TLDR: Watch out for poison ivy in this beautiful tropical oasis (stick to long pants). The Palmetto…read moreInterpretive Trail is short enough for young kids and within walking distance from the picnic area. Stop to pay at park headquarters ($3 p/p; kids 12 and under are free). I loved the whole tropical vibe of this park. Dwarf palmettos everywhere. We stopped here as a waypoint en route to Rockport Beach. It made a great stopping point. The Palmetto Interpretive Trail is only 0.3 miles and very easy. A short walk, really. Both my toddlers (almost 4 and almost 2) were able to walk it. It's unpaved but mostly smooth so you should be able to bring a stroller too (I'd confirm with park staff, just in case). POISON IVY: At the end of the Palmetto Interpretive Trail, there is a water tower. It's locked but my kids love approaching doors. This is where I noticed potential poison ivy growing right by the door. It did have the triple leaf look and AI confirmed that it looks like poison ivy. Leaf shape can vary quite a bit on this plant so it can get a little tricky to identify. Just be wary of any triple leafers. Keep a close eye on where you and/or your kids are stepping and skip the shorts/sandals. Park staff was friendly. You stop to pay at the park headquarters once you enter the park (and display the tag on your windshield). $3 per person; children 12 and under are free. The picnic area was nice with ample seating (both covered and uncovered). I couldn't find a restroom (doors were locked) but there were restrooms by the playground (a short drive away). The restrooms were clean. Make sure you close the door like the sign asks to keep bugs away. Ultimately, I'd love to return to this park and experience more of its lovely trails.

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.

This state historical site is such a cool place. It features ruins of Kreische Brewery (and the…read morestill standing home) as well as Monument Hill a tomb for those who died in the Dawson Massacre of September 1842. There is a beautiful overlook, and the grounds themselves are very well maintained. Only $5 per person for admission and leashed dogs are welcome. The Visitor Center has a few displays of relics that you won't want to miss! I do recommend wearing good shoes and carrying water if you are planning to walk down to the brewery. It's a bit steep in some places!

On a visit to La Grange, I looked up the top attractions in La Grange on TripAdvisor. Monument Hill…read moreState Park came up as number one. We stopped by on a Sunday afternoon. After paying a small fee to enter, we parked. The visitor's center has a small museum where you can learn all about the history of the park. It's a good way to kick things off. From there, you can hike around the park. Beyond getting a workout, you come across historical markers and other goodies along the way. Brewery ruins, a home, a statue, and more. You'll learn even more through this experience. I love these types of hikes: where you simultaneously learn and get a workout in.

Sewell Park is right on the Texas State University campus. The main draw is the spring-fed San…read moreMarcos River that runs right through it. The water is crystal clear and stays a refreshing 72 degrees year-round, which is perfect for beating the Texas heat. It's a fantastic spot for tubing, kayaking, swimming, or snorkeling. The park itself is really well-maintained with grassy banks for sunbathing, a couple of sand volleyball courts, an outdoor basketball court, and plenty of space to just hang up a hammock and relax. You can even rent gear right there at the Outdoor Center.

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

Used a cabin for about a week and it was absolutely wonderful! The cabin was clean and spacious…read moreenough for everything we wanted to do. A great way to de-stress and just enjoy the outdoors. Highly recommend this camp ground!!

A very nice park. Clean with great staff, they allow pets. Good for tents or RVS. we were in…read more"overflow" which is an area they leave open for people like us, who who didn't reserve anywhere on a holiday weekend (4th of July). They have restrooms and showers.

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.

Haven't been to the park or duck pond in decades. Mom wanted to drive through and walk around the…read moreduck pond. There were a few people there already, and everyone was incredibly nice. Wish the people in the city where I live where this friendly. Trade you?! Ha ha! The grounds were well-kept and beautiful. Please come check out the park the city offers through your wonderful tax dollars. You will be glad you did.

Great birthday venue. Plenty of room, plenty of tables and pretty scenery by the river.read more

beautiful spot. great geocaching. there are cool signs all over that made walking around really…read moreinteresting. The museum was closed but going inside didn't matter. There was lots to learn about and the phone tour was really interesting. Pretty location for a wedding too, i bet you can rent it.

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.

Great place to get out and play! The property is well kept and clean, they have 3 restrooms with…read moreshowers for public use after a hard days ride or when camping. The campsites are also well maintained and they have firewood for sale. They also sell Longhorn Beef, which is delicious and affordable. We will definitely be back again!

I made a last minute decision to go out of town and stumbled across this beautiful place. The…read moreowners are absolutely gems! It's quiet and oh so peaceful! I will most definitely be back once I decide to leave Thank y'all for your kind hospitality!

We stopped by Bastrop State Park on a whim while driving to Austin, and it ended up being a great…read moredecision. It's less than a 2-hour drive from Houston and under an hour from Austin, which makes it an easy add to a road trip. I especially appreciated that the entrance is right off Highway 71, so you're not wasting a bunch of time driving deep into back roads just to get to the park. We visited on a beautiful Saturday in January -- sunny and in the 50s, basically perfect hiking weather. While there are plenty of trees throughout the park, many of the trails are fairly exposed, so you get a lot of sun. Definitely bring sunscreen, even in cooler weather. The trails are wide and well-maintained, with sand and rocks laid down in many areas, making them easy to walk. The terrain is nicely hilly but nothing too difficult (we did about 4 miles total). One thing to note: trail signage is a bit limited, and it would be easy to get turned around and know where to turn. Thankfully, I had decent cell reception (T-Mobile) and was able to use Google Maps to track where we were. Parking was easy, the staff were friendly, and the landscape was beautiful. We used our Texas State Parks annual pass, which saved us the $15 entrance fee, and the entry process was quick and simple. The line of cars trying to get in was only 2. I'd love to come back in the spring when everything is blooming. Overall, a great stop if you want scenic views, manageable trails, and a convenient location. Highly recommend if you're on your way to Houston or Austin. There's also a Buccees just a few miles away!

We camped here spontaneously one weekend in February. The good: the trails are lovely! There are…read moremany miles and different terrains to explore. I love the pine trees and views from some of the trails. The campground is lovely as well. Very clean. Spaces are large. People are respectful. But... A big con is the traffic noise at night! We stayed in the Copperas Creek Camping Area, which is quite close to the road, so we expected some noise. But it was intense both noise. A loud, long crash woke me up in the middle of the night, with a second crash crashing into the debris from the first one. That whole incident kept me up for 2 hours. I don't know if the other campgrounds in the park are any better. The park is nestled in a populated area so I doubt it. But the trails and area are beautiful!! So I would definitely recommend for hiking!! Not so much tent camping... (maybe it's better in an RV?).

I have many fond memories of this park. During high school, the church group would meet here on…read moreFriday nights in order to play volleyball and listen to Christian music. The park hasn't changed much in the intervening years; however, the grounds are well maintained. Seasonal decorations always enliven the park on the corresponding holiday. This place is great for the family or if you simply need to get away to gather your thoughts.