This section addresses outlets for those with an adventurous spirit. Whether you flew into Abilene’s regional airport or drove in on the highway, you probably noticed an abundance of empty land. If fresh air is your best friend, prepare to get real chummy with the Great Plains. While you won’t find much snowboarding, rock climbing, or spelunking here, you will find a plenty of opportunities to get outside.

City Parks

            The city parks listed in the Parks section of this book offer a great deal of outdoor entertainment including sand volleyball, baseball, softball, playgrounds, a concrete skate park, and fishing.

 

State Parks

www.tpwd.state.tx.us/park/cityarea/abilarea.htm

The website above lists the eleven Texas State Parks within 100 miles of Abilene. I’m not qualified to rate them, but wanted to give you a heads up on where to start looking if you’re the camping/fishing/nature type.

Area Lakes

Lake Abilene – Outside Buffalo Gap, near Abilene State Park

Lake Fort Phantom Hill – 15 minutes north of Abilene

Kirby Lake – On the south side of Abilene, east of HWY 83/84

Nelson Lake – Nelson Park, E.S. 11^th

 

Public Fishing

www.tpwd.state.tx.us/fish/infish/regions/inpanhd.phtml

The website above shows the location of all major lakes in the Panhandle Plains Region of Texas and offers fishing information for each. This information includes water conditions, likelihood of catching fish, lake depths, and a rundown on aquatic vegetation. It will also show you where the boat ramps are and tell you when a lake is too low to be worth your drive.

            The Texas Parks & Wildlife Department also stocks Trout in a number of Texas lakes each winter. Check www.tpwd.state.tx.us/fish/infish/reports/trout_stocking.phtml to see where.

            You must purchase a fishing license to fish in public waters. Licenses may be obtained at most sporting goods stores.

Cedar Gap Farm         (572-4738;   669-2879)       9 miles south of Abilene & 1 ½ miles east of HWY 83    

            This veritable sanctuary for nature lovers and bird watchers has been featured on the Home & Garden TV website. It offers a vast array of wildlife viewing from dawn till dusk every day. Admission is $5 per day or $20 per year. The Huttos, who own the property, have cut a nature trail and built an air conditioned viewing house for those looking to enjoy a day of nature appreciation.

 

Tour de Gap

www.foodbankofabilene.org 

            Begun in 1983, the Food Bank of Abilene and the Bicycle Club of Abilene sponsor the Tour de Gap bicycle race. The Tour de Gap is held either in late July or early August. The race begins in Buffalo Gap, and offers 10, 25, 48 and 100 mile routes. There is also a bike rodeo associated with the event.

 

Back Creek Trails

            Bike Town (1433 S. 1^st) sells memberships to this mountain bike facility for an annual fee of $15. This fee covers liability insurance. The facility is located on the northeast side of town and is owned by the Abilene Bicycle Association.

 

Spinner’z    (677-3866)       1873 Maple St.

            Spinner’z offers Go-Karts, paintball facilities/rentals, and a rock wall for climbing. Not the place for hard core paintball players, it is the best available to non-military persons. The fields are great for casual players or beginners. If you own your own equipment it’s not expensive to play. If you don’t, take a group with you to split the cost of the paint.