Possum Kingdom State Park open for business after April wildfire

If the heat and the wildfires haven't driven you out of Texas yet, and you're looking for a quiet place to camp for a while, or paddle around a scenic lake, check out Possum Kingdom State Park west of Dallas/Fort Worth near Caddo.

You may be thinking that the wildfire that scorched all but 200 of the park's 1,528 acres has left burned out campsites and cremated opossums littered about. However, the fire mostly bypassed the park's cabins, campgrounds, marina, and swimming area.

But most people don't know that, and you may find the campground nearly deserted, a rarity for July. You can even rent canoes and kayaks at the concessionaire's store by the lake and find the lake mostly to yourself.

The park is known for its fishing, lake sports, and camping, and as soon as the word gets around that the park is open again following the fire, the crowds will return.

Possum Kingdom State Park is 17 miles north of Caddo on Park Road 33. Entrance fee is $4 per day for adults, $2 for seniors. Camping is $12 for water only; $17 for water and electric; $20 for premium water and electric. For information, call 800-792-1112 or visit their website.

Tailgating spaces for University of Texas 2011 football season now available

AUSTIN — RV parking and Centennial Park tailgating spaces are currently on sale for the 2011 University of Texas Football season through the Parking and Transportation Services (PTS) website.

Seasonal sales for RV parking and Centennial Park tailgating spaces opened on June 1 and will remain open until all spaces are filled, or through the close of business on Friday, July 15. Beginning Monday, July 18, any remaining RV parking spaces will be sold on a per-game basis.

There are 74 electrical and 12 non-electrical RV parking spaces available on campus. Each space accommodates one RV and one tow vehicle.

The Longhorn Foundation no longer rents RV parking spaces in lots 110, 111 or 113. PTS is now responsible for the management of these lots. If you have any questions regarding RV parking spaces for the 2011 football season, please email PTS at eparking@www.utexas.edu.

PTS also manages the tailgating spaces in the Centennial Park/tennis court area. There are 98 plots at Centennial Park for tailgating. Each plot is approximately 30 X 30; however, multiple plots can be purchased if you desire more space.

Questions about Centennial Park tailgating spaces can be emailed to centpark@utlists.utexas.edu.