San Angelo Nature Center:
7409 Knickerbocker Road, 942-0121. The center includes a museum with changing displays to show the ‘‘hidden wonders of West Texas,’’ including live animals and an interpretive garden. The museum’s Discovery Room allows children to feel and play with the exhibits. The center also features a nature trail, located on Spillway Road, which is open free to the public during daylight hours. It includes three different ecosystems found in West Texas—semi-arid, wooded and wetlands. Spring Creek Wetlands is a 260-acre property developed as a recreational and educational area. More than seven miles of trails lead visitors through terrain that changes from a semi-arid environment to a freshwater marsh. Open noon–5 p.m. Tuesday–Saturday all year. Museum admission: $2 for ages 3 and older.
Nature Trail at Spillway Road:
Off Knickerbocker Road. One-mile trail through three different ecosystems forms a loop over 60 acres along the Middle Concho River. Trailhead is two miles down Spillway Road off Knickerbocker Road. Guide identifying trail markers, local flora and fauna available at the San Angelo Nature Center museum. Open daily during daylight hours. 942-0121
Paint Rock Excursions:
U.S. Hwy 183 in Paint Rock. One of the largest Indian pictograph sites in the nation. Thirty-two miles southeast of San Angelo in Paint Rock. More than 1,600 ancient paintings are visible along a limestone bluff just north of the Concho River. Easily viewed from a footpath 50 feet below; no climbing necessary. Admission charged. Call 732-4376 or 732-4418 for reservations.
San Angelo State Park:
7,563-acre park at O.C. Fisher Reservoir along the western boundary of the city. Offers fishing, water recreation, wildlife viewing, picnicking and camping, as well as 50 miles of continuous, multi-use trails for horseback riders, hikers and mountain bikers. Hunting permits are available in specified areas. Interpretive tours, stargazing parties, and trail rides available. Call 949-4757 or 947-2687 for details.
Camping
Concho Park at Lake Ivie:
357-4466. Hookups, convenience store, grills, service station.
Elm Creek at Lake Ivie:
357-4776. Cabins, RV hookups.
Kennedy Recreation Area at Lake Ivie:
Camping, picnic shelters.
KOA:
6699 Knickerbocker Road, 949-3242. Full hookups.
Middle Concho Park:
Red Bluff Road at Lake Nasworthy, 481-2617. Camping, picnic shelters, access to low wake water.
San Angelo State Park:
949-4757. Campsites with water, electricity; dump site, showers, boat ramps, hookups.
Spring Creek Marina:
2680 Camper Road, 944- 3850. Full hookups, full marina.
Sportsman’s Lodge/Motel:
2923 Hwy 1929, 357-4996. In Voss outside Kennedy Park at Lake Ivie.
Hunting
Many areas in San Angelo and the surrounding counties offer hunting leases for white-tailed deer, pronghorn antelope, Rio Grande turkey, quail, dove and seasonal waterfowl. Some landowners offer exotic game such as axis, oryx and fallow deer. Hunting leases may be obtained by calling the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department at 512-389-4971 or 800-792-1112. Ask for a free copy of the Western Division Hunting Leases Registry or look under Hunting at sanangelo.org.
Fishing
San Angelo has three lakes and four more are within an hour’s driving distance, offering a variety of species including crappie and bass. Area rivers and streams offer catfish, bass and perch. For information, call Parks and Wildlife at 651-4846.
Lake Nasworthy:
Fisherman’s Road, three miles northwest of Knickerbocker Road City-owned lake. Primarily largemouth bass and red drum.
O.C. Fisher Reservoir:
Off Mercedes St. Home of San Angelo State Park. Primarily fed by the North Concho River. Bass, crappie, big flathead, blue catfish, walleye.
Twin Buttes Reservoir:
Five miles west of San Angelo off U.S. Hwy 67. Reservoir owned by The Federal Bureau of Reclamation. Primarily largemouth and white bass.
Lake E.V. Spence:
35 miles north of San Angelo off State Hw. 208, then five miles west on State Hwy 158, 453-2982. Owned by the Colorado River Municipal Water District. The first of several reservoirs on the course of the Colorado River.
Lake O.H. Ivie:
40 miles east of San Angelo on FM 765 to Millersview, then north on FM 2134, 357-4776. Large, relatively new lake owned by the Colorado River Municipal Water District.
Birding
San Angelo is a wonderful place for birding. It has varied habitat with farmland, ranchland, lakes, streams and hills. San Angelo is far enough south to pick up many species usually associated with Mexico and lies near the 100th meridian with both western and eastern species. According to the Concho Valley Bird List, 337 species have been confirmed in this area since 1980. Bird enthusiasts can contact Delbert Tarter at 949-1622, Ross Dawkins at 942-2064 or Cathy Brown (Hummer House) 255-2254 for a checklist at no charge.
Horticulture
The International Water Lily Garden: Civic League Park, W. Beauregard and Park Streets. Water lily exhibits from around the world. Day and night blooming varieties provide breathtaking beauty from mid- May through October. Primary month is August. Best viewing is 10:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Roses, seasonal annuals, perennials and bulbous plants also exhibited.
Sunken Garden:
U.S. Hwy 87 S., Avenue D and Abe St. Large garden of about 40 cultivars of Cannas. Annuals, perennials and bulbous plants also exhibited.
Rio Concho Garden:
Rio Concho Drive across from Rio Concho Manor. Native and cultivated plants of many kinds. Vines, annuals, perennials, bulbous material, selected shrubs, mesquite trees, a few roses and other plants. Something is in bloom about 10 months of the year.
Terrace Garden:
Rio Concho Drive Ground covers, bulbous material, annuals, perennials, small shrubs and some native material. Offers changing texture, color, form and bloom throughout the year.
James M. Rogers Gazebo Garden:
500 Rio Concho Drive across from the San Angelo Convention Center. A popular wedding site. Flowering plants yield a succession of blooms about 10 months of the year. Sections of decorative screening fence create areas of interest with vistas of plantings.
San Angelo Visitor Center:
418 W. Ave B. A unique and picturesque waterfall that tumbles down a walkway and winds its way past the Angela Sculpture is surrounded by native plants.
Horseback Riding
San Angelo State Park:
949-4757 or 947-2687. Riding trails and pens for those bringing their own horses.
San Angelo Saddle Club:
Fair Grounds, 653-286
Rent a Pony/Buggy:
12586 FM 853, 949-6108
Riding Stables:
Christoval, 650-9889
Public Golf Courses
Arden Road Driving Range:
942-9599, 4061 Arden Rd
Quicksand Golf Course:
2305 E. Pulliam (near the Loop 306 interchange), 482-8337
College Hills Driving Range:
2838 College Hills Blvd., 944-9683
South Chadbourne Golf Driving Range:
4327 S. Chadbourne St.
Riverside Golf Course:
900 W. 29th St., 653-6130
Santa Fe Golf Course:
Santa Fe Park off of Beauregard Ave., 657-4485
Public Swimming Pools
Brown’s Pool:
5320 U.S. Highway 87 North, 653-5594. Open 12:30–7:30 p.m., 7 days a week
Municipal Pool:
18 E. Avenue A, 657-4450, Mon – Sun, 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Public Tennis Courts
Bart DeWitt Park:
E. Concho and Magdalen (2 lighted courts)
Bell Park:
Upton St. and Schroeder (2 lighted courts)
Bradford Park:
23rd St. and Bradford (2 lighted courts)
Brentwood Park:
Howard St. and Forest Park (1 lighted court)
Brown Park:
Johnson St. and Twohig Ave. (1 lighted court)
Tut Bartzen Tennis Court:
Lighted courts at San Angelo Central High School
Glenmore Park:
Paint Rock Road across from Fire Training Center (2 lighted courts)
Kiwanis Park:
W. Beauregard Ave. and A&M Ave. (2 lighted courts)
Lake View Park:
25th St. and Pecan (2 lighted courts)
Martin Luther King Park:
21st St. and Martin Luther King Blvd. (2 lighted courts)
Mountain View Park:
Chestnut and Alexander streets (2 lighted courts)
Rio Vista Park:
Ben Ficklin Road and W. Avenue W (2 lighted courts)
Santa Rita Park:
S. Madison Ave. (1 lighted court)
South Concho Park:
S. Bell St. and Lone Wolf Bridge (1 lighted court)
Swimming Pool Park:
Orient St. and Avenue A (2 courts, 1 lighted)
City Parks
Bart DeWitt Park:
326 S. Oakes St. Tennis, picnic area, fishing, River Plaza area, river trails, garden beds, water features.
Bell Park:
corner of 1800 block Upton St. and Schroeder St. Team athletics, playground, walkways, multi-use slab, tricycle drive/walkway, picnic area.
Bradford Park:
corner of 2300 block Bradford St. and E. 23rd St. Playground, multi-use slab, picnic area, and tricycle drive/walkway.
Brentwood Park:
1300 block Howard St. Multiuse slab, playground, and picnic area, small lagoon for youth fishing.
Brown Park:
300 block Johnson St. Multi-use slab, tennis, picnic area, walkway, and playground.
City Park:
corner of 200 block S. Magdalen St. and E. Twohig Ave. Innovation playground, standard playground, picnic area, fishing, walkway.
Civic League Park:
corner of 900 block W. Beauregard Ave. and Park St.
Glenmore Park:
0 block Avenue L. Team athletics, playground, walkways, multi-use slab, tricycle drive/walkway, picnic area, fishing, and natural habitat area.
Harmon (Picnic Bend) Park:
14th Street and North River Drive. Park headquarters, picnic area, playground, fishing, scenic river drive, river trails, natural areas.
James Rogers Gazebo:
500 block Rio Concho Drive
Kids’ Kingdom:
300 block River Drive. Playground built by the community of San Angelo. Accessible to all children, from toddlers to teens, and for those with special needs.
Kiwanis Park:
2900 block W. Avenue N. Multiuse slab, playground, picnic area.
Kirby Community Park:
1400 block Edmond Blvd.
Lake View Park:
200 block E. 25th and Pecan. Team athletics, playground, walkways, multi-use slab, tricycle drive/walkway, picnic area, North side Recreation Center.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Park:
Martin Luther King Blvd. and W. 21st St. Team athletics, playground, walkways, multi-use slab, tricycle drive/walkway, picnic area.
Mary Lee Park:
7400 Knickerbocker Road at Lake Nasworthy. Public beach area, picnic areas.
Meadowcreek Park:
5000 block Tabosa St. Team athletics, playground, walkways, multi-use slab, tricycle drive/walkway, picnic area.
Middle Concho Park:
Red Bluff Road at Lake Nasworthy. Camping, picnic area, covered table areas, access to low wake water.
Mountainview Park:
3000 Chestnut St. and Millspaugh Drive. Team athletics, playground, walkways, multi-use slab, tricycle drive/walkway, picnic area.
North Concho Park:
1851 N. River Drive. Scenic river drive, picnic area, fishing, native habitat areas, playground.
North West Community:
1402 Edmund Blvd.
Park Heights:
Koeingheim and South Randolph streets. Fishing, footbridge.
Pete Chapa Park:
200 block Avenue P. Playground, tricycle drive/walkway, picnic area.
Purkey Tot-lot:
1400 block E. 17th St. and N. Emerson St. Playground, tricycle drive/walkway, picnic area.
Rio Concho Parks:
100–1000 blocks Rio Concho Drive. Three gardens, scenic river drive, walkways, river trails, fishing, picnic area, playground for children with disabilities.
Rio Vista Park: 2700 block Ben Ficklin Road & Avenue X. Team athletics, playground, walkways, multi-use slab, tricycle drive/walkway, picnic area, Southside Recreation Center.
Santa Fe East:
Abe and Randolph streets. Playground, YMCA, ball fields, skateboarding picnic area, fishing.
Santa Fe Park:
100 block Santa Fe Park Dr., Picnic area, fishing, flower borders, scenic river drive, river trails, fountains and footbridges.
Santa Rita Park:
600 block Madison Ave. Multiuse slab, tennis, lagoon for youth fishing, picnic area.
Skate Park:
100 block River Drive
South Concho Park:
100–1400 blocks S. Concho Drive. Scenic river drive, picnic area, boat ramp, multi-use slab, fishing.
Sulfur Springs Park:
West Washington and South Madison streets. Natural areas, native flora, and small lagoons for youth fishing.
Sunken Garden Park:
700 block S. Abe St. & W. Avenue D
Texas Bank Sports Complex:
1651 Rio Concho Dr., 657-4279
Unidad Park:
3200 block College Hills Blvd. Playground for children with disabilities.
Webster Tot-lot:
2700 block Webster St. playground, tricycle drive/walkway, picnic area.
Soccer
Indoor Soccer:
6033, Loop 306 S, 651-6914, sanangeloindoorsoccer.com
