Hidden Valley RV Getaway

The Great Outdoors

There are several gorgeous state parks near Gatesville. Mother Neff State Park is one of the closest to the campground and consists of tallgrass prairies, canyons, and woodlands. There are over three miles of trails at the park, which lead past a small pond and a cave used by Native American tribes during the 19th century. During your hike through the park's canyons, keep an eye out for local wildflowers and bird species, including rare species like bald eagles, purple finches, and long-eared owls. Other popular activities at this park include geocaching and picnicking.There are some serene lakes worth exploring near Gatesville, and one of the best can be found at Lake Whitney State Park. This park consists of grasslands along the shore of Lake Whitney, a large reservoir suitable for a range of watersports. Fishing is a favorite pastime here, and anglers come from across the state to catch the lake's blue catfish. Boating and swimming are also popular, and there are a couple of boat launches around the lake. Two trail loops run by the lake and through nearby prairies, and during your hike, watch out for local wildlife, including bald eagles, opossums, and armadillos. You can also enjoy a picnic at one of the lakeside picnic areas.Alternatively, if you're looking for an adventure during your trip with a Gatesville campervan rental, visit Colorado Bend State Park. This diverse park is a hiker's paradise, with over 30 miles of hiking and biking trails that lead past the 70-foot-tall Gorman Falls, through caves, and along the Colorado River. The trek up to Gorman Falls is over three miles and can be challenging as the terrain is very rugged; however, it is well worth the climb to see these stunning falls. After your long hike, you can take a dip and cool off in the refreshing Spicewood Springs near the waterfall.

Exploring the City

There are some fantastic cities to visit near Gatesville. However, you'd be missing out if you didn't stop by the vibrant metropolis of Dallas. The city is full of interesting cultural and historical attractions, and one that is unique to Dallas is the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza. This museum is dedicated to the site of the assassination of former U.S. President John F. Kennedy, who is thought to have been shot from the sixth floor of this old book depository. Visitors can tour the museum and see artifacts relating to the assassination, as well as the events that lead up to Jack Ruby shooting the suspected killer, Lee Harvey Oswald, and much more.Dallas also has one of the largest art museums in the country, the Dallas Museum of Art. This museum features over 20,000 objects spread across over 150,000 square feet, with over 5,000 years of art history on display. There's a wide array of art showcased here, ranging from West African to South Asian pieces. Some of the highlights from the museum's collection include paintings by Vincent van Gogh, Claude Monet, and Paul Cezanne.One of the best family-friendly attractions in Dallas is the Dallas Zoo. This large, well-respected zoo features over 400 different species, including ring-tailed lemurs, African lions, and cheetahs. The zoo also offers animal encounters, where you can get up close to exotic birds, porcupines, and even feed giraffes.