South Llano River State Park - Review

South Llano River State Park
1927 Park Road 73
Junction, TX 76849
(325) 446-3994

Brief Description

South Llano River SP is a relatively small State Park located in the heart of the Texas Hill Country just outside of Junction Tx on the South Llano River. It features hiking, birding, bicycling, fishing, swimming, tubing and other water activities. Click here to see my Park Preview.

Main Attraction
While the South Llano River may be considered the main attraction at this park I would highly recommend taking in all the park has to offer. From fast paced mountain biking to slower paced bird watching this park should have something for anyone who loves the outdoors.

Hiking and Biking - For being a smaller park there is an extensive system of extra wide trails (used also by the park rangers in their trucks) that weave and wind through the lower river portion of the park and the higher hilly portion of the park. Almost all trails are open to both bicycles and hikers so be sure to use common courtesy and remember that hikers always have the right of way.

My favorite trails had to be the lower trails that weave beneath the canopy of towering Pecan trees or skirt the edge of the river from the day use parking all the way to the park boundary and in between.

Winding trail in the shade of towering Pecan trees.

A long stretch of trail runs along the river.

Birding - Let me first say that watching birds is not my “thing” but for those that enjoy it the park appears to have excellent facilities. Because I cannot talk to this aspect much I will simply refer you to the pictures below.

Entrance to blinds are marked by these stones.

The blinds are sheltered while the feeding are is fenced.

Bleacher style seating for those watching the birds.

Water fountains and feed attract many different birds.

Swimming - There are two “known” swimming areas at the park and a few that you need to find to enjoy. The first is at the bridge just as you enter the park, this is the most popular because it is the easiest to access and has the added fun of sliding under the bridge like a water slide. The water here is about 3-4 feet at the deepest and shallows very quickly. The second spot is just around the bend from the bridge and is at the other side of the day use area that is only accessible from deeper in the park. Here the river is wide and relatively calm. Other swimming spots can be found by exploring, the location I used for fishing at 7:30am had a few people swimming by 3pm.

Considering the size of the park and the relatively low population you should have no issues finding room to swim.

The bridge is the most popular swimming location.

Around the bend the water is calm and good for relaxing.

Fishing - I am hardly an experienced angler but if I can walk away with my hands smelling like fish then I consider my day a success. This river is full of life, I just had a hard time getting the larger life to take my bait. Fish were biting from the very beginning and the river showed its diversity quickly. I caught Gills, Guadalupe Perch, and Bass (I can not tell the difference between Smallmouth, Guadalupe or Hybrids but I know they were not Large Mouth).

Like I said, I didn’t catch anything large. All my catches ranged from 4 - 6 inches but with that said I know larger fish are there because I could see them at times swimming in the shallows among aquatic vegetation.

Light tackle and 1/16th white rooster tail worked great!

Box lake is stocked with Bass. Catch and Release.

The waters ran calm through many deeper pools.

Lots of little fish, I never stopped catching them.

Tubing and Canoeing - From the put in spot at the bridge to the take out spot about 1 mile down river tubing in this river is lazy. Except for a few spots the pace is slow and there are no real rapids only areas where the river narrows and goes down hill. Watch for rocks in the shallows as we came out of the river with a few small bruises. Tubing from start to finish lasted 2 hours.

Day Use

The day use area is simple with ample parking, picnic tables with grills, and a pair of composting toilets (real restrooms are in the camping loop). The day use area is split into two sections with first just over the bridge and to the left while the 2nd is deeper inside the park. Both are actually very close to each other and connected by a short trail so park where you like. Toilets are located in the 2nd half deeper in the park.

Typical day use area.

Typical day use area.

Camping Facilities

The camping area was great. Lots of trees, plenty of room, and enough space between your neighbors to not be right on top of them. The park had two types of vehicle pads, ADA that where concrete and smooth with connecting sidewalks that lead all the way to the restrooms and standard pavement sites. All campsites had a fire ring, water and electric and picnic table while some (seemed random) had a standing grill and a cover over the picnic table.

If you're looking for privacy look look to the sites to the far end of the loop on the outside (that way you have no one behind you. On the other hand if you’re looking to be close to the restrooms stay to the center of the loop.

One of the large vehicle pads, the sidewalks wrap all the way around and connect to the restrooms. ADA site.

Our site during setup. We had plenty of shade and enough trees to easily hang the hammock.

Restroom/Shower Facilities
While the park had only one restroom facility it was a very clean and well maintained restroom. Each side had two showers with actual doors, 2 sinks with mirrors and 3 stalls. Clean, well maintained, great water pressure, plenty of hot water and good location, South Llano River SP gets a 5 out of 5 for their facilities.

Clean well positioned restroom/shower facility.

Conclusion
South Llano River State Park is a gem. If you have never been here then I recommend that you plan a visit. While a smaller park it is very well maintained, the Park Hosts and Rangers are friendly and the scenery is wonderful. While larger parks like Garner and Inks Lake have well stocked stores, more amenities, and hundreds of campsite they also usually have hundreds of people and for some of us that just want to get away, that just won't cut it. South Llano River State Park is now easily one of my favorite parks.

Park headquarters.

Box lake from the floating pier.

Prickly Pear.

Mesquite Tree.

No idea what this is but its pretty.

Old farm house on the park property.