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Just off U.S. 281 in Blanco.
Dinosaurs
were probably the first to enjoy this park as evidenced by tracks
in the river bottom. Later, Tonkawa and Comanche tribes had sites
here. The 110-acre
state park was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1934.
The Blanco River cascades over small dams with grassy slopes on one
side, while the other bank is rockier and wooded. The river bottom
is limestone, hence the name Blanco (white), and makes the water very
clear and pretty, like a man-made swimming pool. You can access the
river via ladders on either side of the dam. Swimming and tubing are
popular, and camping, picnicking, a children's play area, hiking and
concessions are available. The river is swift and shallow, but perfect
for distance swimmers with more than 1,000 feet of uninterrupted length.
This is sort of a plain park with sloping banks lined with willow
and oak trees, but is quite scenic. You can rent tubes, canoes and
boats. The Town Creek Nature Trail connects the state park to a square
downtown.
Five
Mile Dam >
next page
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Blanco
River and dam 2 blocks from downtown Blanco
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, 2005 |
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