Palmetto State Park
- Status
- Open (per official listing)Open daily; hours not posted
- Entrance fee
- $3 per adultAnnual pass available
- Day-use reservations
- RecommendedCan reach capacity
- Dogs
- Statewide rule — see below
- Camping
- 36 campsitesAlso cabins
- Official site
- tpwd.texas.gov(830) 672-3266
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. Details last changed Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Current alerts 2
Alert Screwworm AlertJune 13, 2026 - New world screwworm has been found in parts of Texas. Check your pets and livestock often. If you see unusual wounds or maggots, do… (more)
June 13, 2026 - New world screwworm has been found in parts of Texas. Check your pets and livestock often. If you see unusual wounds or maggots, do not move the animal. Call the Texas Animal Health Commission at (800) 550‑8242 or contact a private veterinarian. For wildlife with suspicious wounds or maggots, notify park staff or call (512) 389‑4505.
Posted by the park. Official alert
Alert Burn BanAug. 25, 2026 - The park is under a burn ban. No wood or charcoal fires are allowed. You may use containerized fuel stoves (i.e. propane) for… (more)
Aug. 25, 2026 - The park is under a burn ban. No wood or charcoal fires are allowed. You may use containerized fuel stoves (i.e. propane) for cooking. Park Closures The park will be closed on the following dates: • 8 a.m. on Dec. 11 to 8 a.m. on Dec. 14 Only permitted hunters will be allowed on these dates. Contact the park or check back for updates.
Posted by the park. Official alert
Overview
Palmetto State Park is a 297-acre park in Gonzales County, about 7 miles southeast of Luling.
Things to do include historic sites, canoeing and kayaking, swimming, biking, and fishing. Facilities for water recreation include a fishing pier. Overnight options include 36 campsites across 3 camping areas, with RV sites with electric and water hookups, tent sites, group camping, and showers. Roofed lodging includes cabins.
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park | Open daily (hours not posted) | ||
Official wording
Open daily. We often reach capacity, and recommend reservations for both camping and day use. To guarantee entry, reserve passes online or by calling the customer service center before you visit. Busy Season: Make overnight reservations at least two to three weeks ahead of time from March to November.
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/Chicago).
Pets
Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet at all times and are not permitted in any buildings at Texas State Parks. Some parks restrict pets on certain trails.
Statewide rule from Texas's park system (source). This park’s page doesn’t state its own pet rules, so check for local restrictions.
Fees and passes
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Adult | $3 |
| Child 12 Years and Under | Free |
Official wording
• Adult: $3 Daily • Child 12 Years and Under: Free
Texas park passes
- Texas State Parks Pass — $70 per year. Free entry for the holder and guests at the state parks it covers, plus camping and store discounts; a second pass for someone at the same address is $25 Details
- Texas Parklands Passport. Discounted or free entry for qualifying seniors, people with disabilities, veterans and Gold Star family members Details
From the Texas state guide. Confirm which passes this park accepts.
Reservations
- Day use
- Recommended
- Camping
- Recommended
- Booking system
- Texas State Parks reservation system (ReserveAmerica)
- Phone
- (512) 389-8900
We often reach capacity, and recommend reservations for both camping and day use.
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Camping
| Campground or site type | Sites | Hookups / features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Campsites with Electricity These sites, designed for RV campers, are long and narrow so only one tent is allowed at each of these sites. Hookups are on the driver side. Maximum length of vehicle is 65 feet. | 17 | Water hookup; 30 amp hookup; 50 amp hookupShowersBack-inPicnic tableOutdoor grillFire ringLantern post | $18 Nightly Plus daily entrance fee |
| Campsites with Water These sites are great for a single family but also have enough space for families with multiple tents or families camping together. | 19 | WaterPicnic tableOutdoor grillFire ringLantern postRestrooms nearby | $12 Nightly Plus daily entrance fee |
| Group Camp The San Marcos River borders the group camp on three sides, making a beautiful, secluded setting. Although the site has room for 25 people, it only has parking for 12 cars. No other parking is available. | — | WaterFireplacePicnic tablesOutdoor grillsFire ringLantern postRestrooms nearby | $60 Nightly Plus daily entrance fee |
Camping details from the park
Sign up 8 to 12-year-olds for our Palmetto Adventure Summer Camp. This one-week program runs Monday through Friday, the first week of June. Campers will learn to become better stewards of outdoor spaces through different outdoor activities. Please call the park for more information.
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Things to do
BikingHistoric sites and toursFishingHikingCanoeing and kayakingPicnickingSwimmingCamping
Boating and paddling
Canoe the San Marcos River. The river has a steady current, but no rapids; check river conditions at the park. Bring your own canoe and arrange your own shuttles.
- Experienced paddlers can put in at Luling City Park and take six- to seven-hour trip to the park. Private land borders the river, so put-in and take-out points are limited.
- Explore the Luling Zedler Mill Paddling Trail.
- Find information on the San Marcos River.
Fishing
Fish in the river or in Oxbow Lake, which has a fishing pier. We have some fishing equipment to loan. Remember, you do not need a license to fish from shore in a state park.
A state fishing license is usually required.
Amenities
Facilities
- Restrooms
- Showers
- Picnic areas
- Playground
- Park or camp store
- Restaurant or food service
- Group facilities
Water
- Fishing pier
Camping
- RV dump station
- Tent camping
- RV camping
- Electric hookups
- Water hookups
- Group camping
Lodging
- Cabins
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Accessibility
Park headquarters has designated ADA parking and a ramp to the entrance. This is a historic building, so doorways and walkways are not ADA compliant.
The restrooms in the water/ electric campground are ADA compliant. These restrooms have designated parking, a large stall with handrails, and ADA showers. The restroom in the water only campground has an ADA parking space, but no other accessibility features.
Several trails in the park are wheelchair or stroller friendly including the Oxbow Lake Trail, Palmetto Interpretive Trail, and the Mesquite Flat Trail.
The Group Pavilion (Refectory) has ramps at the entrance to the building and to the covered picnic area. There is a rough path leading from the parking lot to the building. The interior of the building has a tiled floor and there is a ramp to the serving room. The restrooms have a larger stall but are very old and don’t meet modern accessibility standards. This restroom is only open to those with reservations for the Group Pavilion. The Group Pavilion is a historic CCC building. Doorways, walkways, ramps, and restrooms may not be ADA compliant. Contact the park for specific details.
Read more from the park
Cabin 1 is wheelchair friendly with a ramp at the entrance, however the door is too narrow for ADA compliance. The interior of the cabin has two bunk beds, a regular bed and countertop with a microwave and mini fridge. The cabin does not have a restroom, but there is one nearby (about 100+ yards away).
The fishing pier is wheelchair accessible, but access to the pier is challenging. You must go down an uneven trail with a steep grade to get to the pier. Erosion has also caused breaks in the paved path that would not be navigable by most wheelchairs.
For more information about trails and the park’s points of interest, visit the trails information page.
Conditions can change quickly. Contact the park for more information and to ask about the status of particular accessible features.
Official accessibility information
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Getting there
- Address
- 78 Park Road 11 South
Gonzales, TX 78629-5180 - Nearest town
- Luling — about 7 mi southeast (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 29.5969, -97.5851
- Phone
- (830) 672-3266
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- Texas State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026
- TPWD state parks map (embedded park data)
- Wikidata
- USGS PAD-US 4.1 (boundary and acreage)
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. “Last changed” (Oct 29, 2026) is when the information shown here last differed from the previous check. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology