This Shady Texas State Park Stays Cool by the San Marcos River

The San Marcos River rushes somewhere nearby.

Welcome to Palmetto State Park in Gonzales, Texas.

If you’re left wishing for more when you’re at a park with a few trees here and there or a river that’s tastefully a good distance away, this state park is your summer getaway.

You’ll be in the middle of nature, not just observing it. The river flows by. The trees and bushes press in close.

Summer has never felt more real. Let the experience pull you in.

On the Trail to Somewhere

This state park is in Gonzales County. It’s a little outside of San Antonio.

Palmetto State Park holds more than 270 acres of land, much of it forested.

This park is nearly 90 years old, having first opened in 1936 — and its 100th birthday isn’t far off.

It’s managed by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The name, in fact, comes from a dwarf palmetto, a little shrub, which you’ll find all over this park.

There’s no shortage of things to do. They have picnic tables, swings, and cycling lanes.

The park draws hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, based on 2022 figures

Weekends are the busiest, especially Saturdays. Sundays and Fridays tend to be busy as well.

People spend anywhere from 1 to 4 hours here (or more).

Being out in nature comes with its challenges, too. For example, make sure you check the state park’s website for any Park Alerts. Right now, one of their trails, the Palmetto Interpretive Trail, is closed because of a bee removal.

Reservations are recommended here.

You can make a reservation by booking online. Or call 512-389-8900 to reserve by phone.

The entrance fee is $3 daily for adults and free for kids 12 years old and younger. That’s not too expensive for a summer day trip or even a longer stay.

They’re open daily. Camping and day use sometimes reaches capacity, so remember to make reservations for the dates you plan to visit.

Summer puts you right in the middle of the park’s busy season.

This state park’s busy season is March to November. They recommend making any overnight reservations at least 2 to 3 weeks ahead of time, during this season.

What’s the climate like?

The July average high is 96 degrees Fahrenheit, with an average low of 73 degrees Fahrenheit.

The elevation is 292 feet. If you’d like to pair it with another state park, Lockhart State Park is nearby.

If you’re kicking yourself for not booking a tropical getaway this summer, you’re in luck.

Palmetto State Park is known as the Central Texas Tropics!

While it does seem unlikely to find tropics anywhere in Texas (cue the tumbleweed across a cracked land), give this state park a shot before you make up your mind.

It’s about an hour from Austin or San Antonio.

Water’s a major part of this park. And that’s one thing I really love about it.

If you’re like me, summer is about finding water in its many forms. Waterfalls. Beaches with the bluest water you can find. Pools with floats in all shapes and colors.

At Palmetto State Park, there are multiple sources of water, most notably the San Marcos River.

Because of that, the park is home to a variety of animals and plants, which are sure to delight the animal or plant lover in your friend group, family, or road trip crew.

Under trees is where you’ll spot dwarf palmettos, the park’s namesake. Make a game out of how many you can find, with kids or preteens.

It’s considered a small park, but it’s packed with activities — both on water and on land.

You can swim, fish, and paddle at this state park. Besides the San Marcos River, the park has a lake, an artesian well, and swamps.

They don’t rent out watercraft anymore, but it gives you a good opportunity to bring your own. It’s a good excuse to invest in gear you’ll use all summer long.

They’ve posted water safety tips on their website, so be sure to give those a read before you plan a whole day out at this state park.

The main thing is to be cautious when you’re swimming in the river. If there’s a rainy spell upstream, be aware that there’s a possibility of flash flooding in the section of the river where you’re at.

Things to Do

Hike or bike along their trails. Go geocaching. Camp out, go birding, or study nature’s wonders and mysteries. There’s a lot to learn here, even on summer break, for kids and anyone who’s young at heart.

Their Palmetto Trail winds its way through a stand of dwarf palmettos, which is a fun way to connect with the park’s namesake plant.

If you’re planning any birthday parties, engagement photo shoots, or retirement send-offs, Palmetto State Park has a picnic pavilion. The best part? An air-conditioned kitchen!

Air conditioning is nothing to wag a finger at in a Texas summer. Make use of it!

It’s a great spot to go camping or pack up the RV this summer, too.

Palmetto State Park has 19 tent sites and 17 RV sites. There’s also a group site, away from the hustle and bustle of the other sites. This group site is available for parties of up to 24 people.

Don’t have a tent or RV? No problem!

There’s also an air-conditioned cabin for up to 6 people you can rent.

If you love to go fishing in the summers, pack up your gear, and head over to Oxbow Lake. Or settle into a space along the San Marcos River.

The lake has its own fishing pier, which is a bonus.

The state park has some fishing equipment they can loan out. On particularly busy days, especially holidays, get there early to secure the equipment you’d like to use.

You don’t have to have a license to fish from the shore in a state park.

Paddling is a favorite pastime at Palmetto State Park.

Take your canoe or kayak out on the San Marcos River. Note that this river has a steady, strong current, but there aren’t any rapids.

Always check river conditions at the park before you push off from shore. Safety first!

You’ll need to bring your own canoe or kayak, and any shuttles you’ll need will have to be arranged ahead of time.

Are you an experienced paddler? You can put in at Luling City Park and take out after a 6-to-7-hour trip to Palmetto State Park.

Just be aware that private lands back up to the river, so put-in and take-out points are limited. Don’t end up in someone’s backyard, when they weren’t expecting you!

There’s even a Luling Zedler Mill Paddling Trail, if you’d like to follow a traditional trail.

What’s there for the kids to do?

Become a Junior Ranger! This summer is the summer you’re going to earn that title.

Pick up a free Junior Ranger Activity Journal at the park’s headquarters. If you complete all the tasks, you’ll earn your Junior Ranger badge.

Borrow a Junior Ranger Explorer Pack, stuffed with resources you’ll use as you explore the state park.

If you’re searching for a summer camp out in nature for the kids, Palmetto State Park has a summer day camp for 8 to 12 year olds.

It’s called the Palmetto Adventure Summer Camp — a one-week, Monday-through-Friday program that takes place the first week of June.

This is a one-week program that’s Monday through Friday. It takes place the first week of June.

Through the camp, kids learn how to be good stewards of outdoor spaces and environments. They get to participate in different outdoor activities around the state park.

If summer’s more about destinations for you, this state park is in close proximity to fun attractions for a weekend away.

There’s a lot to do in the nearby towns, if you’d like to stack your day with a variety of activities.

Luling has a Luling Oil Museum, if someone in your group loves museums. This town is also known for watermelons, barbecue, and bright, colorful pump jacks.

If you time it right, Luling hosts a Watermelon Thump the last weekend in June. I can’t pass up watermelons! To me, those just spell summer.

Texas history runs deep in Gonzales. This town is thought of as the Cradle of Texas History, because the first shots of Texas Independence were fired there.

The first weekend in October, Gonzales celebrates this historic tie with a Come and Take It Celebration. Don’t forget to make your late summer/early fall plans, as you’re mapping out the early summer weeks.

How does barbecue sound?

If more than one smile popped up in the car when you asked that, there’s a good chance your group will be heading to Lockhart. It’s known as the Barbecue Capital of Texas.

Where is the park located? Type Palmetto State Park into your Maps app.

Where: Palmetto State Park, 78 Park Road 11, Gonzales, Texas 78629

As you’re booking vacations, trips, and more this summer, the Lone Star State is more full than you’d think of hidden gems and, yes, dwarf palmettos to fill up your summer calendar.

Sometimes a weekend trip close to home is exactly the reset you and your family or group of friends need to slow down and soak up the summer.

Palmetto State Park immerses you in a forest that’s not only dense and tangled, but also beautiful, fresh, and alive.

Find them online at tpwd.texas.gov, follow along on Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, and YouTube, and pull up directions on Google Maps before you head out — because the Central Texas Tropics are best enjoyed when you’ve planned ahead.