Seminole Canyon State Park and Historic Site facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Seminole Canyon State Park and Historic Site |
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 Seminole Canyon State Park and Historic Site
Location in Texas
Seminole Canyon State Park and Historic Site
Location in the United States
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| Location | Val Verde County, USA |
| Nearest city | Comstock, Texas |
| Area | 2,172.5 acres (879.2 ha) |
| Established | 1980 |
| Governing body | Texas Parks and Wildlife Department |
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Seminole Canyon Archeological District
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| Location | Address restricted |
| Area | 1,334.4 acres (540.0 ha) |
| NRHP reference No. | 71000967 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | January 25, 1971 |
Seminole Canyon State Park and Historic Site is an amazing place in Texas where you can explore ancient history and enjoy nature! It's located near the Pecos River High Bridge, west of a town called Comstock. This park is perfect for camping, biking, watching birds, and learning about people who lived here thousands of years ago. You can see incredible cave art and old tools left behind by early humans. The park is also part of a bigger area called the Seminole Canyon Archeological District, which is a very important historical site.
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Park History and Ancient Life
This park covers a huge area, about 2,172 acres (879 hectares), and is managed by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. It's right next to another cool spot, the Amistad National Recreation Area.
Scientists believe that people started living in this area as far back as 10,000 years ago! That was during the Holocene era, a time when giant animals like mammoths roamed the Earth. Back then, the land probably had many more plants, which helped support all the animals and people. Over thousands of years, wind and water have slowly shaped the rocks, creating the canyons you see today.
The first people here began creating amazing cave art between 2,000 and 8,000 years ago. These paintings tell us stories about their lives and beliefs.
The first European explorer thought to have visited this area was Gaspar Castaño de Sosa in 1591. He was trying to find a way to establish Spanish settlements in New Mexico. Later, in the 1800s, a group called the Black Seminole Scouts of the United States Army were stationed here. They were a special group of soldiers, and the region gets its name from them. The Southern Pacific Railroad built tracks through this area in 1882.
A large part of the park, about 13,344 acres (5,400 hectares), was recognized as the Seminole Canyon Archeological District in 1971. This means it's a very important place for studying history and ancient cultures. The park itself was created when the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department bought the land in two parts, in 1974 and 1977. It officially opened to visitors in 1980.
Amazing Indigenous Rock Paintings
The rock paintings you can find in the park are part of a unique style called the Pecos River Style. You can take tours to see some of these incredible artworks! Volunteers from a group called the Rock Art Foundation lead these tours. They ask that you don't bring guns, alcohol, or pets on the tours to keep everyone safe and respect the site.
Panther Cave
Panther Cave is a special spot where you can see ancient art. You can view it from a distance on a hiking trail, or sometimes by boat from the National Park Service dock in Amistad National Recreation Area. The cave is named after a famous painting of a leaping panther. Some of the art in this cave is super old, dating back to about 7,000 B.C.! You'll notice that big cats, like panthers, are a common theme in the art, even showing humans wearing cat-ear decorations.
Fate Bell Shelter
Fate Bell Shelter is another important site, named after a past owner of the land, Mr. Fayette Bell. People first started digging here to find artifacts in 1932 and again in 1963. The cave art and ancient tools found here are thought to be some of the oldest in all of North America! Guided tours to Fate Bell Shelter are available Wednesday through Sunday. Be aware that during very hot weather, the tour hours might be shorter.
Park Facilities and Activities
Right outside the Visitors Center, you'll see a tall, 17-foot bronze statue called The Maker of Peace. It was created by a Texas artist named Bill Worrell in 1994.
Seminole Canyon State Park and the nearby Amistad National Recreation Area are fantastic places for bird watching. Many different kinds of birds live here, including those that like canyons, deserts, and eating seeds.
If you love being active, there are nine miles of trails perfect for hiking and mountain biking. Remember, to explore the deep canyons and see Fate Bell Shelter, you'll need to join one of the guided tours.
The park has restrooms with showers, which is great after a day of exploring. You can choose from different types of campsites: some are very simple with no services, while others have water, or even water and electricity. There's also a place to dump waste from trailers.
You can even find wireless Internet access (Wi-Fi) in some parts of the park, so you can stay connected!
Hours and Admission
Seminole Canyon State Park and Historic Site is open every day of the week.
There is an entrance fee to get into the park. If a school group wants to visit, they need to contact the Park staff ahead of time to arrange their tour.
Gallery
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Honeycomb weathering in the canyon
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Pictograph in a rock shelter
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Pictograph of a shape-shifting bear with antlers
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A snake swimming in a canyon riverbed
