I'm sure this has been done before but I am wondering what your favorite Texas State Parks are and why. We just bought our first RV and plan on staying mainly at state parks.

I've been to a lot of them and I have to say McKinney Falls State Park is my favorite.

This might surprise some. It is in the shadow of downtown Austin (South Austin at that) and it is next to a golf course and an industrial park, but for some reason, maybe the history, there is something about that place that always draws me back.

[This message has been edited by Neches21 (edited 8/9/2011 10:40a).]

I am a little biased because my family went to Garner State Park for 15 years in a row growing up. Sometimes twice each summer. I just love the Frio River. I think it's much nicer than the Comal or Guadalupe. You also have Old Baldy to hike with Ice Box Cave.

Garner State Park. My family has been going there since it was under construction (friends with some of the CCA workers). There's maybe 2 years of my entire life I haven't spent at least a weekend there. It's got a lot of sentimental attachment, as many of my greatest childhood exploits occurred there. A big secret: go in the off season. Wonderful, and peaceful! You may have an entire section of the park to yourself.

Lost Maples State Natural Area. Usually a day trip from Garner, with excellent hiking, and absolutely beautiful during the late fall color change.

Inks Lake. Drought does not affect this lake, and there are some prime camping spots that you can beach your boat right next your camper. A bit small, but good hiking and water activities, and smallmouth bass.

Pedernales Falls State park. I missed out on the most fun here, because my parents' generation told me it used to be a great natural waterpark if you had the required brains to avoid drowning yourself. Still, it's got a nice stream, a beautiful natural grotto, and some excellent hiking and back country camping.

Lake Somerville. (Birch Creek St park, since Nails is usually closed!). Good fishing lake once you learn it, and decent swimming, too. Enough shade from the post oaks, and good for boating, etc.

Huntsville St Park. A change of pace with piney woods. Good lake for kayaking, fishing, and maybe a swim. Best in the fall and spring, due to the humidity. Excellent mountain biking trails around the lake.

Colorado Bend state park. Hard to get to, and isolated, but that's a big part of what makes it nice. Fishing and boating and a ton of hiking opportunity. Camping is fairly primitive.

Palo Duro Canyon state Park (or whatever it is). If you're way up there, the canyon is a great place to stay. We liked taking short likes in the morning and evening when it wasn't so hot, to see the geography/geology.

South Llano river state park. A miniature Garner State park, effectively. Good fishing and swimming, with some hiking. The toobing is more reliable than GSP, really.

Balmorhea state park. Small, in the middle of nowhere, but very unique. The CCA pool built around the spring is great for a swim, and the creek and the wetland areas are very interesting to observe. Also a good place to "interact" with tarantulas.

Guadalupe River State Park. Sort of a poor man's Garner State Park. Needs more river frontage, but still a good place to relax in the water (when there is some!), and some good riverside shade and plenty of back country hiking, and adjacent to some interesting state natural areas.

There are more but so far these are my top ones.

Also, must include both our Texas national parks out west. Both excellent hiking, photography, and vista viewing parks.

Thank you all! Keep 'em coming!

We've got a reservation at Goose Island State Park over Labor Day weekend. Neither me or my husband have been there before so we're hoping it is an okay place.

What type of camper/rv did you buy if you don't mine me asking? I reallly want one to go camping

We got a 2012 Forest River Salem Cruise Lite 22RB XL (Back Pack Edition). Found it at May's RV in Lewisville for $11,200 (slight hail damage). It's small but perfect for us. Tow vehicle is a Toyota Tundra.

Buecher is a hidden gem. In fact, I should just keep my mouth shut.

South Llano is the best

Daingerfield State Park in NE TX. Recently renovated and camping area expanded. Beautiful lake with swimming beach and swim dock off shore. No power boats permitted.

Caprock Canyons has the same general terrain as Palo Duro, but is much less crowded.

Enchanted Rock has always been one of my favorite parks due to its unique rock formations. Great for climbing and hiking. There aren't tons of trails, but you can easily make a weekend out of it. Throw in a trip to Fredericksburg and you have a good weekend.

There's a magic at Garner (especially for young 'uns) that just cannot be replicated anywhere else. The nightly dances at the pavilion have been a right of passage for many a Texas teenager.

Keep quiet about Buecher

Glad no one is letting the Inks Lake cat out of the bag either

Nobody likes Big Bend? Ive never been but want to go soon.

My favorite is Enchanted Rock.

Definitely go to Big Bend. Well maybe not right now, but everyone should go there.

Where is this Buecher?

Now Buescher, that one is about 4 miles from my house.

Of the ones I have been to - enchanted rock. love me some granite cracks.

There's a place I go each Summer, 90 miles from San Antone...Garner State Park

Colorado

Anywhere near doss TX is great

Have only been to a few but I really like Inks Lake.

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There's a magic at Garner (especially for young 'uns) that just cannot be replicated anywhere else. The nightly dances at the pavilion have been a right of passage for many a Texas teenager.

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This is so very true. Never forget my memories at Garner State Park as a teenager.

I got my first concussion there, and it was the first and only time I had to use a stick to dig out a small rock embedded in my flesh. If you haven't been mangled by a Majer's paddle boat, you haven't lived. Good times.

Garner. It sure seems like a long drive these days, though.

Caprock Canyons, Enchanted Rock and Longhorn Caverns are my favorites.

I've spent the most time in Mother Neff. Grew up fishing and running trot lines with my grandfather out there on the Leon. There's not too much to do, but I've got memories. My grandfather grew up basically inside what is now park property.

Had some good times at Lake Brownwood as well.

I'm baised to parks that fish decent, but the south llano and pedernales falls are my favorites. Lots of riverfront at both, and I like that you can self portage at south llano.

Backpacking at Enchanted Rock!

Garner by far, but if you like east Texas Huntsville Satte park is nice. the lake is low right now but it is vary shaded and you may see a Gator or 2.

Oh yeah and Perdenalas falls is awesome!

I also like Enchanted Rock SP, but I do not remember seeing RV sites there. You should check this out before you plan.

I'm partial to, and not in any particular order:

Choke Canyon
Goose Island
Pedernales Falls
Guadalupr River
Blanco
Colorado Bend
Garner