Visit our Fort Parker State Park Photo Gallery 

Fort Parker State Park is named for Fort Parker, a nearby historic settlement established in 1833 and site of the well known Comanche Indian raid of May 1836 during which Cynthia Ann Parker was captured.  One of the largest remaining tall grass prairies in Limestone County mingles into dense woodlands providing a pleasant, shady respite from Dallas 80 miles to the north or Waco 47 miles to the west.   In 1939 the CCC built a 729 ft dam across the Navasota River creating the 7oo acre Fort Parker Lake.  Canoe rentals are available seasonally at $25 for 8 hours or $15 for a 3 hour minimum.  Swimming is unsupervised from a small beach or you may fish from the banks of the lake, the dam or from one of the two fishing piers.  Common catches include crappie, bass, catfish or trout in season.  The Springfield 1.5 mile multi-use loop trail is for hiking or biking.  The .5 mile one way Bur Oak nature trail through the woods rewards the bird watcher as many different species swoop through the trees.  We observed bluebirds, cardinals, an indigo bunting and a red-tailed hawk.  The 1.5 mile each way Bainscreek Trail brings you up close to the herons and other shorebirds and wading birds frequenting the park.  The trailer camping loop (sites #1-25 water & electric) is well situated along the lake shore however most of the sites are close together and smaller suited for small trailers or pop-ups.  If your trailer is 25 ft or longer call ahead to see if one of the few larger spaces is vacant.  10 inviting shelters are set into a hillside overlooking the lake.  Primitive car camping sites #40-49 are a short drive down River Rd.  A vault toilet is in the area.  Tip:  You may paddle 3 miles on the Navasota River to the Confederate Reunion Grounds.  Allow 3-4 hours.  Call the park 254-562-5751 to inquire about the availability of shuttles.

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Texas Parks and Wildlife wants your family to go camping!  And they want to teach you how!  Hands on learning workshops are scheduled throughout the summer and fall of 2008 at various Texas State Parks.  Outdoor specialists and volunteers will conduct classes in camping, kayaking, fishing, climbing and more.  You will learn how to enjoy a fun, safe camping outing with your family.  A car camp site is provided for each family along with all of the camping equipment you will need.  Each family will bring their own food from a prepared list.  The fee is $55.00 per family.  (up to 8 people)  Call Texas Parks and Wildlife at 512-389-8903 Monday-Friday from 9A.M.-6P.M. and speak with a Texas Outdoor Family customer service representative to register.  Locations and dates of the workshops are available at  http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/learning/bof/state_parks.phtml

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1. Stay Connected to your Texas State Parks

Visit our Abilene State Park Photo Gallery 

Abilene State Park sits along Elm Creek tucked into beautiful groves of oak, elm and pecan trees.  Just 16 miles south west of Abilene, Texas and approximately 200 miles west of the Dallas/Fort Worth area you will pass through the historic town of Buffalo Gap, an early frontier settlement to reach the park.  Abilene State park is known for the summertime fun to be enjoyed here.  An olympic-size swimming pool is open from Memorial Day Weekend until Labor Day from 11A.M.-7P.M. Thursday through Sunday.  A wading pool for the kiddies, a playground and a game area for horseshoes, volleyball, basketball and more keep all ages busy and happy.  A pleasant 1 1/2 mile self-guided nature trail passes the stocked one acre Buffalo Wallow Pond where all you need is a pole and line to snag a sunfish, bass or channel cat.  The park is proud of the addition of 3 yurts, described as enhanced shelters.  They are clean and fresh looking structures decked out with bunk beds, a fold out sofa, microwave and small fridge, set well apart for privacy and graced with shade trees as most of the sites in this park are.  There are also 8 screened shelters.  Abilene State Park has three full-hook up sites (#85, #87,#89) 41 water and electric sites and 12 water only sites.  We started out in site #89.  The sewer connection was at the rear of our backed-in travel trailer forcing our sewer hose to run up-hill.  We moved to site #85 with the connections in the proper location.  We liked #85. (no neighbors off to one side)  We attracted hummingbirds immediately after hanging our feeder in the nearby tree, cardinals flew in and out and we were able to observe white tail deer wandering through.  As we explored the park we did notice several very high grass areas that would be habitat for ticks and chiggers.  Upon inquiry from the ranger we learned that 2 new buffalo have been acquired (the old herd died off) and 4 Texas Longhorn belong to the park however they are pastured outside the park on adjacent Federal Land.  If you want to view them inquire at headquarters as to their location.  Note:  If you are camping in an RV and need to use the dump station we recommend you use the one located in the Wagon Circle Area as the access is easier than the station in the main campground.

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Watch the Texas Musical Drama 2008 commercial. 

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Lake Colorado City State Park has a large day use area which includes a  swimming beach, covered picnic tables, a playground and a 4- lane concrete boat launch ramp.  There is also a lighted fishing pier, a covered fishing barge, kayaks and pedal boats for rent seasonally and yes this park is centered around fishing!    http://lonestartravelers.com/wordpress/free-fishing-in-texas-state-parks/  check this link for my blog entry on free fishing in texas state parks.  The lake cools an electric power plant, the resulting warm water results in an ideal habitat for fish and waterfowl.  Whether you are fishing off your boat or from the 5 miles of shoreline you should have excellent luck reeling in crappie, perch, catfish, bass and even red drum.  Campsites are large and spaced well apart.  The Mesquite Circle Camping Area (sites #1-34 water and electric) is closest to the fishing barge.  The Rolling Hills Camping Area (sites #35-78 has some pull-through sites considered premium at a slightly higher camping fee.  The Lakeview Camping Area (sites#95-128) has the best views, is closest to the lighted fishing pier, the camping sites are back in and quite long however they are water only sites.  If you are not camping stay in one of 11 stone cottages overlooking the water.   Part of the Texas LongHorn herd is pastured here.  TIP:  The entrance gate is closed from 10PM-8AM. 

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Visit our Monahans State Park photo gallery 

Monahans Sandhills are part of a dune field that extends 200 miles to the West and North to New Mexico.  This 3,840 acre park of sand dunes is a delight for children of all ages.  Rent a sand disk or toboggan and surf down dunes up to 70 feet high as the West Texas wind swirls and lifts the sand into ever changing shapes .  The day use area is well used with families picnicking, and surfing the hills.  Clean restrooms are nearby.  The Dunagan Visitor Center is where you rent your sand saucer ($1 per hour) and enjoy the hands on displays and the history of this West Texas desert area.  A short (1/4 mile) self-guided nature trail winds through the dunes nearby.  We spent a night camping here on our way home from the Big Bend area.  The Willow Bend Camping Area (sites #1-14) offers pull-thru or back ins.  We stayed in site #5, a nice, level pull-thru with views of the sand dunes in all directions.  This campground rarely fills up however if the back-ins sites were needed drifts of sand would need to be shoveled out of the way.  The surreal feeling of being surrounded by all this white sand felt soothing and strangely enveloping.  Sleeping with the blinds open heightened the effect.  Tent or pop-up trailer sites (#15-25) are roomy and appointed with covered picnic tables and bbq grills.  Most of the fire pits were buried under mounds of sand.  Be aware that the wind blows and blows here.  The fine sand will be everywhere and in everything.  We observed a young couple breaking camp the morning we left, struggling a bit as their tent turned into a sail in the wind, their children occupied with digging and playing in the sand.  Surprisingly a dependable source of pure, fresh water is found right under the sand.  This drew prehistoric man to hunt bison and mammoth in the area and later Indians, mostly Apache and Comanche camped here.  No one knows for sure why this massive field of dunes is here.  One theory is of erosion and wind blowing the sand into this area over the course of millions of years.   There are equestrian camp sites here and 600 acres of sand set aside for riding.  Overnite or 3-day Texas Camel Treks are held here in the Spring.  Take exit #86, just west of Odessa as you travel Interstate 20 and spend the day or overnite at this fun park.  Note:  train tracks run directly outside the park and trains may occasionally be heard as they pass by.

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Visit our Balmorhea State Park photo gallery 

The world’s largest spring-fed swimming pool lies here in the desert of West Texas inside Balmorhea State Park.  For thousands of years the springs, formed by subsurface geologic faults provided water for Native Americans and later for Spanish explorers and soldiers.  Now they provide a swimming hole that is not equalled anywhere.  The pool itself covers 1.75 acres, 77,000 square feet of clear cool water feeding in at more than 20 million gallons a day.  Swimmers glimpse scuba divers 25 feet below as they observe several species of fish two of which are endangered and occur no other place in the world.  The pool is open year round and maintains a 72-76 degree temperature even as the cold winds of winter blow through West Texas.  You will find two wooden bath houses for changing and showering on the grassy shady grounds and a concessionaire seasonally.  We visited on a Sunday in July.  The boys were lined up to dive or cannonball off the diving board while the girls sunned on their pool floats watching.  The crowds made up mostly of family groups found plenty of room to picnic and the large pool never looked crowded.  The San Solomon Courts is a 1930′s CCC built southwestern adobe style motel.  A recently restored desert wetland (cie’nega) with viewing platforms and an underwater viewing window winds through the park.  This small park (45.9 acres) amazes the first time traveler turning off Highway 17 not expecting to enter a desert oasis.  Located at the foothills of the Davis Mountains the elevation is only 3.205 feet and hot in the summer.  Even so the campground is full almost every weekend so be sure to reserve in advance.  The campground itself offers 6 tent sites with water only, 16 water and electric for tents or small trailers and 12 pull thru’s with water, electric and cable.  The day we were there the campground was in desperate need of a litter patrol and restroom cleaning.  We have visited one other time and found the same unkept conditions.  Our advice would be to camp at the well maintained Davis Mountains State Park and make Balmorhea State Park a day trip (32 miles each way) to enjoy this special water world.

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Visit our Guadalupe River State Park Photo Gallery

All of the Texas Hill Country State Parks are great family destinations and the Guadalupe River State Park (1938.7 acres) in Spring Branch Texas is no exception.  Located on 4 miles of one of the most picturesque sections of the Guadalupe River high limestone bluffs and giant bald cypress line the spring fed river as it winds through the park.  Natural rapids flow into tranquil swimming spots before disappearing around the bend.  Tubes may be rented in the parking lot of the day use area before you venture the two miles down to the river.  Claim a riverside picnic table (shady ones go first) and watch as the tubers and paddlers put in to begin or take out to finish their float trips.  Fishing is popular as well as a 5.3 mile multi-use trail for hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians although you may not camp with your horse overnight.  Bird watching and nature study are popular past times.   A 3 mile hiking trail paralleling the river is enjoyable and will connect you to the campground located high above the river in case of flash flooding.  The campground offers 40 electric and water multi use sites, 37 tent sites with water only and 9 walk in primitive tent camping sites (not more than 100 yds) with water in the area.  Summer is hot and shade is at a premium in the water and electric sites.  The water only tent sites have some shade and are isolated and quiet.  This park has a spacious feel and offers lots of family activities.  It is located only 30 miles north of downtown San Antonio and is crowded in summer and on weekends.  You should definitely make reservations.  Tip:  The Honey Creek State Natural Area is at the entrance to the park.  It is open by guided ranger tour only Saturdays at 9A.M.  Call to reserve your spot.

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