Spring wildflowers and songbirds embrace the grounds of early Texas settlers, plantation owners and laborers at Varner Hogg Plantation. Ima Hogg in a colonial revival style. Guided tours of the plantation home, barn and grounds shaded by pecan orchards, magnolias and moss draped oaks, are offered Wednesday through Saturday. A slice of Southern history encompassing the site's slavery, ranching and oil heritage awaits visitors to this West Columbia landmark 50 miles from Houston. April is a good time to spot migrating sandhill cranes, geese and an occasional whooping crane.
Indigenous wildlife includes burrowing owls, prairie dogs, jackrabbits and roadrunners.
Diverse wildlife is another attraction of this lightly visited park. The rare horned lizard is a common resident of the Comanche Campground, and park visitors often spot the endangered kangaroo rat, as well as roadrunners, bats, barn owls, bobcats and several varieties of turtles. All types of campers can be accommodated. Fort Griffin State Historical Site - Fort Griffin provides visitors a snapshot of frontier military life and insight into the great cattle drives through living history programs. The state longhorn herd resides here.