Rest areas, picnic areas, roadside stopping/resting areas along US 281 in TX?

[Pete Masterson]

After several trips through Texas, I've found that all primary
highways (U.S. highways, and State Routes -- and a few FM roads) have
"picnic areas" every so often along the way. These can be on either
side of the road and most can accommodate a WL, especially if there
aren't other vehicles stopped. (A few have a 'U' shaped driveway that
might make it difficult for longer WL.) The picnic areas are signed
one mile in advance. That's far enough that you end up going too fast
when you finally see the thing -- so it's best to take note of the
odometer reading and slow down after about 3/4 mile. (I've seen lots
of skid marks in the roadway just before the picnic area, especially
near those on the "wrong" side of the road relative to your direction
of travel.)

Texas picnic areas are not full "rest stops" -- but rather are usually
a picnic table under a protective roof with a steel drum for trash.
(Larger picnic areas might have multiple picnic tables with covering
roofs.) I've never seen a rest room or even a porta-potty at any of
the picnic areas -- but that shouldn't be much of an issue for a WL...

I can safely say that I've even seen picnic areas in some of the most
desolate and unlikely locations, including the western desert on U.S.
287 from Ft. Stockton toward Carlsbad NM -- indeed, I took a photo of
one on that route showing the unappealing surroundings (dry, desolate,
minimal vegetation -- all brown and dead-looking) -- and there, truly
in the middle of nowhere is the shelter-roof, picnic table, and steel
drum of a Texas picnic area... (I only stopped to take the photo...)

You'll probably have no trouble encountering them in your travels in
Texas -- but I've never found a list or directory showing where they
all are.

Pete Masterson
'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42 (For Sale)
<http://www.aeonix.biz/BBforsale.html>
El Sobrante CA
aeonix1@...




On Mar 1, 2009, at 9:35 AM, Jack and Liz Pearce wrote:

> Howdy.
> Traveling on US 281 from San Antonio, TX to Granbury, TX, I look for
> roadside rest areas, picnic areas or wide spots along the side of
> the road where Jack can pull over, stop the Bird and rest for a
> little bit. I have done searches on Google and can only find rest
> areas along the Interstate highways. So if you know of any places
> along US 281 from SA to Granbury where we can park the Bird for a
> short while, please let us know.
>
> TIA,
> Liz
> Regards,
> Jack and Liz Pearce
> Fulltiming in a 1993 Wanderlodge WB40