Garner State Park and Lost Maples State Natural Area

Sabinal River in Lost Maples

Yesterday we finished up our visit to Big Bend National Park and spent the night in Del Rio, Texas.  From Del Rio, we will drive through the far western Texas Hill Country with stops at Garner State Park and Lost Maples State Natural Area.

Driving through the Hill Country at dawn, dusk or during the night can be treacherous with the deer--they are everywhere.  If this makes you uncomfortable, please plan accordingly.

What a difference a day makes--from mild and sunny yesterday to cold and dizzily today. This is the main reason I can't commit to tent camping at this time of year. Luckily we will be driving the majority of the day. The carful of kids wanted to check out a couple of very popular parks so we are taking the scenic route home.

Garner State Park, located on the Frio River, is a popular destination for families for generations.  Dedicated in 1941, it was a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) park project in the 1930s. This New-Deal organization helped to put young men back to work in the depression. There are original cabins, screen shelters and 335 camp sites along the waters of the chilly Frio River.  There are paddle boats for rent, a playground and mini golf course.  The pavilion houses a grill and store and hosts weekend dances in the summer.

Garner State Park has a lot to offer but I could see how it would get crowded in the summer.  Reservations for popular weekends book up ONE year in advance.  This is NOT a park that you decide to camp on the fly expect to get a spot.  We duck into a vacant shelter for a quick lunch before we load up to check out our next park--Lost Maples.

Along our scenic byway, a beautiful vista awaits at every bend--even on a cold, dreary winter day.  The carful of kids have heard great things about Lost Maples State Natural Area so we wanted to check it out.  What a delightful place--opening to the public in 1979; it is a smaller park with just 2100 acres, this includes 30 developed campsites and 11 miles of hiking trails.  It is located on the pristine waters of the Sabinal River, southwest of Kerrville, Texas.

The carful of kids park the SUV for a quick hike--.8 miles round-trip; it will warm us up.  There are maples as well as sycamores, Bald Cypresses, walnuts and several varieties of oak; leftovers from the last ice age. We will have to come back during November when the color is at its height.

We continue driving along the scenic highways on our way to Kerrville, Texas. We drive down Texas Highway 39 through Hunt along the banks of the Guadalupe River. This area of Texas offers some spectacular scenery and should be included on your must visit list for 2015.

Up for tomorrow a West Texas Road Trip Wrap Up.