Palmetto State Park, so named for its dwarf palmettos, is located in Gonzales, TX and was the site for a group camping trip with friends from a local environmental justice group. My partner and I had been wanting to do a group trip for a while and this was the perfect reason to make it happen.

2016 was a really rough year in general, but the summer was particularly overwhelming. It’s amazing how restoring a one-night camping trip with friends can be. Spending time outside has been my way of coping with stress, anxiety and depression over the years. I feel more connected to myself and to the world & people around me once I get outdoors – it allows me to empty the garbage floating around in my head and feel grounded. Plus, being able to go camping with so many cute pups made it even better!

We arrived to the park just in time for lunch. Other folks had arrived the night before and spent the morning swimming and lounging around. The abundance of trees made the campsite a perfect spot to put up a hammock and swing in the breeze under plentiful shade. It was also a sizable area with a great set-up to accommodate a large group of people, which meant ample space for spreading out and pitching tents, AND for the doggos to run around in. The only downside of the site was that there are no showers in that area, though you can drive to another part of the park if you’re feeling particularly desperate about taking a shower.

Another option in place of a shower is to jump into one of the bodies of water around you! Which is always a good option, imo, particularly if you’re only staying for one night. Park visitors can take advantage of both a lake in the park and the San Marcos River that runs through the park. There are pedal boats, canoes, kayaks, and inner tubes available for rental to take out on the water. Though I decided to stick with my pool noodle and a lifejacket this time around, I would love to float down the San Marcos River the next time we visit!

After spending a few hours in the water we were all hungry and ready for a big feast that included a test drive of our newly acquired pie iron. It was a worthwhile investment that yielded us peach and apple pies!

The next day my partner and I went for a hike early in the morning after breakfast to explore more of the park. If you’re looking for a park with an extensive trail system that offers strenuous hikes this is probably not your first go-to option. But if you’re looking for a more relaxed, lounging experience at a park, Palmetto is probably a great option for you! Lindsay and I ended up crossing from one trail to the next to extend our hiking time because there are only 8 trails and 5 of those trails are less than a mile long.

The mighty dwarf palmetto for which the park is named!

Palmetto State Park is also known for its Harvester Butterflies, Prothonotary Warblers, Timber Rattlesnakes, and Swamp Rabbits. We came across deer and rabbits during our hike and could hear the warblers as we walked. Another animal we heard but did not see, though we did find its handiwork, was the Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker, a variety of woodpecker. The trails we walked along were lined with Sycamores and River Birches where the woodpeckers had drilled away into the bark to get to the sap.

Many of the plants in the park, including the dwarf palmettos, have thrived in the park for thousands of years. The ephemeral swampy area is a unique characteristic of the park and that’s where you can find a cluster of palmettos.

Another incredible feature of Palmetto State Park is the magnificent refectory built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. According to the Texas CCC Parks website, “Carrying the design aim of indigenous architecture further than any other likeminded project, the remarkable native-sandstone, splayed-boulder refectory seems to grow right out of the ground. With the area’s lush “tropical” vegetation and unusual wetlands in mind, architect Smith designed the sandstone to appear as if emerging from the soil to form walls, thus blurring the distinction between nature and culture. To complete the illusion, the building’s first roof was thatched with palmetto fronds—reportedly cut and carried from Huntsville State Park.” The Spanish moss hanging from the trees only adds to the beauty and magic of the park!

I would love to return to Palmetto State Park and its short distance from Austin makes it an excellent choice for a quick and easy weekend getaway. Water-lovers and loungers alike will love the relaxed vibe, so get ready to kick up your feet and take a break away from the city.