Lone Star Travelers Blog » family

Paria Rimrocks Toadstool Trail

joanie7 — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 19:42:34 +0000

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The Paria Rimrocks hike near the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is a pleasant 1.5 mile round trip jaunt taking you to the hoodoos and balanced rocks. Actually located in the Grand Staircase Escalante this is a fairly easy hike that the whole family can enjoy. To find the trailhead from the Glen Canyon Dam drive 30 minutes north on highway 89. Just after you pass Utah mile marker 19 turn off the highway in to the dirt parking area. Be sure to sign the register before you head up the wash. About halfway out there is an area that requires a little rock scrambling. You may require a boost if your hiking skills are rusty however most people make it without difficulty. When you arrive the sight of various balanced rocks jogs your sense of logic as the hoodoo gardens fill your imagination with mystical wonderings as only nature can. If you have the time continue beyond the hoodoos, scramble down into another wash and follow it back out to your car. There are no designated trails so you want to check your compass and make sure you are headed in a westerly direction towards the highway and the parking lot. As with any hike in Canyon Country be sure you bring enough water, wear sturdy shoes, apply sunscreen frequently and don’t forget your hat. Tip: Maps are available at the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Visitor Center in Big Water which you will pass on the way to the trailhead.

Lake Arrowhead State Park

joanie7 — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:23:15 +0000

Lake Arrowhead State Park in Clay County is just 18 miles south of Wichita Falls, Texas. At 524 acres this is a small park on a very large (16,200 acres) reservoir with 106 miles of shoreline. Fishermen are drawn to the large abandoned steel oil derricks that dot the lake and yield the fish. Lake Arrowhead State Park participates in “Loan A Tackle Program” where the park lends fishing tackle to the visitors. A Kids Fishing Contest and an Adult Rough Fish Contest are held in June. Check the park calendar for current schedule. When not fishing there are 5 miles of mostly flat and grassy trails shared by hikers and equestrians to enjoy. If you bring your horse there are 4 equestrian campsites. 48 campsites with water and electric as well as 19 sites with water only are spacious and partially shaded. We stopped at this park on our way home from Utah in the summer of 2008. Close to Hwy 287 it is a welcome respite from the roadside highway campgrounds. Tip: Lake Arrowhead State Park is home to an active black-tailed prairie dog “town.”

Guadalupe River State Park

joanie7 — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 21:02:01 +0000

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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.

Inks Lake State Park, Burnet Texas

joanie7 — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 21:53:24 +0000

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Inks Lake State Park is a pleasant family oriented park in Burnet County just 60 miles north of Austin, Texas. This scenic 1201 acre park in Texas Hill Country is part of the Highland Lakes Chain (consisting of 7 lakes) on the Colorado River. Located on pink granite outcroppings of the Llano uplift, geology hikes are offered through the billions of years old granite hills. Hiking is also popular to the Devils Waterhole where swimmers jump off the cliffs into the cool clear water. Alternately you may join a canoe tour out to Devil’s Waterhole or rent a canoe or kayak at the Texas State Park Store and head out on to the 803 acre lake yourself. If you rent for 24 hours you may keep the canoe or kayak overnite at your campsite. Other activities include boating, water skiing and sailing on the lake, fishing from one of two lighted piers or ‘Fishing with a Ranger’ (2-3 times a week) also golfing on the 9 hole course operated by Highland Lakes Golf Club. Tee times are 1st come 1st serve. The golf course is located on park property with 6 of the holes lakeside, the entrance is outside the park. 7 1/2 miles of hiking trails for all skill levels include lakeside cliffs and hilltop trails. You will see many white-tail deer, wild turkeys and possibly armadillos and foxes. In Spring the area is blanketed with wildflowers including the Texas State Flower the Bluebonnet. In winter bird watchers keep a sharp eye out for bald eagles. Campsites at Inks Lake State Park consist of 9 primitive back-pack in 1.5 miles sites (no water, pit toilet on trail), 10 walk-in sites with water and electricity, 50 water only sites and 137 water and electric sites. Like Tyler State Park in East Texas, Inks Lake State Park In Hill Country is a wonderful park for families. Kids have a great time here with all the other kids and all of the activities. Also like Tyler State Park, Inks Lake State Park is popular and can be crowded. Be sure to make reservations. We loved the natural setting and scenic beauty of this park however please note the camp sites are set close together and will afford little privacy. There is very little shade so if you are camping in the hot Texas summer be sure to bring your own in the form of golf or beach umbrellas or a screen shelter.

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Choke Canyon State Park, Calliham Texas

joanie7 — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 22:38:14 +0000

Visit our Choke Canyon Photo Gallery

We loved Choke Canyon State Park in the South Texas Plains. The Calliham Unit in McMullen County offers overnight facilities while the South Shore Unit in Live Oak County is for day use only. Some of the best fishing in Texas for large mouth bass draws tournament anglers as well as the casual fisherman to the huge Choke Canyon Lake Reservoir (26,000 acres), a water source for Corpus Christi. Trophy fish over 10 lbs are common. When you arrive at the park ask for a lake map (very basic) with tips of where to find the largemouth bass and crappie and how and when to catch them. There is also a 90 acre stocked pond for fishing. (catch and release only) Choke Canyon State Park is a major destination for “birders.” When we visited in February there were many people walking the nature trails, binoculars to their eyes hoping to catch a glimpse of the Crested Caracara (Mexican Eagle) thoroughly enjoying the birdwatching. Many of the birds are Mexican species drawn to their Northern range limit here. The American Birding Association jointly with the Bureau of Reclamation has declared this area a special place for birds and bird watching. Guided bird walks are conducted seasonally. Wildlife commonly seen in Choke Canyon State Park include white tail deer, wild turkey, javelina, coyote and even the American Alligator commonly venturing this far west. Facilities for families at this park are outstanding including a gymnasium, recreation hall, dining hall, group picnic pavilions, basketball court, tennis court, shuffleboard courts, even a baseball diamond. There are walk-in (50 yards) primitive campsites and 57 trailer or Rv campsites, back in or pull thru with water and electricity. Many of these are lakeside. We stayed in site #15 with direct lake access. Picnic tables are covered and have windbreak on three sides. Note: The park gate is closed at 10 PM and opened at 6AM. If you will be arriving after hours call the park (361-786-3868) before 5PM for the gate combination number.

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Goliad State Park, Goliad Texas

joanie7 — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 15:39:45 +0000

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Located in the South Texas Plains, Goliad State Park, in Goliad County is a small park (188.3 acres) with a lot of history. The restored 1749 Franciscan Mission Espiritu Santo in the park commands one’s view as stately and serene she sits on a hill overlooking all below and open to tourists who pay the daily park admission fee. Just 1/4 mile away you may visit the reconstructed birthplace of General Ignacio Zaragoza (1829-1862) General Zaragoza is known for defeating the French in the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. This battle is also known as Cinco de Mayo. No admission fee. The Fannin Battleground State Historic Site commemorating the 1836 Battle of Coleto Creek, a devastating loss for the Texas Revolution is nearby. Also Presidio la Bahia just 1/4 mile south of the park is the fort built in 1788 to protect the Mission and the frontier. Today it is run by the Catholic Diocese of Victoria. Admission required to enter. Back at the park camping options are primitive tent sites with water only along the San Antonio River, 24 tent or trailer sites with water and electricity located in a paved area with no shade or 20 full hook-up sites. We stayed in site #8 a pull-thru in the full hook-up camping loop. The sites are level and spacious however there is no natural foliage to provide privacy. A .3 mile nature trail or 1.5 mile trail along the river are enjoyable walks under massive oak trees. In summer the City of Goliad operates a swimming pool in the park.

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Huntsville State Park, Huntsville Texas

joanie7 — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 02:05:52 +0000

Visit our Huntsville State Park Photo Gallery

Huntsville State Park located in Walker County is in the piney woods of Sam Houston National Forest. A large park (2,083 acres) it offers many activities. Boating in the small (210 acre) Lake Raven is limited to idle speed although motor size is not restricted. Canoes, kayaks and row boats are rented seasonally. Fishing for largemouth bass is catch and release only, however you may keep any catfish or crappie you catch. You may not bring your own horse but there are guided horseback rides available at Lake Raven Stables. (call them at 936-295-1985) An extensive trail system includes 18 miles of beginner to intermediate biking trails mostly under the canopy of the tall pine trees, there are also nature trails and many hiking only trails. Park Headquarters has a good map of the trails to hand out. You may swim in an unsupervised swimming area but be aware that occasionally alligators are spotted. The Texas State Park Store is named “Gator Junction!” There are large camping areas. 125 tent sites, each two sharing a water spigot, another 58 sites have water and electricity, 25 of these are pull-thru in the Raven Hill Trailer Area with another 36 back-in at the Prairie Branch Camping Area. We camped at the Raven Hill Area and enjoyed views of the lake. Several sites in the three loops that comprise Raven Hill Camping Area are lakeside. The historic town of Huntsville, one of Texas’ oldest towns, founded in 1836 as a trading post is 6 miles from the park. The 66 feet high Sam Houston Statue dominating the view of motorists on I-45 and the Huntsville Visitor Center are also nearby. The statue has been described as possibly the world’s largest statue of an American hero. Sam Houston was the President of the Republic of Texas, a statesman and a General who led the Texas Army in the battle of San Jacinto the decisive victory in the Texas Revolution. Huntsville Texas is approximately 70 miles North of Houston, Texas and 170 miles South of Dallas, Texas.

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Mission Tejas State Park, Weches Texas

joanie7 — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 15:28:55 +0000

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Mission Tejas State Park, a small unique park tucked into the Pineywoods of East Texas is worth a stop for a day or two. Located in Houston County near the North end of the Davy Crockett National Forest it is home to two historic structures.First the mission, a commemorative representation of the original Mission San Francisco de los Tejas. This was the 1st Spanish Mission in the then province of Texas established in 1690. It was built by the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) in 1934. It’s location near the campground gives you a good chance to take plenty of pictures and perhaps just sit and reflect on what life was like for the priests (Frays) who lived and worked here attempting to teach Christianity to the Indians. The other notable building is the Rice Family Log Home built in 1828. After it was given to the park by a Rice family member in was restored and moved to it’s current location in the park in 1974. It has been modified many times over it’s 160 years history but the log form remains original and it stands as an example of pioneer housing. Mr. Rice opened his home many times to adventurers and travelers as they crossed Texas on The Old San Antiono Road. Camping at this park is tranquil and serene. There are only 5 full hook-up sites. (7-11) We stayed in site #8. #5 assigned to us when we arrived was too small for our 30′ travel trailer. There are 7 water and electric sites, an additional three water and electric for tents only as well as two water only tent areas. A small pond for fishing, short hikes and nature walks are delightful in this rustic setting. The park says dogwood is a spectacular show the last week of March usually peaking about the 25th of the month. Attn. Geocachers!!! Mission Tejas State Park has 5 caches!! For more info go to www.geocaching.com

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Rusk/Palestine State Park, Texas

joanie7 — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 19:53:53 +0000

Visit our Rusk State Park Photo Gallery

Note: Since we visited Rusk State Park the control of both Rusk and Palestine State Parks and the Texas State Railroad has been transferred to American Heritage Railways. These two parks, Rusk and Palestine are home to the Official Railroad of Texas, the Texas State Railroad. Come on out and ride the steam engine train through the piney woods 50 miles between parks. You may board on either end. The trip is 1 1/2 hours in each direction with a 1 1/2 hour layover at a victorian style depot where you may shop for railroad related memorabilia and picnic in the park. The Palestine park in Anderson County offers primitive, water only campsites. There are no showers. The Rusk park in Cherokee County offers 32 pull-thru full hook up sites and 38 water and electric sites with tent pads. We stayed in site #6 one of the full hook ups. Situated on a hilly rocky area it offered great views of the park. The train track actually loops into the park. If you choose campsites 21 thru 31 you will have a noisy front row view as the train clamors by on it’s way to Palestine. This park is a delight to wander and explore. There is a short nature trail, a small (15 acre) stocked fishing lake and a fishing pier. In season paddle boats and canoes are available for rental. The park at Rusk is right off of U.S. 84. If you choose campsites 16, 18, 20 or 22 you will see and hear the highway traffic.

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Daingerfield State Park, Daingerfield Texas

joanie7 — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 17:04:55 +0000

Visit our Daingerfield State Park Photo Gallery

Daingerfield State Park located 35 miles East of Lake Bob Sandlin State Park is in Morris County just Southwest of Texarkana. This small park (506 acres) hugs the shores of the small (80 acre) picturesque Lake Daingerfield. The loblolly pines at a height of 100 feet plus dominate the landscape. Spring brings blankets of wildflowers to the rolling hills while fall bursts with the reds and golds of the sweetgum, oak and maple trees showcased against the dark contrast of evergreens. Photographers delight in this quiet scenic park. In season visitors rent canoes or paddleboats from the concessionaire and quietly float the cool clear waters of this tranquil, no wake (5mph) lake. The day use area is impressive with it’s stately bathhouse dated to the park’s opening in 1938, a swimming beach beckons, a swim platform sits right off shore and a playground with slides and swings is here to be enjoyed. The Civilian Conservation Corp built cabins and a group lodge in the 1930′s. These have been recently renovated and should be reserved well in advance. 30 campsites offer water and electricity with an additional 10 large pull-thru lakeside sites with full hookups. Sites #6-10 offer direct access to the shore in a pleasant private setting. We stayed in site #8 and enjoyed views of the water through the pines. There is primitive tent camping at the Cedar Ridge Loop and water only sites at the Mountain View area. A trailhead is located in this hilly heavily wooded area. The entire 2.5 miles connects to the hike around the lake. The facilites here are older but kept clean and maintained. We loved this park for it’s peaceful serene setting and natural beauty.

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