Texas state parks

It's a great time to visit Texas state parks. It always is. And there's a lot to love at our parks: the grandeur of Enchanted Rock. The haunting mystery of Caddo Lake. The sublime beauty of the Frio River at Garner. The fantastic stonework buildings built by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The striking contrast of arid desert and gushing springs at Devils River. On our state park page, you can find state park magazine articles, state park videos and other state park resources.

From Our Pages: State Park Articles

My Best Friend Is a Park

It takes a village to nurture and protect Texas state parks. read more

State Park Treasure Hunts

Geocaching combines technology and nature for outdoor family fun. read more

Nature by Design

The CCC used native materials and thoughtful design to create iconic features in state parks. read more

Season of Sharing

Give yourself the gift of giving this year by volunteering at state parks. read more

Using Your Car to Support Parks

It’s easy — just add $5 to your vehicle registration fee to help parks through tough times. read more

Skill Builder: Natural Treasure Hunt

Newest state park craze combines technology and outdoor fun. read more

Goodbye, Graffiti

Breakthrough laser techniques remove vandalism from pictographs at Hueco Tanks. read more

10 Hidden Gems

Beat the crowds and discover 10 of Texas’ overlooked state parks. read more

Volunteers Lead the Way

Without volunteers, our state parks just wouldn’t be the same. read more

Enchanted Rock Event Takes Racers Around and Up the Rock

Duathlon challenges athletes with trail run, bike ride and summit run. read more

New State Parks on the Way

Recent purchases will add nearly 25,000 acres to TPWD system. read more

State Parks Make Plea for Help

Drought, heat, fires push down visitation, revenue; public urged to visit parks, donate money. read more

Red Rock Country

Caprock Canyons offers dramatic vistas for hikers seeking solitude. read more

Silver Cyclist

Retiree mountain biker spins through Texas parks for exercise and entertainment. read more

Bison Released Into New Territory at Caprock

Visitors can now get a closer look at the historic herd. read more

The Golden Age of State Park Acquisitions

We can't live without wild things. That’s why parks are so precious. Today, most Texans live an easy drive from one of many state parks, natural areas and historic sites. From 1963 to 1988, the elements aligned for major park acquisition through the efforts of dedicated individuals. As a result, the number of state parks in Texas more than doubled in 25 years, with an almost tenfold increase in acreage. read more

Photo Essay: Water Parks

Waters born from above and below, from desert downpours to crystalline springs, carve their way across the vast Texas map, shaped and colored by their geography and geology. Along their transformative journeys, many will flow through tranquil places, away from the noise and trappings of civilization. read more

Big Bend Ranch Trail Earns Honors From Mountain Bikers

One of the park's premier loop trails, Fresno Canyon to Sauceda, has been designated an “Epic” ride by the International Mountain Biking Association. read more

Big Bend Ranch From Every Angle

A team of adventurers explores the expansive West Texas wilderness by foot, by horse, by bike and by boat. read more

Building Trails Across Texas

The Trails Across Texas crew, a program of AmeriCorps and the American YouthWorks Environmental Corps, is here to restore Old Tunnel Wildlife Management Area’s badly eroded nature trail. In form and in function, E-Corps crews have been called the “grandchildren” of the Civilian Conservation Corps. read more

12 Great State Park Walks

Everybody wants an adventure, and you can have one today. It’s an adventure for young or old and will cost you next to nothing: Go for a walk. The state parks of Texas are full of them, from easy strolls to rugged ramblings to strenuous hikes. Whichever you choose, every walk is an adventure. read more

Enchanted Rock: A Natural and Legendary History

By daylight, Enchanted Rock is more apt to inspire awe than fear. Its huge pink dome, 1,825 feet above sea level, looks so alien in the Hill Country that it appears as if the surrounding land were giving birth to Mars. Enchanted Rock and its smaller counterparts are granite anomalies in an area dominated by limestone, bald giants in a landscape carpeted with green. read more

Top 10 State Park Swimming Holes

Since moving to Texas, I've discovered a paradise on earth for natural swimming experiences. Here you can immerse yourself like Huck Finn in an emerald cypress stream. You can cool off in a clear, deep lake or find your smile at the bottom of a world-class swimming pool. If that's not enough, you can take your pick of beaches along more than 350 miles of coastline. read more