South Llano River State Park In Texas Is One Of America's Most Incredible Dark Sky Parks
By Katie Lawrence|Published December 22, 2021
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Katie Lawrence
Author
Katie Lawrence is a Southeast Texas native who graduated 18th in her high school class with a GPA of 4.25. She attended college in the Houston area and began writing for OnlyInYourState in 2015.
Today, Katie writes, edits, and performs several other tasks for OnlyInYourState and has never been more passionate about a job before. Outside of work, you can likely find her curled up on with a hot cup of coffee, practicing yoga, baking, or exploring the beautiful Lone Star State (in particular, the vast and mystical West Texas desert).
Some of the darkest skies in Texas can be found at South Llano River State Park, a certified International Dark Sky Park. Our state only has four such parks, so the designation is truly a prestigious honor. Set up camp, unzip your tent, and gaze in awe at the blanket of stars illuminating the night. No telescope needed!
This little slice of southwestern Hill Country paradise is best known for its water recreation opportunities, as it boasts two miles of South Llano River frontage.
What makes this park truly unique is that it doesn't have an off-season. When the weather is cold, there are nearly 23 miles of hiking and biking trails just waiting to be explored!
According to the Bortle Dark-Sky Scale, the park has a rating of three. The scale ranges from one (the darkest skies on earth) to nine (extremely light-polluted, inner-city skies.) That's pretty dark!
You don't need a telescope or any other gear to see the Milky Way and the millions of dazzling stars that surround it. Your own two eyes will do the trick just fine!
Luckily, there are almost 70 campsites with varying amenities. Some have electricity, others have water, and still others are primitive, hike-in sites. What they all have in common is shade and spaciousness, two attributes much appreciated by campers. Nightly rates range from $10 to $20 depending on the type of campsite.
Visit the park’s website or Facebook page for more information, including park hours and entrance fees.
Have you ever been to South Llano River State Park? If so, what did you think of the night skies? Tell us all about your experience in the comments. For more of the darkest skies in Texas, check out our previous article.
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