Discuss: Blanco State Park - Wild Texas Forums: Parks, Travel & Recreation

Shannon · 11-19-2001, 06:37 PM

Share you comments or questions about Blanco State Park, located in Blanco, Texas.

03-18-2004, 02:32 PM

I just made reservations to stay at Blanco State Park in mid-April. I haven't been tent camping since I was 7 years old, so I am very excited. I just chose the park based on the pictures and the screened shleters. I was wondering if anyone has camped there, and if they liked it - or have any other information about it. Everyone seems to recommend other parks (Brazos, Guadelupe, McKinney etc.) I am looking for a not-so-crowded place, with nice nature and scenery. Any comments??

Shannon · 03-19-2004, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yvonne

I just made reservations to stay at Blanco State Park in mid-April. I haven't been tent camping since I was 7 years old, so I am very excited. I just chose the park based on the pictures and the screened shleters. I was wondering if anyone has camped there, and if they liked it - or have any other information about it. Everyone seems to recommend other parks (Brazos, Guadelupe, McKinney etc.) I am looking for a not-so-crowded place, with nice nature and scenery. Any comments??

Welcome to Wild Texas, Yvonne!

I have made day trips to the park, often combined with visits to other State Parks. What Blanco State Park lacks in size (it's only 105 acres, small even by state park standards), it more than makes up for in charm and natural appeal. The spillway and river are quite a draw, attracting visitors as well as ducks, pigeons (rock doves) and other bird life. I think one of the first Belted Kingfishers I ever saw was as Blanco River SP, standing on a cypress limb that overhung the water! I think you've chosen well for a first time foray back into camping after an absence since childhood.

With the lovely weather, you may have some noise during the day with kids playing in the water, but their enjoyment tends to be infectious anyway! I've never seen the park horrificly crowded (my definition is -- if they need folks directing traffic in a park, or there's a movie theatre like line to the restrooms, it's overcrowded!) and it's always seemed to me to be a little green oasis right off the highway there. If you stayed multiple nights and needed more to do, there's always other area parks within a reasonable drive for a day trip -- Lyndon B. Johnson State Historic Site and LBJ Ranch (about 30 miles away), rugged Pedernales Falls State Park and Guadalupe River State Park which you've probably heard about a lot here on Wild Texas simply because I live closeby and visit it often on a whim.

Enjoy your trip! I'd be interested in your camping experience, as I really should try out the overnight facilities there sometime.

03-22-2004, 03:18 PM

Shannon,

Thank you for responding to my post. I must compliment you on your website, and the detailed information you provide! The fact that you can keep current on all of the information is just great! You and your website have inspired me to get out and spend much more time in the area parks. As for my planned trip, I'm sure Blanco State Park will be the perfect place to get re-acquainted with camping. I will definitely let everyone know how it goes. I then plan on exploring other parks mentioned here in the future...thanks again!

Shannon · 03-23-2004, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yvonne

Shannon,

Thank you for responding to my post. I must compliment you on your website, and the detailed information you provide! The fact that you can keep current on all of the information is just great! You and your website have inspired me to get out and spend much more time in the area parks. As for my planned trip, I'm sure Blanco State Park will be the perfect place to get re-acquainted with camping. I will definitely let everyone know how it goes. I then plan on exploring other parks mentioned here in the future...thanks again!

Thanks for the compliments! This site is a joy to maintain, and I owe my "keeping current" abilities in large part to the regulars who frequent WildTexas.com. I don't get to visit every park I'd like to, or frequent some parts as often as I'd hope, so that's where others help fill in the gaps when questions arise. I make it a point to update all the park profiles at least twice a year -- more if necessary. In fact, the profiles are due for another revision within the next couple months.

Hope you enjoy your trip, and keep us informed. We all love hearing about others' camping and outdoor adventures!

kai · 03-24-2004, 10:55 AM

Last week, I took a day trip up to Blanco SP (I almost ran over a road runner right after I left, just south of Blanco- ironically, it ran out in the road in front of my car). The park was nice- and the weather was beautiful. My friend's kids went swimming and they had a great time. I'm not sure that I would go camping up there though. It seemed to me that the park is somewhat nestled in in the middle of a residential area, with houses very close, so it lacked the privacy and seclusion I usually look for in a camping environment. The screened shelters did look pretty inviting though, I will admit, and the park itself was relaxing, even considering the close quarters.

A word of warning. Apparently, you used to be able to view dinosaur footprints at the park. It turns out that they were actually on private property adjacent to the park, which we found out when we asked the lady in the gift shop where to find them. I guess the story is that in the past, the older gentleman that owned the property (on which the dinosaur footprints were located) didn't mind people tresspassing to view the footprints. But when the property passed on to his family upon his death, they aren't as comfortable with people on their property and are now exercising their 'no tresspassing' rights. Sad, but I'm not sure I would want strangers walking around my yard either.

07-06-2005, 09:47 PM

My family (wife, kids, brothers, sisters, nephews, neices, grandma, uncles, about 20 of us) and I all went to Blanco SP on July 4th and we had a great time. We set up a day camp under a cyprus tree right next to the spillway and we had a great ol' time. We stayed until just about everyone left. We mainly just swam in the water and played some vollybally on the sand court. We ate sandwiches and hot dogs and grandma sat by the water and stuck her feet in the cool water. The spill way as 3 areas too swim and two of the areas are perfect for smaller kids as the water is only chest or hip deep. The area at the top of the spill way is much deeper, about 8 to 10 feet but it was perfect for the older kids and adults to swim in. We saw ducks, chinese geese, a few turtles and one snake. It was not crowded at all and the facilities were pretty nice. I recommend it for those looking for a smaller crowd.

Turn Key · 07-07-2005, 01:11 AM

Boy, this one got brought up from a long way back (original post: 11/19/01)! None the less, Blanco is a very nice little park. Will be there with our camping club for 4 days in mid-September. Been 3 or 4 years since we've stayed there even though we have driven by any number of times headed for other parks in the Hill Country. I'm going to try to gather enough info and pix on this trip for an extensive review on this park.

I recall the last time we were there I spoke to "Mr. Ranger". He said that there were plans in the works to purchase some of the land just west of the park. Park was looking to expand. Since I haven't read anything about this on TPWD web site, I'm assuming that this didn't happen. Will check on this while I'm down there.

Happy Camping!

SnowWhite · 04-07-2006, 02:06 PM

I LOVE this park! Awesome staff and community!