Lockhart State Park

Situated on land that was once home to Comanche Indians, Lockhart State Park is a major outdoor public recreational area that attracts visitors from all over Texas. Located just a 45 minute drive from Austin and around an hour from San Antonio, the park was actually a private social club until it opened to the general public in 1948. Today this Texas state park is renowned for its fabulous swimming pool and 9-hole golf course, which were both made by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). It also has 263 acres of land to explore via hiking, biking and geocaching, as well as the scenic Clear Fork Creek, which is a lovely place to fish. Home to more than 300 species, birding is also a very popular activity here too. While its year-round campground – although small by most state park standards – offers 20 modern water and electric hookup sites for RVs and trailers, of which 10 also have connections for sewage.

Activities

While at the park, visitors can engage in a wide range of outdoor recreational activities. Here are just a small selection of some of the many things you can do during your time there.

Swimming and Boating at Lockhart State Park

During the 1930s the CCC built an outdoor swimming pool which is still going strong today. A great way for visitors to cool off from the searing heat of the Texan summer months, the pool typically stays open from Memorial Day until the weekend after Labor Day. At present, the pool is open at the weekend for two separate three-hour sessions. During these times a maximum of 50 people can swim in it and they all need to pay a small fee for the pleasure of doing so.

Fishing at Lockhart State Park

The scenic Clear Fork Creek is a terrific setting for those who like to fish. Within its clear, flowing waters you’ll find plenty of sunfish, bass and catfish ready to bite. Whether you choose to bottom fish to try and snare one of the big cats, or fly fish in an attempt to catch sports fish, don’t be surprised if you spend all day there. You do not need a fishing license while at the park and if you do not have your gear with you, rods and reels can be borrowed from the park’s main office.

Trails at Lockhart State Park

For those who want to explore the park on foot or by bike there are 11 different trails in which to do so. Some of these trails are designated as multi-use and all vary in length and degrees of difficulty. One of the most popular trails to hike is The Rattlesnake Trail which is a challenging trek that takes you across a rugged terrain with a steep incline to the recreation Hall. The Clear Fork Trail also offers comely views of some of the park’s most scenic spots. While on your bike, be sure to check out the .25-mile Hilltop Trail and the 0.26-mile Chisholm Trail, which also showcases beautiful scenery.

Birding at Lockhart State Park

Texas is home to over 300 bird species and most of them either call the park home, or visit it at some point of the year. If you are into birding you will definitely want to bring your camera and binoculars with you, to take advantage of the bird spotting opportunities. Depending on what time of the year you visit the park, you should be able to see the likes of barn swallows, killdeer, the brown-headed cowbird and the red-tailed hawk. For a full list of all birds that can be seen at the park, pop on over to the headquarters to request a guide.

Golf at Lockhart State Park

During the 1930s, the CCC constructed a lovely 9-hole golf course within the park. The course hours are 8.15 am to 6 pm and you can choose to play a round of 9-holes or 18-holes. The course is a very enjoyable one to play and provides a challenge for all handicaps. If you do not have equipment, you can rent clubs as well as a golf cart, from the course’s main store.

Pets at Lockhart State Park

Pets are welcome to join you on your visit to the park, however some restrictions may apply. To fully clarify what they are, it would be worth getting in contact with the main office for further details.

Camping at Lockhart State Park

For those who want to stay at the park for a few nights, the campground here is quite small. So it is advisable to make a reservation before your visit. Overall there are 10 sites available that come with full hookups for water, sewer and either 30-amp or 50-amp electricity. They are located in the Fairway View Camping Area and can all sleep up to 8 people. Each of these sites can accommodate RVs that are up to 40 feet in length and all have their own covered picnic table, fires and upright grills. They are also located near restrooms that have hot showers, and there is a dump station nearby too. In addition to these full hookup sites, there are an additional 10 sites available that come with hook ups for water and electricity. These sites are located in the Clear Fork Creek Camping Area within a woodland area that features large trees and a creek. They come with similar amenities to those on offer at the Fairway View Camping Area.

Park Location

Lockhart State Park 2012 State Park Rd Lockhart, TX 78644 Phone: 512.398.3479 Website Reservations

Map

Video

Here is a short YouTube video showcasing several attractions at Lockhart State Park:

Texas’s Only State Park Golf Course

Lockhart State Park features a historic 9-hole golf course built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1934, winding along Clear Fork Creek. One of the only golf courses in the Texas State Parks system!

Tee times: Book online up to 30 days ahead. Day-use pass required.

Limited Camping

Only ~20 campsites–they fill quickly! Reserve well in advance for weekends and holidays.

Swimming Pool

A spring-fed swimming pool operates seasonally. Check with the park for current hours.

Written by

State Parks Team

Editorial Team

The America's State Parks Editorial Team has collectively explored 800+ state parks across all 50 states. Our park profiles are carefully researched using official state park data, verified visitor information, and first-hand observations from our writers and contributors. Each article is fact-checked against official sources and updated regularly to ensure accuracy. Our mission is to help every American discover the natural wonders in their own backyard.

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