Let us save you some time and show you some great and inexpensive ways to enjoy Spring Break!
Whether you’re looking for solo adventures to conquer, something new for the family to do, or a way for you and your besties to reconnect, there’s a multitude of options across the Brazos River Basin.
The possibilities amplify with your imagination. Stay close to home or pick a location you’ve never visited, whether that’s the furthest north reservoir in the Brazos River Authority’s Water Supply System, Possum Kingdom Lake, northwest of Fort Worth, or the lake closest to the Gulf of America, Somerville Lake, northwest of Brenham.
Find a new-to-you spot on the Brazos or San Gabriel rivers where the water is low and the sandbars are wide. Grab yourself some waterproof playing cards, a couple of chairs, and sunscreen. Then plop yourself down right in the flow and allow the river to run literally over your feet during a high-stakes game of Speed or Spades. Use your cooler (which you’ve packed plenty of water and snacks in) as a table to top it off.
Since these rivers are considered navigable streams in Texas, the riverbed and sandbars are public property, meaning you’re allowed to sit, fish, or even camp there as long as you stay below the gradient boundary, which is roughly the line where the permanent woody vegetation starts. Check out this site to dive through different areas of the basin.
Also, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department hosts locations throughout the basin. See opportunities from the Blanco, Colorado, Guadalupe, and Llano rivers, among others.
These are also great sites for fishing or launching kayaks.
Try your hand at birdwatching in the 260-acre Miller Springs Nature Area just below Belton Lake dam, or take the dogs to the 26-mile San Gabriel River Trail, which winds completely around Georgetown Lake. Or take your friends to Stillhouse Hollow Lake and see who can take pictures of objects that start with each letter of the alphabet.
Ditch the glow of the phone and try capturing the river the old-fashioned way. Instead of photos, have the kids spend 20 minutes describing the exact color of the water or the details of moss on a river rock. When was the last time you attempted to fly a kite? Try to get it airborne while passing on the generational sing-along of “Let’s Go Fly a Kite” from the movie Mary Poppins? Turn a regular walk into a scavenger hunt. Find something in nature for every letter of the alphabet to see who can complete the list quickest. Or have the family play a few rounds of I Spy, it’s a classic for a reason. When everyone’s legs get heavy, tie up a few hammocks and enjoy the stillness.
Stretch those legs with your besties and hike an area you haven’t seen.
Located 75 miles northwest of Fort Worth in Palo Pinto and Young Counties, Possum Kingdom Lake, a BRA reservoir, offers nearly 220 miles of recreational shoreline and stunning scenery, including the iconic Hell’s Gate formation. The BRA offers 10 lakeside parks along with 16 miles of hiking and biking trails that crisscross the lake’s central peninsula. The hike and bike trail at Possum Kingdom Lake is a natural trail through a North Texas cedar and oak forest. There is a 16-mile trail system located between Scenic Cove and Sandy Beach Public Use Areas. Twelve trailheads allow recreationists the ability to enjoy as much or as little of the trails as they like. There are 21 lookouts along the trail, with markers providing historical information about the area and outstanding views of the reservoir. Water fountains and restrooms are available at various trailheads. The trails also feature rest areas with cedar benches.
A printable Hike & Bike trail map is available here. View the full list of Possum Kingdom Lake’s amenities here. Email information@brazos.org to have a map mailed to you for free.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is also a great site for different hiking opportunities, from short nature trails to adventurous, all-day endeavors through a park’s most remote stretches. There are family-friendly hikes, parks with wheelchair-accessible facilities, hikes steeped in history, shadier treks, sunset sites, and dramatic and demanding hikes. And if you’re feeling really adventurous, there are overnight backpacking adventures listed here, too. Check out their list here.
If you’re not familiar with the different reservoirs within the Brazos River Authority Water Supply System, here’s a quick breakdown:
Other Brazos River Authority reservoirs:
Lake Granbury
Located in Hood County, Lake Granbury offers beautiful scenery and expansive opportunities to explore the great outdoors. The reservoir has 121 miles of shoreline and six lakeside parks that can be used for picnicking, fishing, and camping. Each park offers a unique mix of amenities, including courtesy docks, designated swimming areas, fishing piers, and more. Observation Point even offers a scenic overlook that displays Lake Granbury’s beauty.
With stunning views and proper amenities, Lake Granbury is a prime camping location in North Texas. All the campsites at Lake Granbury have accompanying picnic tables and grills to ensure a comfortable camping experience for all who visit. Some parks even offer shaded picnic tables to shield from the hot Texas sun. All parks at Lake Granbury are free to use and require no reservation.
Learn more about Lake Granbury here.
Lake Limestone
Located on the upper Navasota River in Limestone, Robertson, and Leon counties, Lake Limestone has some of the best fishing in Central Texas. Its flooded timber and high amount of aquatic vegetation provides the perfect environment for largemouth and white bass, crappie, and catfish. Anglers can spend hours and hours on the waters of Lake Limestone
Lake Limestone offers four parks across its shorelines with camping and picnic facilities, along four boat launching ramps and three courtesy docks. With prime fishing opportunities and scenic waters, Lake Limestone is the perfect place to take your personal boat and enjoy a day out on the water. Be sure to pack a lunch and eat at one of the picnic tables that are also available at each of the boat ramps. All the public use areas at Lake Limestone are free and open year-round.
Learn more about Lake Limestone here.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Reservoirs:
Reservations and/or day passes are regularly required, so be sure to check out your options before heading out! The Corps has a site dedicated to helping you find a lake, reserve a spot, and plan your trip here.
Whitney Lake
Conveniently located near several major cities, Whitney Lake is a top destination for those wanting to getaway.
Bask in the warm sun as you escape the hustle and bustle of big city life. Whitney Lake offers water activities galore, from fishing and swimming to boating and skiing. The reservoir is also adjacent to Whitney Lake State Park.
Learn more about Whitney Lake here.
Aquilla Lake
This 3,280-acre picturesque lake is located on Aquilla and Hackberry Creeks in the Hill County. Try somewhere new this spring break and visit Aquilla Lake. Load up the fishing gear and sunscreen and take advantage of the boat ramps and fishing access for a good time under the sun in a gorgeous location.
Learn more about Aquilla Lake here.
Proctor Lake
If clear water on a hot summer day is calling your name, drive out to Proctor Lake on the Leon River in Comanche County, about eight miles northeast of the city of Comanche. Proctor Lake has established several swim beaches within each park to provide guests with a safe environment to swim and enjoy the lake. Each swim beach has a perimeter that restricts boat access to the swimming area and is accompanied by restricted buoys to prevent encroachment by boaters. Also, each swim beach has a life jacket loaner station stocked with various sizes that are available for public use.
Learn more about Proctor Lake here.
Belton Lake
Make your next adventure Belton Lake, located 16.7 miles upstream of the confluence of the Leon River and the Little River in the northern part of Bell County.
Take advantage of the multiple recreation facilities offered at Belton Lake, or Miller Springs Nature Area, a 260-acre scenic natural area, located just below the dam.
Learn more about Belton Lake here.
Stillhouse Hollow Lake
Make Stillhouse Hollow a destination this spring break. Stillhouse Hollow is located two miles south of U.S. 190 on FM 1670 in Belton.
Take your friends to the lake’s Dana Peak Park, which offers RV and tent camping with water and electric hook-ups available at all sites. With restroom facilities with hot showers, you can sleep under the stars and then spend the day enjoying the swimming beach, fishing dock and four-lane concrete boat ramp.
Learn more about Stillhouse Hollow Lake here.
Georgetown Lake
Pack snacks and water bottles and hit up the 26-mile rugged San Gabriel River Trail at Georgetown Lake. The trail winds through dense Juniper Forest, Hardwood Bottomlands, and prairie grasslands and extends entirely around Georgetown Lake. Restrooms and rest stops are provided along portions of the trail.
Learn more about Georgetown Lake here.
Granger Lake
Located about 35 miles east of Austin, Granger Lake is a great spot for a dip in the water or a picnic along the shore. Granger Lake is ideal if you’re looking to get away without being far from amenities. Enjoy the scenery and fresh air while walking the established trails. Journal under the shade of a tree and feel the stress slip off your shoulders.
Learn more about Granger Lake here.
Somerville Lake
Known for its catfish, Somerville Lake is a favorite recreational spot for those who enjoy fishing. Spend the day trying to catch the Largemouth Bass, White Bass, Hybrid Bass, White Crappie, Bluegill Sunfish, Channel Catfish, Blue Catfish, and Flathead Catfish.
Fishing is allowed along the shoreline at all the parks and the spillway. And there’s plenty of boat access to get on the water at this reservoir about an hour north of Houston.
Learn more about Somerville Lake here.