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

Shannon · 11-19-2001, 07:21 PM

Share you comments or questions about Pedernales Falls State Park, located in Johnson City, Texas.

01-09-2002, 11:22 AM

I am very intirested in horseback riding.I do not own any horses. Can I rent horses or go on any kind of trail ride when I am there? Or do I have to rent a horse somewhere else and then bring it to the park. I would really appreciate an answer.Thank you anybody who responds!

Shannon · 01-15-2002, 10:47 PM

There are no horseback riding stables or horse rentals in or near Pednernales Falls State Park, so you have to provide your own horse. There are 10 miles of trail accessible to equestrians. TPWD has a short introduction to the equestrian facilities at Pedernales Falls SP you might find useful. Note: equestrian access is day use only, meaning there are no facilities provided to hitch your horse(s) overnight within the park.

For future reference, the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department maintains an at-a-glance listing of parks with equestrian facilities such as equestrian-accessible trails, stables or horse rentals.

02-27-2002, 03:46 PM

Hello, and what a great find this website is! I am planning a 4-5 day trip in mid-April to see the bluebonnets. There will be 4 of us in 2 RV's. Would Pedernales park be a good place to make a base camp, and take driving trips from there? We will mostly be just driving around, probably visit Fredericksburg, Llano, whatever comes up. But we generally prefer state and federal parks to private fancy in-town RV parks. Would this be too far away from everything to be practical? Are the RV sites too close together? Any information or suggestions appreciated.

Thank you.

Shannon · 03-08-2002, 10:47 AM

Pedernales won't have much (if any) bluebonnets itself, but it is a lovely park. I'm not familiar with the RV camping facilities there, but I can say they probably aren't as abundant as you might expect.

Inks Lake State Park is where a lot of the RV and vehicle-based wildflower watchers go in spring. It has superb (and enormous) camping facilities -- it's the most popular state park in Texas -- and is an excellent basecamp for spring wildflower viewing. Unfortunately, you may have a hard time getting reservations for parks in that area this close to your intended visit. Visit the Reserve America page for Inks Lake SP to check fees and availability.

Inks Lake provides reasonable access to McKinney Falls State Park, Inks Lake and the Marble Falls/Burnet area -- all good wildflower watching areas.

LBJ State Historical Park in Johnson City is also a good bet, but has no overnight camping facilities.

Be sure to check out the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department's Guide to Wildflowers & Wildflower Viewing!

03-08-2002, 05:25 PM

I thank you for your reply. I will call about reservations for Inks Lake.

Again, thank you.

04-06-2002, 05:27 AM

Dear Dillbuch,
Pedernales Falls SP is a beautiful park, however, is geared more toward hiking, there are RV sites but not that many flowers. Inks lake is good choice, they have a million campsites. For wildflowers, visit LBJ Park, there is a 13 mile drive in Willow City (near Fredericksburg) through ranchlands that is on of the most beautiful drives in th Hill Country for scenery and wilflowers. I don't have a map in front of me, but it's probably 15-20 miles from Fredericksburg and the Willow City Loop road is not on any road map, but there are signs once you reach the town (about three buildings LOL).
Lates,
Justin

06-27-2002, 03:44 PM

Pedernales is a great park. Wonderful views of the river and Oh those Falls will take your breath away. We used to put canoes in at the base of the falls when I was a boy scout and canoe down to Hill Country Scout Ranch which was located across the road from Hamilton Pool Preserve until the Bay Area Council out of Galveston sold it in the 80's.

Have you ever heard the Flash Flood siren go off???? It will absolutely curl your toenails because it is so loud and so unexpected!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

11-07-2002, 04:29 PM

How is the water level at the park with all the recent rains? I was there last summer and it was almost dry.

11/07/02

03-22-2005, 12:19 PM

Dear Shannon, my mom wants to know what you think the weather will be like for easter weekend. We are planning on staying during that time. Are you open then?

Shannon · 03-22-2005, 12:22 PM

I don't work at the park or for the park service. All of the Texas State Parks that I am aware of are open for Easter weekend. As for weather, check the weather forecast -- I'm not one who generally trusts the weatherman more than a couple days out from when I'm planning an activity.

Xanne · 06-01-2005, 09:46 AM

Hello,
My name is Michael and I really enjoy camping. Most of my camping consists of weekend campouts with friends at different state parks. But about once a year I like to really get away from it all and go camping at primitive campsites. On these campouts I tend to go by myself so that I it gives me time alone to just reflect on my life and enjoy nature all alone. Can you tell me something about Pedernales Falls State Park and their primitive campsites? Is it safe for one person to camp alone? Also,whenever I do go on my campouts alone, I carry most of my gear in my backback, but I also take a small cart that I pull behind me to carry some of my gear. Will the trails leading into the primitive site allow me to use my cart? Also, is the river close by to the primitive site? Are there any stores close by to buy more food?
Thanks,
Xanne

ploddinTod · 06-01-2005, 11:15 AM

I downloaded a park map from Shannon's site to research your questions. It looks like the primitive campsites are just south of the Perdernales River next to the Wolf Mtn Trail. I've hiked part of this trail and remember that it's an old road rather than a single track trail. This would facilitate you pulling your cart to your campsite.

As far as safety, you shouldn't have a problem. Carry a whistle with you just in case......it drives those coyotes insane.

dwalsdorf · 06-01-2005, 11:30 AM

I have solo'd at PFSP numerous times, and it is absolutely safe. The primitive sites are close to the river, but up the face of Wolf Mtn. (hill) so there is a short downhill trail to get to the river's edge. Food a'plenty in Johnson City.
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/park/pedernal/pfallsfac.pdf

Shannon · 06-01-2005, 01:15 PM

Pedernales Falls SP is actually on my list of parks I'd like to solo camp at, and I'm a little picky when it comes to (at least the perception of) safety, since I'm female.

I've been out of the camping and hiking thing for awhile -- too long now -- due to a knee injury and resulting surgery, but Pedernales always struck me as similar to Hill Country State Natural Area in terms of size, terrain and safety of the camping areas for solo folks. I can't really articulate my criterion for deciding if somewhere is "safe" -- it's sort of a "I know it when I see it" type thing. And of course, safety is relative. But I think I know what you're asking, since it's what crosses my mind when planning a solo trip.

Sorry I'm not more help in this regard, but others have chimed in with good info.