Calendar of Events

Holidays

August 2025

Aug 29
8:00p
End Date

Sounds of the Night

Blanco State Park
Come learn about the park's after-dark sounds and the nocturnal animals that make them!
Aug 30
9:00a
End Date

Summer Color! Storybook on the Trail

Lake Whitney State Park
Step into a vibrant world of storytelling with “Summer Color!”, a delightful children’s book by Diana Murray & Zoey Persico. Follow the Two Bridges Trail as you read this amazing story, come and watch it come alive alongside the colors of nature that inspired it. This immersive storybook hike invites families and readers of all ages to explore the outdoors through a joyful, colorful tale.
Aug 31
9:00a
End Date

Patriotic Duck Scramble Hunt

Lake Whitney State Park
Can you crack the word code? Come celebrate Labor Day with a festive Patriotic Duck Scramble! Hunt for red, white and blue-themed duckies hidden along the scenic Two Bridges Trail. Collect all 12 letters from each duck to solve a surprise word scramble and unlock a special holiday message.

September 2025

Sep 1
10:00a
End Date

Laundry Day

Lyndon B. Johnson State Park & Historic Site
This is the way we wash the clothes, wash the clothes, wash the clothes...
Sep 6 End Date

Christmas in the Park Campsite Reservations

Tyler State Park
Join in the festivities!

October 2025

Oct 18
10:00a
End Date

State Park Spook-Tacular

Ray Roberts Lake State Park - Johnson Branch Unit
Join rangers all day and celebrate Halloween!
Oct 18
5:00p
End Date

Boo in the Park 2025

Lake Tawakoni State Park
Welcome to our annual "Boo in the Park" celebration! Come out to see the decorated campsites and trick or treat!
Oct 25
10:00a
End Date

B.A.R.K. Ranger Halloween Hike

Fort Richardson State Park & Historic Site / Lost Creek Reservoir State Trailway
Join us for a howlin’ good time for our B.A.R.K. ranger Halloween hike!
Oct 25
12:00p
End Date

Creature Features

Dinosaur Valley State Park
Grab your spookiest friends and stop by the different booths highlighting cool animal adaptations on Saturday, October 25th in celebration of Halloween!
Oct 25
3:00p
End Date

Trunk or Treat

Lake Brownwood State Park
Join us for a family-friendly trick or treating event!
Oct 25
5:00p
End Date

Trick-or-Treating

Fort Richardson State Park & Historic Site / Lost Creek Reservoir State Trailway
Get ready for a spook-tacular time at our annual Trick-or-Treat in the Park!
Oct 25
5:00p
End Date

Spooky Stories with a Ranger

Tyler State Park
Come prepared for a scare!
Oct 25
5:00p
End Date

2nd Annual Halloween in the Park at Lake Whitney State Park

Lake Whitney State Park
2nd Annual Halloween in the Park at Lake Whitney State Park is creeping up! Join us for a night of frightful fun and festive chills on the Horseshoe Loop & Towash Forest trail! Don your costumes and bring your courage—it’s going to be a hauntingly good time!
Oct 25
5:00p
End Date

Parktober Camping Reservations

Tyler State Park
Spooky season has taken over!
Oct 25
5:30p
End Date

Costume Contest!

Tyler State Park
Put your creativity to the test!
Oct 25
6:00p
End Date

Parktober Trick or Treat

Tyler State Park
Trick or Treat through the park!
Oct 25
6:00p
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, spiders and more. Bring your trick-or-treat gear!
Oct 25
6:00p
End Date

Halloween in the Park

Abilene State Park
Safe trick-or-treating in the park.
Oct 25
6:15p
End Date

Sounds of the Night

Government Canyon State Natural Area
Sssshhhh...did you hear that? What was that noise?
Oct 26
3:00p
End Date

Sea Center Spooktacular

Sea Center Texas
Join Sea Center Texas for our annual Halloween Spooktacular!

November 2025

Nov 28 End Date

Opt Outside Day at Guadalupe River State Park

Guadalupe River State Park
Skip the stores and #OptOutside with us!
Nov 28
10:00a
End Date

Hike Off the Turkey

Caddo Lake State Park
After sleeping in, take a leisurely hike through the forest with a ranger to hike off that Thanksgiving meal!
Nov 28
1:00p
End Date

Hike Off the Leftovers

Caddo Lake State Park
We know you had leftovers for lunch... Now, come hike that off too on a different hiking trail!
Nov 29
10:00a
End Date

Deck the Halls

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

December 2025

Dec 6
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 6
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 12
5:00p
End Date

A Pineywoods Christmas

Tyler State Park
Enjoy our Trail of Lights with your loved ones!
Dec 12
6:00p
End Date

Holiday at the Lake

Lake Brownwood State Park
Join us for a drive-through holiday lights display!
Dec 13
10:00a
End Date

Reading Ranger: Dino Story and Craft

Government Canyon State Natural Area
Bring a blanket and settle in for a festive story read by a ranger, followed by a craft. We'll bring the hot cocoa.
Dec 13
1:00p
End Date

Christmas with the Fishes

Sea Center Texas
Join Sea Center Texas for an underwater Christmas spectacular!
Dec 13
5:00p
End Date

A Pineywoods Christmas

Tyler State Park
Enjoy our Trail of Lights with your loved ones!
Dec 13
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 13
6:00p
End Date

Holiday at the Lake

Lake Brownwood State Park
Join us for a drive-through holiday lights display!
Dec 13
6:00p
End Date

Fa La La in the Forest

Abilene State Park
See the dazzling Christmas lights at Abilene State Park!
Dec 21
5:30p
End Date

56th Annual Tree Lighting

Lyndon B. Johnson State Park & Historic Site
Enjoy this special tradition started 56 years ago by President and Mrs. Johnson.
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 Nature 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 Nature 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 Nature 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 Nature 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 Nature 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?