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| State Park Overview: |
 | Palmetto State Park, 270.3 acres, named for the tropical Dwarf Palmetto plant found there, is located in Gonzales County, northwest of Gonzales and southeast of Luling. The park abuts the San Marcos River and also has a 4-acre oxbow lake. The land was acquired by deeds from private owners and the City of Gonzales in 1934 - 1936 and was opened in 1936. The beautiful stone buildings in the park were constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) during the 1930s. |
| Nature of the Area: |
| This is an unusual botanical area that resembles the tropics more than Central Texas. The ranges of eastern and western species merge, resulting in an astounding diversity of plant and animal life. Most notably, a stand of dwarf palmetto (Sabal minor) plants, from which the park gets its name, is found around the park's ephemeral swamp. These palmettos are found in east and southeast Texas, as well as much of the southeastern United States, but only individuals or small clumps are found to the west and north of this park. Wildlife frequently seen in the park includes white-tailed deer, armadillos, squirrels, raccoons, and numerous birds. |
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| Boating: |
| Canoeing:
The San Marcos River runs through the park. Boaters can put in at Luling City Park and travel 14 miles to Palmetto, portaging around one dam along the way; or put in at Palmetto and take out at Slayden bridge, 7.5 miles down river. It is a two-day trip from Luling City Park to Slayden bridge, overnighting in Palmetto along the way. We strongly recommend that boaters wishing to overnight call the Central Reservation Center. Take-in and take-out points are limited, mostly bordered by private land. There are no rapids, but almost always a steady current. Check river conditions at the park. Bring your own canoe and arrange your shuttles. |
| History of the Area: |
| Gonzales was established in 1825. It was the capital of Impresario Green DeWitt's Colony and was the farthest west Anglo settlement until the close of the Texas Revolution. In 1831, the Mexican government sent a six-pound cannon to Gonzales as protection against the Indians. This cannon was used in the "Come and Take It" Battle on October 2, 1835, when the first shot of the Texas Revolution was fired. General Sam Houston, while in Gonzales, learned of the defeat of the Alamo from Mrs. Almeron (Susannah) Dickinson. Mrs. Dickinson, her baby, and two servants were the only survivors of the siege. After learning of this event, General Houston gathered troops and ordered Gonzales to be burned. He then began the famous "runaway Scrape," gaining time and mustering troops to eventually take a stand at San Jacinto. There, Santa Anna was defeated and Texas gained its freedom from Mexico. Today, Gonzales has a population of 7,500. It offers an unusually large selection of antique shopping, dining, lodging (bed and breakfasts and motels), recreation (city park with nine-hole golf course, boating, fishing, swimming pool, picnicking, camping, bird watching, and nature study), historic home tours (restored homes dating from the 1880s to the 1920s), and the Gonzales Memorial Museum.
Luling was established in 1874 and served as a gathering point and supply center for cattle drivers along the Chisholm Trail. Cotton ruled the economy until oil was discovered in 1922. By 1924, the oil field was producing 16 million barrels of oil per year. Today, Luling has a population of 5,500. It offers a year-round Farmers' market, antique and collectible shopping, dining (including world famous barbecue), lodging (motels), recreation (city park with nine-hole golf course, swimming pool, and picnicking), the Central Texas Oil Patch Museum, and almost 200 colorfully-decorated pump jacks within the city limits. |
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| | Note to Park related businesses:
List your vacation cabin, weekend getaway, log cabin rental, romantic cottage, vacation home, resort, hotel, motel, bed and breakfast, country inn, campground, RV park, horseback riding stable, canoe livery, river rafting, outfitting, sporting goods store, guide service, RV rental or any other park related activity, park related attraction or park related service on Google or StateParks.com. (more).... |
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| Related Links: |
| Palmetto State Park in Texas - information on Palmetto State Park in Texas ... Palmetto State Park 78 Park Road 11 South Gonzales, TX 78629-5180 830/672-3266 palmetto.park@tpwd.state.tx.us Water Storage Facility built ... | | Palmetto State Park Facilities and Fees - Palmetto State Park Facilities and Fees ... Palmetto State Park Facilities and Fees Information and prices are subject to change at any time. Please call the park or park information (1 ... | | Webshots Community - Palmetto State Park March 30 2003 - ... August 30 2003 Palmetto State Park August 1 2003 Canyon of ... 2002 Our First Camper and a Few Modifications for It Palmetto State Park March 30 2003 Palmetto State Park March 30 2003 Page 1 of ... | | Webshots Community - Palmetto State Park August 1 2003 - ... August 30 2003 Palmetto State Park August 1 2003 Canyon of ... 2002 Our First Camper and a Few Modifications for It Palmetto State Park August 1 2003 Palmetto State Park trip for the Weekend of ... | | Palmetto State Park. - Everything you need to know about Palmetto State Park. ... Learn about each State's bird, flower ... USA ... Palmetto State Park Located near San Antonio, TX Location: Click Here to see ... | | Palmetto State Park - This map identifies the global location of Palmetto State Park ... Palmetto State Park Question: Where is Palmetto State Park? Answer: Palmetto State Park is located in the United States ... | | Palmetto State Park - Hiking Trail - Hike around Texas' Palmetto State Park's Hiking Trail ... Find A Hike Discuss Hiking Hike Stats Links Map Hikes Palmetto State Park - Hiking Trail Details Trails: 1 mile, Loop Elevation ... | | Palmetto State Park - Palmetto Trail - Hike around Texas' Palmetto State Park Palmetto Trail ... Clubs Find A Hike Discuss Hiking Hike Stats Links Map Hikes Palmetto State Park - Palmetto Trail Details Trails: 0.15 mile, One way ... | | Wild Texas: Palmetto State Park - Gonzales, Texas - Palmetto State Park, located in Gonzales, Texas. Activities: birding, camping, fishing, hiking, nature study, picnicking ... 27 Search Now: Palmetto State Park Gonzales, Texas Download a ... | | Texas Guide - Photographs of Palmetto State Park - Photographs of Palmetto State Park, Texas ... Start of the Palmetto Trail Palmetto State Park | Back to previous page | | Palmetto State Park - Palmetto State Park Located just 6 miles south of Luling off U.S. Hwy. 183, Palmetto State Park is a tropical wonderland. The Dwarf Palmetto (Sabal minor), which is found growing wild, gives the ... | | Luling, TX Chamber of Commerce - ... Wildflowers are abundant on the highways and byways around town during Spring & Summer. Palmetto State Park , located six miles southeast of Luling, is an unusual natural area where the ranges of ... | | Handbook of Texas Online: PALMETTO STATE PARK - format this article to print PALMETTO STATE PARK. Palmetto State Park is off U.S. Highway 183 midway between Luling and Gonzales in ... in the country. Palmetto State Park occupies part of an area ... | | Palmetto_State_Park - ... Monument Hill & Kriesche Brewery State Historical Park Palmetto State Park Pedernales Falls State Park Sam Houston National Forest ... Creek State Park Palmetto State Park 78 Park Road 11 South ... | | Palmetto State Park - PALMETTO STATE PARK |
| Nature Programs: |
| Palmetto's Wild Outdoor Adventure and Ecology Program: For 8 to 12-year-old children is offered the first two weeks of June. Children participate in "hands on" activities throughout the park with an experienced and certified science teacher. Activities that promote awareness and appreciation of the environment and explore options for responsible human actions are featured. This exciting day program provides children with rewarding summer experiences that are educational and fun! The program affords families an excellent opportunity to camp together for a week, while allowing parents to have time to themselves during the day while their children are engaged in the program's activities. Enrollment, available for one or two weeks (Monday through Thursday), is limited. Call the park for information and special package rates that include camping and program enrollment. |
| Area Attractions: |
| Nearby attractions include Pioneer Village Living History Center (1800s reenactments); the Gonzales Memorial Museum (Gonzales); the Central Texas Oil Patch Museum (Luling); Lockhart State Park; Sebastopol State Historic Site; the site of the Elks' Hospital and Warm Springs Rehabilitation Center; the City of Gonzales, the "Cradle of Texas History," where the first shots were fired for Texas Independence; the City of Luling, renowned for watermelons, barbecue, and colorfully-decorated pump jacks; New Braunfels, with Landa Park and the Guadalupe River; Luling's "Watermelon Thump" (third weekend in June); and Gonzales' "Come and Take It" Celebration (first weekend of October); and Ottine's "Swamp Festival" (the last weekend in October). |
| Directions: |
| To reach the park, travel 10 miles northwest of Gonzales on US 183 to FM 1586, then west on FM 1586 for two miles to Ottine, then south on Park Road 11; or go six miles southeast of Luling on US 183, then southwest on Park Road 11 for two miles. |
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