Blanco State Park, Revisited
Blanco State Park is one of those places we keep coming back to. We wrote about it before, but this time, we experienced it a little differently. It’s a small park, but with its cozy, welcoming feel, well-kept RV camping area, and beautiful CCC structures, it’s always worth a stop on our Hill Country trips.
Walking on water!
Walking to Downtown Blanco (And Finding a Better Route Back)
One of the best things about Blanco State Park is its walkability to downtown Blanco—only about 15–20 minutes on foot. Normally, we make a stop at Real Ale Brewing, but since it was closed this time, we had to change plans.
We took the direct route along Highway 281, which worked fine, but between the traffic and big trucks, it wasn’t the most peaceful walk. Once in town, we grabbed delicious sandwiches at Redbud Café before heading over to Texas Cannon Brewing, which turned out to be a great spot.
On the way back, we realized Texas Cannon Brewing is right next to the far eastern side of the park—meaning we could have skipped the highway entirely. We may have climbed a small fence to re-enter the park (shh!), but avoiding traffic and enjoying a quiet, scenic walk made it completely worth it.
Downtown Blanco Courthouse
The CCC
Since our last visit, we’ve learned to pay more attention to CCC structures in Texas state parks, and Blanco has some great examples. The Civilian Conservation Corps built many of the buildings here in the 1930s, including the CCC pavilion, a beautiful stone structure that blends perfectly into the landscape.
The CCC had an enormous impact on Texas state parks, and their craftsmanship is still holding up nearly a century later. It’s always cool to see how much history is woven into these parks, alongside the natural beauty.
CCC Pavillion
A Short but Scenic Hike
Before leaving, we took a quick walk on the Blanco State Park nature trail. It’s short—only about 30 minutes—but a great way to start the day. The best part is a section where you can walk out onto a dam, offering fantastic views of the river. It’s one of those simple, peaceful moments that makes a place like Blanco a hidden gem.
Final Thoughts
Even though we’ve written about Blanco before, this visit gave us a new appreciation for it. Whether it’s the easy walk to town, the historic CCC structures, or just the relaxed, riverfront setting, this little park always makes for a great stop.
Have you been to Blanco State Park? What’s your favorite thing to do there? Let us know—we’re always looking for new spots to check out!
