McCowan Valley COE Park Texas

This is a Corp. of Engineer Park. It has improved camping sites that have water and electricity. Bathrooms with showers are sittuated in three areas in this park. This is a good "Car" camping park or site for a base camp for remote hikes and canoeing. It is sittuated along the banks of Lake Whitney which is a Brazos River impoundment. The lake is used to store water for irrigation downstream durring drought and as flood control. The lake level flutuates tremendously. That fact creates barren shoreline for miles and miles that can be hiked and explored. There are several parks and back country areas available for public use. Primative camping is allowed on the Corp properties. Be aware hunting is also allowed by permit and durring the fall seasons that consideration should be taken into account. It is common for Deer, racoons, squirels and other small mamals to frequent your camp. Use common sense with food as these creatures forage and your food is their banquet.

Canoeing in the lake provides several different kinds of opportunities. The lake in this area is making a long bend from east to west to south. That fact protects you from the winds in alomost any direction. The winds in this area are strongest from the southwest except durring a frontal passage where they come across in a northwestern to southeatern direction. There are numerous creeks and inlets to explore along the lake. Into the various creeks you are protected from the winds by high limestone bluffs and clay banks. Beaver, nutria and muskrat populate the creeks and are observed frequently. IN the winter, Osprey, Hawks, Owls and an occasional Bald Eagle can be seen as well as other birds of prey.

Numerous trails abound along the shores and in the parks of the lake. A short drive will find you at Plowman creek. The park is closed to vehicular traffic. It hase a 15 mile track that leads to Lakeside village along the upper region of the lake. Other trails go into and around the lake shore on the western side.

The roads around and in the parks provide great Hill Country scenery and a workout for two wheeled self propelled adventures. Elevation gains of 1000 feet in a mile or less are within easy pedling. Several escarpments dominate the terrain in this region.

Equestrian trails are available and there is no hunting allowed in those areas. The Equestrian area in the park is not open to the general public. They have seperate facilities and camping areas.

The park has a public swimming beach. One of two on the lake. There is no life guard on duty. Small children need adult supervision.