Blanco State Park
Blanco, Texas (Blanco County)

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About the State Park

Spillway on the Blanco River

105-acre Blanco State Park is a popular recreation area located along the banks of the scenic Blanco River. Recreation activities include fishing, boating, camping, hiking, and picnicking. Swimming, tubing, and canoeing are especially popular; seasonal equipment rentals are no longer available. A total of .7 miles of hiking trails, comprised of a 1/2 mile hiking trail and a .2 mile nature study trail, follow the river.

Screened shelters, tent campsites, and developed (RV) sites are available. Anglers may hook winter rainbow trout, perch, catfish, and bass. Wildlife viewing opportunities exist for mallard ducks, raccoons, armadillos and squirrels.

Overnight campers should be aware that the park is located directly off U.S. Highway 281, so there can be road noise at all hours.

Park Ratings

Explanation of Symbols
Campsites/Overnight Facilities	3 star
Leashed Pets Permitted?	YES
Picnic Areas/Playgrounds	3 star
Solitude	2 star
Trail System	1 star
Water Recreation	1 star
Wildlife	3 star
Ratings are based on a scale of 0 (low) to 4 (high).

Shannon's Wild Texas Notebook

Visitors wishing to partake in a scenic drive should take R.M. 32 from U.S. Highway 281 two miles south of Blanco. This drive to San Marcos follows the scenic ridge known as the "Devil's Backbone." Aquarena Center, an outdoor education park open year-round in San Marcos, is a popular stop; the former entertainment park has shifted gears to focus on education, but the popular glass bottom boat rides are still available. The pure, clear springs maintain a constant 71 degrees (Fahrenheit) year-round and are home to rare and endangered species such as: blind salamanders, the San Marcos salamander, the fountain darter, and Texas wild rice.

Location

Blanco State Park is located 40 miles north of San Antonio on U.S. Highway 281, or 48 miles west of Austin on U.S. Highway 290 to U.S. Highway 281. The park headquarters is on Park Road 23. Blanco's town square is four blocks from the park.

The nearest major Texas cities are: Austin, Corpus Christi, Del Rio, San Antonio

Maps for Blanco State Park

Roadway Map - MapQuest
Buy a Topographic Map of the Area - MyTopo

How to Get Here from Your Location?

^* NOTE: The driving directions (Google Maps) open in a new window.

Coordinates for GPS Users:

30.0930881° Latitude -98.4238368° Longitude (WGS84/NAD83; decimal degrees)
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Hours

Open 7 days a week year-round from 8 AM to 10 PM for day use activities.

Check for restricted park access before any trip. When controlled public hunts are in progress, general access is not permitted.

Fees

A park entrance fee is charged per day -- $3 per person for adults 13 years of age and older. (Texas residents age 65 or older pay only $2 per person.) NOTE: Listed fees may not be accurate year-round due to seasonal changes. Contact the park directly to confirm fees.

Campsite and other facility fees are in addition to the park entrance fee.

Note: Learn about the $60 Texas State Parks Pass which exempts passholders, and the passengers in their vehicle, from the entrance fees at all Texas State Parks.

Reservations

Reserve Now for campsites or other park facilities.

Reservations can also be made by calling TPWD's Central Reservation System at (512)389-8900 from 9 AM to 8 PM Monday through Friday, 9 AM to noon on Saturdays.

Events

Check the TPWD Calendar for upcoming events at this or other area parks.

Weather

Volunteer Opportunities

Contact the Friends of Blanco State Park, the officially recognized non-profit support group of Blanco State Park, at 101 Park Rd 23, Blanco, TX 78606.

Official Contact Information

The State Park is managed by the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department.

Blanco State Park
Blanco, TX 78606

Telephone: (830)833-4333
TPWD Park Info: 1-800-792-1112

Blanco State ParkBlanco, Texas (Blanco County)