Stillhouse Park sits on Stillhouse Hollow Lake in Belton, and offers a full day of fun for anyone just looking to get away and spend a day on the lake! The Belton area has become one of my favorites for day trips out of DFW, as it’s one of the closest locations for finding rocky beaches and clear water! The lake, which is fed by the Lampasas River, is great for boating, and for diving! Stillhouse Park, an Army Corp of Engineers Park, is a nice little lake park, with picnic tables and plenty of waterfront to enjoy for day use, a swim beach, a marina and pavilion rentals.
The beach, pictured above has lots of picnic tables, a restroom and showers, and a small swim beach. Dogs are not allowed on the swim beach. We just stopped for a minute to take some pictures and walked a little further down.
Dogs are allowed along the water at the day use areas away from the swim beach. We found an empty table and swam for about an hour with the dogs! Boats were anchored off just a ways away, and there were several kayakers here, too. The water was clear and cool, and the bottom is rocky. Absolutely wear water shoes or you’ll be miserable!
My son wanted to check out a more remote area we spotted, so we headed over to the marina, and walked out to the point in the picture above. It’s all rock, and you want to wear shoes because they can be sharp.
Here’s a view of the water, it’s very clear.
We had the point almost exclusively to ourselves, and it was a perfect place to play!
The rule at any Army COE park for dogs is they MUST be on a leash, but they are usually allowed to swim without a leash, as long as they are well-behaved. Our little Dublin usually HATES the water, but it was hot and she actually played in the water quite a bit, just to keep cool!
Our labrador, Lucky, loved it! Again, we kept her on her leash except when she was swimming. At 14, she’s not going to run anywhere. The water here on the point is much cooler than on the swim beach, and we just LOVED it! Once again, the difference between a GREAT time and a LOUSY time is water shoes! I really prefer the cheap ones from Walmart, etc.
A sailboat leaving the marina, heading out to the lake.
Around on the other side of the penninsula, we found these boys fishing, and watched as they pulled in this nice fish! As a Army COE lake, anyone between the ages of 17 and 64 is required to have a fishing license.
Fossil Hunting
The area around Belton is just COVERED in fossils, but be sure you know the rules where you are hunting! If in doubt, take pictures and leave the fossils where you find them! Fossil hunting is not allowed in Army COE parks!
Know Before You Go
Most of the picnic tables had grills, so stop at the store and pick up some hot dogs or burgers!
Stillhouse Park is open March 1 – September 30th.
An Army COE annual pass is about $40, or purchase a National Parks Pass for $80, which gives you free admission to National Parks and all Army COE parks! 4th graders get a National Parks Pass for FREE, too! Click HERE for more information.
There are zebra mussels found in Stillhouse Hollow, so be sure to dry, clean and drain your boat after use to protect other waterways from these invasive mussels.
Things To Do in Belton
Play
Head to Summer Fun Waterpark, a fun park open during the summer! Click HERE to visit their website.
Are you a diver? Scuba Divers Paradise has submerged planes, boats and more on clear Stillhouse Hollow Lake! Click HERE to read more.
I’m a sucker for a good ghost tour! Ghost Wagon Tours in Belton is a fun way to see the town! Click HERE for more information.
Eat
Head to Downtown Belton to the Gin on Nolan Creek (dog-friendly patio) for a good meal overlooking the creek, built in an old cotton gin, then head down to play in the water, or search the creek bed for fossils. Click HERE to read more.
Stay
Union Grove and Dana Peak Point Parks both offer camping on Stillhouse Hollow Lake.
Stillhouse Park
4050 Simmons Rd, Belton
Click HERE to visit their website.
Keep Having Fun in the Texas Sun!
Michelle
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