We are planning a trip Easter weekend and would like to visit one of these parks. We are tent campers and have never been to either place. We will have our two small dogs, 2 kids and possibly a teenager. We like nature....swimming, hiking, enjoying a campfire. We also prefer some privacy at our site from shrubbery or trees as opposed to being out in the wide open. Having never been to either park I have no idea what to expect. I plan to buy the park pass to save on the daily entry fee and because we are looking at a possible fall trip out to the Davis Mountains and Balmorhea. I would like to hear any suggestions on which park to go to and why and which sites you all prefer.

I've visited Pedernales Falls, but not South Llano River.The CG at Pedernales Falls is a big loop with a cut through the middle. Most of the campsites have a fair bit of low scrub and trees between the next campsite. The 'privacy' is better on the outside of the loop than on the inside.Not really dense foliage like in the east, but pretty fair.Lots of good trails. The campground is remote, the river nice. No cell service when we visited.There is a Link to a photo page of a member of this forum from his visit to South Llano River SP

We have camped at South Llano River a number of times. It has a lot of wildlife and adjacent to it is a large state game preserve. The river is shallow, but you could probably tube in it in the Spring. Possibly fish there also along the river. Most sites have some shade and are well spaced. Don't remember any csmp sites that are very isolated by shrubs and bushes though.

We camped at both of these parks some years ago when our two kids were youngsters. Both have youngsters now. My memory of them are as others have said, Pedernales Falls as I remember has sites with more shrubbery & trees between and/or around them. South Llano River were more open. I liked our stay at South Llano River very much. We played in the river, we canoed from the park to Junction even. We didn't use the canoe at Pedernales Falls. In fact, we had a lot of rain after we got to Pedernales Falls. Remnants of a small hurricane down by Corpus Christi, we were going next & did in fact. We waited the storm out at Pedernales Falls. We had been at Balmorhea State Park before South Llano River as well. Really enjoyed snorkeling at Balmorhea. Some low shrubbery & trees by some of the sites there as well. We used Pedernales Falls as a base to go sight see some of the sites in Johnson City & Fredericksburg. Enjoyed out time there even with all the rain. We were in a Bunkhouse TT. Never been to Davis Mountains SP, but have visited Fort Davis a couple of times. Nice area up there. Have read many good reports on the State Park. Big Bend Nat'l Pk is a neat place as well. Not sure if tent campers ever have any problems with the javelinas there or not. See a lot of them around the campgrounds anyway.

We stayed at South Llano SP in late November for one night, then got stormed out so we hit the road to head towards home w/o really enjoying the park much. But it definitely is on our list of TX parks to visit again.....you have a rural feeling and not a manicured city park feeling; it's a good place!

South Llano River is our favorite. Hands down we like it better than Pedernales. Junction is 5 miles away, neat little town, more restaurants, shopping and even a sporting goods store. Much more wild life than Pedernales. Great swiming hole near park entrance, maybe to cold for Easter. Have fun, KB2012 Ford F350 PSD CC DRW2011 Cameo 37RESLS P.S. South Llano is spring fed, always has water, not the Pedernales

South Llano River or Pedernales Falls | Good Sam Community

floridacamping
Explorer
Feb 27, 2014
I really miss the Texas State Parks from when we lived there! These are both great choices but my favorite is Pedernales Falls! There is lots to do in the area also!
southerngirl76
Explorer
Feb 26, 2014
ryanb-72 wrote:
Our family went to Caddo lake when our daughter was young. I mostly remember the lightning bugs. We canoed some of the lake but now wish we had done a night time boat ride. we only stayed for a short time maybe two nights wish we could have explored a little more as it is a long way from home. Oh and be on the look out for Poison Ivy, if I remember correctly there was a lot.
Safe Travels!
Ryan

We thought we were going to be able to stay two nights at both Tyler and Caddo but my oldest can't take off school (she is a senior and wants to be exempt from her exams) so now we plan to spend two nights at Caddo. I am NOT a fan of poison ivy and will have to be very careful. I am highly allergic. Thanks for the heads up.
ryanb-72
Explorer
Feb 26, 2014
Our family went to Caddo lake when our daughter was young. I mostly remember the lightning bugs. We canoed some of the lake but now wish we had done a night time boat ride. we only stayed for a short time maybe two nights wish we could have explored a little more as it is a long way from home. Oh and be on the look out for Poison Ivy, if I remember correctly there was a lot.
Safe Travels!
Ryan
southerngirl76
Explorer
Feb 26, 2014
wxtoad wrote:
Well, I guess I'm a little late in replying, considering the direction this thread has gone. But I'll respond to the original post anyway.

We just visited both South Llano River SP and Pedernales Falls SP in the past ten days. We liked South Llano better - lots of shade trees around the sites, yet you didn't feel hemmed in. Sites were far enough apart that we had all the privacy we desired.

You can click on the links above for our reviews of both, with pix and comments.

Ted H.

I really enjoyed looking at your website. We are settled on going to South Llano in June.

My girls are scared of going to Caddo Lake. They think big foot or an alligator is going to pull them out of their tent at night. Silly.
wxtoad
Explorer
Feb 26, 2014
Well, I guess I'm a little late in replying, considering the direction this thread has gone. But I'll respond to the original post anyway.

We just visited both South Llano River SP and Pedernales Falls SP in the past ten days. We liked South Llano better - lots of shade trees around the sites, yet you didn't feel hemmed in. Sites were far enough apart that we had all the privacy we desired.

You can click on the links above for our reviews of both, with pix and comments.

Ted H.
Rug
Explorer II
Feb 26, 2014
I do not remember Who we used for the night tour.
They did use a Go-Devil boat.
There are a couple of them that do night tours.
It was one that let us decide how long we wanted to stay out
and how much of the lake we wanted to see.
We started when it got dark and stayed out for about three hours.
Rug
Explorer II
Feb 26, 2014
On Caddo Lake.

Uncertain General store and paddlewheel tours. 903-789-3292

This is in Unceratin Texas just down the road from the state Park.
southerngirl76
Explorer
Feb 25, 2014
I was checking into doing a boat tour of the lake. Is there a particular company you recommend? Seems as if there are several.

I am really looking forward to getting out to the Davis Mountains later this year. South Llano will be a two night stop over for us on the way. My husband didn't like the photos or video of Pedernales. Not sure why. Just didn't interest him. Probably will be skipping that park. We do plan to swim at Balmorhea while in Fort Davis and I am really excited about doing that. The kids will love it!
Rug
Explorer II
Feb 25, 2014
If you go to Caddo Lake State Park do a night ride on the lake. Its great. Also there is an electric boat(paddle wheel) that you can take during the day. This is nice because there is no boat motor noise.

You will enjoy Caddo Lake.
MewshawManor
Explorer
Feb 25, 2014
We are a family of four w/two girls. Our household favorite is Davis Mountains SP, but we really enjoy South Llano River SP. In fact, it's a stopover we use sometimes en route to Ft. Davis. The sites are nice and wildlife is abundant.

I think Pedernales is beautiful and I enjoy the area. But I don't like the SP. It is too crowded due to invaders from Austin. It gets overrun easily. Don't go during any busy seasons.

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