On August 17th, the kids and I detoured on our way to Lubbock and spent the night at Possum Kingdom State Park on Possum Kingdom Lake. The detour was just as strategic as it was pleasure. The park is located on the west side of Ft. Worth and put us at a good half way point for the almost 7 hr drive it takes us to get to Lubbock from Brownsboro. I’ve really been itching for a fun State Park experience since the last 2 personally left much to be desired. This park more than made up for the previous ones!

For starters, they have reasonably priced AIR CONDITIONED cabins with kitchenettes and private bathrooms. Nothing fancy, you have to provide your own linens and the mattresses definitely sucked; but I thoroughly appreciated not having to pack and set up a tent for only one night in the August heat.

We made great time that morning and got settled in our cabin by 1:30pm. After the drive, we found ourselves motivated to do one of the two short trails the park has. It appears that the main draw for the park is the lake with it’s nice boat ramp and swimming area along with the updated waterfront campsites for RV’s and tents. Ironically, it seemed too hot for swimming just yet, so hiking it was! Once we set off, we realized there was a serious lack of shade, especially on the ridge we wanted to got out on to see the view, so we made it only as far as the end of a peninsula and took in the view from the shore.

Not long after we made back to our cabin and cooled off, some distant storm clouds rolled it and made for a nice overcast afternoon of swimming. I had read about limestone rock lining most of the lake and was curious what the bottom would be like in this particular area. *Unfortunately* it was a sand and clay bottom swim area and wasn’t as clear of water as I hoped for, BUT considering the sediment, the water still felt very clean. Some of the cleanest lake water I’ve been in in a while. The kids had a blast and I thoroughly enjoyed my float.

We played until it was time for our hot dog dinner that evening. The wind from the nearby storms made for an ideal setting outside at the provided picnic table. It was really nice sitting at our quiet cabin but still having a view of the lake the whole time.

After showers for all, we were in bed by 7 and I’m pretty sure I was the first to sack out that night by 7:20 haha. The next morning, we were all awake before 7am and Ashlyn convinced us to try the hike up the ridge while it was cool outside so we could see the sunrise before we left (She’s part nature fairy, I’m convinced). That girl was spot on though! The walk was easy and pleasant and the view was amazing! I could handle starting my day like that every day 😉.

I could definitely spend a few days in this park. Bringing kayaks or SUPs would awesome and having more float time in the swim area wouldn’t bother me. I also wouldn’t mind doing that ridge hike every morning/evening. But for just one night, I feel like we real good feel for the place. We managed that hike and packing up all by 9:30am and we were on our way to Lubbock to get some well enjoyed time with family.

-Lindsay