White Flint Park

White Flint Park
Lake Belton
COE Park
March 2009

This is a pretty neat little camping park that is just off of SH 36 as it crosses the lake. You can see the park and boat ramp from the bridge. The park sites on top of a ridge that slopes about 200 ft

to the water. Some campers did have their boats tied off in the

water down from their camp site.

The park has 12 screened in shelters that face the water and across the drive is 13 RV spots. All of the tent camping is next door at Winkler Park. This park was at capacity. The boat ramp is open

to day use, but the RV section is restricted with a coded gate. This does limit the traffic that goes through the RV section.

I really liked the shelters. They looked new and are well laid out. The RV sites had nice new level big concrete pads with an extra parking spot for your boat or second car.

Pros

- Good view of the lake

- Lake access from RV sites (down a 200 ft slope)

- Restricted access limits traffic

- Covered picnic tables

- Extra parking spot for boat trailer

Cons

- Not a lot of shade

- Sites were close together

Rating

7 out of 10

Winkler Park - Lake Belton

Winkler Park
Lake Belton
COE Park
March 2009

This is a small sister park that is located just up lake from White Flint Park. It has 14 tent camping sites that overlook the lake. It is very popular with fishermen and sometimes referred to as a fishing camp.

Pros
- Just off SH 36 and right next to White Flint Park
- Nice view of the lake

Cons
- Only tent camping (no RV or shelters)

Rating

5 out of 10

Cedar Ridge Park - Lake Belton

Cedar Ridge Park
Belton, TX
COE Park
March 2009

This is probably the most popular camping park on Lake Belton. The park is located about 15-20 minutes from Belton off of SH 36. The park is about half way of the lake. The park is very big with several different sections.

One section is has 8 screened in shelters that overlook the water. Access is limited with a coded gate.

Another section has 40 RV sites and another section has 28 RV sites that are also gated with limited access. Sandwiched in between the two RV sections is the Pier 36 Marina. The marina does have fuel ($2.29 a gallon) soft drinks and ice for sale. They do not sell beer.

The RV spots all have a large concrete level pads with an extra parking spot for a boat trailer or second car. Covered picnic tables and fire rings. Shade is limited and the sites are sort of close to each other. Some sites would be ideal for groups of RVers traveling together. We were expecting some water front sites and there are some water viewing sites. But with the lake level being low, the sites are not really on the water (nothing beats a constant level lake IMO).

There were very few empty sites and the park was pretty busy.

Pros
- Covered picnic areas
- Nice, new level large concrete pads with an extra parking space
- Limited access with reduced traffic
- Marina with ice and fuel
- Centrally located
- Two boat ramps

Cons
- Sites close together
- Lack of shade

Rating
8 out of 10

Live Oak Ridge Park - Lake Belton

Live Oak Ridge Park
Lake Belton TX
COE Park
Spring Break - March 2009

This was a really nice park and we enjoyed our stay very much. It is located just outside of Belton right across from the Lake

Belton dam. It sits on a ridge overlooking the dam and Lake Belton. It's a RV park that doesn't allow any day use.

It has 48 RV spots with long level concrete pads that are well spaced out with lots of shade. Other then Batrop SP, I don't think I've had so much shade. Site 1 -26 have covered picnic areas and an awesome view of the lake. Sites 27 - 48 are a little larger. There are a couple of sites that would be excellent for a group of RVers (sites 39 - 42).

There are two bath houses with hot showers and a group pavilion that is air conditioned and has WIFI connection. It also has a laundry room where you could wash and dry a load of clothes.

There is a double boat ramp with courtesy dock and since the park is closed for day use, there is plenty of trailer parking.

Pros

- Close to Austin (only 40 miles up IH35 from Round Rock)

- Close to Belton (Walmart only five minutes away for forgotten supplies)

- Big RV sites with lots of shade

- Large level concrete pads

- No day use limits traffic and parking (great for kids riding their bikes)

- Nice admenities (laundry room, WIFI)

- Great view of the lake

- Miller Springs Nature Area located across the road from the park

- COE so specific sites can be reserved

- If you have leave early and check out before noon, they will issue a refund

Cons

- Not on the lake up on a ridge (only con I could come up with)

Rating

9.5 out of 10

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