Lone Star Travelers Blog » Texas State Park

Lake Brownwood State Park, Brownwood Texas

joanie7 — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 21:33:26 +0000

Lake Brownwood State Park near the geographical center of Texas, opened in 1938, is a smaller (537.5 acres) park located on the shores of the large (7300 acre) Lake Brownwood. With miles of shoreline to enjoy folks come here in the summer to swim, waterski, jets ski, boat and fish. There are 2.5 miles of hiking trails and a .75 self guided nature trail. This is the Texas Oak Trail loop with 16 numbered stops. You may turn this into a slightly longer walk by continuing on to the fishing pier We camped in the Council Bluff area with 19 full hookups and a partial view of the lake at $25 per night. Water and electric sites range from $15-$20 per night with primitive sites at $12 per night. We found the restrooms in our camping loop to be clean and well maintained. Summer does attract crowds to the campgrounds nearest the swimming beaches so you may want to avoid these if you wish a more solitary camping experience. 16 cabins for 2-4 people are available at $65-$75 per night. Lodges are offered for groups ranging from $95-$290 per night accommodating from 4-26 people A barracks with dining hall is available for groups up to 32 people for $290 per night. Shelters rent for $30 per night. Be aware that poisonous snakes are native to this area including the rattlesnake and cottonmouth. Poison ivy and poison oak also exist. Avoid tall grasses and brushy areas and stay on the trails! Native wildlife include the gray fox, raccoon, opossum, wild turkey and white-tailed deer. 325-784-5223

The Bats of Caprock Canyons State Park

joanie7 — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 21:05:29 +0000

An abandoned railway tunnel, part of the 64 miles of rails to trails at Caprock Canyons State Park is home to a half-million Mexican free-tailed bats each summer. They come by the thousands to colonize in the 742 foot Clarity Tunnel. Every Friday and Saturday evening during August guided vehicle tours are available to watch the bats as they emerge from the tunnel. The tours begin an hour and a half before sunset and end after the flight. The fee for the tour is $10.00 per adult, $7.50 for seniors and $5.00 for children under 12. Reservations are necessary and must be made not later than noon the day of the tour. 806-455-1492 Caprock Canyons State Park and Trailway is a 2 hour drive from either Amarillo or Lubbock. Other activities available here are camping, hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. Note: The official Texas State Bison herd, direct descendants of the last free range Southern Plains Bison resides at Caprock Canyons State Park.

Lake Colorado City State Park, Colorado City Texas

joanie7 — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 20:46:53 +0000

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.

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.

Visit our Rusk State Park Photo Gallery