If you think camping is just for summer, think again. Nestled on the Rio Grande River just east of the Pecos River is Seminole Canyon State Park, one of the best Texas state parks to enjoy our favorite pastime during the winter months.
It features a rich history, beautiful landscapes, guided tours, and plenty to do any time of the year. You can find the park on US Highway 90, about 9 miles west of Comstock, TX in Val Verde County. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department operates the 2,170-acre land with a documented history of human inhabitants dating back nearly 10,000 years!
Seminole Canyon State Park and Historic Site
One of the most interesting parts of the park are the ancient pictographs found on the region's stone walls. Early dwellers left these rock paintings behind, which tell the stories of their everyday lives in what's now a national park. Archeologists are still analyzing and deciphering these pictograph sites in an attempt to learn their meanings. Two of the more famous sites include Panther Cave and Fate Bell Shelter, the latter of which housed some of the oldest known artifacts and rock art found in North America.
Today, vegetation in the area is rather sparse, but this wasn't always the case; In fact, scientists believe that it was once thick enough to feed mammoths! The canyon rim first became known in recent times by a European explorer in 1591 named Gaspar Castano de Sosa. Eventually, the park earned its name after the Army's Black Seminole Scouts were stationed nearby.
Activities for Every Type of Outdoor Explorer
Campers and hikers can enjoy 46 separate campsites for varying degrees of outdoor adventures, including tent camping, biking, hiking trails, and leisurely nature trails. At the visitor's center, you can schedule time with park staff who can help you traverse through the canyon.
If you feel like venturing back into the modern world, Del Rio is nearby. The town features a vast selection of restaurants, historical landmarks and other amenities that will keep you busy when you aren't set up for a picnic table lunch at the nearby Amistad National Recreation Area.
One thing is for certain, though: Drop US Route 90 in Comstock, TX 78837 into your GPS for beautiful views and plenty of incredible history to enjoy at any time of the year.
Have you visited Seminole Canyon State Park? Share your adventure on our Wide Open Roads Facebook page!
