Lone Star Travelers Blog » mountain biking

Camping in and around Lake Powell, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

joanie7 — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 14:00:58 +0000

You have five choices for camping in and around Lake Powell on the southern or downlake end of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.

Starting with the most primitive and basic you may camp in the back country. You must be at least 100 feet from a paved road and outside of alcoves and archaeological sites. You may not camp in roadside pullouts, picnic areas or on posted beaches near developed areas. You may hike in or drive. Many roads require 4-wheel drive vehicles. You may not mountain bike except on vehicle roadways, no off-road travel. In roadless areas you may hike in and primitive camp. No bicycles or off road vehicles permitted. Tip: If you will be overnight hiking in the Escalante Canyon Area it is recommended that you obtain a free permit at the Escalante Visitor Center. 435-826-5499 Always sign in at the trailheads.
You may camp anywhere along the shores of Lake Powell except in developed marinas. The majority of Lake Powell is accessible only by boat. You must have a portable toilet unless toilets are available on your vessel or are within 200 yards of your campsite. It is recommended that you anchor on a beach for the night as high winds can move boats into rocks. Do not camp under rocky overhangs as rain can cause rock slides and down pouring rain can sink a vessel.
You may camp at Lone Rock Beach. For more information visit our Lone Rock Beach at Lake Powell blog entry.
You may camp at the Wahweap RV/Campground located 5 miles from the Glen Canyon Dam or 8 miles from the city of Page Arizona. This is a developed campground at Wahweap Marina managed by the concessioner Aramark. There are 139 full hook-ups situated in several camping loops. You may walk to the lake shore from the campground. There are also 112 tent or non hook-up sites. Your Golden Age/Access card will apply in this area only for 50% discount on camping. Reservations can be made by phone. Toll Free: 800-528-6154 Outside U.S.: 602-278-8888 Wahweap Office: 928-645-1059

The Page Lake Powell Campground. This is an in town campground and does not have a lake view. It does have full hook-ups with cable or without as well as electric and water sites only or tent sites with no hook-ups. They offer full amenities including an indoor heated pool. Some sites have shade and there is ample parking space for extra vehicles or boats.

Pedernales Falls State Park, Johnson City Texas

joanie7 — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 22:40:26 +0000

Visit our Pedernales Falls State Park Photo Gallery

Pedernales Falls State Park in Blanco County is a great Texas Hill Country family destination. Just 35 miles West of Austin Texas it truly feels a world away. The park at 5,211.7 acres is spacious and spread out along the banks of the Pedernales River. The main attraction at Pedernales Falls State Park is Pedernales Falls. The river eroded through the rock canyon and drops 50 feet over a distance of 300 feet through the layered limestone. This area is set on the southwest flank of the Llano uplift (see Inks Lake State Park) The falls backdropped by sweeping hills can be viewed from a scenic overlook at the North end of the park. If you want to float the river or tube head to the parking lot 3 miles down the river. Steep stone steps and a 1/4 mile walk will take you to the swimming area. Be careful as you wade on the slick river bottom stone. Try your luck fishing for catfish after a river rise. And if you do see the river start to rise leave the area for higher ground immediately. Flash floods, swift and fierce are common in Hill Country. When you are done playing in the water there is plenty of hiking and wildlife viewing to keep you busy. Pedernales Falls State Park boasts 19.8 miles of tree shaded hiking and mountain biking trails, 10 miles of equestrian trails (you cannot keep your horse in the park overnight) and 14 miles of backpacking trails. Typical wildlife frequenting the park include white-tailed deer and coyotes. 150 species of birds have been identified in the park and of these 1/3 are permanent residents. A covered bird blind for viewing and photography is popular especially during the morning feedings. In the Spring the endangered golden-cheeked warbler nests in the park. Camping choices include remote back-pack or mountain bike in (2 1/2 miles) sites or 69 spacious water and electric sites with some privacy but very little shade.

Visit our Pedernales Falls State Park Photo Gallery

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.

Visit our Huntsville State Park Photo Gallery

Lake Bob Sandlin State Park, Pittsburg Texas

joanie7 — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 22:04:05 +0000

Lake Bob Sandlin State Park located in Titus County is near the small East Texas towns of Pittsburg and Mount Pleasant. With close proximity to both I-20 and I-30 this is a popular park with folks from the Dallas/Ft Worth metroplex approximately 140 miles distant. Reservations are recommended and should be made well in advance for weekends and school breaks. Although small (639.8 acres) the park feels spacious with 4 distinct camping loops. Located on the North side of the large (9,400 acre) Lake Bob Sandlin, a popular bass fisherie, you may cast your line from a lighted fishing pier, the shoreline or take advantage of the boat ramp to get right out on the water and snag one of those rainbow trout the lake is stocked with. There is also fishing in the trout pond located at one of two remote hike-in primitive camping areas. 66 back in campsites, nestled in the pineywoods offer electric and water. 9 of these are premium lakeside sites. We noticed that most of these sites were not very long so call ahead if you have a trailer or RV to make sure you can be acomodated. When not fishing there are almost 5 miles of nature trails that you may hike or mountain bike on beginner to intermediate trails 5 miles through the forest passing two ponds with crossings on 8 footbridges. You may spot bald eagles in winter as well as white tailed deer at any time of the year. Bobcats, although rarely seen live here and share their territory with at least one black panther who roams this part of Texas. A small cemetery in the day use area dates back to the days of Fort Sherman, a wooden stockade fort that would have been located in or near the park, built in the 1840′s to protect settlers from Indian attacks. The facilities here are older, the park was opened in 1987, but very clean. If you visit this park in the fall you will be rewarded with the spectacular red and gold colors of oak, hickory, redbud and maple trees. The staff at this park is outstanding. We were picnicking in the day use area when our puppy was startled and bolted off into the woods. When we reported this the rangers immediately went into action hiking the trails and helping us search. By the following morning this dog of ours was still on the loose. He was spotted by the ranger on duty who called us on our cell phone to advise where he had seen him. Happy ending we reunited shortly thereafter.

Tyler State Park, Tyler Texas

joanie7 — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 21:17:13 +0000

Visit our Tyler State Park Photo Gallery Approximately 100 miles East of Dallas Texas in Smith County you will find the popular Tyler State Park. The cities of Canton, Marshall, Longview and of course Tyler itself are close by carrying over a very urban feel to the park. When we visited in March 2007 parents of camping families were actually driving their kids back and forth to school at the nearby cities. At 985 acres this is a fairly small park with a pretty but also small (64 acre) spring fed lake. Lots of people fish from the shore (although we didn’t see anyone catch anything.) Canoes and paddle boats are available for rent in season. (5 mph limit on the lake.) There are 37 tent campsites with water, 20 sites with electric and water and 57 full hook up trailer or RV sites both pull thru and back in. We stayed at Site 36 which backed us right in to a great lake view however none of the sites offer privacy from your neighbors. 13 miles of mountain bike trails for all skill levels are well used as well as a 2.5 mile hiking trail and a .75 mile nature trail. The worst thing about this park was the restroom. It was cleaned every morning however with just this one rest room under heavy use serving two camping loops by midday the condition was poor. This park was opened by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in 1939 when bath facilities would have been adequate. Tip: Take a 15 minute walk to the bath house at the swimming area and use the toilets and showers. (no crowds, clean, no wait.) This is a pleasant park however it is busy with lots of kids and campers constantly coming and going. If you are looking for peace and quiet and communing with nature this is not the park for you. If you are an active family looking for your kids to be constantly busy (swimming, boating, hiking, biking) and probably meeting other kids this park is great. The Tyler Municipal Rose Garden is located in the nearby city of Tyler, known as the Rose Capital of the World.Visit our Tyler State Park Photo Gallery Note: Texas Parks & Wildlife announced on March 19, 2008 “Tyler State Park produces Budweiser ShareLunker.” At 14.5 pounds the largemouth bass is a new lake record.

Cleburne State Park, Cleburne Texas

joanie7 — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 23:06:15 +0000

Visit our Cleburne State Park Photo Gallery. Head southwest of Fort Worth Texas approximately 50 miles or so and you will find Cleburne State Park in Johnson County. Opened in 1938 this is an older park and it is showing. We observed that most of the buildings were in a minor state of disrepair. This is a smaller park (528 acres) with small Cedar (116 acre) Lake open to non motorized (or no more than 5 mph) water craft. The lake is spring fed and the peaceful setting looked good to us for kayak fishing. There are 7 miles of mountain bike trails for all levels and lots of hiking trails. The park is quiet, uncrowded and the camping fee is reasonable. Choose from 27 full hook up sites for trailers or RV’s however you will find only one of the loops is lakeside. 31 electric and water sites for tents or trailers do not have a water view. We liked the tranquil setting however did not think the facilities or grounds were kept in very good condition.Visit our Cleburne State Park Photo Gallery.

Lake Mineral Wells State Park & Trailway, Mineral Wells Texas

joanie7 — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 22:02:13 +0000

Visit our Mineral Wells State Park gallery. Located 46 miles west of Fort Worth Texas in Parker County Lake Mineral Wells State Park at 3,200 acres is a nice sized park with a small (646 acre) lake. The Lake Mineral Wells State Trailway (rails to trails conversion) takes off here for a 20-mile-long hike, bike or horseback ride (you bring your bike, horse or comfortable walking shoes) to downtown Weatherford. Another major attraction at Lake Mineral Wells State Park is Penitentiary Hollow, an area of boulders, sheer rock walls and narrow canyons attracting rock climbers from all over. For non climbers a series of stone steps traverses the labyrinth leading to a bluff with great views of the lake. Hikers enjoy the Cross Timbers multi-use trail consisting of 4 loops totaling 11 miles. 16.5 miles of hiking mostly through wide open grasslands are available here in the park. Campers may choose betwwen 64 back-in campsites with water and electricity, 11 water only sites or 20 hike-in (2.2 miles) primitive sites. There are also 20 equestrian sites with water. Most of the trailer sites are large however many are not level. We liked the Post Oak Campground overlooking the lake, (sites 1-11) We also liked sites 21,22,24,26,29,35 and 46 for size and location. The best thing about this park is that it offers an adventure for everyone in your family. Choose from the many activities including fishing, swimming, non motorized boating, rock climbing, rappeling, hiking, biking or horseback riding.Visit our Mineral Wells State Park gallery.

Lake Tawakoni State Park, Wills Point Texas

joanie7 — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 21:48:21 +0000

Visit our Lake Tawakoni Photo Gallery Located in Hunt County, just 50 miles East of Dallas, Texas, Lake Tawakoni State Park offers camping, mountain biking and hiking as well as boating, fishing and swimming. This small park (376 acres) sits on the south side of the massive (37,800 acre) Lake Tawakoni Reservoir. The park is named for the pre historic Indian tribe (the Tawakoni) who traveled from Oklahoma into Northeast Texas to settle in this area where they remained until the mid 1800’s. Today the park is home to 215 bird species as well as 40 acres of native tall grass prairie rarely found in this part of Texas. 5.5 miles of easy hiking can be enjoyed and for the cyclists 3 of those miles are level biking with lots of fun twists and turns. 78 back in or pull thru multi-use campsites with electric and water are spacious, level and offer good privacy. Sites 54 and 55 have views of the lake. Lake Tawakoni State Park drew International attention in the late summer of 2007 as thousands, some say millions of spiders from many different spider families wove a massive communal spider web that began to grow at a nature trail and eventually spread over several acres. The best thing about this park is it’s remote rural setting still within easy driving distance of Dallas. The nearest Wal-Mart is in Terrell. 20 minutes away.Visit our Lake Tawakoni Photo Gallery

Cedar Hill State Park, Cedar Hill Texas

joanie7 — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 20:41:46 +0000

Opened in 1991, Cedar Hill State Park quickly became popular with campers, bicyclists, hikers and fishermen. This 1,826 acre park sits at the edge of Joe Pool Reservoir, a 7,500 acre man made lake. Two boat ramps with a total of ten lanes stay busy all summer with many of the visitors from the nearby city of Dallas, Texas. Boats are available for rental at the Joe Pool Marina. More than 300 developed (water & electricity, two dump stations) and 30 primitive walk-in campsites are offered for those folks escaping the city for the weekend or a week. The Dallas Off Road Bicycle Association (DORBA) has built and maintains 15 miles of challenging mountain biking trails here. The park was developed at the site of a 19th century family farm, the Penn Farm. A self-guided walking tour taking visitors through restored barns and buildings is an interesting and educational experience for families as they experience what life was like in this area before the tremendous growth of both Dallas and Fort Worth. There are 4.5 miles of easy to walk pleasant hiking trails . An excellent guide to the Talala-Duck Pond Loop is available in the book ’60 Hikes within 60 Miles of Dallas/Fort Worth’ by Joanie Sanchez. The best thing about this park is the location. The proximity to both Dallas and Fort Worth allows city folks to enjoy time in the outdoors without a long drive. The worst thing about this park is also location. The closeness to two major cities does create crowds especially n the summer and on school breaks. This is a very clean park including well maintained restrooms. The campsites on the many upper loops are fairly large and generally level however if you prefer lakeside camping the sites are smaller, not so flat and better suited for tents or smaller travel trailers.