Come to the shady banks of Elm Creek, where large trees arch overhead and deer and other critters wander by. Just 16 miles southwest of Abilene, the park has a lake and fishing pond, a historic swimming pool, trails, camping and more.

Camp at a tent or RV site, or in a screened shelter. For a bit of adventure, stay in one of our yurts.

Abilene State Park Campground

Abilene State Park is an interesting park to visit in the middle of Texas. The park is a short drive from the City of Abilene so it receives quite a few visitors on the weekend. During the weekday, you'll find considerably more peace and quiet. 

You can pick up supplies in the city and there is also a small store within the park office with some snacks and souvenirs.

The park has a nice grove of trees scattered around the open spaces and the campsites which can provide sanctuary shade from the summer sun. The campsites have clearings for tents, picnic tables, fire pits and water. There are restrooms nearby which have sinks, toilets and shower, all of which could stand some updating. There's a swimming pool which is often the main attraction of this park. 

When I was planning a visit to the park I thought that it would be nice to be right on the shores of Lake Abilene. However, I discovered that the main park area and campsites are in one area and the access point to the lake is in another area. You actually need to drive outside of the park, down the road and enter into another part of the park. There's a dirt road to access the lakefront and once you are at the lakefront there is a little beach. I guess that this is one reason why so many people appear to prefer hanging out at the swimming pool. 

The arrangement of the facilities is a little strange and many of the facilities could use an update. For this reason I only rate this park 3 out of 5.

Abilene State Park + Trees + Swimming Pool + Lake (sort of)

This trip was an odd one for us because we had additional family members who aren't outdoorsy joining us. Tent camping did not appeal to them so we reserved one of the yurts that Abilene State Park boasts. The yurt had electricity, a mini fridge, fan, and a small air conditioner. Even with the AC on it was well over 90° in the yurt, which we weren't thrilled about, especially since we had an elderly family member with some health issues in our group. Otherwise, the park is fine. It has a nice pool, easy walking trails, and access to a lake that is strangely located outside of the park a few miles down the road. The facilities were nice and the staff memebers werw mostly polite and helpful. I wouldn't recommend the yurts, but then again that's not really my thing to begin with.

Eh...

I stayed for a few days in a yurt.  What fun! The park was quiet the weekdays I was there. The bird watching blind is great! Well maintained and lots of bird activity.  Very nice clean facilities. 

Awesome Abilene


Nice wooded campsites, bathhouses were nice and clean.Close to Abilene(15 miles).

Nice wooded campground 

For being a small state park it offers a lot of nice camping sights, for RVs and tents alike.  There’s creeks running through the park aswell as a small fishing pond with crystal clear water.  Nice easy hiking trails, and a bird blind.  Just a nice getaway from civilization.  We go there very often just to be outside and breath fresh air.  And if you camp there, make sure to look up at night, what a view!

Small park, but awesome !

The trees were so beautiful. A very small park but great for fishing. There is a wonderfully stocked pond and a lake where you can rent canoes. There was also a pool and a cool old water tower. There were numerous historical landmarks as the park was put together by the CCC.

Trees

This is a nice park, but the sites are pretty close together.

Well-run, lots of shade, sites close together

It is a state park but don’t let that stop you from checking it out. Lots of hiking and bike trails. Swimming pool is open in the summer. You can fish in the lake across the road or in the small pond at the park.

Love this park in the fall!

Excellent campground/state park. Lots of trees, trails and roads.   Interesting CCC structures from the 30’s.  The pool was closed, but it was November....  very friendly staff. Lots of deer and wildlife 

Beautiful!! 

We stayed in a tent only spot for 8 days in Dec. Really quiet even with a trail behind us. Lots of winding beautiful trails. One of the cheaper Texas State Parks so the trails aren't very long. 

BUT the real hidden gem was in the bathroom by the yurts. They have a disabled shower. So it's within reach and the showerhead is lower. Awesome to use to clean my toddler without getting drenched. 

Felt very safe, even walking around past dark. We saw feral hogs a few times at dusk. Really loved it.

The playground isn't very good but you are 20 minutes from Abilene with oodles of great parks and a small zoo. 

Extremely Safe and Family Friendly 

We stayed here twice 10 days apart in December since it was convenient incident to a longer trip. Our first site was in Oak Grove which I thought was much superior to Pecan Grove, site-wise. Pecan Grove 66 was by some nice warm clean bathrooms and showers but the site was up a steep slant and was just barely long enough for our 24 foot trailer. The park host came by and checked on us which was kind. Both sites had oak tree shade and picnic tables and were paved with asphalt. 

Sites are electric and have water and 50/30 but no sewer. There’s a simple dump station. 

There was a burn ban on but you could definitely smell wood fires both nights. 

Small playground, easy hiking trails, and plenty of birds and nature walks. In the summer they have a pool which looked like it would be really nice. Not far from Abilene, we visited the zoo there. 

Would go back

Smaller state park with lots of shade in the Texas heat. The areas has plenty of place to picnic and walk around. A few trails with a small pond that connects a few together. There is also a pool area this must be booked along with your site reservations. There are also place to tent camp, cabins and yurts with electricity to rent. The sites vary from full hookups to water and electricity. Each site is private and not to close each with plenty of privacy. There is also a lake that’s outside of campsite area that can be busted up the road.

Two things I love:
1. Shade and privacy 
2. Picnic table and fire pit at full site hook up.

One thing I didn’t like:
1. Road is currently damaged for easier exit so their is a detour.

Tucked away in the trees

This Texas state park was really nice, lots of shade for my dog and lots of friendly people. During the day lots of squirrels running around and at night raccoons and armadillos. The park is kept up with its cleanliness. Also there is restrooms and showers here.

Great experience for Labor Day weekend

This must be a happening place in summer with the pool and lots of picnic areas. But in January it is quiet. 

Winter Quiet

We tried to get a site at 530 on a Saturday night in February. Very few sites available for our 24 ft trailer.  We did not want to unhook and that is not possible.   Used bathroom which was clean.  Would try again on a weekday since seems to offer nice hiking.

Make a reservation 

As with most every Texas State Park, the sites are well maintained and clean. Pads are level with plenty of room to get and out. Separate “Tent Only” sites are available. Lots of shade from trees throughout the park. First visit to this park on my way up to Colorado. Nice stop over when driving from Austin. Phone signal was not the best(booster helped). I was able to get internet using my phone as a hot spot for laptop.

This was first time at this park and I noted several families with kiddos enjoying the park, I was just passing through but would definitely stay again,

Great family campground

The Cedar Grove tent camp area was well wooded with sites that were decently spaced. The sites had a fire ring/grill with a lantern post. There was water spigot close to my site. The restrooms were clean and the showers hot but the heater shower was slow to heat up. Decent views of the stars at night 

Nice wooded campground with decent views of the stars

If at first you don’t find something you like– keep driving! You’ll find it! This place is Texas big with more recreational activities than I have ever seen, and I have been on the road for quite a while. The only thing I didn’t see was a bocce court! There are multiple camping opportunities so take your pick. The Wagon Circle was a trip-- 17 sites with water and electric in a circle around the facilities, see the photos. There are two pools– a kiddy pool and a full size(25 yards) lap pool. The pool area is in great shape, but many of the other activity areas are a bit dated. I was relying on my Verizon hotspot because of issues with Starlink and the signal was not great. I ended up dry camping in a picnic area because it was the only place I could get two bars LTE.