Texas Road Trip.

[BRPORSCHE]

Trying to get this balling rolling with two friends of mine that we need to do a road trip before the end of summer. It's going to be completely state parks, i.e, absolutely no motels or hotels. I have quite the resume for this, I have been doing this my whole life, thanks mom and dad , and I am trying to get my friends into it. I have all the gear, for three adults to make this trip possible. Here's where I need you guys.

I am still fairly new to Texas, but that doesn't mean I haven't been around these parts...

I have been to Big Bend State Park, and a looong time ago I went to a state park with some extinct volcano's in west Texas. I haven't explored at all in the Hill country and I hear it is pretty awesome.

Distance isn't a factor, but we would like to stay within Texas. Cost of fuel is just outrageous.

There are a few Texas Pelicans. Please share some of your state park adventures. The good and the bad. The more wilderness and back country the better. We aren't exactly looking for tubing down a river with a cooler of beer.

P.S. If you know of any parks with climbing or bouldering that would be a major plus. I have plenty of static and dynamic, anchors, and harnesses to do a fairly sweet climb.

[Les Paul]

One of the best in the state is Palo Duro state Park.
http://www.palodurocanyon.com/ plenty of hiking, a great 5 mile loop for driving and plenty of camping places.

[vash]

hueco tanks in west texas is awesome! you can pop in and check out carlsbad caverns..

[BRPORSCHE]

I have been to carlsbad, and I spent two weeks at Philmont in New Mexico. The plus is that I am a geology minor, so it's still very tempting to go back to the caverns...

[Tobra]

If you have not been to the hill country, you should go. In Austin, there is of course 6th street, the Tower, the state capitol, the bridge with all the damn bats under it, pretty country around there. Good BBQ in the little towns around Austin, seems like Smitty's Market and Kreuz(krites) Market in Lockhart were pretty stellar, can't remember exactly where that Lockhart is, but both are very good. Couple good places in Luling too.

If you are EVER in Huntstville, go to the New Zion Baptist BBQ on Montgomery road, Wed thru Sat open like at 1100, frequently ran out before 1400 so get there early. Texas Prison Museum, Sam Houston's House and the second largest freestanding statue of a person in the US is right there too. Good roads, particularly west of the interstate in that area.

Watch for deer, dawn and dusk, if you are traveling back roads. Hit a buck going 75 mph and it will really ruin your day.

Get yourself a Texas Travel Guide. Free, with a book and good map of the state.

You could always go check out the Marfa Lights

[bivenator]

Garner State Park, just past San Antonio was always good. Nice river to float and some hills/sorta mountains to climb. Hill country has many spots to camp. I would probably go to Enchanted Rock north of Austin and then you can go into Austin to check out some of the urban wildlife.
Sounds like a good time.

[M.D. Holloway]

If you make it up to noird tejas, best to look us up. If you need some grub, beer and a place to crash, consider it an honor!

[hardflex]

Enchanted Rock is a good spot if you're into Geology. Also, Texas has it's own cavern near Austin. I've never been, but you might check it out.

[futuresoptions]

I am down near south padre...... you could rough it on the beach...... (if you could call it roughing it) dinners on me.....

[BRPORSCHE]

Thank you for the tips everyone. I went on the Texas State Park website and looked at some of the parks that they had listed. Enchanted rock looked like a lot of fun, and the relative closeness to Austin is always a plus.

[mattdavis11]

TPWD just released a top 10 Texas State Parks list. I'm not sure if it's a monthly or quarterly magazine, but it just showed up at the house today. Of the parks not already mentioned, Mustang Island state park, and the one on the Frio river made the list.