Cleburne State Park, Texas
Fall, 2005
Facilities & Fees
Campground Name: Cleburne State Park
Campground's Website:
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/f...arks/cleburne/
Last Visited: “Home Park”; there often.
Number of sites:
Primitive: 0
Water & Electric: 31 (all “Back-In”)
Full Hook-Up: 27 (all “Back-In”)
Group Youth Primitive Camping Area
6 Screened Shelters
Group Camp
Big Rig accessible: Yes
Shade trees: Yes
Waterfront sites: Yes (Lake, Creek)
Swimming: Yes (Lake; Swim at your own risk)
Hike/Bike Trails: Extensive
Fishing: Yes
Boating: Yes (Paddle sports and power boats at a 5 MPH limit) Good launch ramp available.
Clean restrooms: Fair Clean showers: Fair Ho Water: Very Good
Pets allowed: Yes, on lead
Tents allowed: Yes
Fires/Grills allowed: Yes (Usually. “Burn Bans” are common during late summer and early fall)
Family type: Yes
Nightly rate $:
Water & Electric: $15.00
Full Hook-Up: $25.00
Screened Shelters: $30.00
Group Youth Primitive Camping Area: $32.00 (20 people, maximum)
Group Camp: $250.00
Note: Each site fee is in addition to a $3.00 per person/per day entry fee. This fee is waived if at least one person in a group holds a Texas State Parks Pass. Pass costs $60.00 per year and you recover this cost very rapidly.
Overall Rating (1=poor 10=excellent): 5
Pictures:
http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/Albu...2174&f=http://
Park & Area:
Can’t tell you how many times I have meant to write this review. DW and I visit Cleburne State Park at least 6 times per year to camp and I don’t know how many times we go out just to paddle the kayaks. As I said earlier in the “Facilities & Fees” section, we consider Cleburne our “Home Park” so you’d think I’d have written a review long before this. Oh well. Guess it’s like the barber who never has time to get a haircut. Even though it’s a bit late, here we go!
Cleburne State Park is located in the southwestern quadrant of Johnson County, Texas. It is approximately 16 miles from the city of the same name, which happens to be the county seat. The park is accessed by taking State Highway 67 south out of Cleburne to Park Road 21 and then turning left for 6 more miles. The park will be on your right side. Cleburne State Park can also be gotten to by following State Highway 67 north out of Glen Rose for approximately 18 miles and then turn right onto Park Road 21. Be advised that beyond the park there is a rather large gravel pit. This causes no problems for the park but you’ll do well to remember that many large “gravel wagons” will be sharing the park road with you. Often, not being controlled by the best representatives of the trucking industry, these vehicles get going a bit faster then they should. Just a word of warning.
The park itself encloses 528 acres. Within it’s boundaries you will find Cedar Lake, a beautiful body of spring-fed water covering 116 acres. This lake is normally outstanding for paddle sports, swimming and will also provide some fair fishing. Unfortunately, due to a deficit in the local rainfall for this year (a bit over 13 inches below normal, as of this writing), the lake is approximately 2’ low. This has had a drastic effect on the appearance of the lake and I am sure that it has also caused stress on the lake’s fish population. It is hoped that we will receive enough rain in the next 4-6 months to reverse this problem for this body of water and all the other lakes in North Central Texas.
Camping facilities in this park are extensive, particularly if you consider the park’s rather small size. The park has 5 main camping areas plus a group camping area, screened shelters and a “primitive” area intended for youth camps. The park also had 5 “primitive” camp sites set back in the woods off of the Poplar Point Area. These were closed during the reconstruction of the sewer system for the “full-hook-up” sites, completed this last spring. This closure was due to the area’s lack of use and the costs associated with keeping it operational. Even given these closures, Cleburne State Park offers about every type of camping you could want. In the next few paragraphs, I will attempt to detail the facilities available.
After entering Cleburne State Park, you follow the park road around the west side of the lake. Prior to getting to any of the major camping areas, you’ll pass the group Youth Primitive Camp, the boat launch ramp, the park store and a playground. More about these areas later. Let me say here that all sites in the five major camping areas are equipped with water, picnic tables and fire/grill rings. Also, all roads and camp sites are blacktop with sites being either level or near level, “side-to-side”. There are a few that are a bit difficult to gain level on, “front-to-back”. I know of none on which I couldn’t reach level.
The first major camping area you will arrive at will be Cedar Grove Camping Area (Sites 1-16). This is the oldest camping area in the park but don’t let this keep you away. The area is very nice and provides some of the best shaded camping in the park. Sites are close but not too close together. Tent camping is allowed in this area as well as pop-ups, hybrids and small TT’s and MH‘s. Sites are a bit shallow and turns in the area can be snug so trying to bring in anything much larger would be a challenge. You may also find it difficult to extend a “slide” in this area. A number of sites back up to the creeks that feed Cedar Lake and there is a bridge allowing easy access to the Park Store and playground. Camp sites are equipped with 30 amps of electricity. There is no shower house located in this area. You can utilize the two located in the Group Camp Area approximately 100 ft. north (I’ll have more to say about this area later in this review). Even though we can no longer use it due to the size of our “5th”, I still believe that Site #16 is one of the nicest in the park.
A bit further north, Cleburne State Park offers six Screened Shelters. These are your usual shelter, measuring approximately 12’ X 12‘ and screened from the mid point to the start of the roof. Each unit has water, a fire/grill ring and one electric outlet. For those not equipped, this would be a good choice for a few days of camping. Not sure I’d recommend them during cold or inclement weather as there is no way to keep the weather out.
As you proceed further north on the park road, you will come to one of my favorite areas. Shady Springs Camping Area includes Sites 17-23 and is the best area of the park for those needing a larger site. It’s located near the north border of the park and on the inside of a loop formed by the park road as it turns back south. The area has it’s own access road that can be driven from either direction making placing your rig a bit easier. Sites are deep enough to handle our “5th” and truck with little difficulty. All sites are well spaced and shaded for at least part of the day. Site #17 remains shaded just about the entire day but the picnic table and fire ring are located on the “off” side. Site #18 is well shaded during the afternoon and into the evening. It’s only drawback is the picnic table and fire ring being located well behind your rig. Neither of these are big problems. Just something to be aware of. Our favorite in this area is Site #22. Good shade, location and size. The area offers a large, open area for the kiddos to play in with mom and dad still being able to keep a close eye. All sites are equipped with 30/50 amp electric service. Campers in this area have easy access to the shower houses at the Group Camp Area or adjacent to the North Creek Camping Area. This is a great location for a few days of quiet camping. Have snoozed away many an afternoon under the trees located here.
As you head back south on the park road, you will come to the turnoff for the Keyhole Camping Area on your left (Sites 24-31). This is a typical camping loop that many of us have seen. The loop is large enough and the sites are deep enough to handle some rather large rigs. Sites are pretty well shaded with the picnic tables set back far enough to take full advantage of the trees. We have camped in this area with our PU and found it very acceptable but nothing remarkable. I will warn those with small children that Sites #29 & #30 do back up to a rather deep ravine. It is set back a bit and it’s not super-deep but it is something to be aware of. Also, the area east and south of this loop are used extensively by mountain bikers. Have never camped in this area on the weekend when these riders are most abundant. I have seen enough bike tracks in and around Keyhole to believe some mountain bikers have limited regard for the rights and safety of other park users. Keyhole Area is equipped with 30 amps of electrical power and campers in this area normally utilize the shower houses located across from the North Creek Camping Area.
Just beyond and to your right, you’ll come to the turn for the North Creek Camping Area (Sites 32-43, with Site #32 being reserved as a “Park Host Site“. This is the first of two areas equipped with “Full Hook-Up” facilities. As noted earlier in this review, all camp site sewer lines were overhauled at the beginning of this year. This area and the Poplar Point Camping Area still show a few mild scars from this construction.) North Creek Camping Area is a row of fairly well shaded sites that runs parallel to the main creek feeding Cedar Lake. Sites are well spaced and deep enough to handle large rigs. All are equipped with 30 amps of electric service. Sites are open so that maneuvering larger “5ths” and TT’s can be done with little difficulty. This area backs up to a row of trees that run along the creek. Just the other side of the road that fronts these sites is a fairly large, grassed area giving the kids a nice place to play in full few of mom and dad. The shower house for this area and the Keyhole Camping Area is also enclosed in this field. Beyond the field and just across the main park road you will find the dump station. Though not something that most wish to talk about, this area is a necessity and you will find this one to be quite sufficient for the purpose.
Approximately ¼ mile south on the main park road you will arrive at the turn off for the Poplar Point Camping Area on your right. This area furnishes some beautiful, shaded lake front campsites with site numbers 44, 45, 46 & 48 being about the best in the park. These four sites, along with others in this area, give an outstanding view and great access to the lake. We very much enjoy being able to launch our kayaks right at our site as opposed to having to transport them to some other location. Further, these sites offer better swimming then the “Designated Swimming Area”. You also receive the benefit of a wonderful, cooling breeze from the lake. The shower house is convenient and used nearly exclusively by campers in this area. All sites are provided with 30/50 amps of service. Until recently, this had been our favorite area in the park. Of late, the management of Cleburne State Park has decided to raise the “per night” rate of all “Full Hook-Up Sites” to $25.00. DW and I feel that an extra $10.00 per night to enjoy the benefit of a sewer pipe is a bit too high a “premium” to pay. Though we truly enjoy this area of the park, we intend to reserve our camping to the Shady Springs Camping Area until some suitable adjustment can be made. This pretty well covers all of the camping facilities in the park so let’s move on to some of the other amenities offered by Cleburne State Park.
As mentioned earlier, there is a Group Youth Primitive Camp on the west side of the lake, just prior to arriving at the boat ramp. This area is intended for the use of church groups, scouts and other such associations. The area is sparingly equipped, offering little more then a place to pitch some tents and a few picnic tables. It does have the advantage of being far enough away from the main camping areas to allow the kiddos to make about all the noise they wish without disturbing other campers (To whom the “advantage” belongs is under heated debate). Just north of this area you will arrive at the park’s Boat Ramp. Though not large or extensive in any way, it well serves the purpose for a lake of this size.
As you proceed north on the park road you will arrive at a “Y”, re-directing you onto a “One Way” loop around the park’s playground. This is the only such area in the park but it is laid out very nicely and I have observed many a kiddo having great fun in this area.
This same road will also cause you to pass the Park Store and beach shower house on your right. This structure is about the only eyesore in the entire park. It is my understanding that it is one of the original structures in the park and it remains due to that reason. Unfortunately, this is not enough of a reason to retain this building. The structure is old and is showing it’s age badly. Even though the park staff has attempted to maintain this building as best they can, it is made of wood and shows the signs of a wooden building that has long outlived it’s usefulness. Dry rot and what looks like termite damage has attacked the building. In other areas there have been modifications made that add nothing to whatever beauty the structure may have once had. Further, on the north end of the structure there is an old motor home that has been there for ages. It is doubtful that this vehicle will ever move again under it’s own power. The park store itself is only open on weekends and DW and I have not been in this park on a weekend for a long time. Thus, it has been that long since I was last in the Park Store. From my last visit I recall it being rather dark and not very clean. There was little offered of value and all items were priced well above what I would consider acceptable. Though many will object I’m sure, it is my humble opinion that this structure should be razed so as to reduce the operating costs of the park. A small, metal building could be put in it’s place to serve as a Park Store.
Just south of the Park Store is the “Designated Swimming Area” and beyond that, the “Day-Use Area“. Though nothing remarkable, the Day-Use Area is nicely shaded and well equipped for it’s purpose. DW and I have used this area a number of times when we have come out to the park just to paddle the kayaks. Weekday mornings find this area empty and peaceful, a wonderful place just to relax.
Immediately north of the Cedar Grove Camping Area you will find the Group Camp Area. This complex is made up of 5 structures, all of approximately the same vintage as the Park Store, though better maintained. The Group Camp is placed in a well shaded area and is intended for the use of 65-70 persons. The main structure is a kitchen/dining hall that I understand is equipped with stainless steel, industrial type facilities built to stand the riggers of heavy use. I have seen that there are a number of tables and chairs inside the building plus some picnic tables outside and behind. For those so inclined, there is a large BBQ grill and a couple of horseshoe pitches. There are no kitchen utensils of any sort furnished. Though all buildings in this area are heated and have ceiling fans, this is the only one of the five that is equipped with air conditioning.
Also included in the area are 2 bunkhouses. It is assumed that one would be “Male” and other “Female” but I guess you could mix & match any way you felt like. Each will accommodate 22 persons in twin beds. Mattresses are provided but it is up to you to bring bedding and pillows. There are two shower houses that are shared with the Cedar Grove Camping Area. My last check of these facilities found them to be serviceable, if a bit rough around the edges.
Heading back around to the North Creek Camping Area, you will find a fair sized field at the south end. It is there that the park has supplied a small amphitheater and a fire pit. There is 110 VAC power available to drive amplifiers and some amount of lighting. The area does not seem to be used often but it is kept in good repair and could be used for group gatherings.
I’ve saved one of the best parts of Cleburne State Park for last. According to the map, the park encloses 5.5 miles of very nice Bike/Hike Trails. It is my belief that this claim is underestimated, with there actually being closer to 8 miles of trails. These trails not only follow the outer perimeter of the park but also lead you through the Spillway Creek and to the top of the earthen dam containing the waters of Cedar Lake. You can follow a trail west along the top of the dam or go east, following the trail over a beautiful bluff. This route yields outstanding views of both the back side of the spillway and the lake itself. This area is one of my favorite places in the park. The top of the bluff takes a bit of effort to get to but I find it well worth the effort for the beauty that is always there and the solitude I often find. I cannot claim to have hiked all of the trails in the park but I have enjoyed all that I have sampled.
All of the staff at Cleburne State Park truly appear to enjoy their work. They are always ready to help in any way they can and go far out of their way when the effort is needed. I have written previously concerning the attention to duty and detail that these fine folks present and none of this has changed. They deserve a pat on the back for their continued efforts to maintain this park even in less then favorable economic times.
Cleburne State Park is a bit off of the beaten path. In the interest of saving time and fuel, it is advisable to attempt to bring what you need. If you do find yourself in need of food or other supplies, you will find a Wal-Mart Super Center approximately 10 miles from the park. It is located on the left side of Business 67 as you enter the city of Cleburne. Along this same stretch of road you will find a number of restaurants, the usual “franchise” and others. These can keep you going if you just don’t feel like cooking. One I can recommend is the West End Grill on the right side of the highway as you enter town. This is a “buffet” style eatery that though a bit expensive, is well worth the cost if your hungry.
I think that just about covers all that I have to say about Cleburne State Park. As always, I enjoy writing these reviews as they often bring to mind good times had at these locations. It is hoped that if you struggled through all of my writing you were able to find something of value. If I can be of any further help, please feel free to contact me via e-mail or “Private Message”. 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.
Re: Cleburne State Park, Teaxas Fall, 2005 (Review)
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