After about 6 months of planning and anticipation we had arrived at park one of five we would be visiting during a four day trip on the weekend of our wedding anniversary. Blanco State Park is located in the town of Blanco, on the Blanco River…right in the thick of it. Surrounded by residential homes and highways, it held little appeal for camping to us personally and I had heard the swimming quality was questionable.

We arrived before 10 am and explored the river front day use areas and both CCC built dams. The engineering concept of creating multiple layers of pools in a naturally shallow river was remarkable! We all agreed the water looked more appealing for fishing than swimming, though. We’re prissy, I know haha.

Then we went to the opposite side of the highway that divides the park and walked a short nature trail that took us to a rather high-end bird blind.

After that, we loaded back up for the 30 minute drive to Pedernales Falls State Park. It was bewildering to be walking trails in a State Park all while people’s homes watched over us across the street. This park definitely seemed more like a city park that just happened to be run by the state government.

As we would come to find out during a pit stop on way home Sunday, the town of Blanco is really cute and full of entertainment. I could see how this park would be ideal for folks looking to set up their camper right in the heart of it all.

-Lindsay