The Paluxy starts in Bluff Dale, upstream from the dinosaur tracks

The Paluxy River gets its name at Bluff Dale. That is where its north and south branches meet in east-central Erath County. The South Paluxy rises two miles north of Stephenville and runs 15 miles. The North Paluxy rises at Morgan Mill and runs 17 miles.

Both upper branches are intermittent near their sources. After they meet, the Paluxy runs southeast for 29 miles. It crosses southwestern Hood County before joining the Brazos east of Glen Rose in Somervell County.

Dinosaur Valley State Park sits astride the Paluxy near Glen Rose, where tracks lie in the limestone riverbed. In summer, the river normally stops flowing there and leaves isolated pools.

The track sites are the downstream chapter of a river that begins with two Erath County forks. Morgan Mill and north Stephenville hold the headwaters; Bluff Dale is where the Paluxy becomes one river.