Great, secluded state park next to a neighborhood. I'd consider Palmetto a hidden gem in Texas. I…read moredrove here from Austin and it took me about 1.5 hours. The way I took lead me down a neighborhood street, which led me straight to the park's headquarters. They had a small and very limited selection of gifts for purchase, but the park ranger there was friendly and recommended a couple of trails and points of interest. I hiked a series of trails along the outside perimeter of the park, which combined was about 3.5 miles. Each new segment had a different ecosystem and it was interesting to see different sights and hear new sounds. The trails are mostly shaded, though I went on an overcast day. There's also a low river crossing where I saw some people fishing on. At all Texas state parks, no fishing license is needed to fish. The sound of the river was soothing and refreshing. I genuinely enjoyed my time here and would love to return here to visit again someday.

Beautiful hiking trails with clear paths and easy accessibility. It's very inexpensive to enter the…read morepark. You can stay overnight and camp and swim and fish.

Serene, serene, serene. It's easy to get lost in this place. It's like walking back in time and…read morereally enjoying what was once a way a life. The dial in audio tour was unexpected and wish I had saw the sign before we were close to leaving. The ground are kept up very well and the fishing isn't bad either. They def bite here. The groundskeeper is super laid back and allows almost anything as long as you're respectful of the property. My family and I came here after we had dinner and it was really nice to cap of the day trip with Zedler Farm Handicap accessible. My uncle's mom is in a wheelchair and were able to get her from the parking lot (handicap parking lot is at the foot of the bridge), over the bridge and to the gazebo.

This venue is absolutely beautiful!! The staff is so amazing and I just love working with their…read moreteam!!

Today was the second time my husband and I have come out to Lockhart State Park for their Chisholm…read moreTrail Turkey Trot. Both times have been an absolute blast. Nice low-key, family-friendly fun run, organized by the park staff, with prizes for the raffle and 1st through 3rd place finishers donated by local businesses, including frozen turkeys!! Doesn't get better than that! GOBBLE-GOBBLE. The price for entry was the standard day use fee, $3/person. You won't find a cheaper Turkey Trot. They had ample water, snacks, and a DJ blasting tunes. The staff are always friendly and helpful. The bathrooms are clean. The information available inside HQ for other Texas State Parks and history is cool. There's some fun trinkets and souvenirs you can purchase too to help support the park's operations, plus drinks and snacks if you need. The trails have some decent terrain, certainly nothing too steep or strenuous thought (typical TX hill country landscape). The park also has a golf course and a swimming pool, though I've not experienced them myself. Parking lots are in good repair. They always have the month's extracurricular events posted up too, so you can decide if you want to take an informational nature hike or learn archery, etc.

I can't say I recommend Lockhart State Park from my last visit here. Even though it's the only…read moreTexas state park with a 9-hole golf course, the hiking trails weren't very interesting and I was concerned about getting hit by golf balls as one of the trails cuts right through the fairway. The trail system here seemed almost like an afterthought, as there weren't any scenic viewpoints to look forward to. There were large shrubs everywhere and nothing interesting around. They say to my have a fishing pond, but it was small and it looked like it was devoid of any life. I thought the CCC group area and the day-use areas were cool. I can see locals taking advantage of the amenities. But for me, hiking trails are the biggest draw and unfortunately I left disappointed.

This is a really lovely place to spend some time outdoors. A beautiful park right by the water,…read morewith a peaceful, relaxed atmosphere. There's a café along the shore where you can sit, have a drink, and enjoy the view of the waterfall -- such a nice spot to slow down and take everything in. It's a great area for walking and casual strolls, and there's also a playground for kids. Overall, it's a wonderful place to relax, whether you're visiting with children or just coming on your own. Perfect for a walk, some fresh air, and enjoying the water. Definitely a spot worth coming back to.

Come with your family don't bring a lot of things. It's very unwalkable with bigger items like a…read morerolling chest. Don't bring those bring a shoulder bag version. don't think you're gonna be able to lay out your towel and sit down. It's not a beach. It's very much a river first come first serve. It starts getting dirty later in the day with all the water but that's what we get for moving a lot. There is no camping on the other side of the wall. If you're facing up to the restaurant that would be the right side. Be careful bring your water shoes!!!!!

Best place to relax. I love the river and playing volleyball or even throwing a football around…read more This place is great!

So even though Tx State regs allow the general public to Sewell Park (02.01"Sewell Park is a…read moreproperty of Texas State ... Generally, it is open to the public if the applicable policies and procedures are adhered to"), the City of San Marcos started charging $15 parking at Lions Club (if over 2 hrs, in nearly empty lot during weekday) and, although not clearly communicated, the City Marshall's sit and watch if anyone walks into Sewell Park and then issues a $100 ticket on the vehicle for being "parked in a No Parking Zone" and "Driver observed leaving city park". Much more militant/surveillance atmosphere than I was used to visiting Sewell Park since the 1970's but I guess that is where most our tax dollars go to promoting these days. Parks are becoming just for the wealthy. Sewell Park itself was great otherwise.

This is a very peaceful and beautiful spot along the river. There is only one hiking trail. Very…read morewell shaded. Seems this is where the tubers stop for a break. The water is kind of shallow They have a playground for kids and definitely a good spot to walk your dog in this Texas heat

Great place to cool off. Secret tubing area. Great for kids. Place your picnic area, walk up a ways…read moreand float down.

I thought a long time about writing a review for this place as it would have to be a one star…read morereview. Today at a Yelp event one of the guys said I should write one for sure after just mentioning a little of what I experienced. So this will be a warning for everyone that goes there. I went there on multiple occasions and talked with the owner and the general manager several times. And the owner is a very difficult person that can explode on you for very little things. He did so ones on me in person and he also send me a very disturbing email that was very offensive and insulting. If you read some of the reviews on Facebook and Google you will see how he is. He doesn't believe in many laws so the property has open holes and unsecured drops all over the place, this includes a mine shaft if you want to call it that way that goes I would imagine 50 to 100 feet deep into the ground and is unsecured. He invites people to take mud baths in there. Next is the GM, he also only follows the laws he likes to apply, so I personally know that he flew his drone illegally next to an airport in a manner that is quite questionable. The indention of the owner is quite nice, he takes old materials and build new things out of it, but he doesn't follow any laws and is very rude to everyone. His property is a mine field of dangerous spots that are just waiting to injure visitors that want to see the houses. I don't give one star ratings very often but after what I had to endured and the fact that I am still waiting for a payment from them, I finally had to write this review.

We stayed in the gingered swan house. It's absolutely worth every penny! This is off the beaten…read morepath. It's exactly what I was looking for for a weekend getaway! I love nature and I have fallen in love with this place. Anyone who wants to see nature's beauty in a beautiful tiny house should come here!!!! I will be back for sure!!!

Nice, smallish park, with a play scape, some covered tables, some benches, walks along a creek, and…read moreaccess to hiking trails.

Came out to this little park to get some disc golf practice. 9 holes. Park had plenty of parking,…read morewalking trail, picnic tables, very spacious. If you want to get in some good old disc golf come out here and get you some fresh air and enjoy the scenery

Went with an out of town friend. She wanted to walk outside and tour around since she's never been…read moreto this area. We went to this park since it was close. Parking was plenty. Looks like they have sports games here. We had to use the bathroom but unfortunately it was closed. Had to use the portapotty. After that, we got walking and it was a beautiful area. The water was dried up in some spots but other parts had a beautiful water area. Just wish it were a longer walking path along the water. The trail was fairly short. But otherwise clean and safe. Good place to bring my dog except I wouldn't let him near the water since it was pretty dirty.

A nice place to walk at, although, I would do five stars, but due to recent droughts, five mile dam…read moredoesn't have much water, sadly.