Portal - Hill Country Parks & Lakes

Blanco State Park:

Blanco Texas State Park

This 110-acre park is located one mile south of Blanco on US 281. Camping, trailer sites, picnic areas, screened shelters, fishing, swimming, pedal boats, children's play area, restrooms, and showers are available.

For overnight reservations call 512/389-8900. Information: (830) 833-4333. Business: (830) 833-5388. Superintendent's Residence:(830) 833-5387; 101 Park Road 23, Blanco, TX 78606-4835

Cibalo Nature Center: A 100 acre center located at 140 City Park Rd, Boerne, TX 78006; Phone: 830-249-4616. The hiking trails are laid out to bring the visitor through four dramatically distinct eco-systems. The creek, marshland, meadow and woods each have a unique charm, and each has its owns et of plant and animal life to observe. Named one of the top ten hikes in Texas by Texas Monthly Magazine. Educational center and bookstore in a restored historic building. www.cibolo.org

Colorado Bend State Park:

Colorado Bend State Park - Texas

This park offers a wide spectrum of outdoor recreational opportunities including fishing, boating, hiking, mountain biking, guided nature and caving tours, bird watching, mineral study, and photography. Among the parks "specialty items," are its crystal-clear creeks dammed along their length with striking growths of travertine, a mineral precipitate from calcium-carbonate rich waters.

Two large parking areas by the Colorado River accommodate up to 300 vehicles and include primitive tent camping facilities with drinking water, chemical toilets, and a fish-cleaning table. Fires are permitted only in designated areas. RVs and trailers must be self-contained.

Colorado Bend State Park is located on RR 580 between San Saba and Lampasas. For further assistance, and information contact Colorado Bend State Park, Box 118, Bend, Texas 76824. Phone: 915/628-3240.

Devil's Sinkhole State Natural Area: Tours available to the public to view the unique collapsed cavern called the Devil's Sinkhole. For information call 830-683-2287 or visit http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/park/sinkhole/sinkhole.htm.

Enchanted Rock State Natural Area - Texas

Enchanted Rock State Natural Area: Located on the southeast margin of the large Enchanted Rock Batholith, the granite exposed is one of the Town Mountain Granite suite and is of Precambrian age. U-Pb zircon geochronology gives an age of 1082+-6 million years old (Walker, 1992). Precambrian rocks in central Texas are part of the Llano Uplift. There are several large exfoliation domes and castle tops in the park. The largest (Enchanted Rock itself) rises 122 m. above the surrounding landscape. This is simply the best place to look at granite in Texas. www.enchantedrock.org. 1-915-247-3903

Garner State Park: 1419.8 acres (10 water acres of the Frio River) of recreational facilities in northern Uvalde County. For information call 830-232-6132 or visit http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/park/garner.

Guadalupe River State Park: This 1,900-acre scenic Hill Country park is bisected by the beautiful, cypress-edged river that flows over natural rapids in the park. Wildlife includes white-tail deer, coyotes, foxes, and armadillos; juniper thickets offer nesting habitat for rare golden-cheeked warbler. Tent and RV camping, restrooms, showers, picnic sites, plus fishing, canoeing, swimming, and hiking are available. Located on RR 46, 13 miles east of Boerne. www.tpwd.state.tx.us/park/guadalup/guadalup.htm

Hamilton Pool Preserve: Hamilton Pool Road, Cypress Mill, TX 78663. (512) 264-2740. www.texasoutside.com/hamiltonpool.htm. This 232-acre preserve is managed as a natural area (preserve) with emphasis on habitat protection and restoration, environmental education for public and private groups, and ongoing research. It offers limited, day-use only, with recreational opportunities such as picnicking, hiking, swimming and nature study. The preserve's pool and grotto were formed when the dome of an underground river collapsed due to massive erosion thousands of years ago. massive erosion thousands of years ago. There is a 45 foot water fall creating a great swimming hole. You need to also hike some of the nature trails along the creek. Swimming is allowed only when the water quality meets safe standards. Water quality is monitored regularly. Updated information is posted at the entrance booth and provided on the park's telephone recorder message. Drinking water or concessions are not available in the preserve.

Inks Lake State Park: Inks Lake State Park is a 1,200 acre panorama of cedar and oak woodlands, wildflowers, and pink granite outcroppings. The park borders Inks Lake, and recreational opportunities at the park include swimming, boating, canoeing, water skiing, scuba diving, sailing, and fishing. Deer, turkey, quail, numerous songbirds, and other species of wildlife are abundant here.

Campsites and shelters accommodate up to eight persons, with a combination of motor vehicles and trailers not to exceed two. Picnic table, BBQ grill and restrooms with hot showers are nearby. There is no lifeguard on duty for swimming. The park also offers two fishing piers and two fish cleaning shelters, a two-lane boat ramp, a nine hole golf course with clubs, pull carts and golf carts for rent. There is a playground and concession facility at the park which offers groceries, picnic supplies, canoe, boat, and paddleboat rentals.

Kerrville Schreiner State Park: Located on the Guadalupe River, this 500-acre park offers a host of activities including swimming, fishing, and boating. Campsites, picnic tables, tiled showers and restrooms make it the perfect setting for a day's outing or an overnight stay. Reservations are recommended for campsites. Open year-round, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. for day use. Screened shelters and RV campsites available. Located south of Kerrville on Highway 173.

Lady Bird Johnson Park: A 190-acre municipal park featuring fully equipped RV sites, golf, swimming, tennis, badminton, picnicking plus a small lake for sailboats, canoes, and pedal boats. Located on Highway 16, 3.5 miles south of Fredericksburg. Golf Course Pro Shop 800-950-8147 or 1-830-997-4010 Park Headquarters: 830-997-4202.

L.B.J. State Park - Lyndon B. Johnson State Historical Park is in Gillespie County, between Fredericksburg and Johnson City, and contains 717.9 acres. Lyndon B. Johnson State Historical Park honors a native Texan who achieved the nation's highest office. To create the unique facility, friends of then President Johnson raised money to purchase property directly across the Pedernales River from the LBJ Ranch. In 1965, this land was accepted by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, and the park was opened in 1970. (830) 644-2420; POB 238, E. US Hwy 290, Stonewall, TX 78671 (www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/lyndon_b_johnson)
Open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the summer and offers picnic facilities, swimming pool, tennis courts and nature trail. Wildlife displays include Texas Longhorns, white-tailed deer and buffalo. Historic buildings include two restored dog-run cabins of area pioneers, furnished in frontier style, and the Sauer-Beckmann Farmstead (open daily 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.in the summer) where rural life of the early 1900's is interpreted by living history demonstrations. Open daily on US 290 just east of Stonewall. www.tpwd.state.tx.us/park/lbj/lbj.htm 1-830-644-2252

Lost Maples State Natural Area: While they aren't really "lost," the bigtooth maples for which the park is named are selective in their habitat. Because of their shallow roots, the trees are susceptible to damage by soil compaction and visitors are cautioned to stay on prescribed paths to ensure continued vigor of the maple stands. Fall color is usually at its peak in early November.

Park facilities include campsites with water, picnic areas, restrooms, showers, and primitive camp areas reached by almost eleven miles of hiking and backpacking trails. Swimming is permitted but no facilities are provided. Located 4 miles north of Vanderpool on RR 187.

Lost Maples State Natural Area covers 2174.2 scenic acres in Bandera and Real Counties, north of Vanderpool on the Sabinal River. Acquired by purchase from private owners in 1973 -1974, the site was opened to the public on September 1, 1979. The annual visitation is approximately 200,000 visitors. For information call 830-966-3415 or visit http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/park/lostmap.htm.

Perdernales Falls State Park: 5212 acres in Blanco County east of Johnson City, was acquired from private owners in 1970 and was opened to the public in 1971. It is located along the banks of scenic Pedernales River and features picturesque waterfalls, abundant animal and bird life, fishing, swimming, camping, picnicking, hiking and horseback riding. Approximately eight miles east of Johnson City on FM 2766 at 2585 Park Road 6026. www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/pedernales_falls, www.tpwd.state.tx.us/park/pedernal/pedernal.htm. 1-830-868-7304.

Reimer's Ranch Preserve: Hamilton Pool Road, Cypress Mill, TX 78663. www.co.travis.tx.us/tnr/parks/reimers_ranch.asp. This pristine 2,427 acre parkland, open space and reserve land in western Travis County with almost 3 miles of continuous frontage along the Pedernales River is the largest parkland acquisition in the history of Travis County. The Reimers Ranch parcel is already well known and well loved by many park users. The sizeable Central Texas rock-climbing community views Reimers Ranch as a destination with world class rock climbing. The active local mountain biking community likewise enjoys Reimers Ranch’s over 18 miles of trails through the classic Central Texas landscape. Local anglers have come to Reimers’ for generations to fish for white bass in the Pedernales River. The Pogue Springs Preserve/Hogge Reserve component of the land acquisition is less known but equally spectacular with Pedernales River frontage, deep canyons and panoramic views of the Texas Hill Country.

South Llano River State Park: Cool clear water, shady trees, and abundant wildlife all make South Llano River State Park an ideal camping spot. The winding South Llano River forms the northern park boundary with 1.5 miles of river frontage. The 507-acre wooded bottomland is home to the white-tail deer and Rio Grande turkey. Campsites accommodate up to eight persons each, with a combination of motor vehicles and trailers not to exceed two; sites have picnic table and BBQ grill. In addition to primitive campsites there are walk-in campsites with picnic tables and fire rings, campsites with water and electricity which include back-in parking; and a restroom with hot showers nearby.

A spring-fed scenic stream has sufficient flow for canoeing, tubing, and swimming. Several hiking trails leading into the adjoining 2,123-acre Walter Buck Wildlife Management Area are available.
South Llano River State Park and adjoining Walter Buck State Wildlife Management Area are located five miles south of Junction in Kimble County off US 377 on Park Road 73. For further information contact South Llano River State Park, HC15, Box 224, Junction, Texas 76849 or Phone 915/446-3994.

(830) 868-7128; Fax: (830) 868-7863; POB 329, 100 Ladybird Lane, Johnson City, TX 78636.
Volunteer Coordinator: Liz Lindig, ext 231; E-mail: Liz_Lindig@nps.gov. Web: www.nps.gov/lyjo. Click Map (requires Adobe Reader).

1048 State Hwy 49, Stonewall, TX 78671. See Johnson City contact information above.

Guadalupe Blanco River Authority www.gbra.org

United States Army Corps of Engineers http://swf67.swf-wc.usace.army.mil/canyon/homepage.htm

Lower Colorado River Authority: http://www.lcra.org

Texas Recreation and Park Society www.traps.org

Honey Creek State Natural Area

HILL COUNTRY LAKES

Canyon Lake

Highland Lakes

Lake Buchanan

Inks Lake

Lake LBJ

Lake Marble Falls

Lake Travis

Town Lake

Medina Lake