San Angelo State Park

Leg 1 -  River Bend Campground > South Slick Rock > Trailhead to Trailhead (N) > Dinosaur Trail > Dinosaur Tracks Viewing Area     2.9 miles

Leg 2 -  Dinosaur Tracks Viewing Area > DInosaur Trail (S) > Upper Big Hill > Badlands > River Bend Trail > service road to Ghost Camp > Upper Ghost Camp Trail > River Bend Campground     3.4 miles

Temp started at 75, ended at 90.  Sunny, no clouds, intermittent 5-10mph SSW breeze.  Somewhat humid.

The park experienced torrential flooding rains on 4 July 2025 which completely destroyed Shady Trail, North Scenic Loop and the Lower Ghost Camp trails all of which were closest to the North Concho River that feed the O.C. Fisher reservoir in the park.  Camping areas were also destroyed which resulted in the closure of the North Shore camping area and more importantly, the access gates are LOCKED and will remain so for the foreseeable future.

I accessed the River Bend Campground which was not destroyed via another entrance on FM2288 that is locked but will open with the gate code that is provided when you either check-in at the Suth Shore gate or when you register via the park website.

There was a brief rain event the night prior to my hike which meant the trails in parts were very muddy but more importantly, triggered a gnat resurgence. The gnats were ferocious and with little to no breeze, they were very annoying.  Also of note, since the North Shore had been closed for some time, the spiders took advantage and stretched numerous webs across the open trails. 

As for the hike, the trails that are still open are do-able but caution is advised for a number of reasons - the rains carved deep gulleys in some of the trails, the sun + warm temps + water = vegetation growth.  Numerous places have high vegetation.

Lots of flood debris is visible in the areas closest to the river but otherwise everything is pretty much the same.  No animals were spotted but there were some birds as well as lots of spiders.

Because of the closed trails as well as the remaining trails needing work, I won't return to the North Shore until late October.  This should be enough time for the park personnel to repair and rehabilitate the trails.  

NOTES -

Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at River Bend Campground.

Water, shade, and info kiosk are available at the Dinosaur Tracks Viewing Area.

Leg 1 -  Burkett Park > WS to LL Connector > Rollercoaster Trail > West Potts Creek > Turkey Creek > 5 Points Junction > River Bend > park service road (NW) > Cougar Overlook     5.3 miles

Leg 2 -  Cougar Overlook > Flintstone > Trailhead to Trailhead (S) > Burkett Trail > Burkett Park   3.4 miles

Temps started at 75, ended at 90.  Sunny with a few high, wispy clouds.  Fairly steady southerly breeze from 0-10mph.  

Recently re-opened all trails north of Burkett Park EXCEPT for Shady Trail, North Scenic Loop and Lower Ghost Camp Trail.  LOTS of flood damage that is being repaired.

The trails are easy to see and have a few spots where the rains washed all the topsoil off making the rocky base a little more treacherous to hike on.  In other places, the topsoil was deeper and easier to hike on.  Vegetation is growing and the rains have prompted the bee bush to come into bloom once again.

Only animals spotted were five Tom turkeys near Javelina Pond, not many birds out except for quail.  Numerous single quail as well as coveys were seen.

For all the damage reported, the mid-section of the park appeared only slightly damaged.  On a positive note, the flood waters have caused the North Concho River to be very full.  So much so that a very prominent large rock that sits in the middle of the river and has always been visible, has disappeared under the river waters!  (Photo attached).

NOTES -

Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets are at Burkett Park.

Water, shade and info kiosk are at 5 Points Junction.

Shade, info kiosk and a bicycle repair station are at Cougar Overlook.

Leg 1 -  Playground parking area > Tasajilla Flats > Nature Trail > Lanky Lackey > WS to LL Connector > Burkett Park     3.7 miles

Leg 2 -  Burkett Park > Winding Snake > Chaparral > Red Dam Loop > Chaparral > Playgroun parking area     3.2 miles

Temp started at 75, ended at 88.  Slightly humid and sunny with fairly stead 5-10mph SSW breeze.

Easy hike along dry, easy to see and traverse trails.  Deer (photo attached) as well as a hummingbird, two Horned Toads, a stick bug and a Blue Grosbeak were spotted.  Otherwise, it was simply an enjoyable hike.

NOTES - 

Water, shade, info kiosk, toilets and a bicycle repair station are available at Playground parking area.

Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett Park.

Leg 1 -  Playground parking area > Chaparral > Isabel Harte Park Road (SW) > Lankey Lackey > WS to LL Connector > Burkett Park     3.0 miles

Leg 2 -  Burkett Park > Winding Snake > Isabel Harte Park Road (SW) > Nature Trail > Horny Toad > Talley Valley > Chaparral > Playground parking area  4.1 miles

Temp started at 75, ended at 88.  Overcast and humid, steady 5-10mph SW breeze.

Easy hike along dry to slightly damp trails.  Vegetation covers various parts of the trails so caution is advised.  Larger than normal number of trail users due to it being Saturday.

Usual birds were out as were cottontail rabbits, deer and two javelinas.  A few juvenile birds were spotted and a pair of Mockers gave chase to a blackbird that was too close to their fledgling (photo attached). Wildlfowers are beginning to bloom again with the predominant color being yellow.  

NOTES - 

Water, shade, info kiosk, toilets and a bicycle repair station are available at Playground parking area.

Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets available at Burkett Park.

Leg 1 - Playground parking area > Chaparral > Red Dam Loop > Chaparral (N) > Winding Snake> Burkett Park      3.1 miles

Leg 2 - Burkett Park > WS to LL Connector > Lanky Lackey > Nature Trail > Tasajilla Flats > Playground parking area     3.7 miles

Leg 3 - Playground parking area > Roadrunner Loop > Playground parking area     3.0 miles

Temps started at 65, ended at 83.  Overcast for Legs 1 & 2, then mostly sunny for Leg 3.  Light and variable 0-5mph SW breeze.

Trails ran the gamut from dry to damp to muddy to rocky to smooth with a few portions of the trail, completely submerged in ankle deep rain runoff water.  

Quite a few javelinas were present today (photo attached).  One small family group had an adult member act in a very protective manner when he/she spotted me.  It slowly walked toward me with hair bristled.  I spoke calmly and stood my ground as the javelina stopped about 10 yards away.  While it was watching me, a smaller javelina was able to cross the road and get to safety.  At that point the defender calmly walked away from me, hair bristled upright.  Later I saw other javelinas along other portions of the trail stand calmly and watched me saunter by.  

I also saw the first of the year Jack Rabbits as well as more Cottontails.  Birds were numerous and the gnats are becoming more noticeable.  A lot of the wildflowers and cactus blossoms are gone although there are still plenty of Texas Thistles and Mexican Hats.

NOTES - 

Water, shade, info kiosk, toilets and a bicycle repair staiton are available at Playground parking area.

Water, shade, info kiosk and dry toilets are available at Burkett Park.

Water and shade are available at the campsites along Roadrunner Loop and there are three separate stations where water, shade, ino kiosk and toilets are available.