Lake Texana in Texas

Trip Overview

On my way back home from a 3-day weekend paddling trip, I thought I�d finished, however, around 4pm I saw a sign that said Lake Texana State Park. Since it was almost suppertime and I had a few leftovers, I decided to check out this park. This would make the 5th state park visited this trip (two were fishing piers and one was a house)-the most I�ve ever knocked out at one time.

Sitting there looking out over the water, I kept hearing this voice inside my head like a siren, "come one, one more paddle". Another voice said to head on home and unload, and I didn�t pay attention to the other voices. I decided that an evening paddle would be the perfect end to a perfect weekend, so I unloaded Ole Yeller (my Carolina) once more and headed out to find some of the alligators living there. I didn�t find any, but saw lots of birds and a couple of snakes (there are 4 types of poisonous snakes at the park!). The park itself is really pretty with lots of trees, a nice hiking trail and lots of open areas, however, the water itself is downright ugly-it�s brown, like the Brazos after a flood. The sunset was another beautiful one, but I knew that meant it was time to go home.

Heading over the northern part of the lake, I saw a better place to paddle, but alas, it was too late. There are a lot of dead trees in the upper section of the lake that would make an interesting paddle especially near sunset.

Accommodations:

Plenty of camping and facilities along with a nice boat ramp.

Fees:

There is the $2 entry fee/person/day.

Directions:

Lake Texana State Park is on TX 111 a few miles south of Hiway 59. Access is easy from Houston or Victoria.