Texas Porch

State park / Recreation

Blanco State Park Offers Swimming and Camping on the Blanco River

Blanco State Park sits on a spring-fed stretch of the Blanco River in the town of Blanco, giving residents and visitors affordable access to swimming, fishing, tubing, and camping.

Blanco County The Great Outdoors

The park covers about a mile of the Blanco River and is run by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD). Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) workers built the stone picnic pavilion, dams, and bridges in 1933–1934. Those dams create pools well-suited for family swimming. Anglers can target largemouth and Guadalupe bass, channel catfish, sunfish, and seasonally stocked rainbow trout. You do not need a fishing license to fish from shore inside the park.

Camping options include full hookup sites, water-electric sites, and screened shelters with river views. Canoes, kayaks, and boats with electric motors are allowed on the water. The park is roughly one hour from both Austin and San Antonio, making it a practical day trip or weekend destination for new Hill Country residents.

The adult daily entrance fee is $5; children 12 and under are free. Passes must be reserved in advance online or by calling (512) 389-8900. Check availability, fees, and any temporary closures at tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/blanco before you go.

Source to confirm: Texas Parks & Wildlife Department — Blanco State Park

More Blanco County notes

Property tax

Homestead Exemption Caps Your Annual Appraisal Increase

Once your home qualifies for a residential homestead exemption in Blanco County, state law limits how much the taxable value can rise each year.

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Agricultural valuation

Ag and Wildlife Valuation Can Sharply Lower Land Taxes

Qualifying Blanco County landowners can pay taxes based on what their land produces, not what it would sell for. That can mean a much lower tax bill.

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Water / Groundwater

Drilling a Water Well Requires a Permit in Most Cases

All wells in Blanco County must be registered with the Blanco-Pedernales Groundwater Conservation District, and any well capable of producing more than 25,000 gallons per day needs a separate operating permit.

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Flood

Flash Floods on the Blanco River Can Rise with Little Warning

The Blanco River and its tributaries can rise extremely fast during heavy rain, making flooding one of the most serious natural hazards for anyone buying or living in low-lying areas of Blanco County.

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