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Listed below are a few of our favorite Texas State Parks. The locations and some detailed information are included.
Texas offers such a diverse and plentiful park system.
West Texas Panhandle:
Caprock Canyons State park: located on FM 1065 in Quitaque, TX. This desert-like beauty consists of 15,160.6 acres of mostly sparse badlands, with juniper, mesquite and cactus and bottomlands with tall grasses, cottonwoods and plum thickets. The park offers horseback riding w/horse rentals available (great way to see the area!), mountain biking, boating, fishing (Lake Theo is great for bass and catfish) and swimming. With nearly ninety miles of multi-use trails the park harbors a variety of wildlife such as African Aoudad Sheep, mule, whitetail deer, raccoons, coyotes and bobcats to name a few. The area hosts some 175 species of birds including the rare Golden Eagle, and is a favorite among birders. But the pride of Caprock Canyons is its herd of Pronghorn Antelope, and the largest herd of buffalo in the state park system.
West Texas:
Davis Mountains State Park: located off Highway 118 N. in Jeff Davis County. The Davis Mountains are the largest range in Texas and were formed by volcanic activity. The park is nestled about halfway between the famous Carlsbad Caverns and Big Bend National Park. Attractions include nature study, hiking, backpacking and interpretive programs. There are two beautiful scenic overlooks, scenic drives and over four miles of hiking trials. There are ten miles of backcountry trails with primitive campsites.
With altitudes averaging over a mile, the flora and fauna are mostly plains, grasslands and pinion woodlands. During rainy seasons the park abounds with wildflowers, an incredible sight! Common wildlife in the park consists of Montezuma Quail, scrub jays, white wing-wing doves, thrashers and rock squirrels.
Northwest Texas:
Caddo Lake State Park: located off FM 1154 in Case County.
This sultry gem gets its name from Caddo Lake. It’s one of the most exquisite examples of striking swampland Texas has to offer publicly. Its 32,000 acres are a sprawling maze of bayous and sloughs. The lake contains over seventy species of fish and is known for the excellent Crappie, large-mouth and white bass fishing. Attractions include a playground, 1-½ miles of hiking trails and a ¾ mile nature trail. Camping and cabins are available. Naturalists love this park and the awesome cypress with their knotty roots, American lotus and lily pads. Wildlife is also abundant, such as waterfowl, turtles, frogs, alligators and snakes. The wooded areas house raccoons, minks, beavers, and deer to name a few.
Central Texas:
Bastrop State Park: located off highway 71 just east of Bastrop. Created in the 1930’s Bastrop State Park boasts 3,500 acres of scenic beauty. With camping, fishing, backpacking, golfing, swimming, biking, hiking and wildlife viewing, this park seems to have it all! An 8-½ mile hiking trail with picnic sites, 3 ½ additional miles of hiking trails, one of the most scenic golf courses in Texas and an extra large swimming pool. Lake Bastrop offers over 900 acres of fishing, skiing and boating. There are rustic cabins available for rent. The most famous attraction of the park is the beautiful forest of “The Lost Pines”. The loblolly pines are home to a large variety of wildlife and birds as well as white-tailed deer, rabbits, squirrels, opossums and armadillos. This is one park that has a great number of returning guests.
East Texas:
Village Creek State Park: located on Alma Drive in Lumberton, TX. This state park is small in comparison to most, but as big as the state of Texas in its offerings.
The lush grounds are part of the Old Texas Big Thicket. It tremendous natural diversity has earned the park the nickname of “ The American ark”. The region's habitat includes meadows, blackwater, cypress swamps, pine and hardwood forests. There are eight miles of hiking trails in this thousand-acre “rain forest”, with 25 campsites. Hike-in campsites and an interpretive center with guided nature hikes. A real birder's paradise boasting over 200 hundred types of birds. Wildlife include deer, armadillos, turtles, beavers and six species of lizards.
South Texas:
Brazos Bend State Park: located off FM 762 in Fort Bend County. Six lakes, an interpretive trail and educational programs are just a few of the highlights of this state park. There is the famous George Observatory for stargazing as well. The creeks and riverbeds are lined with beautiful weeping sycamore, cottonwoods and black willows. Trails run along the lakes and through the bottomland hardwood forests.
Nature lovers are ecstatic over the observation tower and platforms. More than 270 species of birds frequent the park, 21 species of reptiles and amphibians, including the American alligator are abundant in the park as well. Mammals include the bobcat and white-tailed deer. The deer by the way are renowned for their friendliness to the campers, wandering freely and visiting campsites. You might also spot a few gray foxes, raccoons and feral hogs.
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