Many of the cabins in Texas state parks were built by Civilian Conservation Corps workers, part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal program of recovery from the Great Depression. The CCC put unemployed men to work improving state lands in the 1930s, building structures designed by National Park Service architects using local resources such as stone and timber. Most of these have been renovated and, along with their more modern counterparts, feature kitchens, bathrooms and air conditioning.
Cabins in Bastrop State Park
Located in the Lost Pines, an isolated 70-square miles of loblolly pine and hardwoods in the midst of rolling, post oak woodlands, this Texas state park includes 13 CCC cabins. Each sports a fireplace and wood mantle where CCC craftsmen carved sayings, such as “The beautiful is as useful as the useful,” and “Old friends are the best.” Cabin Number 12 has four bedrooms, the rest sleep from two to six. All have heating and air conditioning, complete kitchens and outdoor grills. Linens are provided. The park has a swimming pool, golf course, canoe rentals, miles of trails, and a scenic drive also good for cycling.
Palo Duro Canyon State Park Cabins
The second largest canyon in the US, at 120 miles long and up to 800 feet deep, Palo Duro has three rock cabins perch on the rim, offering views along with indoor fireplaces and patios with picnic tables and grills. The cabins sleep four each, with heat and air conditioning, indoor bathrooms, refrigerator, microwave and coffee pot. Linens, pillows and towels provided. The park includes a museum, horseback riding, hiking and equestrian trails, and "Texas!' a summer musical. RV, tent, primitive and equestrian camping and limited service cabins in the canyon.
Cabins in Garner State Park
This park’s 17 CCC-built cabins sit near the park’s concession building, fondly known by many generations of Texans as The Pavilion, site of nightly dances in the summer. The park’s attractions include swimming, tubing or paddle-boat in the Frio River, as well as hiking, fishing, and bike riding. All cabins have kitchens, attic fans and heat; 13 have fireplaces.
Daingerfield State Park Cabins
This wooded park has three cabins and a five-bedroom, two-bath lodge, all with kitchens, air conditioning and heat, and bathrooms. The CCC also built an earthen dam creating the lake, and a swimming beach, picnic area, and boathouse, which rents pedal boats and canoes. Park goers fish for crappie, perch, catfish and bass, and enjoy two-and-a-half miles of hiking trails. Linens and towels are furnished.
Lake Brownwood State Park Cabins
Three CCC companies used local timber and locally quarried stone to build cabins in this park. Nine two-person and seven four-person cabins remain. The park also has two two-bedroom lodges, a five-bedroom lodge, and Beach Lodge, two dormitory wings with 26 beds and two baths around a central kitchen and living area. All cabins have kitchens, air and heat, fireplaces, and outdoor picnic tables and grills. The park is popular for swimming, fishing, boating, hiking and picnicking. Linens provided.
Caddo Lake State Park Cabins
Nine stone cabins were recently remodeled but retain historic touches including giant rock fireplaces. Two one-bedroom cabins sleep two, four two-bedroom cabins sleep four, and three two-bedroom cabins hold six. Kitchens in all but the two-person cabins include refrigerators, microwaves and stoves; all have picnic tables and grills outdoors. The park is on Saw Mill Pond, which connects to Lake Caddo, and includes a lighted fishing dock, canoe and kayak rental, and hiking trails.
Cabins in Cooper Lake State Park
Cooper Lake opened for boat access in 1992 and is known for largemouth and white bass fishing. Fourteen wood-frame cabins sleep from four to six in one bedroom with bathroom, kitchen, living area, air conditioning and heat. Outdoor decks have grills, picnic tables, and views of the lake. The park also offers boat ramps, swimming beach (open when lake levels allow), hiking and equestrian trails, a playground, picnic areas, and sand volleyball court.
Cabins in Possum Kingdom State Park
A privately operated marina rents non-motorized and motorized boats for enjoying the 20,000 acre lake. Six four-person cabins and a two-bedroom lodge that sleeps eight are close to the water, and have kitchens, bathrooms, air conditioning and heating, and outdoor grills and picnic tables. The park has two miles of hiking trails, playgrounds and a fishing pier.
Limited Use Cabins
These structures accommodate sleeping only with minimal or no kitchen and separate bathroom facilities. Parks with limited use cabins include Buescher, Inks Lake, Lake Bob Sandlin, Lake Colorado City, Martin Creek Lake, Martin Dies Jr, and San Angelo State Parks.
Pets, smoking, and smoking pets are not allowed in cabins or other park buildings. Cabin rental fees are subject to local hotel taxes and some restrictions, such as requiring rental of both weekend nights during peak seasons. Cabins with kitchens typically do not include cooking and eating utensils, and linens are not provided unless noted. Call 512-389-8900 for information and reservations.
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