Picnic Spots Near Me in Klondike
Lake Bob Sandlin State Park
341 State Park Road 2117, Pittsburg, TX
Lake Bob Sandlin State Park is a 639.8-acre park located on the heavily wooded shoreline on the north side of the 9,400-acre Lake Bob Sandlin, southeast of Mount Pleasant in Titus County. It was acquired in 1979 and was opened in 1987.
There is evidence of prehistoric Caddoan people, who occupied East Texas from 200 B.C. to 1700 A.D. The French and Spanish periodically occupied the area, establishing relations with the Caddo. Choctaw, Cherokee and Kickapoo moved into East Texas in the late 18th to early 19th century. By 1841, Fort Sherman, a wooden stockade whose site is believed to be in or near the park, was established. The Fort Sherman cemetery is located in the park. Since 1860, the land has been used for farming and ranching.
Hidden Cove Park and Marina
20400 Hackberry Creek Park Road, Frisco, TX
Hidden Cove Park boasts over 470 acres containing a plethora of excellent outdoor recreational opportunities such as boating, fishing, camping, hiking, skiing and so much more. A full-service marina is located on the premises along with many perfect spots for picnicking or nature watching.
If you're looking for a place to eat, look no further than Rockin' S Bar and Grill! They have a plethora of different items to choose from. And enough beverages to keep you afloat during those hot summer days.
If chilling on the water with your family and friends while getting a workout is your thing. Be sure to check out DFW Surf just at the top of the boat ramp!
Boat / Jet Ski Rental
Paddleboards
Kayaking
Canoes
Fishing
Swimming
Skiing
Rockin'S Bar & Grill
Ship Store
Marina
Tent Camping
Cabins
Bunk Houses
Pavilions
Picnic Areas
Convention Center
Playgrounds
Nature Watching
Hiking
Volleyball
Horseshoes
Dry Storage
RV Park
The Atlanta State Park
927 Park Road 42, Atlanta, TX
A Peaceful Retreat:
Fishing, camping, birding await in scenic northeast Texas.
Atlanta State Park sits on the shores of Wright Patman Lake in the far northeast corner of Texas. Towering pines and hardwoods shade the park, providing fall and spring color, and beauty year-round.
Things to Do
At Atlanta State Park, you can fish, boat, water-ski and swim at a designated area (no lifeguard on duty). Ashore, you may walk, study nature, bird, camp, picnic, geocache, and jog or hike along roads, trails and shorelines. Explore hilly park roads on your bicycle.
Fishermen enjoy this 33,750-surface-acre reservoir (and its 75-pound catfish). The park has two boat ramps and a fish cleaning station.
The park offers 4.8 miles of hiking trails, including an .8-mile nature trail. Campers can reserve one of 58 campsites. All sites have water and electricity; 14 of them have sewer hook-ups, too.
Dinosaur Valley State Park
1629 Park Road 59, Glen Rose, TX
Where Dinosaurs Roamed!
Long ago, dinosaurs left footprints in the mud at the edge of an ancient ocean. Today, you can walk in their tracks in the bed of the Paluxy River. This long trip to the past is just a short drive from Fort Worth.
Things to Do
Find dinosaur tracks, camp, picnic, hike, mountain bike, swim and fish in the river, watch for wildlife, look for a geocache, ride your horse, or visit our interpretive center.
Stay at one of our campsites. Explore 20 miles of trails. Shop our park store for souvenirs, camping and fishing supplies, books and much more.
Village Creek State Park
8854 Park Road 74, Lumberton, TX
Big Thicket Gateway
Amazing diversity of both plants and wildlife makes Village Creek State Park a very special place. We’re 10 miles north of Beaumont on the edge of the Big Thicket. Come to camp, canoe, or just enjoy the quiet – you’ll be glad you did!
Things to Do
The park sits along Village Creek, one of the few free-flowing creeks in Texas. Here you can camp, picnic, fish, hike, mountain bike, swim, geocache, study nature and view wildlife. Rent our covered picnic pavilion for your next group gathering.
Paddle the Village Creek Paddling Trail, which you can access from the park’s canoe launch.
Explore eight miles of trails on foot or bike. Take young hikers on the Lil’ Paws Nature Trail. The longer Water Oak Trail passes through arid sandy lands and bottomland swamps.
Fish in Village Creek for catfish, bass and sunfish. We lend fishing tackle for use in the park. You do not need a fishing license to fish from shore in a state park!
Kreische Brewery State Historic Site
414 State Loop 92, La Grange, TX
In 1849, German immigrant Heinrich Ludwig Kreische purchased 172 acres of land including the Dawson/Mier tomb, now known as Monument Hill. Master stonemason Kreische built a three-story house for his family. In the 1860s, he utilized the spring water from the ravine below his house and started one of the first commercial breweries in Texas. Walk the ruins of this once bustling brewery and envision how Fayette County citizens would come and enjoy a pint of Kreische’s Bluff Beer while looking out towards the beautiful Texas landscape. The Kreische Brewery and home are listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Mckinney Falls State Park
5808 McKinney Falls Parkway, Austin, TX
Rugged Beauty
Listen to Onion Creek flowing over limestone ledges and splashing into pools. Follow trails winding through the Hill Country woods. Explore the remains of an early Texas homestead and a very old rock shelter. All of this lies within Austin’s city limits at McKinney Falls State Park - what are you waiting for?
Things to Do
Think of the park as Austin’s backyard; we’re just 13 miles from the state capitol. Here you can camp, hike, mountain or road bike, geocache, go bouldering, and picnic. You can also fish and swim in Onion Creek.
Onion Creek can flood after rainfall. Beware of the creek’s flow; contact the park for current creek conditions.
Hiking and biking
Hike or bike nearly nine miles of trails. The 2.8-mile Onion Creek Hike and Bike Trail has a hard surface, good for strollers and road bikes. Take the Rock Shelter Trail (only for hikers) to see where early visitors camped.
Fishing and swimming
Go fishing in Onion or Williamson creeks. You do not need a license to fish from shore in a Texas state park
Pedernales Falls State Park
2585 Park Road 6026, Johnson City, TX
Take Me to the River
Flowing over and around huge slabs of limestone, the Pedernales River can be turbulent. But most often it is tranquil, and a great place to relax and recharge. We are just 30 miles west of Austin. Come over for an afternoon swim or hike, or load up your gear for an overnight adventure. The river awaits!
Things to Do
Here at Pedernales Falls State Park, you can camp, hike, mountain bike, picnic, geocache, bird watch and ride horses. On the river, you can swim, wade, tube or fish. Look for local wildlife and plants at the bird blind and butterfly garden.
Swim in the river. If you plan to swim, read our swimming safety tips before you come. For your safety, we do not allow swimming and wading in the Pedernales Falls area.
WARNING: The water in the river can rise from a placid stream to a raging torrent in a few minutes. If you are in the river area and notice the water rising or getting muddy, leave the river area immediately. Flash flooding is common in the Texas Hill Country. Please be alert to weather conditions.
Go camping! Choose a site with water and electricity or hike to a primitive site. Bring your group to the Youth Group Camp or Equestrian Group Camp.
Hike or bike the scenic Hill Country. Trails range from easy to challenging. Take the .5-mile Twin Falls Nature Trail and stop at the scenic overlook over the falls. Or tackle the six-mile Wolf Mountain Trail. This challenging trail wraps around Tobacco and Wolf mountains and winds along the small canyons created by Mescal and Tobacco creeks. Along the way, cool your heels at Arrowhead Pool, where Bee Creek spills into stair-stepped pools. For the more adventurous cyclist, test your mountain biking skills on the new Juniper Ridge Trail. This 10-mile technical, single track trail provides plenty of obstacles for more advanced riders.
Tube, canoe or kayak the river. Put in at the swimming area or Trammell’s Crossing Trail. For your safety, we do not allow put-ins or take-outs in the Pedernales Falls area.
Ride your horse on 10 miles of rugged trail. The trail is very rocky with some steep slopes, and requires riding experience. Horses should have shoes. You will find water troughs at the trailer parking area and at the midway point of the trail. You must present current Coggins for your horse at the office. We don’t provide horses. Note: We sometimes close the trails due to weather; call before you visit.
Lockhart State Park
2012 State Park Road , Lockhart, TX
Quiet Getaway
Within easy driving distance of both Austin and San Antonio you’ll find a quiet getaway: Lockhart State Park. Come for a morning of golf, an afternoon swim, an evening hike, or an overnight campout.
Things to Do
Spend a relaxing night camping under the stars. Tee off on our historic golf course. Look for geocaches and wildlife while exploring our trails. Try your luck fishing in Clear Fork Creek year-round, and swim in our pool in summer. Pick up a souvenir at our park store.
Admire the waterfall as you drive Park Road 10. Continue to the top of the hill and take in the view from the terrace of the historic group recreation hall. (You can reserve that hall for your next meeting or reunion!)
Golfing
Play golf at the nine-hole golf course built by the Works Progress Administration and the Civilian Conservation Corps over 80 years ago.
Hiking/Biking
Walk or bike our trails to see the wild side of the park. Stroll the easy Clear Fork Trail for views of the creek, plants, wildlife, and check dams built by the CCC to create fishing holes. Or hike the short but challenging Persimmon Trail.
Fishing
Anglers catch sunfish, catfish and bass in Clear Fork Creek. We loan fishing gear for use in the park. You do not need a fishing license to fish here.
Camping
Reserve a campsite with water and electricity or full hookups.
Palmetto State Park
78 Park Road 11 South, Gonzales, TX
Central Texas Tropics!
A little piece of the tropics lies just an hour from Austin and San Antonio. With multiple sources of water (including the San Marcos River), Palmetto State Park is a haven for a wide variety of animals and plants. Look for dwarf palmettos, the park’s namesake, growing under the trees.
Things to Do
This small park offers a large amount of fun, both on water and land.
On the water
You can swim, tube, fish and canoe here. Besides the flowing river, the park also has an oxbow lake, an artesian well and swamps.
We rent one- and two-person kayaks and stand-up paddle boards through Paddle EZ. Life jackets and oars are included.
Read through our water safety tips before you visit. Be cautious when swimming in the river. Rain upstream can cause flash flooding.
On land
Hike or bike our trails, camp, geocache, go birding or study nature. Hike the Palmetto Trail which winds through a stand of dwarf palmettos. Host a gathering at our CCC-built picnic pavilion, which has an air-conditioned kitchen.
Stay
Choose one of our 19 tent sites or 17 RV sites. Camp with up to 24 of your friends at our secluded group site. Or rent our air-conditioned cabin (for up to six people).
Go fishing
Fish in the river or in Oxbow Lake, which has a fishing pier. We have some fishing equipment to loan. Remember, you do not need a license to fish from shore in a state park.
Paddle
Canoe the San Marcos River. The river has a steady current, but no rapids; check river conditions at the park. Bring your own canoe and arrange your own shuttles.
Experienced paddlers can put in at Luling City Park and take six- to seven-hour trip to the park. Private land borders the river, so put-in and take-out points are limited.
Explore the Luling Zedler Mill Paddling Trail.
Find information on the San Marcos River.
Civilian Conservation Corps
The men of the CCC built many facilities at this park, including the picnic pavilion and water tower. Learn more about their work on The Look of Nature: Palmetto.
San Angelo State Park
362 South FM 2288, San Angelo, TX
West Texas Crossroads
History and nature converge on the banks of O.C. Fisher Reservoir and the Concho River, near San Angelo. Explore on land, play in the water, and enjoy a look at Texas’ past.
Things to Do
On land, you can camp, hike, bike, ride horses and geocache. Visit the wildlife observation area to see local residents. You can fish, swim, boat and paddle on the lake and river.
Stop by the bison and longhorn paddocks to see relics of Texas’ early days. San Angelo is home to the Official Texas State Longhorn Herd.
Hold your next reunion, meeting or group campout at one of our pavilions or group camps.
Read water safety tips before your visit.
Exploring trails
The park has 50 miles of multiuse trails for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding (you must bring your own horse). Trails are open to all users, unless otherwise marked.
Explore the two-mile Dinosaur Trail with your kids; the trail passes fossilized trackways of pre-dinosaur creatures from the Permian Age. Or walk the lakeshore on the nearly six-mile Trailhead to Trailhead Route.
Fishing
Try your luck fishing in O.C. Fisher Reservoir or the Concho River. You don’t need a fishing license to fish from shore or pier in a state park; but you will need one to fish from a boat.
The park has a boat ramp, but the lake level varies. Check with the park before you come.
We loan fishing gear (rods, reels and tackle boxes) for you to use in the park.
Camping/Lodging
Choose from campsites with water and electricity or primitive drive-up or backpack sites.
If you prefer a roof over your head, reserve a rustic log cabin (restrooms nearby). Our group bunkhouse sleeps six and has kitchen, restroom and living area.
Horse facilities
Camp with your horses in the North Concho area. These sites have pole tethers; some have pens, as well. You may also bring portable pens. Water is available in the camp area and along trails.
Lost Maples State Natural Area
37221 F.M. 187, Vanderpool, TX
Changing Beauty
You may know Lost Maples for its fall color, but it is spectacular year-round. Visit any time to see abundant wildflowers, steep canyon walls and the scenic Sabinal River. We’re just two hours northwest of San Antonio.
Things to Do
Your whole family will find plenty to do here. Take a hike or a photo, go fishing, look for birds and other wildlife, camp, backpack, stargaze and hunt for geocaches.
Lost Maples protects a special stand of Uvalde bigtooth maples. Many folks come here to see colorful leaves on these and other trees in autumn.
Please stay on designated trails. The natural area contains steep and rugged terrain. Do not climb on rocks or hillsides. Bigtooth maples have shallow roots, and you can hurt the trees by walking over their roots.
Hiking
Explore over 10 miles of trails, including a loop that takes you along the top of a 2,200-foot cliff.
Camping
Choose from 30 campsites with water and electricity. Or backpack to one of our primitive campsites.
Fishing
Wet a hook in the Sabinal River or Can Creek. You do not need a fishing license to fish from shore or pier in a state park or natural area.
Birding
This area is home to a wide variety of birds, including the endangered golden-cheeked warbler and the recently de-listed black-capped vireo
Lake Colorado City State Park
4582 FM 2836, Colorado City, TX
Things to Do
Many activities here feature the lake: fishing, swimming and paddling. But that’s not all you can do. Set up camp or enjoy a picnic, hike, look for a geocache, take photographs and watch for wildlife. Reserve a group site for your next gathering.
Fishing
Drop a line in Lake Colorado City, a 1,618-acre impoundment of Morgan Creek. Anglers fish primarily for largemouth bass, channel catfish and sunfish.
Water sports
Swim in the lake or explore by boat (no lifeguards on duty). Read through our Water Safety Tips before your visit.
Bring your own kayak or canoe or rent a kayak here (we provide paddles and life vests with rental).
Hiking
Hike lakeside while enjoying views of the water and glimpses of wildlife. More than 300 bird species have been sighted in the park.
Kids
Become a Junior Ranger!
Borrow a Junior Ranger Explorer Pack, loaded with tools for exploring the park.
Pick up a free Junior Ranger Activity Journal. Complete tasks to earn a badge.
Choke Canyon State Park - Calliham Unit
358 Recreation Road 8, Calliham, TX
Choke Canyon State Park, consisting of two units, South Shore and Calliham, is located on the 26,000-acre Choke Canyon Reservoir, a water supply for Corpus Christi. The park was acquired in 1981 in a 50-year cooperative agreement between the Bureau of Reclamation, the city of Corpus Christi and the Nueces River Authority.
The Calliham Unit, containing 1,100 acres in McMullen County, was opened to the public on Aug. 21, 1987. The South Shore Unit contains 385 acres in Live Oak County and was opened to the public on March 5, 1986.
From the scant evidence available, we know that Paleo Indians crossed the Frio River Valley more than 10,000 years ago following game such as bison and mammoth. After the disappearance of large game more than 8,000 years ago, nomadic hunters and gatherers associated with the Archaic culture camped near the river making tools, building fires, and gathering and processing food. Numerous Archaic sites in the Choke Canyon area have been recorded.
Mustang Island State Park
9394 State Highway 361, Corpus Christi, TX
About Us:
With more than five miles of coastline, we have plenty of room for fun in the sun. Hang out on the beach, fish in the bay, add birds to your life list, and explore this unspoiled barrier island park. It’s time to head to the coast!
