Palmetto State Park

We arrived at Palmetto State Park on Thursday, March 21, 2012, for a 3 day visit. We had previously made a brief tour of the park about a month earlier; for more info on that visit, please see “A Tale of Two Parks”. This was our first time to actually stay in the park.

The park provides 19 camping spaces in the trailer camping area (see map). Actually, there are only 18, for a park host occupies site # 18, the only site in this area with full hookups. All other sites in this area have only water and electricity, including 50 amp service. We stayed in site #6, which is one of the longer sites. It was long enough to accommodate both our trailer and our truck, though we had to use 2 boards to level our trailer. Some sites were considerably shorter, and some sites are very uneven. And some sites are difficult to back into because of the sharp angle and the trees. The restroom facilities show their age. I would avoid using the shower facilities if possible.

Our site, #6. Very shady campground.

All sites are shaded. Each site has a rather new table on concrete foundation, and all sites have a fire ring and a grill. All sites are paved, as are interior roads. The dump station is located next to the restrooms. You actually stay on the road as you pull up to empty your tanks.

Day use area in the park. Note swings in center and restroom at end of road. Oxbow Lake is to the left. Lots of shade trees for hot, sunny days

Even though we visited in March, some folks were actually playing in the river. Fishing is available in the Oxbow Lake, though you’ll have to contend with a strong sulphur smell from the nearby artesian wells. Warm Springs, a former polio treatment center, is located next to the park, and the wells were part of the patient treatment program.

Donna on the fishing pier at the Oxbow Lake

Boats for rent at Oxbow Lake

Artesian well at former Warm Springs Polio Treatment Center next to park

Various hiking trails wind throughout the park and circle the Oxbow Lake. They are well maintained. All that we hiked were crushed stone. In fact, one morning we met a park ATV with a rake attached that was grading the trails. If you enjoy bike riding but don’t like to work too hard, these trails are mostly level and easy to ride. Please note that signs warning of snakes are prevalent along the trails.

If you like old style Texas BBQ, you can venture up the road to Luling to try the fare at City Market. Don’t ask for forks or BBQ sauce, though; they don’t have any. Gonzales to the south played an important role in the quest for Texas independence; if you like history, you might want to venture there.