Thompson's Saddlery

Description:

• Attractions to the Llano River State Park relate directly to the area's ability to offer a diverse variety of recreational activities. The park has two miles of river frontage, a large pecan bottom, and typical Hill Country areas. The 523-acre, wooded bottom land is home to white-tailed deer and the Rio Grande Turkey. The bottomland represents one of the most substantial and oldest winter turkey roosts in the central portion of the state. The roosting area is closed to park visitors from October through March. Observation blinds are provided to offer visitors a glimpse of the Turkey moving to and from the roost. Other animals include wood duck, white-tailed deer, squirrel, jackrabbit, javelina, fox, beaver, bobcat, cottontail, and armadillo. Several exotic species such as Axis Deer, Black Buck Antelope, and Fallow Deer are often spotted in the park.

  Facilities include multi-use campsites with water and electricity at each site and a dump station and restrooms with showers in the area; walk-in campsites with picnic tables and fire rings (30 - 70-yard walk from where the car is parked - drinking water is available to every 4 sites), composting toilets in the area; a picnic and day-use area near the river with picnic tables, waist-high grills, and composting toilets; oxbow lakes; 4 miles of hiking/mountain biking/nature study trails in the Turkey Roost area; and hunting blinds available for wildlife photography. Be sure to stop by the Texas State Park Store.

  Six months of each year, beginning October 1 through and including March 31, a large portion of the park is closed to protect a turkey roosting habitat. Campgrounds remain open and 16 + acres of the river at the low-water crossing bridge are accessible during the closed dates.

  Nearby attractions include Kerrville-Schreiner State Park; Fort McKavett State Historical Park; National Museum of the Pacific War (Admiral Nimitz Museum); Enchanted Rock State Natural Area; and the City of Junction, with historic markers and buildings; Schreiner Park; Texas Tech Center; and the O. C. Fisher Museum and Library.

  Camping fees vary; entrance fee. For reservations, call 512/389-8900. Current weather conditions, including fire bans and water levels, can vary from day to day. For more details, call the park or Park Information at 1-(800) 792-1112.

  Recreational opportunities offered by the South Llano River State Park includes, camping, picnicking, canoeing, tubing, swimming, fishing, hiking, mountain bike riding, and bird and nature study.

  South Llano River State Park is situated within the San Angelo area of Texas. To reach the park, travel Interstate 10 to Junction, then go south on US Highway 377 for 5 miles to Park Road 73.