Calendar of Events

Arts & Crafts

December 2025

Dec 26
9:30a
End Date

Water Color at Upper Falls!

McKinney Falls State Park
Come paint a watercolor at the upper falls with local artist Mark Gale
Dec 27
2:00p
End Date

Nature Painting

McKinney Falls State Park
Join us for a fun craft!
Dec 28
11:00a
End Date

Art in the Park - Northern Lights!

Dinosaur Valley State Park
Unleash your inner artist as we create a masterpiece inspired by the northern lights!
Dec 28
2:00p
End Date

Leaves Like You Wouldn't Be-leaf!

Sheldon Lake State Park & Environmental Learning Center
Be-leave me, you're going to want to try this!
Dec 30
10:30a
End Date

Web of Life

Sheldon Lake State Park & Environmental Learning Center
Learn who eats what through a demonstration and create a web of your own!
Dec 31
5:30p
End Date

New Year's Eve: Sunset Reflections

Fort Parker State Park
Enjoy the sunset reflecting on Fort Parker Lake, reflect on the past or upcoming year, or paint the scene in watercolor.

January 2026

Jan 1
10:00a
End Date

First Day Hike 2026

Mother Neff State Park
Come enjoy miles of fun and join us on the trails at Mother Neff. Explore the park at your own pace and learn about the history of the park along the way. We will also have interpretive stations throughout the park sharing about the park's history and natural resources from 10am-3pm. Once you have completed your hike, come back by the visitors’ center and share your experience. We will even have a small memento for your participation and weather permitting the Leon River Dutch Oven Gang will be serving up some black-eyed peas for good luck in the coming year (while they last)!
Jan 3
9:30a
End Date

Water Color at Upper Falls!

McKinney Falls State Park
Come paint a watercolor at the upper falls with local artist Mark Gale
Jan 3
12:00p
End Date

Nature Center Hours

Stephen F. Austin State Park
Discover, Learn, and Play at the Nature Center!
Jan 10
12:00p
End Date

Art in the Park

Purtis Creek State Park
Enjoy nature and unleash your creativity!
Jan 10
2:00p
End Date

Art in the Park

Davis Mountains State Park
Join us for an all-ages & all-ability levels arts & crafts workshop (cap at 25 people).
Jan 10
2:00p
End Date

Feather Pen Writing!

Mission Tejas State Park
Ever wanted to write a poem or a letter with a feather pen? Now you can!
Jan 11
12:00p
End Date

CANCELED: Junior Ranger Games

Old Tunnel State Park
Earn your Junior Ranger Badge while exploring and learning about the park.
Jan 11
2:00p
End Date

Watercolors and Willets

Sea Rim State Park
Come paint your favorite bird!
Jan 17
12:00p
End Date

Nature Center Hours

Stephen F. Austin State Park
Discover, Learn, and Play at the Nature Center!
Jan 17
2:00p
End Date

Nature Journaling

Abilene State Park
Learn to connect deeper with nature and to sharpen your perceptions!
Jan 17
2:00p
End Date

Art in the Park: Salt Snowflakes

Cedar Hill State Park
Take home a unique and beautiful Winter-themed craft!
Jan 17
2:00p
End Date

Art in the Park: Abstract Animals

Lake Tawakoni State Park
Get your creative juices flowing!
Jan 17
3:00p
End Date

Block Printing Basics

Lockhart State Park
Try your hand at this unique art technique!
Jan 21
10:30a
End Date

Reading Ranger

Buescher State Park
Join Ranger Madalyn at the Smithville Public Library for themed book readings and a craft! All ages welcome!
Jan 24
12:00p
End Date

Nature Center Hours

Stephen F. Austin State Park
Discover, Learn, and Play at the Nature Center!
Jan 24
1:00p
End Date

Art in the Park: Birdfeeders

Cedar Hill State Park
Learn the do's and don'ts of birdfeeders and make your own from recycled materials
Jan 24
2:00p
End Date

Art in the Park

Davis Mountains State Park
Join us for an all-ages & all-ability levels arts & crafts workshop (cap at 25 people).
Jan 24
3:00p
End Date

Nature Journaling

Purtis Creek State Park
Learn how to journal and spend time in nature!
Jan 30
3:00p
End Date

Letterbox Journal Scavenger Hunt

Purtis Creek State Park
Learn the ins and outs of letterboxing!
Jan 31
11:00a
End Date

Art in the Park: Bird Houses and Watercolors

Lake Corpus Christi State Park
Paint and watch birds! Great for kids, families and couples!
Jan 31
12:00p
End Date

Nature Center Hours

Stephen F. Austin State Park
Discover, Learn, and Play at the Nature Center!
Jan 31
1:00p
End Date

Watercolors and Willets

Sea Rim State Park
Come and paint your favorite bird

February 2026

Feb 7
10:00a
End Date

Share a Valentine

Fort Richardson State Park & Historic Site / Lost Creek Reservoir State Trailway
A small act of kindness can make a big difference!
Feb 7
12:00p
End Date

Nature Center Hours

Stephen F. Austin State Park
Discover, Learn, and Play at the Nature Center!
Feb 14
1:30p
End Date

Gyotaku - Fish Printing

Stephen F. Austin State Park
Capturing the present in an art form from the past
Feb 18
10:30a
End Date

Reading Ranger

Buescher State Park
Join Ranger Madalyn at the Smithville Public Library for themed book readings and a craft! All ages welcome!
Feb 21
12:00p
End Date

Nature Center Hours

Stephen F. Austin State Park
Discover, Learn, and Play at the Nature Center!
Feb 21
2:00p
End Date

Nature Journaling

Abilene State Park
Learn to connect deeper with nature and to sharpen your perceptions!
Feb 28
12:00p
End Date

Nature Center Hours

Stephen F. Austin State Park
Discover, Learn, and Play at the Nature Center!

March 2026

Mar 7
10:00a
End Date

Ladies Bonnet Workshop

Fort Richardson State Park & Historic Site / Lost Creek Reservoir State Trailway
Join us at the park for a ladies’ bonnet workshop!
Mar 14
10:00a
End Date

Monarch and Friends Pollinator Fiesta

Guadalupe River State Park
Join us as we celebrate monarchs and all pollinators!
Mar 14
12:00p
End Date

Nature Center Hours

Stephen F. Austin State Park
Discover, Learn, and Play at the Nature Center!
Mar 21
2:00p
End Date

Nature Journaling

Abilene State Park
Learn to connect deeper with nature and to sharpen your perceptions!
Mar 28
2:00p
End Date

Flutter Books- Learn and Create

Caprock Canyons State Park & Trailway
Butterfly Edition

April 2026

Apr 18
2:00p
End Date

Nature Journaling

Abilene State Park
Learn to connect deeper with nature and to sharpen your perceptions!

May 2026

May 16
2:00p
End Date

Nature Journaling

Abilene State Park
Learn to connect deeper with nature and to sharpen your perceptions!

June 2026

Jun 20
2:00p
End Date

Nature Journaling

Abilene State Park
Learn to connect deeper with nature and to sharpen your perceptions!

July 2026

Jul 18
2:00p
End Date

Nature Journaling

Abilene State Park
Learn to connect deeper with nature and to sharpen your perceptions!

August 2026

Aug 15
2:00p
End Date

Nature Journaling

Abilene State Park
Learn to connect deeper with nature and to sharpen your perceptions!

September 2026

Sep 19
2:00p
End Date

Nature Journaling

Abilene State Park
Learn to connect deeper with nature and to sharpen your perceptions!

October 2026

Oct 17
2:00p
End Date

Nature Journaling

Abilene State Park
Learn to connect deeper with nature and to sharpen your perceptions!

November 2026

Nov 21
2:00p
End Date

Nature Journaling

Abilene State Park
Learn to connect deeper with nature and to sharpen your perceptions!

December 2026

Dec 12
1:00p
End Date

Lakeside Christmas

Fort Parker State Park
A Fort Parker State Park tradition! Take pics with Santa, make ornaments, play games galore!
Dec 19
2:00p
End Date

Nature Journaling

Abilene State Park
Learn to connect deeper with nature and to sharpen your perceptions!

January 2027

Jan 16
2:00p
End Date

Nature Journaling

Abilene State Park
Learn to connect deeper with nature and to sharpen your perceptions!

December 2027

Dec 11
1:00p
End Date

Lakeside Christmas

Fort Parker State Park
A Fort Parker State Park tradition! Take pics with Santa, make ornaments, play games galore!

December 2028

Dec 9
1:00p
End Date

Lakeside Christmas

Fort Parker State Park
A Fort Parker State Park tradition! Take pics with Santa, make ornaments, play games galore!

December 2029

Dec 8
1:00p
End Date

Lakeside Christmas

Fort Parker State Park
A Fort Parker State Park tradition! Take pics with Santa, make ornaments, play games galore!

December 2030

Dec 14
1:00p
End Date

Lakeside Christmas

Fort Parker State Park
A Fort Parker State Park tradition! Take pics with Santa, make ornaments, play games galore!