By Tom Wiley
High on the list of shining gems in this state are Texas State Parks. Roots of this department and the sites it oversees can be traced back to 1923 when a State Parks Board was created. At first, the Board acquired land primarily through donations. The state received a huge boost for parks with assistance from President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal programs, primarily from 1933 to 1936, and an influx of federal funds and assistance from organizations such as the Civilian Conservation Corps. The State Parks Board became part of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department in 1963. In 2008, management of several historic locations was transferred to the Texas Historical Commission. Some smaller parks were additionally transferred to cities and other municipal departments. Today, there are over 90 state parks in Texas.
No matter which part of Texas you live in, there is a state park nearby to include on your day trip or to unwind for the weekend or longer. Most motorcyclists love this time of the year, not only for cooler riding temperatures, but to have the opportunity to sit around a campfire and snuggle with a sweetie in a sleeping bag. Some state parks seem to receive the most media attention. Parks such as Garner, Palo Duro, Mustang Island, Enchanted Rock, and select others have been featured over and over. Their unique and natural beauty make them among the most visited destinations in the state. Ride Texas® has certainly featured these over the years. In this issue, we wanted to suggest some lesser known state parks. These “sleeping beauties” may not be the largest or the grandest, but they still offer some incredible scenery and fascinating features that can be enjoyed all year long. The fact that they may be overlooked by the masses can also be a good thing.
Caprock Canyon State Park & Trailway, Quitaque
This park may be the “stepsister” of Palo Duro Canyon State Park, but it’s certainly not the “ugly stepsister!” It is often overlooked because it’s tucked away near the remote village of Quitaque. You know, just down the road from Turkey! Like its “big sis” at Palo Duro, this vibrant landscape was shaped by erosion along an edge of the caprock. It’s a stark contrast to the flat plains of the Panhandle Plains. Rustic canyons and majestic ridges are painted in hues of red and earth tones, accented by varying shades of green vegetation. The park is home to the official Texas State Bison Herd. It’s also home to mule deer, pronghorn antelope, coyotes and bobcats. Don’t be surprised if a curious raccoon, armadillo, or fox visits your campsite. There are several varieties of lizards and snakes, in addition to over 175 species of birds. TPWD acquired almost 65 miles of railroad right-of-way to add to the park’s multi-use trail system. Didn’t bring your horse? You can rent one.
Caprock Canyon State Park & Trailway
FM 1065, Quitaque
(806) 455-1492
www.tpwd.state.tx.us/state-parks/caprock-canyons
Sheldon Lake State Park & Environmental Learning Center, Houston
Sheldon Reservoir is located north of US 90 and east of Beltway 8. It has been described as “a former fish hatchery gone wild.” When the hatchery closed in 1975, TPWD staff and volunteers helped preserve and restore this wetland prairie to its natural forest, ponds and marshes. The proximity to metro Houston is a bonus for this day-use park. Twenty-eight naturalized ponds teem with birds, turtles, aquatic plants and alligators. The whole family can enjoy fishing and canoeing or study nature on a half-mile self-guided trail. Bring your binoculars. An 82-foot tall observation tower provides an overview of the park. There are numerous educational displays and programs that discuss alternative energy technologies and “green” building techniques.
Sheldon Lake State Park & Environmental Learning Center
14140 Garrett Rd, Houston
(281) 458-2800
www.tpwd.state.tx.us/state-parks/sheldon-lake
Fort Parker State Park, Mexia
This 1,458.8 acre park can be found off of Texas Highway 14 between Groesbeck and Mexia. A company of the Civilian Conservation Corps constructed a dam across the Navasota River in 1939 to create 700-acre Fort Parker Lake. The park lies in a transitional zone between Blackland Prairie and Post Oak Savannah and offers camping, picnicking, swimming, fishing, hiking, biking, canoeing, and nature study. There’s also an opportunity to study the history of this area. The former town of Springfield once stood on the park site. It was established in 1838 and was the first county seat of Limestone County. Now, only the Springfield Cemetery remains in the park, a resting place of many Texas pioneers. Adjacent on the highway is Old Fort Parker. This reconstructed fort was another CCC project. The Parker family built a fortification here for protection on the Texas frontier. Nine-year-old Cynthia Ann Park was captured in a raid by Comanches in May, 1836. She was the mother of the last great Comanche chief, Quanah Parker.
Fort Parker State Park
194 Park Rd 28, Mexia
(254) 562-5751
www.tpwd.state.tx.us/state-parks/fort-parker
Atlanta State Park, Atlanta
Riders in far Northeast Texas know this park, but it may be unfamiliar to the rest of the state. Atlanta State Park sits on beautiful Wright Patman Lake in the Piney Woods Region. The lake covers over 20,000 acres and is open to all typical activities — fishing, boating, water-skiing, swimming. Ashore, there are a variety of campsites and almost five miles of hiking trails. The park store rents canoes, loans basketballs and horseshoes, as well as offers camping supplies. One of the best features of the park is its proximity to other great motorcycling locations. Linden annually celebrates the spring dogwood season and fall foliage season with festivals, events and scenic trails. The town also has a growing music scene. Jefferson has been a Ride Texas® favorite for years. This town was once a major riverport in the 19th century. Today, original brick streets pass by historic hotels, authentic buildings, and one-of-a-kind shops. Jefferson has been called the Bed-and-Breakfast Capital of East Texas. Also near Atlanta State Park is Caddo Lake and the casinos of Shreveport-Bossier City, Louisiana.
Atlanta State Park
927 Park Rd 42, Atlanta
(903) 796-6476
www.tpwd.state.tx.us/state-parks/atlanta
South Llano River State Park, Junction
This Hill Country favorite is extremely popular in the summer, when the cool, clear water of the South Branch of the Llano River is so inviting. There are over two miles of river frontage. The surrounding wooded bottomland is home to a variety of wildlife. Observations blinds are available to view passing turkey, deer and foxes. Even javelina and bobcat have been spotted. There are campsites with water and electricity, walk-in tent sites, and hike-in primitive campsites. The park offers 18 miles of hike-and-bike trails. The city of Junction has canoe and kayak rental outfitters, as well as shuttle services to the river. Junction is also a wonderful base for excellent motorcycle roads throughout this western region of the Hill Country.
South Llano River State Park
1927 Park Rd 73, Junction
(325) 446-3994
www.tpwd.state.tx.us/state-parks/south-llano-river
Cooper Lake State Park, Cooper
Cooper Lake State Park is about one and one-half hours east of Dallas. It lies on an extension of the Tallgrass Prairies and Post Oak Savannah. There are two separate units on the north and south sides of a 19,000 acre lake created on the South Sulphur River. The lake is surrounded by TPWD parkland and wildlife management area, so visitors from the MetroPlex can get totally lost in nature. Magnificent trees put on a colorful show in the spring and fall. The lake is often visited by bald eagles each winter. There are swimming beaches and fishing piers. Camping opportunities include a variety of campsites, screen shelters, and even luxury cabins.
Cooper Lake State Park
Doctors Creek Unit
1664 FM 1529 South, Cooper
South Sulphur Unit
1690 FM 3505, Sulphur Springs
(903) 395-3100
www.tpwd.state.tx.us/state-parks/cooper-lake
Meridian State Park, Meridian
Meridian is another park that received help from the Civilian Conservation Corps, in this case a company of World War I veterans. They built several limestone features and structures within the park. This northern Hill Country area has hilly ridges, rocky outcroppings, cedar and oak trees, and an abundance of wildflowers. Endangered golden-cheeked warblers inhabit the woods from March through July and use bark from ash juniper trees to build their nests. Park property encircles a 72 acre lake. There’s a swimming area and access for no-wake boating. Camping includes tent sites, pull-through RV sites, and screened cottages with amenities. Meridian is close to several towns with European immigrant roots — Norse, Cranfills Gap and Clifton. It’s also close to other motorcycle favorites, such as Lake Whitney, Hico and Glen Rose.
Meridian State Park
173 Park Rd 7, Meridian
(254) 435-2536
www.tpwd.state.tx.us/state-parks/meridian
Blanco State Park, Blanco
Although there’s a loop with tent and RV campsites, this small park is best known as a cool swimming hole when other Central Texas waterways are drying up in the summer. A dam keeps refreshing waters of the Blanco River impounded for swimming and fishing. Day-use picnic pavilions and nature trails also run along the riverside. A popular classic car show annually uses the park on the third Saturday in May. The state park is in the heart of the town of Blanco, which has a surprisingly significant number of cafes for its size. While San Antonio, Austin, and Fredericksburg are each only about an hour away, Blanco is also close to other fun towns, such as Wimberley and Johnson City. Great ranch and county roads web away from Blanco in every direction, connecting popular motorcycle spots such as Albert and Luckenbach.
Blanco State Park
101 Park Rd 23, Blanco
(830) 833-4333
www.tpwd.state.tx.us/state-parks/blanco
