• The state parks near Killeen, Texas, provide ample opportunities for outdoor recreation.texas proud image by buckwheat from Fotolia.com
  
  Killeen, Texas, rests in the heart of Central Texas, close to the large cities of Waco and Austin. Because of its geographical location on the Balcones Fault Line, the area has numerous caves, natural springs and rivers, which attract many visitors to the area. While most state parks provide camping and picnic facilities, many of the parks within an hour of Killeen have special attractions, ranging from on-site golf courses to caves or waterfalls.
  
  

Mother Neff State Park

• Gov. Pat M. Neff created this park, the first Texas official state park, in 1921. He named it after his mother, Isabella Eleanor (Mother) Neff. The park offers camping, hiking, picnicking and fishing in 259 heavily wooded Hill Country acres. The Civilian Conservation Corps unearthed Indian graves and artifacts in 1935 and also built a large stone water tower that visitors can climb for expansive aerial views of the area.
  
  Mother Neff State Park
  1680 SH 236
  Moody TX 76557-3317
  254-853-2389
  tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/mother_neff/
  
  

Colorado Bend State Park

• Colorado Bend State Park, located west of Killeen in the hills outside of San Saba, boasts more than 15.8 miles of hiking trails and 14 miles of mountain bike trails, as well as primitive camping facilities and creek fishing. Visitors to the park can also tour several caves (guided tours only, no self-guided entry is allowed) and hike to Gorman Falls, a 60-foot-high waterfall.
  
  Colorado Bend State Park
  Box 118
  Bend, TX 76824
  325-628-3240
  tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/colorado_bend/
  
  

Inks Lake State Park

• Inks Lake State Park lies a bit west of Killeen and adjacent to Inks Lake on the Colorado River in Burnet County. Activities at the 1,201-acre recreational facility include backpacking, hiking and camping. The park also has a 9-hole golf course operated by the Highland Lakes Golf Club, which visitors can reach from inside or outside the park area. One of the primary draws of the park is its water facilities, including lake swimming, water-skiing, boating, scuba diving and fishing.
  
  Inks Lake State Park
  3630 Park Road 4 West
  Burnet TX 78611
  512-793-2223
  tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/inks/
  
  

Longhorn Cavern State Park

• If you enjoy cave exploration, Longhorn Cavern State Park (west of Killeen) provides guided tours of an unusual cave formed by water drainage that cut underground stream beds into the area's limestone rock. Centuries of history surround these caverns, with one local legend speculating that outlaw Sam Bass hid $2 million inside of the caves. Another tale recounts the rescue of a trapped Indian maiden from the cave by the Texas Rangers. Bring sturdy shoes and warm clothes--the cave stays at a year-round temperature of 68 degrees.
  
  Longhorn Cavern State Park
  P.O. Box 732
  Burnet, Texas 78611
  1-877-441-CAVE
  830-598-CAVE
  tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/longhorn_cavern/