Tuesday, April 2, 2024

85. Hill Country State Natural Area, 3/29 - 3/31/24

Clamsite 129 - wait WHAT?  Yep, no electric or water hookups here (except in the Equestrian area) and the majority of campsites are walk-in or fully primitive.  Site 129 is HUGE, fully shaded by gorgeous Live Oaks and is a short walk from the parking area.  The parking area has a porta-potty and potable water spigot.  The weather was perfect, so no need for electrical fans and such at our site!  

So, we camped in our Clam shelter - left the Scamp at home - and it was awesome!  The Clam is a 6-sided screened shelter with attachable wall panels that's big enough for at least 2 cots, a table, and all our personal gear.  We ended up attaching 2 wall panels when our neighbors arrived, just for a little privacy.  

We hiked a few trails: our dog Gordie is old and short-legged, so we did the Heritage Loop and the Prairie Loop with him - both are flat and relatively short.  We did the West Peak Overlook Trail without him - the view from the top was amazing and we were glad we left him comfortably in the truck.  We absolutely did NOT do the trails justice - there are so many of them and we ran out of time. 

HCSNA is known for its equestrian facilities - horses are accommodated at many campsites, the Group Lodge area and Chapa's Group Camp area.  There are small pens, hitching posts and a couple of horse barns, in addition to an arena at the Group Lodge.  

HCSNA is 10 miles from Bandera, which is a county seat, so of course we walked around the courthouse.  The Bandera Brewery made very good craft beer.  We ran out of time to shop but there are many shops up and down Main Street.  We had dinner at the Old Spanish Trail Restaurant, which is always delicious.  

The surrounding area is a paradise of windy, hilly roads and gorgeous scenery and the wildflowers were in full bloom. 

Clamsite 129.

Clamsite 129, pano view. 

2 picnic tables at 129.

Our hammock tents at 129.

Close-up of the Clam, all set up.

The ranch house and barns of the Merrick family, who donated the land for the park.  The house on the far right was built in 1892.

One of the equestrian campsites. 

View from the top of Twin Peaks.

The Group Lodge (the white house), 5 RV hookup sites, a barn and rodeo arena.


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