Stephen F. Austin State Park

White-tailed deer are plentiful in Stephen F. Austin State Park.

Stephen F. Austin State Park is a state park in Texas, United States and is located in San Felipe, Austin County, west of Houston on the Brazos River.

The 663.3 acres (268 ha) that makes up the site was deeded to the state by the San Felipe de Austin Corporation in 1940, and the park was opened to the public the same year.

12 acres (4.9 ha) of the park are set aside as the San Felipe de Austin State Historic Site to honor the area's past. This was the site of the township of San Felipe, the seat of government of the Anglo-American colonies in Texas. It was here Stephen F. Austin, brought the first 297 families to colonize Texas under a contract with the Mexican Government. The town was burned on March 2, 1836 to prevent it from falling into the hands of the advancing Mexican Army during the Texas Revolution. On January 1, 2008, the San Felipe State Historic Site was transferred from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to the Texas Historical Commission.

The park can be a productive birdwatching location, but is not often visited. White-tailed deer abound in the park. Habitat is typical East Texas riparian, upland areas are mostly pecan trees, while river bottom areas are dominated by cottonwoods and hackberry.

The park offers camping, a picnic area, hiking trails and a public golf course.

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    Coordinates: 29°49′01″N 96°6′35″W / 29.81694°N 96.10972°W / 29.81694; -96.10972


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