Dallas area camping - Wild Texas Forums: Parks, Travel & Recreation

copuswalker · 07-22-2004, 11:42 AM

The wife and I will be dropping our kids at the brother inlaws near Carrollton.
We are interested in Dinosaur Valley and was wondering if the swimming is good,bad, shallow, hot, etc. etc.
We will be camping in our trailer and are open for other suggestions.
Saw a place listed near Lewisville but it may be to close

Went to Lake Murray last year.

Any and all suggestions are appreciated.

07-22-2004, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by copuswalker

The wife and I will be dropping our kids at the brother inlaws near Carrollton.
We are interested in Dinosaur Valley and was wondering if the swimming is good,bad, shallow, hot, etc. etc.
We will be camping in our trailer and are open for other suggestions.
Saw a place listed near Lewisville but it may be to close

Went to Lake Murray last year.

Any and all suggestions are appreciated.

I like Dinosaur Valley, there is some nice hike in camping, that's actually close walk from the car, not a long carry and close to the water. The Paluxi is pretty, but I suspect pretty low this time of year. It will be hot there. There is a blue hole there, but not sure how deep this time of year. Teh Brazos is also pretty, but not sure about swimming holes, sorry. Inks lake is a great swimming place, quite a bit further south. If you don't mind heading east, I think both Tyler State Park has a nice swimming lake.

toejam · 07-22-2004, 10:32 PM

Dinosaur Valley is the nearest park to me and, well, maybe familiarity breeds contempt. But I'm actually more familiar with Lake Mineral Wells SP and never get tired of going there.

Dino Valley has a nice campground if you can get a spot. There are good day hiking trails if you don't get run over by bikes. The backpacking sites just suck. It's a good place to take kids. I don't like the way the place is run - the park admin has pulled some sorry stunts over the years.

It seems like every summer someone dies of some bug they got swimming in the Paluxy after it stops flowing. I was kayaking on the Brazos this evening and it was very warm.

I'd stick to Lake Ray Roberts, you've already bought enough gas.

copuswalker · 07-22-2004, 11:43 PM

Hmmm, Thanks for the honest input. We will definetly keep the info in mind! I thought you had to go to Galveston to dir from the water

Tyler has been one of our favorites over the years. Kinda wanted something different. Maybe Ray Roberts is a possibility? Tell me more!!

ploddinTod · 07-23-2004, 08:53 AM

Try Schlitterbahn in New Braunfels. It's sure to have water.

Love that cool, spring-fed Comal River which at least part of the park utilizes.

copuswalker · 07-23-2004, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ploddinTod

Try Schlitterbahn in New Braunfels. It's sure to have water.

Love that cool, spring-fed Comal River which at least part of the park utilizes.

Thanks Todd! Gonna have a weekend without the kids and we are going to schlitterrban????

Now I'd go if she let me

The comments on Dinosaur Valley made her nervouse and she wants to look into Cleburne now?? Cool water?? I dunno?

ploddinTod · 07-23-2004, 04:10 PM

Copus, Schlitterbahn was tongue-in-cheek but it is my fav water park even with the zillions of people. So she wants to go camping as a romantic getaway? Hmmm

Wish my wife was as easy to please.

copuswalker · 07-23-2004, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ploddinTod

Copus, Schlitterbahn was tongue-in-cheek but it is my fav water park even with the zillions of people. So she wants to go camping as a romantic getaway? Hmmm

Wish my wife was as easy to please.

Hey Todd, I knew it was tongue in cheek.

And yes she doesn't demand much.... Heck she married me?

Turn Key · 07-23-2004, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by copuswalker

Thanks Todd! Gonna have a weekend without the kids and we are going to schlitterrban????

Now I'd go if she let me

The comments on Dinosaur Valley made her nervouse and she wants to look into Cleburne now?? Cool water?? I dunno?

Hi copuswalker,

Have been watching this one was getting ready to add my 2-cents worth. I think this is the right spot.

First off, I agree with what's been said so far. Dinosaur Valley is a great SP and I really enjoy going there. Swimming in the Paluxy River in the latter spring and early summer is outstanding. From a spot called "Blue Hole", a rather deep pool, on down as far as about Track Site #3 you have nice swimming and wading. As said though, as the summer wares on, all of the three rivers in that area get very low, slow and hot. Not a great place to be swimming at that time. They have this same issue with swimming in Onion Creek at McKinney Falls SP in Austin. There, they test the water and close it to swimming as needed.

Also, I feel I need to warn you about temps in this park. Park is situated in a low spot and gets little breeze. Have found park to be very hot in the summer. Have camped there often in the fall, winter and spring and have always enjoyed it. Also like to use park for a late spring/early summer picnic/swimming trip. We do these "day trips" by arriving at park around 8am. and then leaving not later then 2 pm to avoid the heat. My grankids love it.

As far as Cleburne State Park goes, I'm for it! We live within 35 minutes of it and camp there very often. With the exception of the shower houses that could use a bit of work, this is a great park.

As far as swimming goes, the lake is spring fed and doesn't loose a great deal in the summer. We were there last month and the lake was in great shape with a pretty good volume of water flowing in the creek that feeds it. I don't use the standard swimming beach, as most don't that know the park. Much nicer to follow the road around to the far end of the park where the "full hook-up" camping sites are located. Swimming off the beach behind camping sites 45, 46 & 48 is the best. Of course, if there are people camped there, they may rightfully object

! There's nothing wrong with swimming at the approved beach but the other area is nicer.

Hoped this has helped some and you have a great trip no matter where you end up. Happy Camping!

copuswalker · 07-24-2004, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turn Key

Hi copuswalker,

Have been watching this one was getting ready to add my 2-cents worth. I think this is the right spot.

First off, I agree with what's been said so far. Dinosaur Valley is a great SP and I really enjoy going there. Swimming in the Paluxy River in the latter spring and early summer is outstanding. From a spot called "Blue Hole", a rather deep pool, on down as far as about Track Site #3 you have nice swimming and wading. As said though, as the summer wares on, all of the three rivers in that area get very low, slow and hot. Not a great place to be swimming at that time. They have this same issue with swimming in Onion Creek at McKinney Falls SP in Austin. There, they test the water and close it to swimming as needed.

Also, I feel I need to warn you about temps in this park. Park is situated in a low spot and gets little breeze. Have found park to be very hot in the summer. Have camped there often in the fall, winter and spring and have always enjoyed it. Also like to use park for a late spring/early summer picnic/swimming trip. We do these "day trips" by arriving at park around 8am. and then leaving not later then 2 pm to avoid the heat. My grankids love it.

As far as Cleburne State Park goes, I'm for it! We live within 35 minutes of it and camp there very often. With the exception of the shower houses that could use a bit of work, this is a great park.

As far as swimming goes, the lake is spring fed and doesn't loose a great deal in the summer. We were there last month and the lake was in great shape with a pretty good volume of water flowing in the creek that feeds it. I don't use the standard swimming beach, as most don't that know the park. Much nicer to follow the road around to the far end of the park where the "full hook-up" camping sites are located. Swimming off the beach behind camping sites 45, 46 & 48 is the best. Of course, if there are people camped there, they may rightfully object

! There's nothing wrong with swimming at the approved beach but the other area is nicer.

Hoped this has helped some and you have a great trip no matter where you end up. Happy Camping!

Great advice. May try to get one of those sites. We will be going midweek so may get lucky. Thanks to everyone for the info!!

Turn Key · 07-24-2004, 08:26 AM

copuswalker,
Given the option, I'd choose 45,48 and 46, in that order. 45 has the best shade of the three.
If your interested and out there on a Wednesday, Thursday or Friday maybe we could get together. Let me know if your interested.
Happy Camping!

copuswalker · 07-24-2004, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turn Key

copuswalker,
Given the option, I'd choose 45,48 and 46, in that order. 45 has the best shade of the three.
If your interested and out there on a Wednesday, Thursday or Friday maybe we could get together. Let me know if your interested.
Happy Camping!

Thanks Turn Key, I think the wife is set on Cleburne.
She is requesting a little more info if you don't mind?
Is it a dry county? (hey it's her asking, I bring enough for me.)
Is it local to stores and restaurants? (any recommedations)
We will probably be there 4-5 days.
Do cell phones work. Cingular (Have to do a little business)
Thanks in advance!!

Turn Key · 07-24-2004, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by copuswalker

Thanks Turn Key, I think the wife is set on Cleburne.
She is requesting a little more info if you don't mind?
Is it a dry county? (hey it's her asking, I bring enough for me.)
Is it local to stores and restaurants? (any recommedations)
We will probably be there 4-5 days.
Do cell phones work. Cingular (Have to do a little business)
Thanks in advance!!

Don't mind all. Glad to help.

1) Johnson County is "dry". I also bring my own

. City of Cleburne is county seat.
2) Heading back from park on 67, rather then taking the by-pass, bare to your right on Business 67. About 1 1/2 miles from there (about 8-9 from the park) you'll find a Wal-Mart Super Center on your left. In the same area you'll find the normal fast food spots. A little before getting to Wal-Mart on your right you'll find a place called "Th West End Grill". We like it allot and have been known to drive to Cleburne just to go there for lunch. It's a buffet and I suggest that you be sure that your hungry if you go there. A little past Wal-Mart on the left is a "Cotton Patch Resturant" They're pretty good as well. There are some other places for the next mile or so on that road prior to your starting to get into the downtown area.
3) Haven't had a cell phone for abourt 5 years or a bit more now. When I did, it would almost never get out of any of the state parks including Cleburne. One of the many reasons we don't have one today. Technology has inproved so you'll probably have better luck with that now.

If you want take a drive and have a look, you can take 67 back out of Cleburne and about 18 miles past Park Road 21. This will get you to Glen Rose and Dinasaur Valley SP. Take 67 through town and as you start to come out of town, the road curves to the left and you'll see the park road on your right. Give you a chance to have a look and see if you may want to return.

Also, when coming back out of Cleburne, prior to getting to the park road for Cleburne SP, you'll see an Elks Lodge on your left (DW thinks it's a VFW but I'm pretty sure it's an Elk's. It's the only one out there so no big issue). That road is FM 1434. It's a nice drive of about 8-10 miles that will loop you back around and connect you to Park Road 21, right in front of the park entrance. Nice drive. Also, across 1434 from the Elk's Lodge, there is a ranch where they raise miniture horses (not ponies). Kind of cute to see if they're in the front pasture.

Hope this gives you what you need and you you have a great trip. Let me know if I can answer any other questions.

Happy Camping!

copuswalker · 07-25-2004, 12:06 AM

Darn. your good! I owe you one

The info has been fantastic and has made my better part quite happy

Thanks and hope to return the favor!!!

Turn Key · 07-25-2004, 09:13 AM

Your quite welcome and glad to do it! Understand about keeping the better half happy

! Have a great trip and let us all how it went on your return.

Happy Camping!