gunpilot

Im a newbie to this site but have several questions.

My wife and I are sorta new to Kayaking, we own a Chesapeake 14 and 16, both are wood so need semi flat water.

We have done a few trips in the Apalachicola Florida area but want to explore kayaking and camping, taking it all with us. My wife lives in Copperas Cove/Ft. Hood and I live in Enterprise/Ft. Rucker AL but we make time for the monthly marital maintenance trips and thus need some Ideas for the central Texas area.

Any and all suggestions for a Texas two or three day trip would be greatly appreciated. Were to put in/take out, camping spots, etc..... We are even open to lake Kayaking if there is a camping destination in between.

Please post all comments you have and include any references, maps, GPS waypoints etc. all will be appreciated.

Thank you very much!

DAC Bobby Keene
CPT Eden Keene

Turn Key

Welcome aboard and I hope we can help. DW and I spend more of our time in the Hill Country of Texas and I'm not an expert on East Central area. Three State Parks come to mind though. Tyler SP is very nice and has a small lake that's great for 'yaks. Have camped there 2-3 times and would return any time.

TPWD: Tyler State Park

Cooper Lake SP (South Sulpher Unit) is very nice and a larger park on a larger lake. We haven't camped there but did take a look at it a few years ago. It's on our "to camp" list.

TPWD: Cooper Lake State Park

Purtis Creek SP is very nice for camping. It has a small lake but as of my last check, boating is limited to a total of 50 on the lake at any given time and there is a daily fee to put your boat in the water. Not sure what the reasoning is for this but it could put a crimp in your plans. I understand that this little lake has been known to produce some pretty nice bass.

TPWD: Purtis Creek State Park

BTW: DW and I also have a pair of 'yaks we like to get out when we can. We have 2 "Rides" by Wilderness Systems that we have been very pleased with. Had hoped to have them out the last couple of days but weather and prior commitments conspired to make that impossible. Oh, well. There's always next week.

That's about all I can think of at the moment. Feel free to post any further questions and either I or another of our members will do our best to answer. Until then and always,

Happy Camping!

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Troop198

As mentioned Purtis Creek is big enough to Kayak into a site, here is a link to recent pictures, one is the "map" near the primative sites The picture of the lake shows from both shores. Its not a big park but ok for a weekend

Slideshow of pictures, photos, and videos, from webshots

JohnK

I have yet to do this trip, but the following link describes one that I am considering. I think doing a trip with friends content to camp at Colorado Bend SP and serve as your shuttle service, with Colorado Bend SP as your take-out point, might work best, though some investigation about good spots to over-night en route is in order.

Colorado River, Texas

I'm still investigating this trip. If anyone has knowledge of good spots for camping along the way, please let us know.

JohnK

rustykeller

Hi, Places to camp and kayak in Texas? If you have time to drive there, about 350 miles from Kileen, Texas is Brownsville (as far south as you can go in Texas). You can camp for free on South Padre Island just up the coast a few miles from Brownsville. The Gulf is on the east side, and the laguna Madre is on the west side. Camp on either beach and kayak the Madre (very shallow water and great fishing). Play in the surf in the gulf. Excellent place to go. Take time to shop in Mexico. (Warning: No guns, or bullets, or big knives in Mexico. You'll spend time in the Mexican jail. A lot of time).