Abilene was established in 1881 by cattlemen as a shipping stop on the Texas and Pacific Railway. It was named after the city of Abilene in Kansas, which was the original end of the Chisholm Trail. Before land lots were sold, hundreds of people were already camping in the area. It was incorporated as a town the same year it was established and soon took over as the county seat. The cornerstone of Simmons College, the first of Abilene's three universities, was laid in 1891. After World War II ended, the population nearly doubled between 1950 and 1960 from 45,570 to 90,638, which resulted in another high school being built. The Abilene Zoo was constructed near the airport in 1966. In 1982, the city became the first in the state to designate a reinvestment zone downtown. Abilene has since become an essential commercial, retail, and transportation hub in the 19-county area known as "The Big Country."
The 20-story Enterprise Tower is the highest structure in the city. It was completed in 1984 and towers 285 feet high. It's the sixth tallest building in West Texas. Other notable landmarks to see in Abilene include the Paramount Theatre, which was built in 1930 by H.O. Hooten across from his hotel. It's hosted the Paramount Film Series annually since 1987. The 16-story Hotel Wooten was built the same year as the theater. This building was vital to the city's social scene for much of the mid-1900s.
The Grace Museum in Abilene has five art galleries with various permanent and rotating exhibits. There's also an art library, education center, and family-friendly interactive gallery. The 16-acre Abilene Zoo is home to more than 1,000 animals across 250 species and is worth a stop during your visit. It recently released its Journey to Madagascar exhibit in 2021. The zoo has also announced plans to more than double its acreage within the next 10 years. Check out the zoo's calendar for an up-to-date list of seasonal events.
Campgrounds Near Abilene, Texas
The owners of Abilene RV Park in Abilene live on-site and are dedicated to making your stay comfortable and fun. This campground has free wireless internet, a clubhouse with a full kitchen, and laundry facilities. Each RV campsite is equipped with lights and comes with a picnic table. Both back-in and pull-through sites are available as well as full hookups.
The 48-acre Buck Creek RV Park in Abilene is another popular camping spot with on-site hiking paths and scenic waterfalls. It's only eight miles from downtown so you won't have to drive far to find entertainment, dining options, and shopping districts. This site is a decent distance away from the urban areas, ensuring your stay is quiet and peaceful. Daily camping rates start as low as $31.
White's RV Park in Clyde is located right off Interstate 20. You'll love the high-speed Wi-Fi, dump station, and helpful fax and copy services. The campsites are spacious and big-rig friendly so you don't have to worry about the size of your RV. Other amenities include a dog park, western-themed bathrooms, several nearby golf courses, and a lake.
State Parks Near Abilene, Texas
Abilene State Park was first opened to the public in 1934. You can still find and enjoy the park's 1930s historic swimming pool. You're also welcome to fish and watch for wildlife near Lake Abilene and Buffalo Wallow Pond. This pond is known to have crappie, channel catfish, and largemouth bass. Other popular recreational activities here include hiking, bike riding, kayaking, canoeing, and camping. Plan your visit in the spring to beat the heat and see breathtaking fields of colorful wildflowers.
Lake Brownwood State Park has six miles of nature trails as well as a 6,490-acre lake open to fishing, canoeing, and water skiing. The recreation hall and its attached rooftop balcony are well-liked spots for get-togethers and family reunions. Many community organizations from nearby Brownwood and Grosvenor hold seasonal events here. The on-site campground has several spots that overlook the beautiful lake. Campsites come with water and electrical hookups as well as access to a dump station.
Lake Colorado City State Park spans 500 acres about 77 miles south of Abilene. This park offers gorgeous vistas of rolling hills and towering cacti. The Lake Colorado City reservoir is filled with recreational fish. The lake also permits swimming, boating, jet skiing, and water skiing. You'll find a designated swimming area next to the boat ramp. You're welcome to rent a kayak or stick to the fishing pier or fishing barge. The park's campground has 78 RV campsites with water and electricity.
National Sites Near Abilene, Texas
The Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park is filled with information and artifacts from the 36th president's childhood. Stop by the exhibit center to learn more about the Johnson family's settlement history and cattle business. You can then walk through Johnson's Boyhood Home, a small schoolhouse, a ranch, and the Texas White House. The self-guided LBJ Walking Trail starts at the visitor center and meanders toward the settlement. Feel free to keep walking after it ends to take a look at the many historic buildings.
The five-acre Waco Mammoth National Monument is surrounded by 100 acres of parkland on the Bosque River. This monument is home to the fossilized remains of dire wolves, an alligator, a camel, a saber-toothed tiger cub, and more. These Ice Age animals perished more than 75,000 years ago. This site is the only known location in the world where a group of adult and juvenile Columbian mammoths died. You're free to hike and bike the many trails or rest at one of the picnic areas along the Bosque River.
Visit El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail to learn more about the area's fascinating history from when it was owned by Mexico to its independent period. During the Spanish Colonial period, "royal roads" were established to connect Mexico City to North America. This historic trail was one of those roads that were used primarily by the Spanish during colonization. After the French tried to settle along the Texas Coast, the Spanish started missionary ventures to establish more churches and introduce Native Americans to farming and ranching. Today, what remains of the trail passes through cities like San Antonio, Austin, and New Braunfels.
National Forests Near Abilene, Texas
The 160,000-acre Davy Crockett National Forest extends across Houston and Trinity counties in Texas. Many visitors stop by annually to enjoy the modern facilities and four-acre lake at the Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area. You can swim, camp, boat, and fish while accessing an impressive amphitheater, forest trail, and bathhouse. All of the campsites within the forest have picnic tables. Motorized boats are not permitted on the waters. If you have a valid Texas hunting license, feel free to hunt for feral hogs, turkey, deer, and small game.
Sam Houston National Forest is home to the renowned 128-mile Lone Star Hiking Trail. Just 50 miles away from Houston, this forest is great for hiking, boating, camping, swimming, and sunbathing. You can visit any time of year, but it's best to stop by in the spring or fall when the temperature and humidity levels are bearable. The 90,000-acre Lake Livingston is full of bluegill, catfish, and largemouth bass. Additionally, the largest largemouth bass ever caught in the state came from nearby Lake Conroe.
Santa Fe National Forest in New Mexico has a 15-mile-wide dormant volcano crater. You'll find it on the south side of the forest in the Valles Caldera National Preserve. This forest is home to four stunning wilderness areas and more than 1,000 miles of nature trails. There are 23 campgrounds here with a variety of modern amenities as well as two ski areas. Some of the best bird watching can be found on the Black Canyon Trail or near the McCauley Hot Springs.
