Settled in Gonzales County, a beautiful 270-acre state park flourishes with thousands of lush dwarf palmettos. This botanical paradise is near San Marcos and a mere hop, skip, and jump away for the metro areas of Austin, Houston, and San Antonio. If you are a nature lover, bird watcher, or park enthusiast, you will want to gather the family to explore the park’s many offerings.
Dwarf palmettos are only one of the parks many attractions. It is also home to an abundance of tropical vegetation, bogs, and woodlands that make for the perfect insta-worthy photos. The four shaded hiking and biking trails are up to a mile in length-ideal for a family outing! Plus, you can rent bikes on-site for adults and children.
Dive Into Fun-Filled Waters At The San Marcos River
The San Marcos River flows through the park, offering relaxing views and miles for swimming, paddling, and canoeing. Glide into the water on one of the rental paddleboards or canoes while you enjoy the nature of the park. Beginners need not worry as the waters are calm and free of rapids. And if you are up for a relaxing float, the Luling Zedling Mill Trail is a 6-mile stretch where you can absorb some sunrays for two to four hours.
Fishermen of all ages will enjoy the oxbow lake- the dock is one of the most popular spots to cast a line. Fishing licenses are not a requirement when casting in a Texas State Park. Wanting to cast outside of park waters? Purchase a license on the Texas, Parks, & Wildlife website.
Relish in Nature at The Pavilion
Nestled by the water’s edge, lays a sandstone pavilion from the 1930s. This historical pavilion is ready to be booked for an event or simply to relish in the sweet sounds of nature. For information on booking, hop over to the Palmetto State Park website.
Want to explore for longer than a day? Take your pick from Gonzales’ cozy bed and breakfasts, relaxing hotels, or scenic RV parks. Rustic accommodations can be found directly in Palmetto as they offer RV hook-ups and campsites for the nature-lovers. For more details on park admissions and site bookings, head on over to https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/palmetto or dial 830-672-3266.
