South Shore - Playground parking area to Burkett Park - Short Loop

The Return of The King
First King bird of the season signing for a mate. Beautiful birds and very adept at catching bugs.
User: MikeHikes - 4/13/2026

Location: San Angelo State Park

Rating: 4stars
Difficulty: halfstar  Solitude: 5stars
Miles Hiked: 6.70 Miles  Elapsed Time: 3 hours, 20 minutes

Comments:

Leg 1 -  Playground parking area > Chaparral > Winding Snake > Burkett Park       3.0 miles

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

Temps started at 70, ended at 77. Overcast then partly cloudy and humid with steady 5-10mph SW breeze.

Shortened hike along wet to muddy trails.  I planned to do a longer hike but with the trail being as muddy and slippery as it was, decided to forego a longer hike and settled for a shorter one.  Deer, cottontail rabbits, a Roadrunner as well as the return of The King (photo attached) were spotted.  Other birds were out singing for mates but overall it was a case of "I hear the birds but they are staying too low to photograph."  One exception - after flushing out numerous coveys of quail while hiking, I finally spotted one quail running along the ground.  Also, at Isabel Harte Day Use Area, there appear to be a pair or even two pairs of Killdeer that are now park residents.  I'd like to see some hatchlings but I'll have to wait a bit to do so.

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.



Log Photos
The Return of The King
Area around San Angelo State Park