Texas RV Travel : Discover Texas

State Parks and State Historic Sites

Texas has over 120 state parks, natural areas, historic sites and wildlife management areas. From a restored dreadnought outside of Houston to the remnants of the Texas Longhorn herd scattered throughout the Panhandle, to the final home of the last president of Texas at Washington-on-the-Brazos to the Indian burial mounds of East Texas, there is a park for every interest you may have.

Texas has almost 50 state parks with campsites offering electricity and water; of these, over 20 have sewer hookups. For the latest information on park hours of operation, please check the park web site, contact the park, or call park information (1-800-792-1112-option 3) before you plan a visit.

Colorado Bend State Park

Colorado Bend State Park is situated on the site of two former ranches and has six miles of river frontage. The park is not developed, but primitive camping, fishing, swimming, birding and wildlife watching await you. There are 16 miles of hiking trails and 14 miles of mountain bike trails.

The most magnificent feature in this park is the 60-foot Gorman Falls. Minerals in the water create travertine formations down the cliff face. The bottom of the drop is Spicewood Creek, a refreshing natural spring-fed pool.

There are approximately 378 caves and karst features in Colorado Bend State Park.

Contact the park (325/628-3240) to make reservations for Gorman Falls Tour or the cave tours.

Garner State Park

Garner State Park offers camping, hiking, biking, birding, canoeing, fishing, swimming and tubing, seasonal miniature golf and paddle boats. The park is home to deer, turkey, bluebirds, warblers, squirrels and raccoons, is heavily wooded and is one of the most scenic parks in Texas.

Frio River at Garner State Park
For more information on Garner State Park, please visit
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department website.

Goose Island State Park

Goose Island State Park is located on Lamar Peninsula in Aransas Bay. Goose Island State Park is home of a Coastal Live Oak that is estimated to be over 1000 years old. Goose Island is right across the bay from Aransas National Wildlife Reserve. The park has wi-fi Internet access for a fee. RV campers must choose between a bayside camp site on the island or shaded sites on the mainland. What a choice!

Guadalupe State Park

Guadalupe River State Park is a huge park with small RV spaces. The campgrounds are away from the river, of course, but the day use area is right on the banks of the Guadalupe River. You may make arrangements at the park for tube rental and shuttle. For a free float trip you may take on the Guadalupe, see our trip information Guadalupe River State Park.

Honey Creek Natural Area at Guadalupe River State Park

On Saturdays, you may take a guided tour of the Honey Creek Natural Area adjacent to the park (sign up in advance). Through Juniper laden hillsides to a lush riparian environment, we walked for two miles to reach the spring-fed creek that flows from the mouth of the longest cave in Texas. The creek is only a few miles long and empties into the Guadalupe River below the park.

Inks Lake State Park

One of my favorite parks is Inks Lake State Park. While Inks Lake is just a comma among the much larger Hill Country Lakes, it is the most dramatic in scenic beauty. Pink granite outcroppings mixed with natural woodlands and crystal clear water is a feast for all the senses.

Inks Lake with Buchanan Dam in Background (from Park Road 4)

Located on the northeast corner of Inks Lake, Devil’s Water Hole has been described as one of the most scenic swimming holes in the state. It is a large cove that meanders around huge blocks of rocks.

Devil's Water Hole

World Birding Center

The World Birding Center

Over 10,000 acres are planned to become part of the WBC, helping to protect native habitat while increasing the understanding and appreciation of the birds and wildlife.

Currently, The World Birding Center is a network of nine sites strung along 120 miles of road from South Padre Island to Roma, Texas. The habitats are as diverse as the sites, which makes this the richest birding area north of the border.

Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park-762 acres of wilderness and headquarters of WBC
Edinburg Scenic Wetlands-oasis for water-loving birds and butterflies
Estero Llano Grande State Park-almost 200 acres of wetlands
Harlingen Arroyo Colorado-55 acres of Texas Ebony woodlands meet 40 acres of mixed upland thorn forest
Old Hidalgo Pumphouse-historic museum planted with hummingbird gardens
Quinta Mazatlan-historic Spanish Revival adobe hacienda surrounded by lush tropical landscaping and native woodlands
Resaca de la Palma State Park-1700 semi- tropical acres
Roma Bluffs-riverside nature area of three acres is part of a national historic district
South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center-50 acres of dune meadows, salt marsh and intertidal flats, thickets of native shrubs and trees

For birding checklists for each of the sites above, please visit the WBC.

Not one place, but nine unique locations, each with its own attractions for the first-time visitor or expert birder. Not one season, but all seasons, as more than 500 different bird species make this a not-to-be-missed nature destination. Access within the park is by foot, bike and tram only.