Blanco State Park
September, 2005
Campground Name: Blanco State Park, Blanco, Texas
Campground's Website:
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/f.../parks/blanco/
Last Visited: September, 2005
Number and Types of Sites
Primitive: No (See body of review concerning tent sites)
Water & Electric: Yes Pull-Thru: 0 Back-In: 12
Full Hook-Up: Yes Pull-Thru: 3 Back-In: 9
Screened Shelters: 7
Big Rig accessible: Yes
Shade trees: Yes
Waterfront sites: No
Swimming Pool: No Other: Yes Specify: Swimming allowed in river.
Hike/Bike Trails: Limited
Fishing: Yes
Boating: Yes (Paddle sports)
Clean restrooms: Yes (Fair) Clean showers: Yes (Fair)
Pets allowed: Yes (On leash)
Tents allowed: Yes
Fires/Grills allowed: Yes
Family type: Yes
Nightly rate $:
Power & Water: $15
Full Hook-Up: $18
Screened Shelter: $21
Pavilion: $75
Weekday Special: Pay for 2 nights camping, get 1 free.
Overall Rating (1=poor 10=excellent): 7
Pictures: Pending. Please check back around 10/28/05.
Park Amenities:
When September comes to most parts of the country, people start
thinking about cool weather and warm sweaters. Many also see it as being near the end of another camping season. Well, not in Texas. Here, September marks a near end to what we like to call “Super Summer” and a start of some temps below the century mark. It also marks the start of the camping season for those of us here that choose not to brave the Texas summer sun. DW and I fall into this group and we chose Blanco State Park as a place to end our self-imposed hiatus from camping. We have camped here before but this will be my first review of this park. This was only a 4-day trek so there will be little in the way of side trips. Still, I hope you can find something you can use in my writings.
We departed the Dallas/Ft. Worth area very early on Thursday, taking our normal route through Cleburne, Glen Rose, Hico and then south on Hwy 281. A very nice, if uneventful, trip that put us in Blanco about 9:00AM. We were checked in and set up on Site 14 by about 10:00AM.
Blanco State Park is located in the Texas Hill Country, approximately ¼ mile south of the old Blanco County Courthouse. If approaching from the north, take Park Road 23 to your right, prior to crossing Blanco River Bridge. If you approach from the south, the park road will be on your left immediately after crossing the bridge.
The park is comprised of 104 acres that were deeded over in 1933 prior to the park’s opening in 1934. Due to a spring in the park, the area had been used as a base camp for early explorers and settlers. As in so many of Texas’ State Parks, some of the first development was done by the Civilian Conservation Corps. (CCC) during the middle to late ’30s. The park encloses an approximate 1 mile stretch of the Blanco River with “Day Use” areas both up and down stream from the main entrance. The camping area and 1/3 of the “Day Use” area is accessed by passing over a low water crossing just below the main dam in the center of the park. There is also another dam approximately ½ mile down stream. Swimming, tubing and paddle sports are allowed in the river (all at your own risk). All “Day Use” areas are well maintained as are most areas of the park.
The last time DW and I were here was approximately four years ago. It seems to both of us that even though there has been no obvious design changes to the park, it has “matured” a great deal since our last visit. The trees and bushes appear to have grown a good bit and supply much more shade then they once did. Everything in the park just seems to have settled in to where it needs to be, giving an overall feeling of comfort. I do find this a bit surprising given the one major change that has happened in this park since our last visit. Four years ago the only “Full Hook-Up” sites were 1 through 10 and 51 and 52, in the East Loop. Since that time sewer hook-ups have been added to the 9 sites on the inside of the West Loop. Further, the same is in the advanced planning stages for the 12 sites that make up the outside of the West Loop. One of the best parts is that all of this work has been done with no visible damage to the park. If I had not known better, I would have thought those sites in the inside of the West Loop had always been “Full Hook Up”. Another great job designed and managed by our Texas Parks and Wildlife Department! Give ’um a hand, guys and gals!
All sites are equipped with water spigot, fire/grill ring, lamp standard and picnic tables. Many sites have a covered picnic table. Both East and West Loops are supplied with electricity to all sites. Sites in the West Loop are “30 Amp” while those in the East Loop are “30/50 Amp”. There are two sites in the East Loop that tend to be taken by “Park Hosts” (Sites 1 & 2, if I recall correctly). Sites 51 & 52 in the East Loop and Site 16 in the West Loop are “Pull Thru”. All other sites are “Back In”. I saw none that would be a great challenge to get into. With the exception of Site 20, all appear to have the depth to handle medium to large trailers or motor-homes. Site 20 offers “Side by Side” parking and from experience, I know that it will handle any size PU or small trailer/hybrid well. It also appears that many of the sites are equipped with tent pads though all that I saw bare little signs of use. The park also offers 7 Screened Shelters equipped with fire/grill rings and water spigots. These are the standard shelters found in most Texas State Parks. It is unknown if there are any future plans to up-grade these to “Mini-Cabins” as has been done in some parks.
One of the nicest features of Blanco State Park is the Group Picnic Pavilion. This structure is located across the road from the entrance to the West Camping Loop. It is my understanding that this structure is part of the original park development. This is a beautiful stone building that allows for group picnics inside as well as on the northern, shaded patio. This patio also offers a wonderful view of the activity on the river. The pavilion is equipped with kitchen facilities, a fireplace, picnic tables and restrooms. There is also a sand volleyball court available for use. In addition to picnic tables, the patio is also equipped with a large smoker/grill for those so inclined. Even though I have had no reason to rent this building, I always find myself drawn to it. I find the construction appealing and enjoy the time to sit on the patio and watch the river ease by. A truly soothing experience.
The camping area is filled out with the ubiquitous dump station and shower house. I must say that the park’s shower house, though serviceable, remains one of it’s few flaws. The last time we were at this park four years ago, we found that it was almost always in need of at least some cleaning. On the weekend, it became almost impossible to use. By the time of our return for this trip, some changes had been made. We did find that the shower house as a whole was a bit cleaner. Park management has also added a push-button, electric combination lock to the actual area enclosing the showers. It is assumed that this was done to keep “day use” park visitors out of the showers. To be honest, I don’t see as it has helped much. By Saturday evening the shower floor on the “Men’s” side was full of dirt and mud. Though I noted a slight improvement, the shower house is still one part of Blanco State Park in need of attention.
At this time, Blanco State Park is involved in a pilot program. WiFi is being offered on a membership basis. This program is to run for one year but I have no information as to when it is to end. The following information is an excerpt from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department web site and I hope it will furnish relevant information for those interested in WiFi.
Quote:
“This park is participating in a pilot program to test the feasibility of offering Wireless Internet (Wifi) services to park visitors through private membership. This one-year test program is being offered through a partnership with Tengo Internet, Inc. This service does not rely on any park financial support and is funded directly by the provider. The provider is reimbursed through funds collected from direct users. The provider pays the State Parks Division a fee based on the income generated from memberships.
For more information contact the park or:
www.tengointernet.com ”
This park has limited hiking opportunities but if your just interested in a nice stroll, Blanco should suit the bill quite well. You can head either east or west along the river and have a very nice time just walking along the paved road. The Caswell Nature Trail runs east along the south side of the river, starting from the low water crossing and extends as far as the eastern dam. I have never hiked this trail and know of it only from the park map. At the eastern end of Park Road 23 you will find another trail heading back north. This is a very nice trail that, if taken to it‘s end, will put you in the southeastern corner of the Blanco town square (more about this area later).
The park’s staff is knowledgeable and helpful, as in all Texas State Parks. They all seem to enjoy their work and go out of their way to make your stay as enjoyable as possible. The park is regularly patrolled by both park rangers/staff and also by the “Park Hosts”.
As mentioned earlier, I want to add a bit about the Blanco town square. This area has some shopping available and the old Blanco County Courthouse is a nice, if not outstanding structure. The most memorable part about the town square is the Blanco Bowling Club at 410 4th Street. It’s not that I care all that much about bowling (haven’t rolled a ball in near 20 years and don’t expect to be doing it any time soon). The best part of the Blanco Bowling Club is the restaurant contained within. This is one of the best small town eateries I’ve come across in a while. It has a short order menu that will keep you coming back time after time. One of it’s featured items is the Friday night, “All You Can Eat” catfish fry. Outstanding meal at a great price. I do suggest you arrive with a healthy appetite. Have had a few of the other items on the menu and have never left hungry or disappointed.
At the top of a small rise on your right as you enter Blanco State Park, you may notice a small structure. This building houses the Rio Blanco Cafe. Though not an outstanding restaurant, they do serve up a very nice meal at a fair price. If your tastes lean towards Tex-Mex, I can suggest the Rio Blanco Cafe as a convenient location to satisfy your hunger.
As said, this was a short trip with no side trips so I have little to add as far as “site seeing” information goes. We left Blanco State Park on Sunday at about 1PM and proceeded home via the same route we had taken to the park. Our departure time was a couple of hours later then is our norm and it seemed to make our drive home longer then usual. Even though we did drive through some rain, we had no other problem until we arrived home. While I was busy chocking and locking up the exterior of the “5th”, DW was inside emptying the refrigerator. I suddenly heard a crash and DW yelling. I raced inside to find that a ½ gallon milk container had fallen as DW opened the ‘fridge. It had split open, dumping its entire contents on the floor of the trailer. Of course, all that milk headed straight for the carpet (“Murphy’s Law” in full force). DW was hollering and we were both running around trying to clean it up. We spent the next 2 hours on this project. First, blotted up all we could. We then took a strong mix of Pine-Sol and water and soaked the carpet down well. I then used my big Shop-Vac to extract all I could. It was so bad that there was milk and Pine-Sol mix leaking from the back corner where the “slide” and the main part of the trailer meet. DW was terribly upset, afraid that she’d ruined our beautiful “5th”. Did my best to calm her down and reassure her that all was not lost and that no matter what, we could take care of it. Opened a window and a vent, left a fan going and prayed for the best. The next morning I opened the trailer, expecting to be hit by the smell of mildew and sour milk. All I smelled was “our trailer” and a mild aroma of Pine-Sol. Carpeting was near dry and by the next morning, it was completely dry with no ill effects. Got to say we were both relieved. It was about that time I realized how lucky we had been. We had made a stop about 90 miles south of home at a place called “The Dutchman’s” on 281. I had entered the trailer and opened the refrigerator (don’t recall why). If that milk had fallen out there, we would have had no real way to deal with it and the carpeting surely would have been ruined before we could have gotten home. I fully believe that angels watch over me. I’m just sometimes surprised how close they really are.
Well, that about raps up my ramblings for this trip. I want to thank our friends who camped with us during this trip. As always, their presence made the trip that much better and I look forward to more great times with them. If you’ve been able to glean some useful information from all my pecking at this keyboard, my time has been truly well spent. If you would like further information about Blanco State Park, feel free to e-mail and I’ll do what I can to help. Until then and always,
Happy Camping!
Note: Information and site references contained in this review were current as of this writing. I apologize for any errors you may find and will attempt to correct them if notified.
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