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San Angelo State Park |
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3900 - 2 Mercedes
San Angelo TX 76901
325/949-8935 (Gatehouse/Reservation Info.)
325/949-4757 (HQ)
sasp@tpwd.state.tx.us
History: San Angelo State Park is located on the shores of O.C. Fisher
Reservoir, which was completed by the US Corps of Engineers in 1952 for flood
control on the North Concho River. The park, adjacent to the City of San Angelo
in Tom Green County, is an oasis of quality outdoor recreation in an area of
west Texas known as Concho Country. It was leased by Texas Parks and Wildlife
Department in May 1995 and was opened to the public May 1, 1995. The property
contains 7677 acres, most of which will remain undeveloped. Park redevelopment
to its full recreational potential is expected to take a number of years. In the
meantime, a wide range of facilities are available for the enjoyment of the
visitor.
Archeological findings indicate some 18,000 years of Native American occupation
in the expansive West Texas region, beginning with the Paleo-American hunters of
giant Ice Age mammals. The Euro-American history of the area begins with 16th-
and 17th-century Spanish exploration and the missions established for the
semi-settled Jumano Indians. Some of these Jumanos made their way along the
forks of the Concho River on expeditions to trade with Indian groups in central
and eastern Texas. By the mid-1800's, German immigrants began to acquire land in
the Concho River region. The increasing need to protect California-bound
travelers led to the establishment of Fort Concho in 1867. From then on,
farmers, ranchers, and sheepherders all contributed to the settlement of Concho
Country, with San Angelo (originally Santa Angela) becoming the county seat of
Tom Green County in 1883. Read how the Indian rock art, ancient animal tracks,
majestic bison, and the Official Texas State Longhorn Herd add a prehistoric
touch to this park.
Activities: Activities include camping, picnicking, hiking, mountain biking and
horseback riding on multi-use trails, lake swimming and wading, fishing,
boating, a three level orienteering course, and bird and wildlife observation.
The park has a hunting program with a State Park Annual Hunting Permit and
special drawing hunts for deer and spring turkey.
The lake level is extremely low. The lake bottom is unsafe. Swim at your own
risk (wearing shoes is advisable.)
Tours: Regularly scheduled tours and upon request tours, for 10 or more
visitors, are given to the ancient Permian animal tracks and Indian petroglyphs.
Contact the park for a tour schedule and fees or check our calendar for events
at this park. Other tours include nature tours, hikes, Bison/Longhorn tours,
equestrian tours, historic and prehistoric tours, and stargazing parties. |
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