While we lived in ETX, I had been putting this park visit off to a later date when the kids were older and we were able to paddle the kayak trail within the park. After completing 7 miles down the South Llano with them in 2021, I knew we would officially be ready. But then time started running out to make the 5 hour drive back to Mexia! So we settled for a quick day visit on our way back from our January ETX visit. And, honestly, I’m glad we didn’t make a big trip out of it after all.

Fort Parker State Park is a “cozy” small park that wraps around the shores of Fort Parker Lake and a little upstream on the Navasota River. There’s currently renovations underway and some updating taking place on the CCC structures and it all was looking for the better when we were there. We started our visit at the day use area and walked the half mile loop for the Bur Oak Nature Trail. It was the perfect stretch for our legs and we even got a picture with a massive Bur Oak, haha.

We had some lunch and the kids ran around on the newly installed playfort made entirely of Trex board and I was super impressed by it! If we ever expand on our treehouse at home, that’s what I’m using!

We then drove around to the Navasota River boat ramp area to scope out the water. The park road on the way was dotted with residential houses just on the other side of the park boundary which I found odd and a little undesirable. Once at the river, our water priss selves also found that to be undesirable for paddling. Quite chocolate milky, haha!

After we left the park, we drove to nearby Fort Parker Historical Site, but they were closed due to it being MLK Day. It looked really cool and well preserved and I wouldn’t mind the pit stop when we are coming through the area again.

This park was a perfect daytripper for us and I’m glad I didn’t make a big trip out of hauling kayaks and trying to get a weather window. I imagine in the Spring, it can get quite busy with fishing for the White Bass run and that might be fun to check out sometime.

-Lindsay