Texas State Parks Archives

6 Family-friendly Holiday Events at Texas State Parks

November 22, 2017 by Samantha Saenz 1 Comment

Temperatures may be mild outside, but holiday music is starting to play on local radio stations. And in just a few short days, Austin’s very own Trail of Lights will open for another glorious season. So, while it may not feel like it, it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in ATX.

Unfortunately, along with this most wonderful time of the year comes added stress. Instead of letting crowded shopping malls and heavier traffic get you down, head outside for some holiday cheer.

Scattered across the great state of Texas are more than 90 state parks, 19 of which are relatively close to Austin. To help you steer clear of the crowds and spend more time with loved ones, we’ve rounded up six state parks near Austin that are featuring holiday festivities in 2017. [Read more…]

6 Getaways for Camping Near Austin

January 26, 2017 by Susan Meyer 1 Comment

Campfire at Pace Bend (Credit: Christopher Dawson)

True confession time: I’m not what you would call outdoorsy. I don’t own any fancy wilderness equipment. I would be hard pressed to start a fire without the aid of matches. And my survival skills all involve googling stuff. But the truth is, I love camping. I love having an excuse to get away from computer screens and just sit around a campfire chatting with friends. I love coming up with innovative ways to cook delicious things outside. And I love sleeping under the stars and waking up to the sound of chirping birds.

Camping near Austin is great for fair-weather campers like me. You don’t need a sub-zero-ready sleeping bag. Barring the hottest part of summer and occasional rainy day, the weather is on your side most of the year. Plus, there are so many great drive-up camping sites a short distance from the city. In fact, one of my favorite things about Austin is the fact that you can drive just a few miles outside the city center and feel like you’re miles from civilization. In no particular order, here’s a round-up of some great options for camping near Austin! [Read more…]

Revisiting the Lost Pines: Bastrop and Buescher State Parks

January 11, 2016 by Edgar Barguiarena Leave a Comment

In 1933 on a commission from President Roosevelt, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) began work on a donated stretch of land in Central Texas that needed a purpose. Through the hard work of Company 1811 and 1805, with 200 enrollees each, a state park and national historic landmark emerged. Today, Bastrop State Park and neighboring Buescher State Park(pronounced “bisher”) encompass almost 8,000 acres of loblolly pines and hardwoods, collectively known as the Lost Pines of Central Texas.

Bastrop State Park gained some notoriety in 2011 as 96% of the park was burned in the Bastrop County Complex fire. I was curious to see how our beloved state park, only 30 miles southeast of Austin, has recovered since the wildfires. How are the recovery efforts going and is the park still worth visiting after so much devastation? [Read more…]

Is the Greenbelt Open? Reliable Answers to Common Questions

May 27, 2015 by Leah Nyfeler 6 Comments

Flooded Stevie Ray Vaughan Statue in Austin

Stevie Ray Vaughan surveys a flooded city (Credit: Holp Photography)

When bad weather strikes, it’s important to get accurate information about conditions before heading out onto Austin’s trails and waterways. Here are several common questions with reliable resources to quickly answer whether the time is right to enjoy Austin’s many outdoor recreational areas. [Read more…]

Never Run Out of Things to Do and See at Gorgeous Inks Lake State Park

July 31, 2013 by Brittany Highland 6 Comments

Photo credit: Kim Anh via Flickr CC

I can’t get enough of Texas state parks, especially during the heat of summer. Just over an hour from downtown Austin, Inks Lake State Park outside of Burnet is a must-see destination. The park spans more than 1,200 acres, offering a wide range of activities for guests.

Also, the lake stays at a constant level, so activities like swimming and boating are unaffected by drought conditions. [Read more…]

Immerse Yourself in Simpler Times at LBJ State Park

January 9, 2013 by Brittany Highland 1 Comment

LBJ State Park Visitor Center

While I love city life, there’s something to be said for green space and the simplicity of nature.

Just yesterday we wrote about Laguna Gloria, an outdoor paradise in the middle of Austin.

If you drive a bit further to Stonewall, TX – a little more than an hour west of Austin – you’ll find the beautiful Lyndon B. Johnson State Park. It’s a hundred percent worth the drive. No matter how old you are or who you visit with, there’s a piece of the park for you to enjoy! [Read more…]

5 Best Holiday Events at Texas State Parks Near Austin

December 14, 2012 by Brittany Highland Leave a Comment

Enjoy the Jingle Bell Jaunt at beautiful Inks Lake State Park

Click the Play button on the podcast player above to listen to this week’s episode of the Austinot Podcast.

In Texas, we’re blessed to have a wealth of natural beauty, historical perspective and leisure-time entertainment contained within the boundaries of our Texas State Parks. Fortunately for us, our state parks aren’t taking a break for the holiday season! In fact, Texas State Parks all over Texas have special events and activities planned for this special time of year. [Read more…]

Support Bastrop State Park Tomorrow After Last Year’s Devastating Fire

August 31, 2012 by Brittany Highland Leave a Comment

Volunteer Firefighters fighting 2011 fires in Texas

Volunteer firefighters gathered from across the country to fight the Bastrop fires of 2011

Click Play on the podcast player above to listen to this week’s episode of the Austinot Podcast!

Back in April, we reported that Bastrop State Park had reopened most of its acreage after the devastating fire of September 2011.

Because the fire destroyed over 96% of the park, the road to recovery has been long. But no one has given up on Bastrop State Park. There’s an exciting event tomorrow to celebrate the recovery. Park visitors will be able to learn all about what it has taken to protect the park, and why it’s worth saving! [Read more…]

McKinney Falls State Park: The Other Austin Swimming Hole

July 27, 2012 by Brittany Highland 3 Comments

Credit: Jim Nix, Nomadic PursuitsWe’ve been on a state park kick lately. And for good reason. Texas state parks are beautiful and no two are alike. They also provide something Austinites crave in the middle of summer: water.

This past week, we finally made our first trip out to McKinney Falls State Park. I don’t know why it took us so long to go, considering that it was all of 25 minutes from where we live in North-Central Austin. Also, it’s free for children ages 12 and under, and only $6 for adults. [Read more…]

3 Reasons Blanco State Park Should Be on Your Austin Summer To-Do List

June 19, 2012 by Eric Highland 5 Comments

Summer is here in Austin and we’re already starting to feel the heat. For those of you new to the area, it’s only going to get hotter. But there’s good news. Early summer in Austin is one of the best times of the year to break out the picnic basket and get your outdoor time in.

At the Austinot, we love state parks. The parks within a day’s drive of Austin are some of the best in the entire country. Each state park is unique, and every time we write an article we share tips on what to bring, what not to bring and what to expect. Click here to check out related articles on state parks.

One of the parks we visited recently was Blanco State Park. Whether you’re looking for camping, swimming, hiking, [Read more…]

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