Blanco State Park in Texas, USA - map and visitor information

Research checked: 2026-10-29. Check linked official notices before travel.

Blanco State Park follows a mile of the Blanco River in the Texas Hill Country, close to the town of Blanco. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department manages this park for swimming, fishing, short walks, and camping. Reserve an entry pass before visiting, and keep out of the water area marked closed on the park map.

River time and short walks

The park combines river recreation with stone features built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. A short walk can reach a river view or a historic dam without requiring a long hike. Pumphouse Trail is the level option, while Caswell Nature Trail has a rockier surface.

Know before you go

Fees, hours, and seasonal access

Swimming limits and trail preparation

There is no lifeguard. Supervise children at all times and keep glass containers out of the river. Follow the facility map and posted signs: a marked section of water is closed to entry, even though swimming is offered elsewhere in the park.

Prepare for sun and heat on walks. Bring drinking water and suitable footwear. Boats may use electric motors only.

Pets, quiet hours, and resource care

Keep pets on a leash no longer than six feet. They are prohibited in buildings, including screened shelters. Public consumption or display of alcohol is prohibited. Quiet hours run from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., and campsite vehicles must stay on asphalt.

The park's current screwworm notice asks visitors to report wildlife with suspicious wounds or maggots to park staff or 512-389-4505. If an affected animal is your pet, do not move it. Contact a veterinarian or the Texas Animal Health Commission at 800-550-8242.

Entry passes and overnight bookings

The park requires entry passes in advance, online or through the customer service center at 512-389-8900. Campsites and screened shelters use the authorized reservation service. Late campers can find assigned-site information posted at headquarters and must check in by 9 a.m. the next morning. Ask the park host for the shower code.

Maps, location, and access

Enter from U.S. Highway 281 onto Park Road 23 on the south side of Blanco. The address is 101 Park Road 23, Blanco, TX 78606, four blocks south of the town square. The park's directions page identifies the headquarters coordinates and provides trail maps.

Nearby parks

• Bindseil City Park is on Pecan Street in Blanco, a local option within the town's street network.
• Yett Memorial Park is at 1813 U.S. Highway 281 South in Blanco, along the same highway used to approach the state park.

Choose a river activity or a short trail

Pumphouse Trail is an easy 0.3-mile round trip on a level interpretive route. Caswell Nature Trail is an easy 0.8-mile round trip through rocky riverside forest, with a view of a CCC dam.

Bring a canoe, kayak, or boat with an electric motor for the river. Swimming remains subject to the closed-water area and absence of lifeguards. You do not need a fishing license to fish from shore within the park.

Camping and accessible features

Overnight choices include full-hookup campsites, water-and-electricity sites, and screened shelters. The east-side satellite restroom is closed for maintenance. Campground restrooms serve overnight visitors only and require a door code from headquarters or the host.

Pumphouse Trail has a smooth caliche surface, a bird blind with a ramp, and a viewing deck level with the trail. An ADA kayak launch has a wide sidewalk and two rails. Use the accessibility information to discuss the specific features you need with park staff before traveling.

About the park

The river corridor brings water recreation, walking routes, and historic structures into a compact area. A visit can focus on a short walk or continue into a reserved overnight stay.

CCC stonework

During 1933 and 1934, the Civilian Conservation Corps built the picnic pavilion, stone walks and river stairs, tables and benches, dams, and bridges. These structures connect today's picnic and walking areas with the park's early development.

Riverside habitats

The riverside forest supports opportunities to watch birds and turtles along Pumphouse Trail. Caswell Nature Trail offers another view of the wooded river corridor.

Contact

Contact Blanco State Park at 830-833-4333 or [email protected] for current access and facility conditions.