South Llano State Park

South Llano River State Park sits about 5 miles south of Junction in Kimble County, about 2 hours 10 minutes northwest of San Antonio. It’s best known for tubing the clear, spring-fed South Llano River, four bird blinds and dark night skies. From October through March the river-bottom turkey roost area is open only 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., so plan swims and hikes around it.

On This Page

• Tubing and Swimming the South Llano River
• Paddling and Fishing
• Hiking and Mountain Biking Trails
• Turkey Roost, Bird Blinds and Wildlife
• Stargazing at a Dark Sky Park
• Camping
• Best Time to Visit
• What Visitors Say
• Getting There
• Know Before You Go
• Nearby Parks
• FAQ
• Sources and Official Links

Tubing and Swimming the South Llano River

Tubing and swimming in the South Llano River are the main draws at South Llano River State Park. Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD) describes the river as spring-fed and slow-moving, and the park has about 2 miles of river frontage with several put-in and take-out points for tubers.

• Tubes: the park store at headquarters rents tubes, and visitors can bring their own. One reviewer paid $8 for a tube in July 2026
• The float: visitors park at the take-out and walk about 15 minutes up to the put-in by the US 377 bridge, then float back. The park map asks tubers to stay off the granite boulders there
• The water: reviewers call it crystal clear and cold even in summer. At low water, tubes drag on the bottom in places
• Swimming: there is no beach or marked swim area, just river banks. Swimming is at the swimmer’s own risk, and there are no restrooms at the river access points

After the 2026 Floods

Two floods reshaped the river in 2026. A USGS gauge in Junction recorded a 26-foot crest on July 17, 2026, when the park closed, and a second flood on October 1.

• TPWD warned on October 5, 2026 that the river has changed course and may hold debris and hazards
• After the July flood, visitors reported concrete and rebar in the swimming area. In October 2026, one reported a washed-out bank with a single steep stairway down to the water
• The reservation site still lists the shoreline directly under the bridge as closed, from a July 2026 notice
• Wear water shoes, and check the park alerts page before planning a float

Paddling and Fishing

Paddlers bring their own kayak or canoe or rent one in the area, and anglers need no fishing license inside South Llano River State Park. The park has one designated spot for paddlers to park and launch.

• Paddling trail: the TPWD South Llano Paddling Trail runs 6.3 miles from the park to Flatrock Lane (4.7 miles, about 2 hours) and on to Junction City Park (1.6 miles, about 1 hour)
• Rentals and shuttles: TPWD lists Bloody Bucket Kayaks and Canoes, (432) 296-0831. The park itself rents only tubes
• Take-out: since the new bridge was built, paddlers report carrying boats about 200 yards at the take-out
• Hazards: the river has no flood-control dams, so high water is dangerous. Snags appear at low water
• Fish: Guadalupe bass (the state fish), largemouth bass, sunfish and catfish. Headquarters lends fishing gear
• Buck Lake: an oxbow lake off the river with a small fishing pier. TPWD closed the pier after the July 2026 flood; its alert page no longer lists the closure, so ask at headquarters

Hiking and Mountain Biking Trails

South Llano River State Park has 22.7 miles of trails, according to TPWD, from easy river-bottom walks to rocky backcountry routes. All trails are open to mountain bikes except the steep Overlook Trail.

Miles and ratings as TPWD’s trail table lists them. That table covers about 17.7 miles; the park’s February 2026 trails map (PDF) names 11 more short trails and spurs.

Trail Tips

A few things make the trails at South Llano easier.

• Best view: the Overlook Trail climbs to a Hill Country view, a 1.8-mile round trip from the walk-in camping area. Visitors call it strenuous but worth it
• Water: TPWD advises a quart per person per hour. The backcountry has no water, and reviewers note little shade on the upland trails
• Closures: a 0.16-mile connector between the River Trail and Buck Lake Trail has been closed since October 14, 2026
• Afternoons, October to March: the river-bottom trails sit in the turkey roost area and close from 3 p.m. to 10 a.m.
• Markings: reviewers are split, and some found the backcountry hard to follow. TPWD warns that cell and GPS coverage is unreliable, so carry the trails map
• Bikes: TPWD says to check with headquarters to match a trail to riding skill, and to wear a helmet. TPWD calls the East Ridge Trail a great mountain bike trail

Turkey Roost, Bird Blinds and Wildlife

South Llano River State Park hosts one of the largest winter roosts of Rio Grande wild turkeys in Central Texas, and TPWD has recorded more than 250 bird species here. Four bird blinds make it a favorite with birders and photographers.

Turkey Roost Hours

From October 1 through March 31, the turkey roost area in the river bottom is open only from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. TPWD’s trails map shades the River, Buck Lake and Interpretive trails, several short trails and the main day-use area. The reservation site words it more narrowly, saying only the roost-area trails are limited, so ask at headquarters on arrival. Records of turkeys roosting here go back about 100 years.

Bird Blinds

• Four blinds: Acorn, Juniper, Agarita and Lora’s, each named on the trails map. Volunteers keep feeders and water stocked
• Birds to look for: the golden-cheeked warbler nests in the backcountry from mid-March into early May. Reviewers also name painted buntings and black-capped vireos
• Recent reports: in spring 2026, two visitors found some blinds closed or without water, so birds were scarce there

Other Wildlife

TPWD lists white-tailed and axis deer, armadillos, porcupines, ringtails, gray foxes, beavers at Buck Lake and rattlesnakes. Armadillos are the animal reviewers mention most, often wandering through campsites. Monarch butterflies roost in the pecans in October.

Stargazing at a Dark Sky Park

South Llano River State Park became an International Dark Sky Park on February 14, 2017, the third Texas state park to earn the title. TPWD rates its sky a 3 on the Bortle scale, where 1 is the darkest.

• Staying late: day passes end at 10 p.m. Day visitors who want to stay for the stars pay a $5 night activity fee per person 13 and older, on top of entry
• Lights: the park asks visitors to keep outdoor lighting to a minimum after 10 p.m. Reviewers suggest red flashlights and no exterior RV lights
• Star parties: volunteers hold star parties, and the park events page lists upcoming ones (one is set for November 7, 2026)
• Timing: visitors recommend a new-moon night for the Milky Way

Camping

Camping at South Llano River State Park ranges from shaded water-and-electric sites to primitive hike-in sites. There are no cabins, screened shelters or group campsites.

Campsite Types

Prices are TPWD’s per-night rates, plus the daily entry fee.

• Water and electric (56 sites, $20): 30-amp electric and water, a picnic table and a fire ring with grill, near restrooms with showers. Up to 8 people. All are back-in, with listed lengths of 44 to 58 feet
• Walk-in with water (6 sites, $15): 30 to 70 yards from parking, with a picnic table, fire ring and water nearby. Up to 8 people
• Primitive hike-in (5 sites, $10): at least 1.5 miles from the trailhead, with a composting toilet in the area but no water. No campfires; only containerized stoves. Up to 4 people

A walk-in site is a tent site a short walk from parking. A primitive site has no water or electricity and is reached on foot, so campers pack in everything and pack out all trash. The reservation site lists 52 electric sites for online booking; camp hosts use two of the others. There are no sewer hookups, but there is a dump station.

Reservations and Camp Rules

TPWD says the park often reaches capacity, so book ahead, especially for spring and summer weekends.

• Campsites can be booked about 5 months ahead. Check-in is 2 p.m. and check-out is noon
• Quiet hours run 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
• Campfires only in the site fire rings. Gathering firewood is not allowed
• Sites with more than two vehicles, trailers included, pay an extra vehicle fee
• After-hours arrivals use the self-pay station by the headquarters kiosk and register by 9 a.m. the next morning
• The camping areas, shower building and amphitheater closed for electric upgrades in January 2026. That notice was gone from the alert page by mid-July 2026

Campers praise the shade at most sites. Complaints include no 50-amp hookups (the park store sells adapters), a single bathhouse with no air conditioning, and cactus in some grassy tent pads.

Best Time to Visit

Spring is the best time for birds and mild hiking at South Llano River State Park, and summer is the season for tubing. TPWD calls March through October the busy season.

• Spring (March to May): golden-cheeked warblers arrive mid-March, and painted buntings follow. The roost-area hours apply until March 31. May is one of the wettest months
• Summer (June to August): cold river water for tubing; July averages a high of 94°F. Floods can close the park, as on July 17, 2026
• Fall (September to November): monarchs roost in October, and the roost hours start October 1. Public hunts close the whole park on set dates from late October
• Winter (December to February): January averages a low of 32°F. The turkey roost is at its fullest, the park is quiet, and hunt closures run into late January

What Visitors Say

South Llano River State Park averages 4.7 stars across 264 Google reviews from November 2024 to October 2026, about the same as its lifetime rating from roughly 1,440 reviews. Most visitors call it quiet, and the complaints center on closures and the river after the floods.

• Crowds: “quiet” is the most common word in reviews. Weekdays feel empty; weekend campsites book up early
• The river: praised as clear and cold for tubing. Since the 2026 floods, reviewers report debris, a washed-out bank and harder access
• Surprise closures: visitors have arrived to a locked gate during hunts and found the campground closed for construction. Check the alerts before a long drive
• Restrooms: mostly called clean, with big hot showers. Some found them worn or short on supplies, and there are none at the river
• Staff: friendly staff and volunteers are a steady theme, with a few reports of curt service at check-in
• Trail signs: mixed. Some hikers found the backcountry poorly marked

Getting There

South Llano River State Park is just off I-10 at Junction. From I-10, take US 377 south about 5 miles, turn left on Park Road 73, and drive about 1.5 miles to headquarters.

Drive times to park headquarters:

• San Antonio: about 2 hours 10 minutes
• Austin: about 2 hours 55 minutes
• Houston: about 5 hours 35 minutes
• Dallas: about 5 hours 50 minutes

A few things to know before driving out:

• Junction: the nearest town has gas and a grocery store, but visitors say there are few places to eat
• Floods: US 377 and the park road have flooded, closing the park on July 17, 2026
• Road trips: reviewers often stop here on the way to Big Bend or West Texas, and many say one night is too short

Know Before You Go

South Llano River State Park closes on short notice for hunts and floods, and the river changed in 2026. These fees, rules and tips matter most.

• Fees and passes: $5 a day for adults 13 and older; children 12 and under get in free. The Texas State Parks Pass covers entry. Staying past 10 p.m. without a campsite costs a $5 night activity fee per person 13 and older. Confirm current fees on the TPWD fees page
• Booking: TPWD recommends reserving both day passes and campsites. Day passes open 1 month ahead and are sold at the park if any remain; campsites open about 5 months ahead
• Hours: the park is open daily, and day passes are valid until 10 p.m. Headquarters is open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Hunts: the whole park closes to everyone but permitted hunters, from 5 p.m. on the first date to 2 p.m. on the last. Remaining 2026–27 dates: Nov. 2–5, Nov. 22–25, Nov. 30–Dec. 4, Dec. 14–17, Dec. 27–30 and Jan. 25–29
• Construction: TPWD has posted utility construction since June 2026, with construction traffic and possible lane closures
• Dogs: on a leash no longer than 6 feet and attended at all times. Statewide rules keep pets out of park buildings and designated swimming areas
• Alcohol: public drinking or display of alcohol is not allowed
• Fires: only in fire rings, never on the ground. No burn ban was posted in late October 2026, but bans are common in drought
• Facilities: showers in the camping area, a park store and no Wi-Fi
• What to bring: water shoes, a tube or boat, a printed reservation, a red flashlight for stargazing and long pants for ticks and chiggers on grassy trails

Nearby Parks

Four other TrekTexas guides are within about 2 hours of South Llano River State Park.

• Lost Maples State Natural Area: about 72 miles, best known for fall color
• Garner State Park: about 77 miles, on the cool, clear Frio River
• Enchanted Rock: about 84 miles, with a granite dome to climb for Hill Country views
• Kickapoo Cavern State Park: about 85 miles, with caves, bats and guided cave tours
• More parks within reach of San Antonio: Parks Near San Antonio

FAQ

Are there cabins at South Llano River State Park?

No. The park has water-and-electric, walk-in and primitive hike-in campsites only. The nearest other lodging is in Junction.

Do visitors need a fishing license at South Llano?

No. A fishing license is not needed to fish inside a Texas state park, and headquarters lends fishing gear.

Can visitors bring their own tubes and kayaks?

Yes. Tubes can be brought in or rented at headquarters, and paddlers bring their own boats or rent from a local outfitter.

Is South Llano River State Park open during deer season?

Not on hunt dates. The whole park closes to visitors during its public hunts, listed on the TPWD alerts page.

Sources and Official Links

Facts in this guide were last checked in October 2026 against these sources.

• South Llano River State Park (TPWD)
• Entrance fees and campsites (TPWD)
• Trail list and trails map (PDF) (TPWD)
• Nature and turkey roost and dark skies (TPWD)
• Park alerts (TPWD)
• South Llano Paddling Trail (TPWD)
• Texas State Parks reservations

Featured photo: Jonathan Cutrer, Wikimedia Commons (CC0), April 2022