our previous article for another prehistoric adventure you can only have in Texas.

 

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national park to visit in texas

Jennifer Young | February 23, 2022

What are three of the best parks in Texas?

1. Big Bend National Park

Big Bend National Park, which covers 801,163 acres and was established in 1935, is located along the Texas-Mexico border. It offers a variety of activities for visitors of all ages. One of the park's most popular activities is hiking, which isn't surprising considering Big Bend National Park boasts more than 150 miles of trails.

2. Enchanted Rock State Natural Area

Texas' Enchanted Rock State Natural Area is located on the border of Gillespie and Llano counties, 18 miles north of Fredericksburg. It's a beautiful 425-ft pink granite monolith and wilderness area that offers its visitors everything from hiking and camping, to rock climbing and birding. Enchanted Rock State Natural Area is also a great place for stargazing.

3. Garner State Park
Garner State Park, which was established in 1941 and is located in Concan, Texas, is the most popular state park for overnight camping. In fact, it's so popular that it usually fills up by noon during peak season. So, if you decide to go camping at Garner State Park, don't forget to claim your spot early.

What's one place that offers a variety of fun things to do outside in Texas?

There are many places in Texas that offer fun things to do outside, including Hueco Tanks State Historic Site. Located in West Texas, this attraction offers camping, rock climbing, and more. It's also home to several prehistoric pictographs, which are located on the site's caves. Before visiting Hueco Tanks State Historic Site, a reservation must be made at least two days in advance.

What's the longest hiking trail in Texas?

There are many hiking trails in Texas of all varying lengths. Its longest hiking trail, which is located within the Sam Houston National Forest, is the Lone Star Hiking Trail. It has a length of 96 miles.

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Fossil Discovery Exhibit, Fossil Bone Exhibit, Big Bend National Park, TX 79834, USA