Enjoying Blanco State Park, 3/10/2018

About 60 miles from either Austin or San Antonio, is the Blanco State Park. Located about four blocks from Blanco’s town square, the small park borders one mile of the spring-fed Blanco River. Swimming, tubing/kayaking, fishing, sunning, hiking, and camping are the primary activities here. Admission is $5 each for ages 12 and older.

A map of the park was provided at the entrance. 

We found a parking place next to Falls Dam. There is a shallow wading pool for small children along the banks of the river. People also enjoy wading in the river below the pool. This huge live oak tree has been here for centuries. 

We followed the road to reach the opposite side of the Blanco River. We saw several turtles enjoying a swim. To the east is the Falls Dam and to the west, the Rte 281 bridge. 

The Caswell Nature Trail follows the river to the east through the woods to the next stone dam downriver.

The loop trail ran along the river bank where we could see people on the opposite side of the river fishing and enjoying the beautiful weather. Limestone rock formations were along this portion of the trail. I am always fascinated by the trees that appear to be growing straight out of the rocks!

And our sweet doggie, Sadie, loved going for a swim in the cool water. We found a good place for her to go in underneath the bridge along the nature trail.

We ate our picnic lunch at a picnic table overlooking the Blanco River, and then hiked the second trail along the river bank to the west. There is a scenic overlook about halfway to a third dam on the river. 

Large limestone slabs can be seen along the river bank here. Sadie got to jump in for a second swim here. 

We were able to cross the river and continued our hike on the opposite side of the river near the dam.

People were enjoying the river in kayaks and and tubes as swimming is permitted anywhere along the river. I also snapped a couple of photos of hawks in flight (just beautiful). 

The CCC built most of the stone structures in the park (1933-34) including: stone walls, stairs to the river, picnic tables and benches, stone dams, and a picnic pavilion. The pavilion can be rented by for group events. 

Full hook-up RV sites or sites with water and electric can be found at the campground. There is also an area for tent camping there. Several additional tent sites with screened shelters along the river banks can be reserved. 

We ended up back at the place where we started near the Falls Dam. Our visit to the park ended with one more swim for Sadie in the river. 

The park is a very popular destination in the summer due to the water activities. Be sure to make reservations in advance if you want to camp here. We are enjoying all of the Texas state parks we have visited in the area. 

For additional information, check out their website at tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/blanco.