SOUTH LLANO RIVER STATE PARK, JUNCTION, TEXAS

Our Opinion: A great state park. We would stay here again and recommend this park to others.

Date of Stay: 3/28/2008 and again 4/17/2008

Weather During Stay: Cool, cloudy, damp day and night in March; sunny, hot with a severe thunderstorm at night in April.

Rate: We paid $7.50 for one night. The usual rate is $15/night plus $3/person day use fee. Our $60/yr Texas state pass paid the day use fee for both of us AND gave us a 50% off coupon for one night of camping. In April, our pass had expired, so we paid $19.

Sites: All 58 sites are W and 30 amp E. Sites are mostly flat, mostly shaded, spacious. Each site has a picnic table and a permanent pole for hanging bird feeders. Easily accessible dump station on the way out. Photo shows site 31, our site on 4/17/2008.

Verizon: Occasional 1 bar reception on phones; no aircard reception.

Elevation/landscape: This is a large state park with a small campground on the “river bottom” of the South Llano River. Lots of trees and grass.

Terrain: Campground is flat; park includes a river suitable for rafting/swimming, the river flood plain, and wooded hills.

Lighting: Very dark at night.

Favorite Sites: #55 and #57, but there are many great sites in this campground.

Hiking/Walking: Miles of trails, flat or hilly, your choice.

Special Features: This park protects an area that has been a roosting spot for Rio Grand turkeys for over 100 years. Up to 800 turkeys gather here between October and April; some trails may be closed to protect the turkeys during those months. Birds galore with bird blinds and feeders all over.

The low point of the road into the park crosses the South Llano River. Park would be inaccessible during high water.

Nearest town is Junction,Texas, less than 10 miles away. Restaurants, groceries (small IGA), fuel are available there.

We use this state park as a long day hop from Balmorhea State Park (250 miles west) or Davis Mountain State Park (299 miles west).