87. Lake Tawakoni State Park, 11/23 - 11/26, 2025

 Scampsite 22 - our site backed right up to the lake, which was very cool.  We had Coots on our shoreline and song birds in the site.  The bathrooms were single-person, all included: shower, toilet, sink, and because it was November, automatic heater! 

We arrived on Sunday, late in the afternoon.  Monday it poured rain most of the day - we did venture out when we were getting stir-crazy and explore the roads around the lake - drove over all the bridges, causeways and parallel to the dam - saw a Trumpeter Swan at the spillway, but didn't stop due to the pouring rain.  As the rain finally tapered off we explored the Spring Point trails at the north end of the park.  

Tuesday we hiked the rest of the trails that branch off of the Farkleberry Trail; it was a much nicer day and perfect for a long walk in the woods.  

There are no bird blinds in this park, but it's very birdy due to its location near the junctions of multiple migration flyways.  

It's a small park - we brought our folding bikes and didn't even unfold them - we were able to walk everywhere we wanted to go.

Scampsite 22

Part of the Spring Point trail.

View of the lake. 

Part of the Farkleberry Trail.

Lake Tawakoni is due east of Dallas, but it's closest to Wills Point.   The nearest county seats are Sulphur Springs and Canton but neither is close. 

The area supports a lot of horse ranches and a little farming and the countryside is beautiful. 

This was our first Scamping trip without any dogs and while that was sad, they would have HATED the storms on Monday.  

86. Guadalupe River SP, 3/29 - 31/25

 Scampsite 15, what a lovely park!  Outstanding amenities - air-conditioned bathrooms! 2 bird blinds! There were many connecting trails that made this park wonderfully walkable.  Many of the trails were closed due to the recent rains, but we still explored everything close to the campground.  We did not get to participate in the Honey Creek hike with a ranger; those need to be reserved pretty far in advance.  The bird blinds are both lovely - the one near the Discovery Center had food and a water feature, even though the water was not on when we were there.  The one off the Painted Bunting Trail had no food but a working water feature.  Both were equipped with nice, large 3-sided buildings, benches inside and chalkboards of current sightings.  

This park is a popular day-use park for locals - the river gets very busy on hot afternoons.  

We did not leave the park at all, but it is close to San Antonio and even closer to Bulverde, so provisions are available if one needs them.  

Scampsite 15.

Bird blind near Discovery Center.

Discovery Center & amphitheater.

Bird blind off the Persimmon Path.

Sunset from the River Overlook Trail.