South Llano River

South Llano River SP https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/south-llano-river https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Llano_River_State_Park South Llano River State Park is located in the Llano River valley in the Hill Country of Texas. South Llano River State Park provides refuge for wildlife and people on the southwestern edge of the Hill Country. Bring your hiking boots, water toys, camping gear, and sense of adventure!

For assistance using this map, contact the park. South Llano River State Park TexasStateParks.org/App TexasStateParks.org/SocialMedia #TexasStateParks #BetterOutside LEGEND N Private Property - No Trespassing .5 mile le ile .4 mile ile .4 m l .6 mile ail Hil e Tr idg .6 le mi le tR mi .1 le .2 mil .7 il M id-C anyo n Tra l .3 mile ile .7 m .6 mile Hil 55 e .3 mile mi 1 PH 56 57 PRIMITIVE CAMPING .2 m ile m ile ile Agarita Trail .3 .3 5 Hill n Ju To m ile ile ile .15 R 7 r ive m ile mile ile 1. .1 m m o 0 Hunter’s Check Station m 1. on .2 cti South L lan Hi .4 ll .1 m ile ile m 73 Park Boundary m .85 mile Private Property - No Trespassing The portion of the state park shaded gray is a turkey roost area. Between October 1 and April 1, this area will only be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. TPWD receives funds from the USFWS. TPWD prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, disability, age, and gender, pursuant to state and federal law. To request an accommodation or obtain information in an alternative format, please contact TPWD on a Text Telephone (TTY) at (512) 389-8915 or by Relay Texas at 7-1-1 or (800) 735-2989 or by email at accessibility@tpwd.texas.gov. If you believe you have been discriminated against by TPWD, please contact TPWD, 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, TX 78744, or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office for Diversity and Workforce Management, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041. © 2023 TPWD PWD MP P4507-116B (2/23) Park Boundary .1 8 .2 mile PARK ROAD Private Property - No Trespassing This publication can be found at tpwd.texas.gov/spdest/parkinfo/maps/park_maps/ Restrooms Texas State Parks Store Rental tubes and souvenirs are available at the Texas State Parks Store located in our park headquarters building. PARK RESERVATIONS TexasStateParks.org ParquesDeTexas.org Showers Chemical Toilet Parking Primitive Campsites Water and Electric Sites • Excess vehicles must be parked in designated overflow parking lots. Dump Station • Campsite must be kept clean; all trash must be picked up before leaving. Dumpsters are conveniently located on the camping loop. Amphitheater Wildlife Viewing • Gray water and black water must be discharged at dump station. Interpretive Trail • Only one unit per site is permitted to hook up to utilities. Hiking Trail • Pets must be kept on leash and attended. Please pick up after them. Biking Trail • Valid permit required on windshield of each vehicle in park. All vehicles must remain on pavement. Picnic Area • Numbered sites are for overnight camping only. NO PICNICKING. Swimming • Children under age 18 cannot ride in the open bed of a pickup truck. Wheelchair Accesible • Park only on paved surface in designated areas. Park end to end on the paved surface in campsites. Scenic Overlook • This is an International Dark Skies Park. Please keep outdoor lighting to a minimum after 10 p.m. ile s 377 Tube and canoe put-in point. STAY OFF GRANITE BOULDERS! • An excess vehicle parking fee is required at campsites with more than two vehicles (this includes trailers). il m 1 1. n Fa w Water Storage Tank State Parks Store • A maximum of EIGHT people permitted per campsite (except PRIMITIVE – maximum of FOUR people). Quiet time is from 10 p.m. – 6 a.m. e Tr a vice R d oa i .2 m .35 54 m ile 19 17 15 13 11 9 7 5 3 ile Park Boundary .9 m ile 53 52 58 .3 51 .3 m rail ke T s k La Buc .6 mile 1 49 ile .3 m roper Private P 47 Tube take out point. 28 0 30 2 8 34 32 1 6 36 38 1 14 2 1 4 4 4 46 4 2 0 50 48 6 8 10 Lake Buck .8 mile e .3 mil espassin o Tr g ty - N 1.5 mile s 35 45 WALK-IN CAMPING 22 .4 m .1 mil Eas 33 37 39 41 43 Ser 21 e mil Private Property - No Trespassing 26 27 29 31 .2 .3 mile 24 25 23 • CHECK OUT time is at noon or renew permit by 9 a.m. (pending site availability). • Public consumption or display of alcoholic beverages is prohibited in the park. Hill .6 mile Hill Overlook Trail Headquarters • Day use permits expire at 10 p.m. Hill mi le ED CLOS ly ROADncy use on e Emerg Scenic overlook is a 1.8 mile round-trip from the walk-in camping area. Private Property - No Trespassing State Park Boundary Park Boundary .5 mile PLEASE NOTE FIRES Maintenance Residence Windmill • Gathering of firewood is prohibited. • Campfires are permitted only in fire rings provided at each site. No ground fires are permitted. Please, use extreme caution with any burning materials during the high-fire danger summer brings. • Campfires are strictly prohibited in the Primitive Camping area. Use of containerized cooking fuel only. (512) 389-8900 1927 Park Road 73 Junction, TX 76849 (325) 446-3994 Proud Sponsor of Texas State Parks 

For assistance using this map, contact the park. For a web version of the map text, visit our Trails Information page. For information on #TexasStateParks, visit texasstateparks.org Sign up today for free email updates: texasstateparks.org/email /TexasStateParks @TPWDparks @TexasStateParks Sponsor: Whole Earth Provision Co. 

INTERPRETIVE GUIDE SOUTH LLANO RIVER Summer tanager THE PARK’S NAMESAKE RIVER IS AN EVER-CHANGING SOURCE OF LIFE. FROM KINGFISHERS ABOVE AND BASS BELOW, SOUTH LLANO RIVER STATE PARK HOSTS AN ARRAY OF WILDLIFE AND OPPORTUNITIES TO EXPLORE. FOUR BIRD BLINDS FOCUS ON FEATHERED FLYERS, AND ARMADILLOS SHUFFLE ABOUT THE RIVER BOTTOM. DURING THE WINTER, TURKEYS TAKE While you explore the river and hills that make this park unique, please remember that everything you see is protected. Artifacts, rocks, animals, and plants are all part of the region’s rich natural and cultural heritage. Help us keep South Llano River a special place for everyone. • Hike only on designated trails and stay out of closed areas. • Leave no trace. Keep your park clean by picking up your trash. • Safeguard the park for future generations and leave plants, artifacts, animals, and fossils where you find them. • Help preserve the natural night by limiting outdoor lighting at your campsite. • Join the Friends of South Llano River State Park, a nonprofit volunteer organization that supports the park. THE TRAILS ON A MOUNTAIN South Llano River State Park 1927 Park Road 73 Junction, TX 76849 (325) 446-3994 BIKE, CAMP IN YOUR RV, OR www.tpwd.texas.gov/southllanoriver REFUGE IN A FOREST OF PECAN TREES. WHETHER YOU TAKE TO PADDLE A KAYAK DOWNRIVER, SOUTH LLANO RIVER HAS WILDNESS TO OFFER. © 2023 TPWD. PWD BR P4507-0116J (7/23) TPWD receives funds from DHS and USFWS. TPWD prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin (including limited English proficiency), disability, age, and gender, pursuant to state and federal law. If you believe you have been discriminated against by TPWD, visit tpwd.texas. gov/nondiscrimination or call (512) 389-4800 for information on filing a complaint. To obtain information in an alternative format, contact TPWD on a Text Telephone (TTY) at (512) 389-8915, by Relay Texas at 7-1-1, (800) 735-2989, or by email at accessibility@tpwd.texas.gov. If you speak a language other than English and need assistance, email lep@tpwd.texas.gov. You can also contact Department of the Interior Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Civil Rights, 1849 C Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20240, and/or U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL), Mail Stop #0190 2707, Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave., S.E. Washington, D.C. 20528. This publication can be found at tpwd.texas.gov/park-pubs STATE PARK S O U T H L L A N O R I V E R S T A T E P A R K THE RIVER THAT ALWAYS RUNS STEWARDS OF THE LAND O What brought you to South Llano River State Park? If you came for the river, you’re in good company. The South Llano River has attracted people for thousands of years. Native Americans first traveled through this area about 12,000 years ago. They used the clear river water for drinking and fished for dinner from its banks. Until the 1850s, the only people here were these indigenous people, who used the area’s water, game, stones, and other natural resources to support their lives. BRIGHT STARS The night sky is more than a source of wonder and delight— it’s also a vital part of the lives of wildlife. Animals, including humans, evolved to a cycle of light and dark. The dark, natural night signals for nocturnal animals to start their day, and for us diurnal animals to settle in for sleep. In places with a lot of artificial light, like cities, these signals get interrupted. Early settlers of European descent established farms and ranches along the riverbanks and relied on the water for agriculture. In recorded history, the South Llano River has never run dry—it’s a constant source of life. If you live in a place that gets drinking water from one of the Highland Lakes, you also rely on this river! South Llano River State Park is recognized as an International Dark Sky Park, a prestigious recognition for places that not only have an amazing view of the stars but also educate the public about why our dark skies and natural night are important. While you’re here, attend a nighttime interpretive program or just take a moment to gaze up at the stars on your own. You’re sure to enjoy the view. One animal that thrives in the crisp river water is the Guadalupe bass, the state fish of Texas. This special fish lives only in Texas waterways and needs clean, flowing water to survive. They’re small, measuring around 10 to 12 inches (25-30cm), but this doesn’t mean they’re easy to catch! Guadalupe bass are known for putting up a fight and challenging even experienced anglers. Thanks to careful management and stocking from Texas Parks and Wildlife, the Guadalupe bass population in the South Llano River is healthy, making this park one of the best places to see them. THE GOLDENCHEEKED WARBLER PRESTON BEAN, TPWD Guadalupe bass This small endangered bird is totally Texan! Each spring, golden-cheeked warblers arrive in the Hill Country from warmer climates in Central America. They flit abo

TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE BIRDS OF SOUTH LLANO RIVER S T A T E P A R K A FIELD CHECKLIST 2019 INTRODUCTION S outh Llano River State Park, a 2,630-acre tract in Kimble County, Texas, lies on the west central Edwards Plateau. The clear, usually placid South Llano River courses through the tract. Bottomlands of the South Llano support a local forest of pecan, elm, oak and sycamore that shelters a significant winter roost for the Rio Grande subspecies of Wild Turkey. Canyons on the escarpment support diverse deciduous woodlands of hackberry, persimmon, walnut, and several species of oak including Live Oak, Shin Oak, Spanish Oak, Lacey Oak and some Chinquapin Oak. Ashe juniper and oak woodlands cover the canyon slopes. Mesquite and succulents are more common in the lowland areas. Birdlife is characteristic of the canyons of the Edwards Plateau with numerous typically western, “arid-land species” present. Woodlands and gallery forests, particularly along the South Llano River, are excellent habitats in which to observe migrants. Green Kingfishers and occasionally Black Phoebes can be seen foraging along the clear river. Ringed Kingfishers, though uncommon, can also be viewed by canoeing or kayaking mainly downstream from the park. Black-capped Vireos are usually found just inside the mouths of the canyons or in some of the higher elevations of the park. Hike the Fawn Trail in spring/ early summer for this species. The Golden-cheeked Warbler nests in canyons with mature juniper mixed with hardwoods and is frequently observed in early spring. Zone-tailed Hawks can sometimes be observed soaring along the river corridor both above and below the park. The park bird blinds are an excellent place to see species such as Painted Bunting, Black-throated Sparrow, and Spotted Towhee. During the warmer months the Vermilion Flycatcher is a regular around the park headquarters complex, day use area and along the high fence on the entrance road. Wild Turkey can be seen foraging in the park lowlands and backcountry throughout the year. To provide maximum protection for the winter Wild Turkey roost, access to the park’s day use area is restricted from October 1 through March 31 to the hours of 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Specific details can be obtained by calling South Llano River State Park can be obtained by calling the park at (325) 446-3994. 1 This checklist was originally compiled by Dr. Nick Jackson, formerly of Junction, and represented observations in the area since 1980. It included 5 years worth of records contributed by C.C. and Iris Wiedenfeld, formerly of San Angelo. Since 2004 the checklist was compiled by Rhandy J. Helton and Ann Lemon of Junction and this edition was updated by Rhandy Helton and Holly Platz. A revision of this checklist would not have been possible without the contributions and observations provided by park birding hosts Bill and Rosita Shane. Nomenclature and organization for this checklist follow the 7th edition of the A.O.S. Check-list of North American Birds as currently supplemented. Please report any new or unusual observations to the state park headquarters. For additional help with finding birds in this area contact the park or the checklist compilers. Please help us protect the natural avian communities in our parks by refraining from using playback tapes of bird songs. Frequent use of these tapes disrupts normal avian activity patterns, including essential territorial behavior, and may lead to nest failure. Thank you for your cooperation. LEGEND A C U R VR Abundance (in suitable habitat) Abundant (many should be seen or heard) Common (should always be seen or heard) Uncommon (might be seen or heard but not always) Rare (seldom seen or heard but regular visitor or resident) Very Rare (irregular, not seen or heard every year, few records) SPG SUM FAL WIN Seasons Spring (March, April, May) Summer (June, July, August) Fall (September, October, November) Winter (December, January, February) 2 CHECKLIST SPR SUM FAL WIN Ducks, Geese, and Swans __ Black-bellied Whistling-Duck R R __ Snow Goose VR __ Wood Duck U U U __ Gadwall U U U __ American Wigeon U U U __ Mallard U U U __ Blue-winged Teal U U U __ Northern Shoveler U U U __ Northern Pintail R R R __ Green-winged Teal U U U __ Ring-necked Duck R R R __ Lesser Scaup R U U __ Bufflehead R R __ Ruddy Duck R R R U U U U C C C C __ Least Grebe VR __ Pied-billed Grebe U U U __ Rock Pigeon U U U U __ Eurasian Collared-Dove U U U U New World Quail __ Northern Bobwhite Partridges and Turkeys __ Wild Turkey Grebes Pigeons and Doves 3  SPR SUM FAL __ Inca Dove WIN C C C C __ Common Ground-Dove U U U U __ White-tipped Dove VR __ White-winged Dove A A A A __ Mourning Dove C C C U __ Yellow-billed Cuckoo C C U __ Greater Roadrunner U U U U __ Lesser Nighthawk R R __ Common Nighthawk U C U R __ Com

-Official- FACILITIES Get the Mobile App: MAPS ACTIVITIES TexasStateParks.org/app T O Y O T A T U N D R A The Toyota Tundra is built to explore the great outdoors. No matter what the weekend throws at you, your Tundra takes it on with ease. | toyota.com/tundra Official Vehicle of the Texas Parks & Wildlife Foundation CONTENTS 4 100 Years of Texas Parks 6 Parks Near You 8 90 Checklist DIRECTORY TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT 52 68 20 38 60 30 84 68 David Yoskowitz, Ph.D. Executive Director Rodney Franklin State Parks Director Mischelle Diaz Communications Director TPW COMMISSION Arch “Beaver” Aplin, III, Chairman Lake Jackson Dick Scott, Vice-Chairman Wimberley James E. Abell Kilgore Oliver J. Bell Cleveland Paul L. Foster El Paso Anna B. Galo Laredo Jeffery D. Hildebrand Houston Robert L. “Bobby” Patton, Jr. Fort Worth Travis B. “Blake” Rowling Dallas T. Dan Friedkin, Chairman-Emeritus Houston Lee Marshall Bass, Chairman-Emeritus Fort Worth 52 Panhandle Plains 48 State Parks Map Special thanks to Toyota and advertisers, whose generous support made this guide possible. Texas State Parks is a division of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Cover illustration: Brad Woodard, bravethewoods.com Texas State Parks Official Guide, Nineteenth Edition © TPWD PWD BK P4000-000A (3/23) TPWD receives funds from DHS and USFWS. TPWD prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin (including limited English proficiency), disability, age, and gender, pursuant to state and federal law. If you believe you have been discriminated against by TPWD, visit tpwd.texas. gov/nondiscrimination or call (512) 389-4800 for information on filing a complaint. To obtain information in an alternative format, contact TPWD on a Text Telephone (TTY) at (512) 389-8915, by Relay Texas at 7-1-1, (800) 735-2989, or by email at accessibility@tpwd.texas.gov. If you speak a language other than English and need assistance, email lep@tpwd.texas.gov. You can also contact Department of the Interior Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Civil Rights, 1849 C Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20240, and/or U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL), Mail Stop #0190 2707, Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave., S.E. Washington, D.C. 20528. In accordance with Texas State Depository Law, this publication is available at the Texas State Publications Clearinghouse and/or Texas Depository Libraries. WELCOME from Rodney Franklin, State Parks Director This year is very special for Texas State Parks: We are celebrating our 100-year anniversary in 2023. More and more Texans are discovering the beauty of State Parks and exploring the outdoors in new and adventurous ways. Our teams across the state are incredibly excited to welcome outdoor enthusiasts, especially those who have yet to discover what our parks have to offer. The variety of Texas’ lands is unmatched; from the mountains of west Texas to the Gulf shores, the Texas State Park system celebrates and preserves the natural and cultural treasures that make Texas such a special place. The 640,000-plus acres that make up the state park system are nearly as diverse as the people of Texas. Since 1923, our mission has been to help connect our visitors with the outdoors. As we honor those who have come before us, I invite a new generation to be a part of the story of the lands that connect us all. There is more to enjoy in our parks than you know, so please join us in our celebrations and activities. Every day we look for new and better ways to ensure your state parks are welcoming to every Texan, regardless of their background or experience being outside. I hope you’ll visit soon and often, while bringing your friends and family along. YOU are a natural and we’re looking forward to celebrating the 100-year anniversary of state parks with you! WHAT’S NEW IN STATE PARKS Galveston Island State Park reopened the beachside of the park with a new headquarters, campsites, restrooms, and more. Bastrop State Park unveiled an extensive new group of trails, the “Tree Army Trails,” many of which are ADA-accessible. Improvements and major repairs are planned for Indian Lodge, Tyler, Inks Lake, Cedar Hill, South Llano River, Eisenhower and several other state parks All-terrain “GRIT” wheelchairs are now available at 10 parks with more adaptive equipment on the way to help people of all abilities experience Texas State Parks. Learn more about our accessibility efforts, page 14. More information: TexasStateParks.org/whatsnew 100 Years of Texas Parks The crown jewels of Texas road trips started as an unfunded wish list before the Depression. Back in 1923, Governor Pat Neff realized rising numbers of new car travelers needed places to camp overnight on multi-day trips. Neff convinced the state legislature to create a six-member State Parks Board, half men, half women. Isabella, the Governor’s mother, and her family donated acreage on the Leon

Guía de Parques INSTALACIONES Descarga la Aplicacíon Móvil MAPAS ACTIVIDADES texasstateparks.org/app ¡Los niños entran gratis! La entrada es gratis para los niños de 12 años y menores. Encuentra un parque: parquesdetexas.org Contenido Estero Llano Grande SP 2 Actividades y Programas 4 Parques Cercanos 6 Lugares para Quedarse 8 Tarifas y Pases 9 Directorio 10 Mapa de Parques 18 Instalaciones y Actividades BIENVENIDO Rodney Franklin, Director de Parques Texas tiene algunas de las tierras públicas más diversas del país, con una gran riqueza natural y cultural. La vida silvestre está por todas partes, los paisajes florecen con belleza, y la historia es abundante. Sus parques estatales son parte del legado que nos enorgullece. La gente de Texas ayuda a asegurar ese legado para las generaciones futuras al visitar y ser voluntarios. ¡Gracias! Estos más de 630,000 acres exhiben algunos de los grandes tesoros del estado. Los parques nos ayudan a crear recuerdos con la familia y a encontrar consuelo en la naturaleza. Los parques fortalecen las economías locales y unen a las comunidades. Sobre todo, los parques nos permiten pasar tiempo al aire libre para recargar energías, estar saludables y relajarnos a nuestra manera. Les invito a disfrutar de sus parques estatales, explorando lo mejor de Texas con amigos y familia. Los parques están aquí para todos. Nos pertenecen a todos. ¡Visítelos, diviértase y ayude a protegerlos para siempre! Foto de portada: Estero Llano State Park, Chase Fountain © 2021 TPWD PWD BK P4000-000A (5/21) TPWD recibe fondos del Servicio de Pesca y Vida Silvestre de EE.UU. (USFWS por sus siglas en ingles). TPWD prohíbe la discriminación por raza, color, religión, nacionalidad de origen, discapacidad, edad y género, conforme la ley estatal y federal. Para solicitar un acomodo especial u obtener información en un formato alternativo, por favor contacte a TPWD en un Teléfono de Texto (TTY) al (512) 3898915 ó por medio de “Relay Texas” al 7-1-1 ó (800) 735-2989 ó por email a accessibility@tpwd.texas.gov. Si usted cree que TPWD ha discriminado en su contra, favor de comunicarse con TPWD, 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, TX 78744, o con el Servicio de Pesca y Vida Silvestre de EE.UU., Office for Diversity and Workforce Management, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041. De acuerdo con la Ley de Depósito del Estado de Texas, esta publicación está disponible en el centro de Distribución de Publicaciones del Estado de Texas y/o las Bibliotecas de Depósito de Texas. ACTIVIDADES Y PROGRAMAS ¿Qué puedo hacer en los parques estatales? ¡Disfruta de un día de campo, visita un sitio histórico o elige entre muchas otras opciones! Bicicletas Pedalea a lo largo de los parques a cualquier velocidad, en cualquier estilo, con cualquier grupo. Elige las rutas, el tipo de terreno y las distancias que cumplan con tu zona de confort. Caminatas Empieza con un circuito más corto, avanza a terrenos más difíciles o únete a una caminata guiada. Pescar Puedes pescar sin licencia en tantos como 70 parques estatales. Muchos parques ofrecen equipo para pescar a manera de préstamo y eventos especiales para aprender a pescar. Barcos Renta canoas y kayacs y explora uno de los senderos acuáticos en Texas. Nadar Animales Silvestres Acampar Descubre aves, mamíferos y plantas que tienen su hogar en Texas. Muchos parques tienen señalamientos y listados que te ayudan a aprender más. Encuentra un lugar que cumpla con lo que quieres. Prueba nuevas recetas, comparte historias favoritas y disfruta de las estrellas. 2 Más información y reservaciones: parquesdetexas.org Escape del calor en arroyos, ríos, lagos, manantiales, piletas y playas del mar. Tu seguridad en el agua es muy importante. Lleva el chaleco salvavidas. Aprende a nadar. Guarda a los niños. (512) 389-8900 ¡Pregunta en tu parque cuáles están disponibles! Los niños de 12 años y menores entran GRATIS Cielos Estrellados Escapa de las luces de la ciudad y goza de maravillosas vistas del cielo que no encontrarás en ninguna otra parte. Ven a una fiesta de estrellas o toma una excursión de constelaciones auto-guiada. Familias en la Naturaleza Elige un taller o diseña tu propia aventura. ¡Monta una tienda de campaña, cocina al exterior, prende una fogata y juega al exterior! Nosotros te Toma una publicación gratuita de actividades o pregunta por los paquetes gratuitos con los parques proporcionamos todo el equipo. No es necesario tener experiencia. participantes. Usa los binoculares, lupas, libros de bosquejos y libros de guías para explorar el parque. Mochilas para Exploradores Soldados Búfalo de Texas Descubre la historia con cuentos, vestuarios y herramientas. Sigue la pista de un animal, pesca con caña, cocina sobre una fogata, visita los fuertes y más. Adéntrate en las historias de vida de aquellos que sirvieron valientemente en los primeros regimientos Áfrico-Americanos de las Fuerzas Armadas. ! Seguridad en el Parque Ten cuidado con el agua Pre