The Huntsville State Park, near Huntsville, TX, is located almost directly north of Houston, and about six miles south of Huntsville. It offers plenty of activities and fun for the whole family.
The park has 2,083 acres which are mostly woodlands. It is within the piney woods of the larger Sam Houston National Forest, and the trees offer a great environment for camping and other outdoor fun.
Lake Raven is a 210-acre man-made lake in the park and it is fed by three creeks which provide a constant supply of fish. You can catch crappie, bass, perch, and catfish in the lake. There are piers available for fishing from, and fish-cleaning tables, too. Other wildlife may also be seen while you are on the lake, such as an occasional alligator.
Boating is permitted, but you cannot go any faster than idle. Waves are not allowed. Canoes, rowboats, and paddle boats can be rented at the lake. You can go swimming, too, but it is unsupervised.
Wildlife can also be viewed in the park. Visitors may be able to see many different birds, including a number of migratory birds at the right time of year. There are also deer, raccoons, fox squirrels, opossums, and armadillos, which live in the woods.
The Park land was purchased in 1937 by people in the community because they wanted a park near their town. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was brought in, which was an African American group that did the work, and they also built several other state parks nearby.
There are over nineteen miles of hiking and biking trails in the park, which enables visitors to be able to see the wildlife, and also to enjoy an excellent view of the lake. This provides a beautiful view. A 3/4 mile interpretive nature trail is also available.
If you are looking for a place to stay, there are campsites available that have both water and electricity. There is also a bathhouse with and without showers. Picnic sites are also there, and screened shelters. The park store, called Gator Junction, provides campers with food and supplies, and also carries some fishing supplies, too.
When you have a group event, you can rent their group shelter which has a capacity of 75. There is also a recreation hall for groups, too, and it has a capacity of 200. A horse stable is also on the property where you can rent horses and enjoy riding throughout the park.
There are a number of scheduled events that the park hosts throughout the year. For those who love horseback riding, there are special "Eat and Ride" events that horse lovers can participate in. Other special events are always on the calendar - including "All About Alligators" seminars, races, and other great events. Be sure to check the calendar for events when you will be in the area.
After you have visited the Huntsville State Park in Huntsville, TX, there are also a number of great places not far away that you may want to visit. Other attractions include General Sam Houston's house - called the Steamboat House; the Sam Houston Memorial Museum and Visitor's Center. You can also see the Prison Museum and historic Huntsville, which is one of the oldest towns in Texas.
Review, comment, or add new information about this topic: