Jeff

Cedar Park, TX

Joined September 2020

Great camping large lake, good location - July 2020

Well spaced spots.  Fairly level pads with table, fire ring, 30/50 amp electrical, water.  We didn't see any covered tables, but all usable spots had concrete pads for tables.  Like a lot of east-Texas camping areas, LSSP was also devastated by Hurricane Harvey and is still recovering, but don't let that stop you, but instead level-set your expectations.  Sites are well dispersed, but some appear to be no longer in use.  In July 2020, there were very few folks in the park, partly, I'm sure due to Covid-19 and well, its July in Texas!  Typically, and as expected, gnats were really bad at night, but mosquitos were tolerable.  Just be prepared and you'll be fine.  Great kayaking and very little motorized boat traffic, but likely due to current situation.  Trails are numerous, but not well marked.  We didn't see a lot of hog damage on the trails, so maybe the staff has been working on that.  Good amount of wildlife  Equestrian area looked like it was restored and  back-in-business.   Will be returning.  While the Birch Creek and Nails Creek sections are visible across the lake from each other, there is a long drive (15 minutes in a vehicle around the lake) to get between them, so plan your time accordingly.

Great getaway in Texas Hill Country - May 2018

Catching up on my reviews…Inks Lake SP is a superb park about 40 minutes from Austin in the Texas Hill Country.  Great lake with a large no wake zone in one area that makes it very family friendly and paddler friendly.  There are sites away from the NWZ that allow you to ski/tube right from your campsite.  Great choice of flat, easy access spots.  Tent-only spots with only water are available as-well.   Decent hiking and easy biking around the park is available.  The area around Devil's Hole is great for floating about and jumping from the rocks.  Just wish that folks would clean up after themselves better.  Great camp store with lots of products.  Lake was lowered in 2019 to update the docks and boat ramps (very nice now), lake is back to normal seasonal levels.  ILSP is close to Austin, so it stays busy during the season, so reserve well ahead of time.  No Wifi at the campsites, but decent mobile reception (ATT).  30/50 amp and water at most sites.  Fire ring and table on concrete pads at all sites.  Tables are not covered, however.  I've been told that there is Wifi available at the camp store, but I cannot personally verify that.

Simply Gorgeous! April 2019

If you are looking for lots of hiking and mountain biking in the beautiful Texas panhandle.  2nd largest canyon in the U.S.  Great amenities and a well cared for state park.  We spent 5 days there and still didn't get to cover all the trails and sights.  Plan to go back.  We went in April to beat the heat, but it was still pretty warm on the trails, near 90 in the days and high 50's at night.  Next trip will be likely in the fall (October-ish).  All the trails warn to bring water and they mean it!  Lots of wildlife; deer, hogs, numerous birds, reptiles.  Sudden storms can pop up and bring quick winds and rain, so be prepared!  Sites are large, but not isolated from each other (not many trees), so be ready for some openness.  Flat pads with good water and electric.  There are numerous primitive tent sites and some pack-in sites as well.  Park store is run by a 3rd party vendor, so Texas Parks pass doesn't give you discount, but the store is large and has bistro-type eating.

Nice SP in SE Texas Good lake but beware of hydrilla! July 2020

Overall, Choke Canyon SP is a nice park.  Large footprint in southeast Texas between San Antonio and Corpus Christi.  Good trails overall, however, could use better markings at trail intersections.  Choke Canyon Reservoir is large and the area we were at had very little motorized boat traffic, which made it great for kayaking.  That could be attributed to the low lake level and the overgrowth of hydrilla.  Saw a lot of wildlife, rabbits, deer, coyotes, alligators, many fish species, many birds and a sounder of hogs.  Sites are well kept and the boat ramp is large and long.  Could easily launch/recover up to 4 boats at once.  Lots of places to fish from the banks and jettys (but due to low lake levels, some are not accessible).  Will definitely return some day.

Nice rural feeling near large DFW metroplex - June 2020

Although a small park, the design is thoughtful and you don't feel like you are so close to the huge DFW area.  The sites are tight (we have a 30' rig) but I did see a large 5er do some tricks to get into his spot, but he got 'er in there.  Because the sites are so compact, the covered table, fire ring, and nice flat tent area is behind the RV pad.  See the picture posted.  It is an interesting layout, but it does work.  Quite a few of the lake-side spots are closed, looks like previous flood damage.  Lake level was good.  Fairly clean and nice.  But ongoing improvements are being made.  I would stay there again.

Hidden gem near the coast - Sept. 2020

Goose Island SP is a great little hidden gem of a park on the Texas Gulf Coast.  The camping area is small, but they've arranged the spots very well, with good vegetation between each spot that hides your spot from your neighbor.  They offer both 30 amp and 50 amp service, water, fire ring, table on cement pad and nice flat spots.  Good day use spots and excellent boat ramp with a fish cleaning table.  Yes there are bugs, but this is in the middle of reclaimed wetlands, so be prepared!  This is their world and we must adapt.  The bay-side camping area is the island part of the park and is still being renovated (as of Aug 2020), but according to park staff, they should be open by Nov 2020.  There is also a brand new, huge pier with boat access and fishing that will be open soon.  Near-by there is "The Big Tree", purported the oldest tree in Texas (1000-2000 years old!) and Rockport beach and all the other Texas coast attractions.   Highly recommend and we will be returning soon.