Prairie View County Park

Park is open 7am to 7pm, and they mean it. You can't sneak in early for a dawn launch or stay late for an evening bite. Plan your trips around that window, especially in summer when the fish are active at the edges of the day.

One lane and only 10 trailer spots, so this isn't the place to bring a big crew on a Saturday afternoon. Sunday mornings are dead quiet — I've had the whole ramp to myself more than once. Weekday afternoons are also easy.

Hogset and Gourdneck Lake connect through a small channel, which effectively doubles your water. Kayaks and paddleboards slip through easily, but if you're running a larger boat, take it slow — the channel is narrow and shallow in spots.

The ramp is a patchwork of gravel and asphalt, not a clean concrete slab. It handles smaller boats and Jon boats fine, but backing a heavier rig down can feel a little loose under the tires, especially when it's wet. Four-wheel drive helps.

$5 per car at the gate, and they don't take cards. Bring cash or buy the $30 annual sticker ahead of time. There's not always someone staffing the entrance, but don't count on skating in free — they do check.