South Llano River State Park
The South Llano River seen from the park
South Llano River State Park is located in Texas
South Llano River State Park
South Llano River State Park is located in the United States
South Llano River State Park
LocationKimble County, Texas
Nearest cityJunction, Texas
Coordinates30°26′43″N 99°48′15″W / 30.44528°N 99.80417°W / 30.44528; -99.80417
Area2,600 acres (1,052 ha)
Created1990
Operated byTexas Parks and Wildlife Department
Visitors63,803 (in 2022)[1]
WebsiteOfficial website

South Llano River State Park is a 2600 acre state park located along the South Llano River in Kimble County, Texas. The park opened to the public in 1990 and is managed by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.[2]

History

The park's land was donated by its previous owner, Walter Buck Jr., whose family had used the land for goat and sheep ranching and pecan harvesting.[3]

Nature and Wildlife

Animals

A jackrabbit checking us out.

The park contains a diverse variety of wildlife. Common mammals include white-tailed deer, axis deer, black-tailed jackrabbit, porcupine, ringtail, fox squirrel, gray fox and nine-banded armadillo. The venomous western diamondback rattlesnake, and coral snake exist in the park. Monarch butterfly migrate through the park in October and wild turkey come to roost from October through March.

There are four bird blinds in the park. Birdwatchers have recorded more than 250 species over the years. Common birds sighted in the park include northern cardinal, northern mockingbird, white-winged dove, Inca dove, black vulture, red-tailed hawk, house finch, Carolina chickadee, black-crested titmouse, and chipping sparrow. Endangered golden-cheeked warbler nest in the backcountry of the park each spring and summer.

Flora

Some plants documented in the park include chinkapin oak, plateau live oak, scaly-bark oak, pecan, cedar elm, honey mesquite, Buckley's yucca, frostweed, Mormon tea, agarita, tasajillo, Spanish dagger, Texas sotol and prickly pear cactus. The park also contains the endangered Tobusch fishhook cactus.[4]

Recreation

The park draws visitors for water sports such as tubing, swimming, canoeing and kayaking.[5] Park guests can fish in the South Llano River or Buck Lake, an oxbow lake in the park. There are over seventeen miles of hiking trails in the park with many also designated for cycling. Stargazing opportunities abound as the park is a designated International Dark Sky Park.[6] Camping spaces for tents and recreational vehicles are available

See also

References

  1. ↑ Christopher Adams. "What is the most visited state park in Texas? Here's the top 10 countdown". KXAN.com. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
  2. ↑ "South Llano River State Park History". Texas Parks & Wildlife Department. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
  3. ↑ "South Llano River State Park Nature — Texas Parks & Wildlife Department". tpwd.texas.gov. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
  4. ↑ "South Llano River State Park Nature — Texas Parks & Wildlife Department". tpwd.texas.gov. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
  5. ↑ LeBlanc, Pam. "South Llano River State Park, a Treasured Hill Country Haven, is Getting a New Headquarters and Bridge". Texas Highways. Texas Department of Transportation. Retrieved September 7, 2023.
  6. ↑ "Texas' South Llano River State Park Designated an IDA Dark Sky Park". darksky.org. DarkSky International. Retrieved September 7, 2023.
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