Texas State Parks: Mustang Island, Garner, and Big Bend Ranch
Perhaps one of the best investments for my family has been the Texas State Parks pass. For $70/year we get admission waived anytime we want to visit a park for the day and discounted camping rates. As part of our family resolution to retreat more - I booked us at Mustang Island in November, Garner in February, and most recently Big Bend Ranch in March.
Mustang Island
The perfect weekend getaway! I laid on the beach all day while my toddler played; my husband and our 9 year old fished right off the pier. On the way back we grabbed delicious, fresh sea food from Snoopy's Pier. Next time we want to try camping right on the beach, sand and all.
Garner State Park
Why didn't we visit here sooner? Perhaps the nicest campground we've been to, it's amenities included a well stocked camp store, boat rentals, food truck, and even a civil war reenactment from some "Buffalo Soldiers." I'll admit I was pretty cold overnight (it was February), but it was nothing a hike first thing in the morning (with gorgeous views) couldn't cure. By afternoon our kiddos were wading in the Frio!
Big Bend Ranch
What an adventure! Our first time camping so remotely (the closest campsite was over a mile away) and our first time camping in the desert (bring lots of water). Highlights for the kiddos included a visit from family of donkeys (burros) and hiking an inactive volcano (El Solitario). On the way back we stopped at the Big Bend Brewing Company for some craft beer, making it just the most perfect road trip for our family.
What are your favorite Texas State Parks?
XO-Olivia
Update - 4 years later and we still talk about our time at Big Bend. This wasn’t the National Park that is so picturesque, this is the State Park that is pretty much all desert. Driving into the park you can literally see Mexico just across the border! Also, I was not kidding when I said it was remote camping. “Primitive” camping is what they called it at check in. So much so that we had to bring in our own toilet! It was a 5 gallon bucket we attached a toilet seat to and you know what, it did the trick! I mostly remember being very, very hot the whole time. I swear I almost died on that El Solitario hike and will never forget our little one playing under the shade of the picnic table all day. Since moving to Kansas we haven’t tried their State Parks Pass yet, but we so want to!