Calendar of Events

Holidays

October 2024

Oct 12
5:30p
End Date

Fall Forest Fest

Stephen F. Austin State Park
Join us for a night of community, fun, and education at Stephen F. Austin State Park
Oct 12
6:00p
End Date

Creatures of the Night

Inks Lake State Park
Join us for a fun and educational experience to learn about some of our our nocturnal creatures!
Oct 19
10:00a
End Date

State Park Spook-Tacular

Ray Roberts Lake State Park - Johnson Branch Unit
Join rangers all day while we celebrate Halloween.
Oct 19
12:00p
End Date

Creature Features

Dinosaur Valley State Park
Grab your spookiest friends and stop by the different booths highlighting cool animal adaptations in celebration of Halloween!
Oct 19
4:00p
End Date

Halloween Funfest

Daingerfield State Park
Join us for our annual Halloween Funfest!
Oct 19
5:00p
End Date

Candy and Cauldrons Trick-or-Treating

Martin Creek Lake State Park
Enjoy a spooky kooky time at Martin Creek Lake State Park
Oct 19
5:00p
End Date

Halloween in the Park

Sheldon Lake State Park & Environmental Learning Center
Join us for a haunting good time!
Oct 19
5:00p
End Date

Boo in the Park 2024

Lake Tawakoni State Park
Welcome to our annual "Boo in the Park" celebration. Bring the family out for a campsite decorating contest, pumpkin carving contest, and trick or treating.
Oct 19
6:30p
End Date

Campsite Decorating Competition and Trick or Treating

Ray Roberts Lake State Park - Johnson Branch Unit
Join us for our nighttime spook-tacular event: Campsite Decorating and Trick-or-Treating
Oct 19
7:00p
End Date

Halloween in the Park

Palo Duro Canyon State Park
Grab your costumes and trick or treating bags and come down to the canyon for a spooky evening in the park
Oct 20
3:00p
End Date

Sea Center Spooktacular

Sea Center Texas
Join Sea Center Texas for our annual Halloween Spooktacular. Sunday, October 20th from 3pm-6pm.
Oct 25
5:00p
End Date

Campfire Stories

Martin Dies, Jr. State Park
Gather 'round the campfire to hear adventurous tall tales and scary stories!
Oct 25
6:30p
End Date

Campfire Cures: Scary Stories & Fears of the Dark

Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
Sit around the campfire with a ranger and shed some light on your fears of the dark.
Oct 25
7:00p
End Date

Halloween Night Hike *Registration Required*

Guadalupe River State Park
Join us for a hauntingly fun night hike through the eerie trails of Guadalupe River State Park!
Oct 25
7:00p
End Date

Zombie Survival Game Night

Huntsville State Park
Join us for an interactive game learning about survival essentials in a post-apocalyptic world.
Oct 26
10:00a
End Date

Spooky Wildlife

Ray Roberts Lake State Park - Johnson Branch Unit
Join rangers for a spooky wildlife talk focused on the creepy wildlife that we have around our park.
Oct 26
10:00a
End Date

Pumpkin Painting

Goliad State Park & Historic Site
Break out your creativity and paint a pumpkin! Will you be a lucky winner taking home a prize?
Oct 26
11:00a
End Date

Snake Seasons

Ray Roberts Lake State Park - Isle Du Bois Unit
Celebrate spooky season with some live snake fun!
Oct 26
1:00p
End Date

Pumpkin Decorating Competition

Ray Roberts Lake State Park - Johnson Branch Unit
Show off your wildlife or park scene painting skills to win prizes!
Oct 26
3:00p
End Date

Trunk or Treat

Lake Brownwood State Park
Join us for a family-friendly trick or treating event!
Oct 26
4:00p
End Date

Decorate a Halloween Mask

Purtis Creek State Park
Join a ranger to decorate an animal mask and learn about Leave No Trace!
Oct 26
4:00p
End Date

Spooky Species

Pedernales Falls State Park
Make your own spooky mask for trick-or-treating!
Oct 26
5:00p
End Date

Ghouls Night Out at Lake Whitney

Lake Whitney State Park
The Horseshoe Loop will be our Trick or Treat Trail from 5 pm to 7 pm. COSTUME CONTEST from 4:30 to 5:30 judging for best adult, child and pet! Participating campsites will get a 20% discount and provide fun for the visiting ghouls and goblins looking for eeks and treats at these campsites.
Oct 26
5:00p
End Date

Spooky Stories with a Ranger

Tyler State Park
Come prepared for a scare!
Oct 26
5:00p
End Date

Trick-or-Treat in the Park!

Cleburne State Park
Come join us for Trick-or-Treat in the Park!
Oct 26
5:00p
End Date

BOO-gill Fishing and Haunted House

Huntsville State Park
Join us for an evening of fishing and a haunting look at what lurks in the woods.
Oct 26
5:30p
End Date

Night Hike - Fall Trees and Tall Tales

Mission Tejas State Park
Come to Mission Tejas State Park for a night hike with park staff and hear tall tales and legends of the people who lived here and the beasts they told stories of.
Oct 26
5:30p
End Date

Costume Contest!

Tyler State Park
Put your creativity to the test!
Oct 26
5:30p
End Date

Trick or Treat in the Park

Martin Dies, Jr. State Park
Join us for family friendly fun! The Trick or Treat loop will be closed to traffic so we can stay spooky and safe! This event is free and open to the general public
Oct 26
6:00p
End Date

Halloween in the Park

Abilene State Park
Safe trick-or-treating in the park.
Oct 26
6:00p
End Date

Parktober Trick or Treat

Tyler State Park
Trick or Treat through the park!
Oct 26
6:00p
End Date

9th Annual Boo Camp

Lake Bob Sandlin State Park
Come join us for some family friendly Halloween fun!
Oct 26
6:00p
End Date

** Cancelled ** Spooky Science Fest: ** Cancelled ** Night of the Living Bugs! ** Cancelled **

Estero Llano Grande State Park
Celebrate and save our tiny heroes! Come and see how! Bring your friends and family of all ages, in costume if you like, to join what has been 1,000 to 2,000 others for our annual Fall Festival to learn a little science and perhaps to be frightened just the right amount!
Oct 26
6:30p
End Date

Wildlife Trick or Treat

Government Canyon State Natural Area
Take a short, wooded hike to visit a series of trail stations where you'll learn about "spooky" wildlife including scorpions, bats, skunks and more. Bring your trick-or-treat gear!
Oct 26
7:00p
End Date

Star Party with UT ASA

Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
Join the University of Texas Astronomy Students Association for a very spooky Star Party!
Oct 26
7:00p
End Date

Haunted Hollows Hike

Lake Whitney State Park
The Towash Forest Trail may be an easy 1-mile to walk, but you never know what you may encounter in these hollows!
Oct 26
7:00p
End Date

Spooky Star Party

Pedernales Falls State Park
Come join the Austin Astronomical Society in viewing stars, planets and galaxies through dozens of different telescopes the weekend before Halloween!
Oct 26
7:00p
End Date

Spooky Creatures of the Night Hike

Lockhart State Park
Ever wondered what (or who) goes bump in the night?
Oct 26
8:00p
End Date

Haunted Trails

Take a spooky stroll through our CCC Camp Trail... If you dare!
Oct 26
8:15p
End Date

Sounds of the Night

Government Canyon State Natural Area
Sssshhhh...did you hear that? What was that noise?
Oct 31
5:30p
End Date

Mexia Blackcat Boo Bash

Mexia, TX -
Trunk 'r' Treat in downtown Mexia!
Oct 31
6:00p
End Date

Trunk or Treat

Purtis Creek State Park
Join us to trick or treat with the community!
Oct 31
7:00p
End Date

Spooky Halloween Night Ride

Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park
Look and listen for the creatures of the night while taking a ride through the park after dark.

November 2024

Nov 2
7:00p
End Date

Trail of the Dead

A family friendly Halloween/Day of the Dead event complete with ranger-led night hikes, candy, educational booths, crafts, and more!
Nov 23
9:00a
End Date

Chisholm Trail Turkey Trot

Lockhart State Park
Ready, Set….Gobble! Join us for a 1-mile or 5K run/walk to celebrate fall in the park!
Nov 26
2:00p
End Date

Dutch Oven Friendsgiving

Lake Corpus Christi State Park
Join your friends at Lake Corpus Christi State Park!
Nov 27
10:00a
End Date

Turkey Talk

Guadalupe River State Park
Join us the day before Thanksgiving for a gobble-tastic experience!
Nov 27
2:00p
End Date

Little Rangers: Terrific Turkeys

Lake Corpus Christi State Park
Gobble, gobble!
Nov 28
10:00a
End Date

Guided Turkey Hike

Galveston Island State Park
There has never been a Wild Turkey recorded in the park, but that won’t stop us from looking for one!
Nov 29 End Date

Opt Outside Day at Guadalupe River State Park

Guadalupe River State Park
Skip the stores and #OptOutside with us!
Nov 29 End Date

Opt Outside Kayak Tour

Galveston Island State Park
Opt out of the biggest shopping day of the year by taking a kayak tour out on the Galveston Bay. *Registration Required*
Nov 29
9:00a
End Date

Opt Outside Hike

Galveston Island State Park
Tell the crowds to TAKE A HIKE!
Nov 29
10:00a
End Date

Turkey Peak Turkey Trot

Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
Include Enchanted Rock in your Turkey Day weekend plans, and come walk, run, or jog this 3.0-mile trail challenge!
Nov 29
10:00a
End Date

Hike off the Turkey

Caddo Lake State Park
Take a hike through the forest with a ranger to hike off that Thanksgiving meal!
Nov 29
10:00a
End Date

Gobble Wobble!

Purtis Creek State Park
Join a ranger to walk off that Thanksgiving dinner!
Nov 29
10:30a
End Date

7th Annual Turkey Trot 5K/1-Mile Fun Run

South Llano River State Park
Come earn those Thanksgiving calories!
Nov 29
2:00p
End Date

Opt Outside Beach Walk

Galveston Island State Park
The Gulf of Mexico is our destination. What exciting things will we see along the way?
Nov 29
2:00p
End Date

Opt Outside Hike

Lake Corpus Christi State Park
Head outdoors instead of in stores!
Nov 30
10:00a
End Date

Deck the Halls

Lyndon B. Johnson State Park & Historic Site
Learn about making Christmas decorations with natural materials.

December 2024

Dec 6
9:00a
End Date

Christmas at Old Fort Concho - Education Day

San Angelo, TX - Fort Concho National Historic Landmark
Kick off the holiday season by visiting Fort Concho’s largest annual event. Held during the first full weekend in December, Christmas at Old Fort Concho transforms the fort’s 40 acres and 24 buildings into a winter wonderland.
Dec 7
9:00a
End Date

Christmas at Old Fort Concho - Public Days

San Angelo, TX - Fort Concho National Historic Landmark
Kick off the holiday season by visiting Fort Concho’s largest annual event. Held during the first full weekend in December, Christmas at Old Fort Concho transforms the fort’s 40 acres and 24 buildings into a winter wonderland.
Dec 7
10:00a
End Date

Winter Holiday Traditions

Government Canyon State Natural Area
Celebrate the holidays the old-fashioned way by hand-crafting items families might have been made on the historic ranches that became Government Canyon.
Dec 7
10:00a
End Date

A Mother Neff Christmas

Mother Neff State Park
Join us for our annual holiday celebration in the park.
Dec 7
12:00p
End Date

Art in the Park: Christmas Cards

Guadalupe River State Park
Join us for an early National Christmas Card Day Celebration!
Dec 7
1:00p
End Date

The Storied Past of Christmas

Mission Tejas State Park
How did early Texas pioneers celebrate Christmas? Where did the Santa Claus stories come from? Why do we decorate trees in our homes at this time? Join our park interpreter for a presentation on the history of Christmas and how the ways we celebrate this season have changed (or not!) over the years.
Dec 7
2:00p
End Date

Christmas at the Ranch

South Llano River State Park
Come enjoy some Christmas Cheer!
Dec 7
6:00p
End Date

Christmas in the Park

Lake Arrowhead State Park
Join us for an evening of Christmas cheer
Dec 7
7:00p
End Date

Christmas Campfire Story and S'mores

Government Canyon State Natural Area
Bring a blanket and settle in for a festive story read by a ranger, then make s'mores over our campfire.
Dec 13 End Date

Christmas in the Park!

Purtis Creek State Park
See the camp loop lit up like a winter wonderland and CAMP FOR FREE when you decorate your campsite!
Dec 13
5:30p
End Date

Christmas in the Park

Atlanta State Park
Experience a Christmas Wonderland and meet Santa inside the Pineywoods of Atlanta State Park!
Dec 13
6:00p
End Date

Christmas Light Up the Park Event

Bonham State Park
Bonham State Park's Annual Christmas Light Up the Park event. Drive through the campground and see the campsites decorated for the holiday season.
Dec 14
10:00a
End Date

A Simple Country Christmas

Martin Dies, Jr. State Park
Join our festive holiday activities in the park!
Dec 14
1:00p
End Date

Christmas with the Fishes

Sea Center Texas
Join Sea Center Texas for an underwater Christmas spectacular.
Dec 14
1:00p
End Date

A Crafty Caddo Christmas

Caddo Lake State Park
Deck the halls in our CCC Hall. Join us by the fire for hot chocolate, cookies, and creating your own Christmas tree ornaments. All supplies will be provided!
Dec 14
1:00p
End Date

Wreathed in History

Mission Tejas State Park
Come to Mission Tejas and make your own Christmas wreath! Create a piece of art with an East Texas take on the holiday tradition as you learn about what wreaths have meant for the many different cultures that used them.
Dec 14
1:00p
End Date

Lakeside Christmas

Fort Parker State Park
A Fort Parker Holiday Celebration! Take pictures with the Christmas Beaver, make Christmas Ornaments, Play Games . . . Play Games . . . Play Games, and many other holiday festivities.
Dec 14
2:00p
End Date

A Very Marshy Christmas

Sea Rim State Park
Watch Santa and Mrs. Claus ride in to Sea Rim State Park on an airboat and join them for hot cocoa, Christmas crafts and photo opportunities!
Dec 14
4:00p
End Date

Christmas in the Park

Guadalupe River State Park
Join us for a night of holiday magic on Saturday, December 14th as Guadalupe River State Park transforms into a winter wonderland!
Dec 14
5:00p
End Date

Twinkle Tour 2024

Lake Tawakoni State Park
Join us for our annual Twinkle Tour at Lake Tawakoni State Park. Enjoy all the festive Christmas lights and listen to a reading of The Night Before Christmas at the amphitheater.
Dec 14
5:30p
End Date

Christmas in the Park

Goose Island State Park
See the park in lights, enjoy holiday activities, and CAMP FOR FREE when you decorate your campsite!
Dec 14
5:30p
End Date

Christmas in the Park

Atlanta State Park
Experience a Christmas Wonderland and meet Santa inside the Pineywoods of Atlanta State Park!
Dec 14
6:00p
End Date

Holiday Light Drive-Thru

Lake Corpus Christi State Park
Check out our camper's holiday spirit by taking a drive by lighted campsites and park buildings!
Dec 14
6:00p
End Date

Christmas in the Park 2024

Lake Whitney State Park
It's the most wonderful time of the year! For camping, making holiday memories and inviting everyone to see homes on wheels decked out for Christmas. Decorate your campsite for this weekend and you will save 20%. Donations of non perishable food items are also being collected. Voting slips will be handed to all that come to see the festive campers during the event timeline.
Dec 14
6:00p
End Date

Christmas Light Up the Park Event

Bonham State Park
Bonham State Park's Annual Christmas Light Up the Park event. Drive through the campground and see the campsites decorated for the holiday season.
Dec 14
6:00p
End Date

Holly Days in the Park

Come out and experience the holidays in the park!
Dec 14
6:00p
End Date

Country Lights

Martin Dies, Jr. State Park
Drive, bike or walk thru the 200 camping loop to experience campsites adorned with holiday themed lights, sounds and decorations
Dec 14
6:00p
End Date

Fa La La in the Forest

Abilene State Park
See the dazzling Christmas light at Abilene State Park!
Dec 14
7:00p
End Date

Cross Timbers Cowboy Christmas – Music & Poetry

Lake Mineral Wells State Park & Trailway
Bring the whole family to the Lone Star Amphitheater and experience Christmas cowboy style.
Dec 15
5:30p
End Date

55th Annual Tree Lighting

Lyndon B. Johnson State Park & Historic Site
Enjoy this special tradition started 55 years ago by President and Mrs. Johnson.
Dec 20 End Date

Holiday Heritage Trail Hike

Galveston Island State Park
Take a hike on our self-guided Holiday Trail!
Dec 21
9:00a
End Date

Home for the Holidays Hike

Hueco Tanks State Park & Historic Site
❄️Join us for a moderate 2-mile holiday hike through the stunning landscapes of Hueco Tanks!
Dec 21
10:00a
End Date

Watercolor Holiday Cards

Lake Corpus Christi State Park
Create a watercolor card for your loved ones this holiday season!
Dec 21
10:00a
End Date

A Lost Pines CCC Christmas

Bastrop State Park
Celebrate Christmas in the Lost Pines with an evening full of holly jolly good times in the park for the whole family!
Dec 21
1:00p
End Date

A Crafty Caddo Christmas

Caddo Lake State Park
Deck the halls in our CCC Hall. Join us by the fire for hot chocolate, cookies, and creating your own Christmas tree ornaments. All supplies will be provided!
Dec 21
1:00p
End Date

Christmas in the Park

Devils River State Natural Area
Come enjoy Christmas Dutch oven cooking!
Dec 21
2:00p
End Date

Holiday Gift for the Birds

Lake Corpus Christi State Park
Show your backyard birds some love with a hand-decorated feeder!
Dec 21
3:00p
End Date

Christmas in the Park

Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
Tell Santa your wish list, sip hot chocolate, color a greeting card, and join us for a very special Christmas night hike this December!
Dec 21
6:00p
End Date

Winter Solstice Night Hike

Government Canyon State Natural Area
Take a walk over fields and through the woods on a starry (fingers crossed), moonless night...the longest night of the year.
Dec 21
6:00p
End Date

Holiday Festival of Lights

Inks Lake State Park
If you're camping with us on Dec. 21, please bring holiday decorations to brighten up your campsite!
Dec 31
9:30p
End Date

Black Light Hike & Scavenger Hunt at Midnight!

Fort Parker State Park
Take a New Year’s hike at midnight with a Fort Parker State Park ranger! Visit the 1/2-mile Bur Oak Trail and see what you might with an awesome black light! Continue the New Year's fun with a "Riddle-Me-This" scavenger hunt by moonlight. Can you answer the riddles to ring in the New Year?
Dec 31
11:30p
End Date

First Day Hike: Midnight Kick-Off!

Purtis Creek State Park
Join a ranger for a midnight hike along the Wolfpen Trail to kick off the new year!

January 2025

Jan 1 End Date

First Day Honey Creek Guided Walks *Registration Required*

Honey Creek State Natural Area
Experience the natural and cultural history of Honey Creek on our First Day Hikes!
Jan 1 End Date

Self-Guided First Day Nature Hikes

Guadalupe River State Park
Experience the great outdoors and join us for a self-guided First Day Hike!
Jan 1
10:00a
End Date

First Day Hikes

Mother Neff State Park
Kick off the start of the new year by exploring the natural beauty of Mother Neff State Park.
Jan 1
1:00p
End Date

New Year's Plunge

Devils River State Natural Area
Join our first New Year's Plunge at the Devils River.
Jan 2
7:00a
End Date

Christmas Bird Count - 101

Galveston Island State Park
Spend your holiday season contributing to the nation's longest-running community science bird project!
Jan 2
11:00a
End Date

Christmas Bird Count - 101

Galveston Island State Park
Spend your holiday season contributing to the nation's longest-running community science bird project!

December 2025

Dec 31
9:30p
End Date

Black Light Hike & Scavenger Hunt at Midnight!

Fort Parker State Park
Take a New Year’s hike at midnight with a Fort Parker State Park ranger! Visit the 1/2-mile Bur Oak Trail and see what you might with an awesome black light! Continue the New Year's fun with a "Riddle-Me-This" scavenger hunt by moonlight. Can you answer the riddles to ring in the New Year?

December 2026

Dec 31
9:30p
End Date

Black Light Hike & Scavenger Hunt at Midnight!

Fort Parker State Park
Take a New Year’s hike at midnight with a Fort Parker State Park ranger! Visit the 1/2-mile Bur Oak Trail and see what you might with an awesome black light! Continue the New Year's fun with a "Riddle-Me-This" scavenger hunt by moonlight. Can you answer the riddles to ring in the New Year?

December 2027

Dec 31
9:30p
End Date

Black Light Hike & Scavenger Hunt at Midnight!

Fort Parker State Park
Take a New Year’s hike at midnight with a Fort Parker State Park ranger! Visit the 1/2-mile Bur Oak Trail and see what you might with an awesome black light! Continue the New Year's fun with a "Riddle-Me-This" scavenger hunt by moonlight. Can you answer the riddles to ring in the New Year?

December 2028

Dec 31
9:30p
End Date

Black Light Hike & Scavenger Hunt at Midnight!

Fort Parker State Park
Take a New Year’s hike at midnight with a Fort Parker State Park ranger! Visit the 1/2-mile Bur Oak Trail and see what you might with an awesome black light! Continue the New Year's fun with a "Riddle-Me-This" scavenger hunt by moonlight. Can you answer the riddles to ring in the New Year?

December 2029

Dec 31
9:30p
End Date

Black Light Hike & Scavenger Hunt at Midnight!

Fort Parker State Park
Take a New Year’s hike at midnight with a Fort Parker State Park ranger! Visit the 1/2-mile Bur Oak Trail and see what you might with an awesome black light! Continue the New Year's fun with a "Riddle-Me-This" scavenger hunt by moonlight. Can you answer the riddles to ring in the New Year?