I've been taking my family camping to Birch Creek State Park at Lake Somerville for years to tent camp and fish for white bass & catfish. We'd go for 5-6 nights and the (older) kids loved it.

We are now in the hill country area and have a 3yr old so the thought of a 3hr+ drive to Somerville for that many nights in a tent is just a bit too daunting. I'm interested in somewhere closer in the hill country that we could go for 2 or so nights that also has decent fishing opportunity.

Does anyone have any recommendations? My neighbor just took his ~8yr old son to Lost Maples State Natural Area so I'm going to talk to him about it. I've never been and really don't know much about it at all.

Thanks!

South Llano River State Park out in Junction is very nice. Good place to camp, canoe/kayak, hike, etc.

Check out Arkansas Bend Park on Lake Travis. It's on the north side so gets less traffic. It's right on the lake but is situated in a couple of nice coves so there are good areas to fish and swim.

It has some respectable shade too.

Inks Lake State Park was our favorite. Great hiking area with big boulders for the kids to scramble over. Also a big rock (Chicken Rock) to jump in deep water from. It's not suitable for a 3 year old, but it will be big stuff when he or she is older.

Inks Lake SP for the win. It's perfect for what you are thinking.

Inks Lake State Park, Black Rock Park & Colorado Bend State Park

txags92 said:

---

South Llano River State Park out in Junction is very nice. Good place to camp, canoe/kayak, hike, etc.

---

2nd South Llano State Park. It's one of our families favorite spots. Good camp sites, with nice mix of Canoe trip options and hiking trails.

Early November is a great time. Still warm enough for a river trip and less crowded.

apylant said:

---

txags92 said:

---

South Llano River State Park out in Junction is very nice. Good place to camp, canoe/kayak, hike, etc.

---

2nd South Llano State Park. It's one of our families favorite spots. Good camp sites, with nice mix of Canoe trip options and hiking trails.

Early November is a great time. Still warm enough for a river trip and less crowded.

---

great fishing on the river , wild turkeys roosting in the pecan trees , and perfect camping weather. You can do a self shuttle by dropping a canoe ~3 miles upriver at a low water crossing and float back to state park. Easily my favorite hill country camping spot