McKinney Falls State Park

McKinney Falls State Park
Austin, TX
February, 2009

Nice State Park close to home. Over 80 RV spots that are pretty flat and paved. Fire rings and new picnic tables are part of each site. Each site has lots of space. We really liked RV spot #3.

Each camping loop (Big Cedar and Big Oak) have loops so if you had a group of RVers, you could fill in a loop.

Pros
- Really close to home (45 minute drive)
- Good size spots
- Smith Visitor Center
- Rock Shelter Trail
- Good swimming holes by both lower and upper falls.

Cons
- no sewer hookups

8 out of 10

Monument Hill & Kreische Brewery State Park

Monument Hill & Kreische Brewery State Park
La Grange, Texas
February, 2009

We briefly stopped by this park on the way home from Houston. It's not that far off of Hwy 71. It's located in town way up on a bluff overlooking the Colorado river. The park doesn't have any camping sites and the park /parking lot closes at 5:00 p.m. The monument and tomb are at the top of the bluff close to the park enterance / office and you have to walk down a trail to the brewery remains. The park office also has a small exhibit area with one half dedicated to the brewery and the other to the "black bean lottery". Really good Texas history lesson here and it tied in well to our earlier visit to the San Jacinto Monument and Stephen F. Austin's home. I wish we could of hit the Alamo the same day and we would of had a good take of "Texas History for Dummies" although in reverse order. My 7 and 8 year olds I think understood the progression of events and my daughter was shocked with all the violence. My 8 year old son that is was cool and was looking for bullets.

The Brewery was also pretty cool. At one time, it was the third largest brewery in Texas.

Pros
- Free

- Could be the tallest point in surrounding area. Great view of La Grange and the Colorado River.

- Cool park office exhibit.

Cons

- Closes at 5:00 p.m.

I wouldn't rate this as a single destination. However, it was well worth a 30 minute drive -by rest stop on the way home from Houston.

Stephen F. Austin State Park

Stephen F. Austin State Park
Sealy, Texas
February, 2009

Pros
- Huge day camp picnic area
- All RV spots have sewer hook ups.
- Brazos River a short hike downhill.
- Good hike and bike trails.
- Golf course next to the park.
- Supplies are available in Sealy 5 minute drive.
- Nice cabins available.

Cons
- Campsite not very secluded from each other.

Rating
7 out of 10

Battleship Texas State Park

Battleship Texas State Park
La Porte, Texas
February, 2009


Battleship Texas is located right next to the San Jacinto Monument. The battleship allows access to several levels of the ship. You get to see the officer and the enlisted mens quarters. You can even view the captain's room and the bridge. We enjoyed going all the way forward on the bow and checking out the huge anchors and anchor chains. Forward deck was so windy it's hard to believe that working on the ship at sea. Another thing we found interesting was the deck was wooden. The ship has some really interesting history. First battleship to launch airplanes. Only battleship active in both WWs. Current hull is paper thin and will need eventually to be dry docked.

Pros
- Right next to San Jacinto Monument.
- Free admission with State Park pass.

Cons
- none

San Jacinto Monument State Park

San Jacinto Monument State Park
La Porte, Texas
February 2009

Located on the southeast side of Houston, it was an easy Sunday morning drive of about 40 minutes from our hotel located by Bush Intercontinental airport. The kids enjoyed seeing the refineries and storage tanks as well as crossing over the Houston ship channel.

The monument is pretty cool and my kids really thought it was awesome. We did ride the elevator to the observation deck up 49 stories. This is highest they have ever been in a building. The view is pretty neat. Especially the Battleship Texas, my kids couldn't wait to see that next. We did the exhibit but didn't see the 40 minute movie. The park is run by TPWD, but the monument is run by the Texas Historical Society. So we got into the monument for free with our State park pass, but had to pay for the monument attractions.

Pros
- Pretty cool monument and reflecting pool.
- We had fun reading the each side of the monument. We took turns reading it.

Cons
- Surcharge for inside attractions (movie, exhibit, observation deck).

Emma Long / City Park, Austin Texas

Emma Long / City Park
Austin, Texas
(at least four times a year)

We love this park! It's close to home and sits on Lake Austin. I grew up on this lake so I'm pretty partial to this space. Lake trees with lots of shade. Most of the sites are huge with level paved pads with lots of shade. However, there are two or three spots that don't have any shade at all. Fire rings,BBQ pits, and cement picnic tables are part of each site.

Cost $15 per night and per car fee of $8.

Pros
- Close to home and town (35 minute drive).
- Sits on Lake Austin (8 waterfront sites).
- Constant level lake with lots of swimming holes and restaurants.
- Sand Volleyball courts, baseball diamond, and swimming area.
- Cold refreshing water.


Cons
- First come first served. Not able to reserve any spots.
- Only 16 RV spots - two or three do not have any shade.
- Years past the duckweed / hydrilla has been a nuisance, but lately it's under control.
- Water can be cold. Comes off of the bottom on Lake Travis.
- The Pier closed and looks like it might reopen soon. Known for it's lake food and fantastic live music.

Rating
10 out of 10