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South Llano River State Park, Junction Texas

Monday, March 8th, 2010

If you willing to drive a little further to camp in a Texas State Park this Spring Break head west on Interstate 10 to Junction, Texas, then south on US Highway 377 for 5 miles to Park Road 73.  You will arrive at the South Llano River State Park for a few days or maaybe a week of fishing, canoeing and tubing, swimming if you decide to brave the cool clear waters of the river and wildlife observation.

At 524 acres this is a small park and one of the prettiest of the Texas State Parks.

58 campsites with water and electric are circled around the camping loop which also contains a restroom with hot showers as well as a trailer dump station.  Primitive camping is available at walk-in sites, a 30-70 yard walk from where your car will be parked.  These sites have picnic tables and fire rings with drinking water available to every 4 sites.  Composting toilets are in this area.  South Llano River State Park boasts two miles of river frontage.  There are numerous access points on the river when you get ready to put in your canoe or float in your tube, a favorite Texas spring break or summer activity.

Easy hiking trails allow hikers and mountain bikers to explore the wooded bottom land.  Bring your fishing pole along as you explore, you will probably want to throw your line in at the riverbank or in one of the two small oxbow lakes.  Fishing is free at any Texas State Park.  (If you are on a body of water you must have a Texas Fishing License.)  Several of the hiking trails will lead into the large adjoining Walter Buck Wildlife Management Area.

Wildlife observation is another favorite activity at South Llano River State Park.  The Rio Grand turkey roosts here in the winter.  Observation blinds are positioned to allow visitors a peek of the turkey moving to and from the roost.  It is important to note that a large portion of the park that contains the turkey roosting area is closed to visitors from October 1st through April 1st every year.

Admission fee to the South Llano River State Park is $3 per person, per day ages 13 and older.  Admission fees are waived if you are the holder of an annual Texas State Park Pass which sells for a $60 fee or $75 for a two card membership.

Overnight camping at the water and electric sites will cost you $17, a maximum of 8 people at each site is allowed.

Overnight camping at the water only primitive sites is $10 per night with a maximum of 4 persons allowed.

325-446-3994

www.tpwd.state.tx.us


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South Llano River State Park and Dinosaur Valley State Park

Friday, March 5th, 2010

If you are looking for parks to camp with the kids this Spring Break I have two great choices for you.  Be sure to call ahead for reservations, the sooner the better, these are very popular parks and will fill up for Spring Break.

My first suggestion is Dinosaur Valley State Park.  It will only take you 90 minutes or so to drive to Glen Rose, Texas where the park is located, from the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex, a big plus with a carload of kids.

My second suggestion is the South Llano River State Park out near Junction, Texas.  Now this park will take you approximately 6 hours travel time but it is well worth the trip.

We recently visited both of these parks.  Here is the information you need to know.

Dinosaur Valley State Park as well as being a Texas State Park has been designated a National Natural Landmark by the National Park Service.  The park itself is a roomy 1,523 acres of natural wonder.  Camping with water and electric hook-ups is limited to one camping loop with 46 designated campsites.  All are equipped with grills and fire rings.  A restroom with hot showers is located in the camping loop and a trailer dump station is available.  There are 7 walk-in primitive sites for camping in the North Primitive Camping Area.  Start your visit to the park with a photo op at the Dinosaur Models at the entrance.  They are fiberglass models of the Tyrannosaurus Rex standing at 45 foot next to the gigantic 70 foot Apatosaurus, also called Brontosaurus built for exhibit at the New York City World’s Fair in 1964.  They were donated to the park in 1970.  Now go and look for the dinosaur tracks in the park belonging to relatives of these two dinosaurs.  There are 4 dinosaur track viewing areas here on the banks of the Paluxy River.  The Paluxy River is a tributary of the Brazos River.  The dinosaur tracks are exposed at various places in the streambed.  Track Site #1, named The Blue Hole hosts an old-time swimming hole ranging in depth from 12-21 feet.  Track Site #2 contains numerous three-toed carnivorous dinosaur tracks.  You can hop right across the rocks in the river to the right side to view the best of them. After you visit sites #3 and #4 head back up to the visitors center to put it all in perspective. The roomy exhibit hall contains a large relief map, models, drawings and interpretive displays on the history of the area and the dinosaurs.  If you are still craving activity there are 12 miles of scenic hike and bike trails easily enjoyed in 1-2 mile segments.  The South Primitive area of the park has 100 acres reserved for equestrian recreation.  There are no marked trails in this area.

Admission to the park is $5 per person, daily, for those age 13 and older.  Purchase an annual Texas State Park Pass for $60 per card or $75 for a two-card membership and the daily admission fee is waived.  Water and electric campsites will cost you $25 per night.  The North Primitive Camping Area fee is $15 per night.

www.tpwd.state.tx.us/parks

254-897-4588

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South Llano River State Park

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Texas Trivia

Wednesday, January 27th, 2010

We picked up a free booklet on a recent visit to a Texas State Park called “Tall Tales of Texas.”

Here are some of the trivia facts I found most interesting.

It is estimated that Texas has approximately 11,500 historic markers alongside it’s highways and by-ways.

The state bird of Texas is the mockingbird.  There are four other states also naming the mockingbird their state bird.  They are Arkansas, Florida, Mississippi and Tennessee.

The monarch butterfly is the state insect of Texas.

The city of Canyon, Texas is near two outstanding canyons.  They are Caprock Canyons and Palo Duro Canyon.  Caprock Canyons is home to the Texas State Bison Herd.  Palo Duro Canyon is the second largest canyon in the United States, taking it’s number two spot right behind the Grand Canyon.  Palo Duro Canyon State Park is home to the outdoor drama “Texas” performed every summer at the amphitheater in the canyon, telling the story of the state of Texas in song and dance.

There are nine different species of rattlesnakes living in Texas.  You may find them in tall grass and rocky outcroppings.

The guitar is the official musical instrument of the state of Texas.

The square dance is the official dance.

The city of Texarkana is is situated in both Texas and Arkansas.

“Tall Tales of Texas” has written that in 1897, a horned lizard became trapped in the marble cornerstone of the county courthouse in Eastland, Texas.  Thirty-one years later, when the building was torn down, the lizard was found alive and well.  Locals named him Old Rip for Rip Van Winkle.

The Dinosaur Capital of Texas is Glen Rose, Texas.  Dinosaur Valley State Park in Glen Rose, Texas contains dinosaur tracks over 113 million years old.

The state plant of Texas is the prickly pear cactus.  The fruits of most prickly pears are edible and sold in stores under the name “tuna.”  The branches of the prickly pears, also known as pads, may be cooked and eaten as a vegetable.  They are sold in stores under the name “nopalito.”

There is actually a Texas BBQ Trail stopping at mouth watering family owned barbeque joints in the vicinity of Austin Texas including Elgin, Lockhart, Luling and Taylor Texas.

The oldest Dr Pepper bottling plant in the world is in Dublin, Texas.  Belly up to the soda fountain to taste the original Dr Pepper blended with Texas’ own Imperial Pure Cane Sugar.  Cases of bottles or cans are available for sale to take home.

The Six Flags that have flown over Texas are Spain, France, Mexico, Texas as an independent country, the Confederacy and the United States.

There is a lot more to learn and know about the great state of Texas.  For now I am going to end with the Lone Star Flag.  Once the symbol of the Republic of Texas it features a five-pointed white star on a blue background, a white strip for unity and a red stripe representing courage.  Texas became a state in 1846 and has kept the same flag ever since.  Texas is the only state which was once an independent country.

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San Angelo State Park, San Angelo Texas

Sunday, January 3rd, 2010

San Angelo State Park, adjacent to the city of San Angelo, Texas, is a large park of 7,677 acres sitting on the shores of the O.C. Fisher Reservoir.  This parcel of West Texas range land became a state park in 1995.  San Angelo State Park offers several unique activities and experiences for the visitor.  Most of the land that makes up the park will remain undeveloped, in part protecting archeological findings dating back some 18,000 years which includes Indian rock art and ancient animal tracks.  Check with the park for a tour schedule to visit the Permian animal tracks and Indian petroglyphs.  Part of the Official State Longhorn Herd makes it’s home here.  Also in residence is a bison herd.  Inquire for tour times to view the Bison and Longhorn herds.  50 species of mammals are known at the park including prairie dog towns, and you may visit a bird watching station to spot any of the 350 species of birds that frequent the park.  There are 50 miles of hiking trails, mountain biking trails and equestrian trails, 20 miles for backpackers as well as developed campsites with water and electricity.  There is boating on the lake, boat ramps available and a fishing platform and dock being developed.

San Angelo State Park may be entered from a South or North Entrance.  We drove in through the South Entrance, closest to the city of San Angelo for a day trip.  The ranger at the entrance gate was very friendly and quite informative explaining all of the features of the park.  Sadly, as we explored the camping loops on the south side of the park, we found them in need of maintenance, the bathrooms in general were in desperate need of cleaning and in a state of general disrepair.  Camping fees range from $8 for a primitive backpacking site to $18 per night for a developed site with water and electric.   Be aware that little to no shade exists at any of the campsites, not a good thing in the hot Texas summers.  I would recommend this park for day use but would hesitate to make it an overnight camping destination.  A park entrance fee of $3 per person for ages 13 and up applies or an annual Texas State Parks Pass is accepted in lieu of the entrance fee.  From the city of San Angelo, Texas access the south entrance to the park by way of U.S. Hwy 67 south to FM 2288.  San Angelo State Park may be found on the web at sasp@tpwd.state.tx.us 325-949-8935

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San Angelo State Park Texas, camping San Angelo State Park, Official Texas Longhorn Herd, bison herd West Texas, bird watching West Texas, prairie dog towns Texas State Parks, hiking trails Texas, primitive camping Texas, Indian petroglyphs Texas

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Coyotes in Cedar Hill State Park, Cedar Hill Texas

Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009

We spotted a coyote right off the road on the north side of Cedar Hill State Park at about 11AM on Sunday, December 20th, 2009.  As we slowed and then stopped our truck to observe him, he just became still at the edge of the underbrush and stared back.  He was a good size and healthy looking.  Come out for a drive around the park roads with the family and see if you can spot coyotes or maybe even a bobcat in the park.  Cedar Hill State Park is in Cedar Hill, Texas right outside of Dallas, Texas.  If you do not have a Texas State Parks Pass a small admission charge to enter the park applies.  Now if I would just get used to carrying my camera everywhere I would have a picture of him to post!

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