South Llano River or Pedernales Falls

We always enjoy staying at Tyler State Park. Many of the sites have full hookup. Reservations would be necessary on any Spring week-end, especially to get a site in the Lakeview area.

We have never stayed at Caddo Lake, but have driven through it several times. I think you plan for trying both is a good one.

Both are within an hour's drive from our home.

I feel sure you are aware of the state park website but just to be sure:

Caddo Lake

Tyler

Well my dear husband has thrown a wrench into my plans. After viewing the official videos for the parks he has decided he wants to visit Caddo Lake SP. Now in all honesty I have always wanted to visit this park because it seems so other wordly so I am happy however now I get to start over on my plans.

Since Caddo Lake is not too far from Tyler SP and I think the kids would enjoy swimming there I am now thinking of two nights at Caddo and two nights at Tyler. And instead of Easter weekend maybe Spring Break. Not sure yet on that. I found a boat tour company on Caddo Lake that gets rave reviews on Trip Advisor and they will allow us to bring our two very small dogs along! I'd also like to do some fishing as well as rent a canoe. At Tyler I think the kids will enjoy swimming and maybe renting a paddle boat.

If anyone has any great insight into these two parks or any great tent sites I would love to hear it. Unfortunately these two parks are not on campsite photos.

This was a response to : You should put Inks Lake State Park on your list. It's our favorite! Sorry

Yes. Nice park. And, if the weather is bad, head over to Longhorn Caverns State Park, which is pretty much the same weather all the time, since it's underground!

Major Dad wrote:
I think jjjandrbaker has been to Tyler SP. In his signature block (back one page from here) he has a link to his travel blog that has a lot of Texas State Park information.

Nope. I haven't been to that one.....YET! I haven't planned my summer circle trip for this year. Now that I can back into any spot like a pro, no state parks are off limits. Although I would love to revisit some of the 5 I hit last year, I am going to make it a summer tradition to hit 5 new ones each year.

You should put Inks Lake State Park on your list. It's our favorite!

I think jjjandrbaker has been to Tyler SP. In his signature block (back one page from here) he has a link to his travel blog that has a lot of Texas State Park information.

Major Dad wrote:

southerngirl76 wrote:
Thanks for all the great info! I hate not knowing what to expect at a campground.

So I think perhaps we will go to Pedernales for Easter (although now Guadalupe sounds nice and a park I will need to check out in the future) and save South Llano as a stop over on the way to the Davis Mountains this fall.

Is there swimming at all at Pedernales or just the falls? I know the kids would like to at least be able to splash around or wade into the water. I am thinking 3 nights.

Then this September maybe stay 3 nights at South Llano on the way to Davis Mountains with either a 3 or 4 night stay there with a day trip to Balmorhea. And perhaps hit Guadalupe for a couple nights on the way home.

Trlrboy I love all your photos. Going to go spend some more time looking now.

Thanks everyone!

There is swimming downstream from the falls, as long as there is enough water flow. The camp map will detail where you are allowed to swim in the river. There is a trail that leads down from the campground to that area, and you can find yourself a nice spot. There are shallow areas and deeper pools, depending on the age level of your kids. There are also plenty of hiking trails; one of them involves fording the river and hiking through an abandoned ranch on the other side. Great park for kids!

Great to know thanks!

Another park I am interested in checking out is Tyler SP. Looks nice.

southerngirl76 wrote:
Thanks for all the great info! I hate not knowing what to expect at a campground.

So I think perhaps we will go to Pedernales for Easter (although now Guadalupe sounds nice and a park I will need to check out in the future) and save South Llano as a stop over on the way to the Davis Mountains this fall.

Is there swimming at all at Pedernales or just the falls? I know the kids would like to at least be able to splash around or wade into the water. I am thinking 3 nights.

Then this September maybe stay 3 nights at South Llano on the way to Davis Mountains with either a 3 or 4 night stay there with a day trip to Balmorhea. And perhaps hit Guadalupe for a couple nights on the way home.

Trlrboy I love all your photos. Going to go spend some more time looking now.

Thanks everyone!

There is swimming downstream from the falls, as long as there is enough water flow. The camp map will detail where you are allowed to swim in the river. There is a trail that leads down from the campground to that area, and you can find yourself a nice spot. There are shallow areas and deeper pools, depending on the age level of your kids. There are also plenty of hiking trails; one of them involves fording the river and hiking through an abandoned ranch on the other side. Great park for kids!

Thanks for all the great info! I hate not knowing what to expect at a campground.

So I think perhaps we will go to Pedernales for Easter (although now Guadalupe sounds nice and a park I will need to check out in the future) and save South Llano as a stop over on the way to the Davis Mountains this fall.

Is there swimming at all at Pedernales or just the falls? I know the kids would like to at least be able to splash around or wade into the water. I am thinking 3 nights.

Then this September maybe stay 3 nights at South Llano on the way to Davis Mountains with either a 3 or 4 night stay there with a day trip to Balmorhea. And perhaps hit Guadalupe for a couple nights on the way home.

Trlrboy I love all your photos. Going to go spend some more time looking now.

Thanks everyone!

We go to both South Llano River and Pedernales Falls. South Llano River is a great park for wildlife and hiking, but the campground is small so get reservations early. Pedernales Falls is a wonderful place, but heavily used due to proximity to Austin. Get reservations early as well.

If you want to see painted buntings, Easter weekend at Soulth Llano would be the time to go. Most people think of the wild turkeys there, but the small painted buntings are spectacular bursts of colors. Painted buntings

Davis Mountains State Park is my absolute favorite. We've camped there in tents, tent trailer, and travel trailer. There is so much to do there you'll want to stay a long time. One word of warning about tent camping...absolutely NO FOOD IN THE TENT. The javalinas are harmless as long as you keep your distance. But they WILL come to visit you if you keep food in your tent, as the kids of a fellow teacher learned one spring break when they sneaked in some snacks. The kids were unharmed of course, but the tent was shredded!