Parks Near Me in Lakehills
Normoyle Park
700 Culberson Avenue, San Antonio, TX
As a part of AARP's 60th Anniversary, AARP launched an ambitious effort in 2019 to create 53 fitness parks – one each in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These AARP Sponsored Outdoor Fitness Parks Organized by FitLot are designed for adaptive use by people with a wide range of abilities and exercise needs.
Amenities
Baseball Field
Bike Rack
Community Center
Grill
Pavilion / Gazebo
Picnic Table
Playgrounds
Restrooms
Skate Park
Soccer Field
Swimming Pool
Tennis Court
Walking Trail
Water Fountain
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
Garner State Park
234 RR 1050, Concan, TX
Garner State Park is a great place to visit for a swim or hike, or to enjoy a relaxing weekend. With 2.9 miles of Frio River winding through 1,774 acres of scenic Hill Country terrain, the park offers lots to see and do!
Swim in the Frio River or float its waters on an inner tube, operate a paddle boat, and hike 11 miles of scenic trails. You can also camp, study nature, picnic, canoe, fish, play miniature golf, geocache and ride bikes. And, of course, you can dance. If you plan to swim or float at the park, read through our swimming safety tips before you come.
Overnight visitors can stay in screened shelters, cabins or campsites. Large groups can rent the screened shelter or group campsite. The park's concessionaire sells meals and snacks during the busy season, and rents the pavilion in the off season.
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.
Inks Lake State Park
3630 Park Road 4 West, Burnet, TX
Hill Country Gem
Inks Lake State Park offers family fun on water and land. With its sparkling blue water, colorful rock outcrops, and striking sunsets, this gem of the Hill Country is just an hour northwest of Austin..
Things to Do
Inks Lake State Park is great for a day trip or a weekend getaway. Because the lake’s level usually stays constant, you can play here year-round.
On land, you can camp, backpack, geocache, play volleyball, picnic, and observe nature. We have 9 miles of hiking trails through shady forests and across rocky hills. Hike Pecan Flats, a self-guided 3.3-mile trail that is perfect for the whole family, or stop by our bird blind. Rent our group picnic pavilion for your next family reunion. Take a virtual tour with our interactive trails map.
On the water, you can swim (no lifeguards on duty), boat, water ski, scuba dive and fish. We have set aside a large, no-wake zone for paddling.
Rent paddle boats, canoes, one- to two-person kayaks, life vests and paddles at the park store.
Be safe on the water; read our water safety tips.
Stay at one of nearly 200 campsites or 22 cabins (two are ADA-accessible). Many sites are lakeside or have easy access to the lake. Several camping loops have playgrounds. Sponsored youth groups can rent our youth group camping area.
Fish for sunfish, catfish and several species of bass. We have two fishing piers, fish cleaning stations, and a boat ramp. You do not need a fishing license to fish from a pier or the shore in a state park.
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.
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
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.
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.
Colorado Bend State Park
County Road 446, Bend, TX
Colorado River Wilderness
Spend a weekend exploring the unspoiled wilderness of Colorado Bend. We’re two hours northwest of Austin
Things to Do
Marvel at the beauty of Gorman Falls, cool off in Spicewood Springs, fish or paddle the river, take a cave tour, and test your limits on 35 miles of hike and bike trails.
Camping
Colorado Bend offers back-to-nature camping. Choose from drive-up sites, walk-in tent sites or primitive hike-in sites. The drive-up and hike-in sites have water in the area, but no hookups. Composting toilets are near the main camping area and at one trailhead. An open-air, rinse-off shower is near the campground.
Gorman Falls Hike
Take a self-guided tour to this 70-foot spring-fed waterfall. Come prepared for a 3-mile round trip hike over rough and rocky terrain.
Park Activities:
Colorado Bend is the outdoor enthusiast’s paradise. With over 5,300 acres of unspoiled wilderness, the park offers plenty of ways to enjoy nature. From a two-hour visit to a full three-day weekend, you will never run out of things to do.
On the Trails
Colorado Bend offers over 35 miles of trails. Trails drain well, so they are rarely closed.
All trails are open to hikers and bikers unless otherwise posted. The park’s trails vary in terrain and difficulty, so you can choose your experience!
Hiking
Some popular hiking trails in the park include:
Spicewood Springs - Enjoy a trail along breathtaking pools and waterfalls fed by Spicewood Springs. Watch your footing as you meander back and forth across the creek and as you hike up the canyon to take in gorgeous views.
Gorman Falls - Our most popular trail is a 3-mile round trip hike, over rough and rocky terrain, with a steep descent near the falls.
River - Enjoy the dense canopy and river access on this easily navigable trail.
Backpacking
A multiday backpacking trip is a rewarding way to experience Colorado Bend. Primitive backpacking campsites are available. A staff member can help you plan your trip to include a variety of trails and destinations.
Mountain biking
We don’t want to boast, but we have some of the best mountain biking in the state! The majority of our trails are single-track.
The variety of trail difficulty will fit any riding style and experience level. But this rugged terrain offers a challenge for even the most experienced riders.
In the Water
If you are looking for water, we’ve got you covered. Six miles of Colorado River frontage allow you to cast a line, go for a swim, or enjoy a leisurely kayak trip.
Swimming
Spicewood Springs is one of the best swimming holes in the Hill Country. A short, flat trail will lead you to the first of multiple spring-fed swimming holes. Continue up the Spicewood Springs trail for more pools and waterfalls.
Swimming is also allowed in the river.
All swimming is at your own risk; we have no lifeguards.
Fishing
Colorado Bend has historically offered some of the best bass fishing in Central Texas. You do not even need a fishing license when fishing in a state park. We also have a fish cleaning station.
Boating & paddling
The water is slow-moving here, as it passes through the river’s canyon lands. You can paddle up and down the river, but call for current conditions.
When Lake Buchanan is near normal level, larger watercraft can travel from the park’s boat ramp downstream to the lake, about 10 miles. Hazards include low water and seasonal flood debris.
Bring your own watercraft, or rent single or double sit-on-top kayaks at the park.
Underground
Have you ever wondered what lies beneath your feet? With over 400 caves, Colorado Bend is the place to explore this underground world.
Caving
An experienced guide will lead you on a speleo-adventure through caves where you crawl, slide and climb through small spaces and into large chambers. Be prepared to get dirty and maybe even soaked.
Reservations are required for all cave tours. We recommend wearing sturdy shoes on tours.
Bastrop State Park
100 Park Road 1A, Bastrop, TX
Rising From the Ashes
For more than 70 years, folks have visited Bastrop State Park to enjoy its history and marvel at the Lost Pines. Forest fires and floods have ravaged the park in recent years. Now comes rebirth: new trees, new plants and new life. Come see the park’s recovery from nature’s fury. We’re just 32 miles east of Austin.
Things to Do
Bring your family out to the park! You can camp, picnic, swim, ride bikes, hike, fish, geocache, take in a nature program, and look for wildlife.
Stay overnight at a campsite or historic cabin. Campsites range from walk-in tent sites to full hookup RV sites. Bring a group to stay at our group barracks (with group hall, dorms and space for tents).
Hike seven miles of trail. Explore the growing forest, look for the new generation of loblolly pines, and witness the resilience of nature.
Swim at our pool, open May to September. Read through our swimming safety tips before you come.
Bike or drive scenic Park Road 1C between Bastrop and Buescher state parks. The hilly 12-mile road takes you through recovering and forested areas of the Lost Pines. Turn down the radio and enjoy this quiet drive. Share the road! The speed limit is 30 miles per hour.
Fish in the ½-acre Lake Mina. We lend fishing equipment, and you do not need a 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.
Hatari Wildlife Park
1145 Co Rd 218, Weimar, TX
Home On The Range
Hatari Wildlife Park is a 400-acre animal reserve that exhibits some of the rarest animals in the world to promote awareness and conservation. With 4 unique ranges, we're able to host a diverse set of roaming animals for all to enjoy. We offer a drive-thru safari through our Dunes and Lower Grassland ranges for you to enjoy in your own vehicle as well as a premium guided tour in our 30-seat safari vehicles for larger groups. Our self-guided walking tour meanders through the forest and swamps of our Lowland Forest range on a 3,000ft boardwalk with spectacular nature views. Our Sahel range is home to our resident giraffes who are more than happy to be fed and adored by visitors. We look forward to your visit so we can share the beauty our park has to offer.
Seminole Canyon State Park and Historic Site
90 Highway, Comstock, TX
HISTORY
Seminole Canyon State Park and Historic Site in Val Verde County, west of Comstock, contains 2,172.5 acres; the park was purchased from private owners in 1973 to 1977, and opened in February, 1980.
Early man first visited this area 12,000 years ago, a time when now-extinct species of elephant, camel, bison, and horse roamed the landscape. The climate at that time was more moderate than today and supported a more lush vegetation that included pine, juniper, and oak woodlands in the canyons, with luxuriant grasslands on the uplands. These early people developed a hunting culture based upon large mammals, such as the mammoth and bison. No known evidence exists that these first inhabitants produced any rock paintings.
By 7,000 years ago, the region had undergone a climate change that produced a landscape much like today's. A new culture appeared in this changed environment. These people were increasingly dependent on gathering wild plants and hunting small animals and less dependent on hunting big game. They lived in small groups since the land would not support larger social units for long periods.
Despite the struggle for survival, some of these prehistoric people found the creative energy to paint the pictographs found in Fate Bell and other rock shelters of the Lower Pecos River Country. The distribution of this distinct style is limited to a district which includes a portion of the Rio Grande, Pecos, and Devils River. More than 200 pictograph sites are known to contain examples of their style of rock paintings, ranging from single paintings to caves containing panels of art hundreds of feet long. Although numerous figures or motifs are repeated in different locations, the exact meaning of the paintings is buried with the people who painted them.
The first known European in this area was Castano de Sosa, who set out from Monciova, Mexico, in 1590 and traversed much of present Val Verde County en route to New Mexico. The U. S. Army was the first American presence in the Lower Pecos. In 1851, Lieutenant Nathaniel Michler made a reconnaissance of the Rio Grande above and below its junction with the Pecos for the United States and Mexico Boundary Commission. After the Civil War, Lieutenant Bullis and his Seminole-Negro scouts operated in the area, and Bullis blasted a wagon road into the Pecos Canyon near the Rio Grande to provide the military with a shorter route between forts Clark and Davis.
In 1882, construction of the Southern Pacific Railroad reached the present park location. The route to connect El Paso with San Antonio was begun after the merger of the Galveston, Harrisburg, and San Antonio railroads with the Southern Pacific. The section of railroad in the canyon of the Rio Grande was finally abandoned in 1892, when a new bridge spanning the entire breadth of the Pecos River Canyon was completed. The present bridge was built at the same site during World War II.
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.
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!
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.
Possum Kingdom State Park
3901 St Park Road 33, Caddo, TX
Blue Water & Scenic Shores
How long since you’ve been to the lake? Grab your family, fishing pole and swimsuit and head for the clear blue water and striking scenery at Possum Kingdom State Park. We're just an hour west of the DFW Metroplex.
Things to Do
Possum Kingdom State Park offers fun on water and land. On water, you can swim, boat, fish, ski, scuba dive and snorkel. On land, you can camp, picnic, hike, bike, study nature and geocache.
Fish for largemouth, striped and white bass; channel and blue catfish; and white crappie. The park has a boat launch, fishing pier, and fish cleaning station. You do not need a fishing license to fish from shore in a state park.
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.
Discovery Green Conservancy
1500 McKinney, Houston, TX
Mission Statement
"To provide an uncommonly beautiful, urban green space in the heart of Houston that serves as a village green for our city, a source of health and happiness for our citizens, and a window into the incredible diversity of arts and traditions that enrich life in Houston."
Discovery Green fulfills its mission by offering continuous programming, attracting a diverse crowd, and maintaining a beautiful park.