Best State Parks In Texas For Camping
THE BEST STATE PARKS IN TEXAS
FROM ROLLING PLAINS AND BARREN DESERTS TO BEACHES AND SWAMPS, TEXAS’ GEOGRAPHY IS VAST AND DIVERSE. SOME OF THE BEST PLACES TO SEE THIS NATURAL BEAUTY ARE THE STATE PARKS, WHICH HELP TO PRESERVE PRECIOUS OUTDOOR SPACES. WE’VE GOT 5 OF THE BEST LONE STAR STATE PARKS TO SHARE WITH YOU.
Table of Contents
Colorado Bend State Park Places To Stay
5 BEST STATE PARKS IN TEXAS For CAMPING
- · Colorado Bend State Park
- · Dinosaur Valley State Park
- · Monahans Sandhills State Park
- · Mustang Island State Park
- · Caddo Lake State Park
best state parks in texas for Hiking
Colorado Bend State Park
ColoradoBend State Park Vacation Rentals
Colorado Bend State Park is a 21.5 km² Texas State Park located in the Hill Country region. It was purchased in 1984 and opened to the public in 1987. It is representative of the karst characteristics generally observed in the region, with numerous sinkholes, caves and springs.
Two hours northwest of Austin is a hiker’s oasis in Colorado Bend State Park. Not only does the park offer 56 kilometers of hiking and biking trails, there is also the beautiful 21-meter waterfall, Gorman Falls. Visitors can take a guided tour of Gorman Falls and enjoy a 2.5-hour hike. The park also includes Spicewood Springs – a nice place to cool off – and cave tours to nearby caves. There are 155 species of birds in the park and camping is available. When parking is full at Colorado Bend the park closes for four hours, plan accordingly.
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Address Map:2236 Park Hill Dr, Bend, TX 76824, United States
Hours :
Open ⋅ Closes 10PM
Mon – Sun:
<
p>6:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Telephone : +1 325-628-3240
Dinosaur Valley State Park
Dinosaur Valley State Park is a state park in Texas located near Glen Rose. It is famous for its numerous traces of several species of dinosaurs.
Kids and adults alike enjoy playing paleontologist for a day, and Dinosaur Valley State Park, about an hour southwest of Fort Worth, is a great place to be. Around 113 million years ago, this area was home to herbivorous and carnivorous dinosaurs, whose footprints were preserved in the mud. Today, visitors can walk along the bed of the Paluxy River and see these traces, which belonged to therapists (a smaller relative of Tyrannosaurus rex) and sauropods (similar to a brachiosaurus). Bird watchers can see two endangered bird species in the park: the golden-cheeked warbler and the black-capped vireo. Hiking, mountain biking, fishing, swimming, horseback riding and geocaching are also available. There are 20 miles (32 km) of trails to explore and campsites for regular hiking and camping.
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DinosaurValley State Park Camping And Restrooms
Mon – Sun:
8:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
1629 Park Road 59, Glen Rose, Texas, 76043, United States
Telephone :
+12548974588
Monahans Sandhills State Park
monahans sandhills state park camping |
The Monahans Sandhills State Park is a 3,840-acre state park located in the southern Llano Estacado in Ward County and Winkler County, Texas. The closest major town is Monahans, Texas, and the closest limited-access highway ingress is Exit 86 on Interstate 20.
For those who want to try a new sport, Monahans Sandhills State Park is the place to be. Located about 30 minutes west of Odessa, this park has 1,853 acres (1,553 hectares) of sand dunes, some of which are up to 21 meters high. The park is a small part of a dune field that stretches further into Texas and New Mexico. Here visitors can rent slides and sand discs to hurtle down the dunes at the park headquarters or attach a snowboard and ‘surf’ the dunes. There is also an 800 acre (323 hectare) equestrian area and trailer parking area. Three campsites are available.
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Hours :
Mon – Sun:
8:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
2500 E Interstate 20, exit 86, Monahans, Texas, 79756, USA
Telephone :
+14329432092
Established in : 1957
Mustang Island State Park
Mustang Island State Park |
Mustang Islands States Park is a state park located in south of city of Port Aransas, Texas, United States on the coast of Gulf of Mexico that covers 3,954 acres and has a 5 mile beachfront. The land was acquired from private owners in 1972 and opened to the public in 1979.
Stretching 28 miles (28 km) from Port Aransas to Corpus Christi, Mustang Island is named after the wild horses that once roamed the island. Today, Barrier Island is home to Mustang Island State Park, where visitors can soak up the sun, catch a wave, mountain bike, fish, spend the night in one of its 100 campsites, and more. Kayakers can take to the Paddling Trail in Mustang Island National Park, which offers 20 miles of trails and bird watching opportunities. Two species of sea turtles, young Atlantic green turtles and Kemp’s sea turtles visit the island, for guests to watch. The Kemp ‘s Ridley is the smallest and most endangered sea turtle. Visitors should notify Texas Parks and Wildlife staff immediately if a sea turtle is spotted on the beach.
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Hours :
Wednesday |
8AM–5PM |
Thursday |
8AM–5PM |
Friday |
8AM–5PM |
Saturday |
8AM–5PM |
Sunday |
8AM–5PM |
Monday |
8AM–5PM |
Tuesday |
8AM–5PM |
17047 State Highway 361, Port Aransas, Texas, 78373, United States
+13617495246
Caddo Lake State Park
caddo lake state park camping |
A natural lake, Caddo Lake State Park embodies the true geography of East Texas. A network of bayous sits lazily beneath towering bald cypress trees covered in Spanish moss, creating a picturesque part of the 10,850 hectare lake. Visitors can fish or paddle in these waters, which are home to more than 70 species of fish. Canoes are available for hire in the park or you can bring your own and explore more than 80 kilometers of hiking trails in the Caddo Lake area. Full disclosure, there are alligators in these waters, along with beavers, mink, and other wildlife. Boating is also permitted, and hiking and geocaching are plentiful. Campers can choose from 46 campsites, an armored carport, or one of nine cabins.
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245 Park Rd 2, Karnack, TX 75661, United States
Hours :
Wednesday 8AM–10PM
Thursday 8AM–10PM
Friday 8AM–10PM
Saturday 8AM–10PM
Sunday 8AM–10PM
Monday 8AM–10PM
Tuesday 8AM–10PM
Telephone : +1 903-679-3351
Description
Established in : june 1933