Why You Will Never Want To Leave Palmetto State Park

Palmetto State Park is enchanting and magical place to visit. Something is in the air here that makes the worst day turn lovely. It is a place to visit with people and a place to escape depending on your mood.

The State Park has several different areas to visit. One area overlooks this valley. There is not a lot of room to park but it is a great place to enjoy the morning sunrise or evening setting sun.

But if you are coming in from the back way into the park, you can very easy miss it. For those of you with RVs, be careful how you get directions. The back way can be a bit of a nail bitter. Make sure you are coming in off of the US Route 183. In addition, this area of the park is just off it from the main area.

One of the best parts of the park is that Olive Oil learned how to jump up into the van without help. She loved the hiking as well. The park has several different short hikes. Many which flow together.

The Park has two different camping areas, one with the tent camping plus group camping and one with RV. But there is a Low Water Crossing between them so that you don’t have to drive to get to the other hiking areas.

From down the bridge is a great view of the San Marco River which run through the park in the great valley below.

Oxbow Lake Trail

The Oxbow Lake Trail is right at the camping area with .69 miles that goes right around the lake. It is amazing even Olive Oil loved it.

The lake is not that large but it is a wonderful little hike and enjoyable for fishing.

The best is just seeing all the shadows that land on the lake.

About half way around is a wonderful place to read or just take a nice little seat to rest.

The park also offers rentals of different paddle boats on the Oxbow Lake which was once part of the San Marcos River but was cut off from the main river to become a Lake.

Next to the Lake is the Artesian Well that was created by the CCC to keep with water levels up.

San Marcos River Trail

The San Marcos River Trail can be picked up in the RV camping area next to the bathrooms. It travels along the San Marcos River about three stories up. Or at least it was that low the day that I was at the park.

The trail goes along the river then into the woods a bit…

Olive Oil made the whole hike without help. It was just over a mile long, I am so proud of her.

The great views of the River below come and go as you follow the trail along…

Towards the end of the trail, you have several different trails that you can end up on. The Mesquite Flats Trail which is about a mile more or the Canebrake Spur or the Mossycup Spur which are both can take you back to the camping area. Make sure you take a trail map during your time at this park, you can easily get lost.

This trail also goes to the Site of the Mud Boils that once had heated water come up to the surface.

An old wagon wheel is growing out of a tree along this trail. If you only have time for part of the trail, then go to the right at the bathroom. Both this wagon wheel and the mud boils are very close to this part of the trail.

CCC Refectory

The parking area for the trails is either at your campsite or at this CCC Refectory which was built in the 1930’s as part of FDR’s program to keep the young men of the time working.

If you are looking for a wedding or anniversary party, the refectory is rentalable with bathrooms and a real kitchen.

But the view from the balany area is a perfect place to sit with a drink and entertain your guest.

Ottine Swamp Trail & Palmetto Interpretive Trail

The Ottine Swamp Trail is right across from the CCC Refectory. It crosses the road into the camp but it has this beautiful view before it goes into the swamp area. It runs about 1.01 miles long.

The swamp area has lots of things to see such as these mushrooms.

The walk is way you will never want to leave. The trail was dry as a bone the day that I went. But this walk was to ensure that you are above the water line in the swamp.

But notice that all the area has grown back with Palmetto and seagrass but another time, this would be all swamp land.

The trail also has several different benches along the way to relax for a while one enjoy the outdoors.

The trail ends at the Mesquite Flats Trail which is a 1.06 miles long if you go to the right. If you go the left then you can pick up the Palmetto Interpretive Trail in the middle which is .26 miles long.

The trail is cut in two and you have to choose to go right or left to get back to the Refectory.

To the left is the CCC Water Tower which is very neat.

It has this great little pound in front of it which is very cool.

Of course, I went back the way I came because this guy was eyeing Olive Oil and did move when we walked closer. I am thinking that he was thinking that I was bring him lunch.

The other way is wonderful and worth taking both ways. This is the must do trail in the park. It also has several different signs which tell about the park and animals around the park.

I just loved this area of the park. It was a wonderful place to enjoy. I have to go back during a different season than winter. It would be like seeing a whole new park.

Not far away is the city of Gonzales which was established in 1825. It was the farthest west Anglo settlement until the end of the Texas Revolution. The town is a great place to visit for laundry, groceries, and history. The history includes General Sam Houston learned of the defeat of the Alamo.