Stephen F Austin State Park

Review & Rating of Stephen F Austin State Park in San Felipe, TX

Stephen F. Austin State Park is located 30 miles west of the outskirts of Houston and close to San Felipe where Stephen F. Austin, the "Father of Texas," brought the first 297 families to colonize Texas under a contract with the Mexican Government. From 1824 to 1836, San Felipe de Austin was the social, economic, and political center, as well as the capital of the American colonies in Texas.  San Felipe is known as the birthplace of Anglo American Settlement in Texas and was home to Texas' first English language newspaper in 1829, the origin of the Texas Postal System, and the beginning of the legendary Texas Rangers.  The city was home to the conventions of 1832 and 1833 and the Consultation of 1835 were held here which eventually led to the Texas Declaration of Independence.

In 1940, 473 acres of bottom land hardwood forest and swap along the Brazos River was deeded and Stephen F Austin State Park opened the same year.  Stephen F Austin is heavily forested with giant cottonwood trees and thick vines and is loaded with wildlife (on a short bike ride we say whitetail deer, raccoons, armadillos, and a opossum!) and the park is a bird watcher's heaven. 

Stephen F Austin State Park has full hook-up pull through sites, tent and trailer sites with water only, and screened shelters plus group sites.  The park facilities are clean but dated and the staff is very friendly and outgoing.  The roads are paved but bumpy and wide enough for the big rigs.

The Brazos River quietly meanders along the north edge of the park and several different hiking and biking trails will take you to the rivers edge as it twists and turns through the forest.  Fishing in the Brazos River is good for gar and catfish and within the Park you can fish without a license.

There are lots of activities and things to do within the park and just outside the gate is an 18 hole golf course