Parks
Tyler State Park is a Pineywoods Paradise
Hike, bike and swim beneath tall pine canopies.
Horseback Riding in Texas State Parks
These parks cater to you and your equine friends.
- Recording Rock Imagery at Hueco Tanks State Park Story by Eva Frederick
- This Often-Overlooked Hill Country Cavern is a Year-Round Delight Story by Rob McCorkle
- Ray Roberts Lake: A Day in the Life of a State Park Story by Whitney Bishop
Palmetto State Park Transports Visitors to Another World
Ephemeral swamps and spiky, prehistoric plants abound at this Central Texas park.
CCC Built a Line of State Parks on U.S. 281. What Happened to Them?
Texas Gov. Pat Neff was planning for "a state park every 100 miles.”
Balmorhea State Park's Spring-Fed Pool Is a West Texas Oasis
The refreshing spring water is a respite from the hot, dry Chihuahuan Desert.
Recent in Camping
Paddleboarding Down the Brazos
A stand-up paddleboard camping trip embraces river life along the John Graves Scenic Riverway.
Story by Brandon Weaver
What to Do in Big Bend During Chisos Basin Closures
Alternatives abound at both Big Bend National Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park.
Story by Morgan O'Hanlon
Balmorhea State Park's Spring-Fed Pool Is a West Texas Oasis
The refreshing spring water is a respite from the hot, dry Chihuahuan Desert.
Story by Morgan O'Hanlon
Chaparral Wildlife Management Area Captures the Subtle Magic of South Texas Brush Land
"The Chap" is a celebrated destination for hunting, hiking, camping and bird-watching.
Story by Eva Frederick
Palo Duro Is the 'Grand Canyon of Texas'
The state park attracts visitors with dramatic scenery, natural beauty and deep history.
By Russell RoeRecent in Hiking
Susana Cruz, Founder of Chicana in Nature, Welcomes Everyone to the Outdoors
Cruz' organization creates opportunities for people of color to learn about and enjoy the outdoors.
Story by Eva Frederick
New Long-Distance Trails Take Shape Across Texas
Ambitious builders create paths of 50-plus miles for hikers, bikers and horseback riders.
Story by Morgan O'Hanlon
Climbing the Cliffs of Lake Mineral Wells State Park
Climbers can explore the park's caves, crevices and narrow passageways.
Story by Russell Roe
Artist Georgia O’Keeffe Drew Inspiration From Palo Duro Canyon
Artist Georgia O’Keeffe spent her formative years drawing inspiration from Palo Duro Canyon.
Story by Dan Oko
Palmetto State Park Transports Visitors to Another World
Ephemeral swamps and spiky, prehistoric plants abound at this Central Texas park.
Story by Eva FrederickRecent in Natural Wonders
Photographer Jim Bones Sees Big Bend in a Different Light
Loss of sight caused the photographer to take a more impressionistic angle with his images.
Story by Earl Nottingham
Shifting Sands at Mustang Island State Park
The dunes are an ever-changing constant of the coast.
By Eva Frederick
Secrets of the Sands Offer Insight into South Texas Geology
New efforts awaken visitors to the geological charms of Mustang Island and beyond.
Story by Dan Oko
Walking in the Footsteps of Dinosaurs
Dinosaur tracks across Texas reveal secrets of ancient inhabitants.
By Dale WeismanRecent in Trails
Horseback Riding in Texas State Parks
These parks cater to you and your equine friends.
Story by Texas Parks and Wildlife
New Guide Book Highlights Palo Duro Hikes
The sixth book in Half Day Hikes' Texas State Parks series covers hiking in this Panhandle haven.
Speaking Bird Language at Estero Llano Grande
State park offers avian delights for those who know what to look for.
Story by Alexander Martin
Gorman Falls: Chasing Waterfalls at Colorado Bend
Waterfall cascades down a 70-foot cliff, and is growing.
By Sheryl Smith-RodgersRecent in Photography
Wildlife in Focus Photo Contest to Expand Statewide in 2025
Participating landowners are matched with photographers to produce and submit wildlife photography.
How To Thrive As An SOB (Spouse Of A Birder)
Suggestions for friends and partners of true birders.
By Kim MarvelRecent in Family
A Psychologist Explains How Nature Really Does Heal Us
Time outside offers wide-ranging benefits for mental health.
Ziv Shafir
Lake Corpus Christi Celebrates Decades of Kid Fish
Kid Fish, which began as a kids' fishing derby, is now an annual tradition 33 years in the making.
Josie Gunter
Mentors Share Love of Waterfowl Hunting With Next Generation
Paying your skills forward is a definitive hunting experience in itself.
Story by Lerrin Johnson
A Hill Country Conservationist Helped Save Central Park — And Her Family's Ranch
Central Park Conservancy founder Betsy Browning Rogers returned home to restore her Texas ranch.
Story by Louie Bond
Brady is a Small Town with a Big Heart
This town draws big crowds for hunting's country music and a goat cookoff.
Story by John H. Ostdick