Lone Star Travelers Blog » primitive camping Texas

Rock Hunting at the Woodward Ranch, Alpine Texas

joanie7 — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 21:35:59 +0000

Woodward Ranch Rock Shop

No plans yet for Labor Day Weekend? I have a family adventure for you here in the Lone Star State in Brewster County, Texas. Head south out of downtown Alpine, Texas on Hwy 118 for 16 miles.

Cathedral Mountain

Watch for the sign and take a right hand turn on Calamity Creek Rd, travel west 2 miles on this dirt road under the watchful presence of Cathedral Mountain, looming at 6,800 feet and you will arrive at the entrance to Woodward Ranch, established in 1884. Woodward Ranch is a rock hunters paradise. These lands are the only source of the famed Red Plume Agate. There are also 60 different kinds of other agates to be found along with various types of gemstones. The fee to hunt rocks on the Woodward Ranch is $5 per person/per day however if you stay the night the rock hunting fee is included in your overnight stay and you only pay $2 per pound for the rocks you decide to keep. RV camping is available for $30 per night, tent camping is $15 or two cabins on the banks of Calamity Creek are available for rent at $175 or $125 nightly. You may set out on foot however if you want to explore the entire 3,000 acre ranch a high clearance 4-wheel drive vehicle is necessary. When you return from your day of rock hunting the proprietor will go through your rock finds with you and identify them as you decide which ones will be the keepers! If you want more a rock shop has a collection of rocks and jewelry items on display and for sale. woodwardranch.com 432-364-2271

South Llano River State Park, Junction Texas

joanie7 — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 21:16:04 +0000

South Llano River

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

South Llano River State Park and Dinosaur Valley State Park

joanie7 — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 23:49:37 +0000

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

South Llano River State Park

San Angelo State Park, San Angelo Texas

joanie7 — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 22:17:47 +0000

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

Palo Duro Canyon State Park, Canyon Texas

joanie7 — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 21:10:52 +0000

Palo Duro Canyon is said to be the second largest canyon in the United States. At 120 miles long, up to 20 miles wide and a maximum depth of 800 feet, it is commonly referred to as the Grand Canyon of Texas. The northern most section is located in the midst of 291 acres of the Palo Duro Canyon State Park in Canyon, Texas. For frontier era history buffs Palo Duro Canyon State Park contains part of the battlefield site of the 1874 raid by Colonel Ranald S. MacKenzie where he attacked and destroyed a large Indian encampment that brought an end to the Red River Indian War. The visitor may enjoy the spectacular scenery at Palo Duro Canyon State Park simply by driving along the 16 miles of paved roadway that winds through the park. With stops at the interpretive center featuring exhibits on the history, geology and wildlife of the canyon, the Palo Duro Trading Post for a light meal or snack while browsing the souvenirs, and a look at the Pioneer Amphitheater where the outdoor musical drama “Texas” is performed in the summer months you will have a sense of the wonder this park holds for the visitor. 30 miles of hiking and biking trails are also here for your enjoyment. Overnight visitors many choose from primitive campsites at $12 per night or RV sites with water and electricity from $22-$25 per night. Request a space in the Hackberry Camp Loop at $22 per night for 30 amp service, in the Mesquite Camp Area (20 sites) or in the Sagebrush Camp Area (closest to the park headquarters and entrance gate with 28 sites) for either 30 or 50 amp service at $25 per night. All camping areas require navigation down a steeply graded road to the canyon floor. If you have a larger RV or trailer check with a park ranger first. The daily admission fee of $5 per person is in addition to the camping fee. (this fee is waived if you have a current Texas State Parks Pass) Note: When we visited the park in June 2009, on two different occasions, we found the restrooms to be not clean and the campgrounds in general need of maintenance attention. Equestrian trails and campsites are available as well, and at the Old West Stables you may rent a horse or sign up for a guided horseback ride. Cabins set on the rim of the canyon are well worth the $110-125 cost per night just for the spectacular view. Campers please note that there are 6 river crossings on the south end of the park (mostly primitive camping and hiking areas) that are subject to flash flood conditions. For those who would like to stay outside the park the West Rim RV Park is just outside the park entrance. The latest available rate is $20 per night. westrimrvpark.com Also the Palo Duro RV Park in Canyon Texas at $28 per night. 806-488-2548 Palo Duro Canyon State Park is located 21 miles from Amarillo, Texas, take FM 1541 south to TX 217, travel 8 miles east. It is 12 miles east of the town of Canyon, Texas on TX 217. palodurocanyon.com 806-488-2227