Oct 19, 2022
Explore Nature With Your Chevy: 5 State Parks Near Big Lake, TX

If you’re near Big Lake, TX and looking for an outdoor getaway within driving distance, Texas has some amazing state parks to explore. Here are some parks closest to you.

1. Fort Lancaster State Historical Park

Also known as Fort Lancaster State Historic Site, Fort Lancaster was a United States Army installation established in 1855 to protect migrants and aid in westward expansion. Now the ruins of the fort and the surrounding 82-acre area serve as an educational site and an archeological landmark, as well as a beautiful place to enjoy nature. Explore the land and the ruins of over thirty buildings from the western frontier.

2. San Angelo State Park

San Angelo State Park represents a geological crossroads of West Texas landscape. Located in the Concho Valley between the rocky Permian Basin, the dry Chihuahuan Desert, and the grassy Osage Plains, this park boasts thousands of acres of land as well as access to O.C. Fisher Lake for swimming and fishing. Visit the longhorn and bison paddocks, bring your horse and camp overnight, and see fossilized tracks made by pre-historic creatures.

3. Big Spring State Park

This is a smaller park that easily keeps up with the larger ones around. Take a hike or a scenic drive up the 200-foot bluff for an amazing view of the surrounding area which demonstrates just how vast Texas really is. Check out the online pamphlet about the various stone carvings on the aptly named Scenic Mountain, picnic atop the overlook, and camp overnight.

4. Lake Colorado City State Park

Located amid dry desert land is another smaller, less-frequented park perfect for any explorer looking for a quiet, simple retreat without losing the beauty and wonder associated with larger parks. The lake here is what draws people and animals alike for respite from the hot sun and sand, and it provides a beautiful setting for hiking, camping, and watching wildlife.

5. Monahan Sandhills State Park

Free-roam sandy desert dunes on foot or on horseback at Monahan Sandhills State Park, a 3,840-acre expanse of desert with no marked trails. Observe a myriad of creatures thriving in this seemingly inhospitable ecosystem, learn about the history of the land, rent a sand disc to surf the dunes, and camp overnight to experience one of the most spectacular sunsets of your life.


Texas is full of diverse wildlife and habitats. You can experience the natural wonders anywhere, but these parks are unique locations preserved by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to provide the public with safe and environmentally friendly access to the land. If you’re looking for a spacious, off-road vehicle to camp in, check out the 2022 Chevrolet Silverado 1500. Visit Glasscock Chevrolet today for a car fit to aid in your adventures.

Image via pixabay.