Holidays
November 2025
Nov
22
End Date
Fa La La Through The Forest Scavenger Hunt
Bastrop State Park
Follow the ornaments with clues through the park to get to the hidden cache! Write your name in the journal and share your favorite part of the journey!
December 2025
Dec
18
8:00a
End Date
Elf on the Shelf: Scavenger Hunt
Fort Richardson State Park & Historic Site / Lost Creek Reservoir State Trailway
This holiday season, join us for a park wide adventure to track down three mischievous elves!
Dec
24
End Date
Holiday Heritage Trail Hike
Galveston Island State Park
Celebrate the season at Galveston Island State Park with a self-guided stroll along the Heritage Trail!
Dec
24
6:00p
End Date
History in Lights
Goliad State Park & Historic Site
Take a walk through the history of Mission Espiritu Santo as lights and shadow transport you back in time.
Dec
25
End Date
Holiday Heritage Trail Hike
Galveston Island State Park
Celebrate the season at Galveston Island State Park with a self-guided stroll along the Heritage Trail!
Dec
25
10:00a
End Date
Santa Hike
Franklin Mountains State Park
Enjoy the big day and stretch your legs by joining us for a guided hike to Agave Loop. Santa hats required!
Dec
25
6:00p
End Date
History in Lights
Goliad State Park & Historic Site
Take a walk through the history of Mission Espiritu Santo as lights and shadow transport you back in time.
Dec
26
End Date
Holiday Heritage Trail Hike
Galveston Island State Park
Celebrate the season at Galveston Island State Park with a self-guided stroll along the Heritage Trail!
Dec
26
9:00a
End Date
Dec
26
9:00a
End Date
Boxing Day Bird Walk
Galveston Island State Park
Celebrate the season with a relaxing morning bird walk at Galveston Island State Park!
Dec
26
2:00p
End Date
Boxing Day Beach Cleanup & Cocoa 🏖️
Galveston Island State Park
Join park rangers and volunteers for a relaxed afternoon shoreline cleanup.
Dec
26
6:00p
End Date
History in Lights
Goliad State Park & Historic Site
Take a walk through the history of Mission Espiritu Santo as lights and shadow transport you back in time.
Dec
27
End Date
Holiday Heritage Trail Hike
Galveston Island State Park
Celebrate the season at Galveston Island State Park with a self-guided stroll along the Heritage Trail!
Dec
27
9:00a
End Date
Dec
27
10:00a
End Date
Story of Saint Francis
Goliad State Park & Historic Site
Learn the fascinating story of Saint Francis, founder of the Franciscan Order of friars who would cross the globe to convert Native Americans to Catholicism.
Dec
27
6:00p
End Date
Christmastime Constellations
Pedernales Falls State Park
Come see what constellations and other objects are found in our December sky!
Dec
27
6:00p
End Date
History in Lights
Goliad State Park & Historic Site
Take a walk through the history of Mission Espiritu Santo as lights and shadow transport you back in time.
Dec
28
End Date
Holiday Heritage Trail Hike
Galveston Island State Park
Celebrate the season at Galveston Island State Park with a self-guided stroll along the Heritage Trail!
Dec
28
6:00p
End Date
History in Lights
Goliad State Park & Historic Site
Take a walk through the history of Mission Espiritu Santo as lights and shadow transport you back in time.
Dec
29
End Date
Holiday Heritage Trail Hike
Galveston Island State Park
Celebrate the season at Galveston Island State Park with a self-guided stroll along the Heritage Trail!
Dec
29
6:00p
End Date
History in Lights
Goliad State Park & Historic Site
Take a walk through the history of Mission Espiritu Santo as lights and shadow transport you back in time.
Dec
30
End Date
Holiday Heritage Trail Hike
Galveston Island State Park
Celebrate the season at Galveston Island State Park with a self-guided stroll along the Heritage Trail!
Dec
30
6:00p
End Date
History in Lights
Goliad State Park & Historic Site
Take a walk through the history of Mission Espiritu Santo as lights and shadow transport you back in time.
Dec
31
End Date
Holiday Heritage Trail Hike
Galveston Island State Park
Celebrate the season at Galveston Island State Park with a self-guided stroll along the Heritage Trail!
Dec
31
11:45a
End Date
Frio en el Rio - Polar Plunge
Big Bend Ranch State Park
Dive into the New Year with a dip in the cool waters of the Rio Grande!
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.
Dec
31
6:00p
End Date
History in Lights
Goliad State Park & Historic Site
Take a walk through the history of Mission Espiritu Santo as lights and shadow transport you back in time.
Dec
31
6:30p
End Date
New Year's Eve: Night Hike
Fort Parker State Park
Take a New Year’s night hike with a Fort Parker State Park ranger! Explore the 1/2-mile Bur Oak Nature Trail and see what you might with an awesome black light!
Dec
31
10:00p
End Date
New Year's Eve Honey Creek Nature Hike *Registration Required*
Honey Creek State Natural Area
Say goodbye to 2025 and ring in the new year while on a hike with us!
Dec
31
11:30p
End Date
First Day Hike – Midnight Hike
Lake Mineral Wells State Park & Trailway
Welcome in the New Year and make a lifetime memory, outdoors! At Lake Mineral Wells State Park.
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 2026
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
First Day Hike – Start Your Year with Adventure!
Fort Boggy State Park
Kick off 2026 with fresh air, scenic views, and a healthy start!
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
7:00a
End Date
First Day Hikes – Chinquapin Challenge
Huntsville State Park
Start the new year off on the right boot and on our most popular trail.
Jan
1
7:30a
End Date
Self-Guided First Day Hike
Lockhart State Park
Feel like a hike, but at your own pace? We got you covered.
Jan
1
8:00a
End Date
First Day Hike (Self Guided)
Ray Roberts Lake State Park - Johnson Branch Unit
Start the new year off on the right foot and enjoy a hike at the park.
Jan
1
8:00a
End Date
First Day Hike - Self Guided
Fort Richardson State Park & Historic Site / Lost Creek Reservoir State Trailway
Ring in the New Year right with a First Day Hike
Jan
1
8:30a
End Date
First Day Hike - Falls Loop
Pedernales Falls State Park
It's your first hike of the year! Start it off along a river!
Jan
1
8:30a
End Date
Tri-Park-A-Thon
Ray Roberts Lake State Park - Johnson Branch Unit
Join rangers at Ray Roberts for our 3rd Annual hike across all 3 units.
Jan
1
9:00a
End Date
First Day Hike - Guided Trail Sampler
Goliad State Park & Historic Site
Join a ranger on a 1.8-mile guided hike around Goliad State Park!
Jan
1
9:00a
End Date
First Day Hike: Birding the Island
Martin Creek Lake State Park
Start your New Year off with our feathered friends!
Jan
1
9:00a
End Date
First Day Hike - Prickly Pear
Fort Richardson State Park & Historic Site / Lost Creek Reservoir State Trailway
Ring in the New Year right with a First Day Hike!
Jan
1
9:00a
End Date
First Day Hike: Reflections Hike
Lake Whitney State Park
Join Park Ranger Lory on the Two Bridges Trail for a 1½-hour mindful walk, meditation moments, and reflective pauses. Choose a Zenful question or thought to guide your reflections as we share insights, breathe deeply, and welcome clarity, calm, and new happiness endeavors for 2026.
Jan
1
9:00a
End Date
Jan
1
9:30a
End Date
First Day Hike: Two(k)-Step to the Top
Hill Country State Natural Area
Travel the trail with Ranger Augie on a summit hike to the top of West Peak Overlook on New Years Day as we attempt to reach 2,000 steps plus. Tour the crown of this Hill Country summit for amazing scenic views
Jan
1
9:30a
End Date
First Day Hike! (Morning Hike)
Mission Tejas State Park
Kick-off the new year with a ranger-led hike!
Jan
1
9:30a
End Date
First Day Hike - Accessible Paved Trail- Birding with A Ranger - Bastrop
Bastrop State Park
Start off 2026 by getting some time in nature at Bastrop on a guided birding walk along paved sections of trail on the 1-mile Lake Mina Loop.
Jan
1
10:00a
End Date
Jan
1
10:00a
End Date
First Day Hike
Devil's Sinkhole State Natural Area
Kick off 2026 with a visit to see the Devil's Sinkhole and enjoy a guided or self-guided nature walk.
Jan
1
10:00a
End Date
First Day Hike -- C.C.C. our History!
Blanco State Park
Celebrate the New Year by learning about the young men that built this park nearly 100 years ago!
Jan
1
10:00a
End Date
First Day Hike! - Penitentiary Hollow Wild Walk
Lake Mineral Wells State Park & Trailway
Start your New Year in the great outdoors! Reservations required. Explore beautiful sandstone formations in remote areas only accessible on this guided hike.
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
1
10:00a
End Date
First Day Hike: Let's Ring in 2026!
Stephen F. Austin State Park
Begin the New Year with a healthy dose of nature and start a new tradition at Stephen F. Austin State Park!
Jan
1
11:00a
End Date
First Day Hike - Hackenburg Loop
Pedernales Falls State Park
It's your first hike of the year! Start it off along a river!
Jan
1
11:00a
End Date
Jan
1
12:00p
End Date
First Day Hike: Let's Ring in 2026!
Stephen F. Austin State Park
Begin the New Year with a healthy dose of nature and start a new tradition at Stephen F. Austin State Park!
Jan
1
1:00p
End Date
First Day Hike - B.A.R.K. Ranger -1-Mile Loop - Buescher
Buescher State Park
Start 2026 off on the right paw with a guided B.A.R.K. Ranger First Day Hike in Buescher State Park!
Jan
1
1:30p
End Date
First Day Hikes (Guided)
Ray Roberts Lake State Park - Johnson Branch Unit
Join rangers for our annual First Day Hike to celebrate the New Year.
Jan
1
2:00p
End Date
Get Froggy at Fort Boggy
Fort Boggy State Park
Start your year with a splash! Join us for our annual New Year's Day cold plunge into the lake!
Jan
1
2:00p
End Date
First Day Hike! - Penitentiary Hollow Wild Walk
Lake Mineral Wells State Park & Trailway
Start your New Year in the great outdoors! Explore beautiful sandstone formations in remote areas only accessible on this guided hike.
Jan
1
3:00p
End Date
First Day Fossils!
Pedernales Falls State Park
It's your first hike of the year! Start it off with some fossils and scenic views!
Jan
1
5:30p
End Date
First Day Night Hike
Lockhart State Park
Join us for a night hike to discover the critters that come out when the sun goes down!
Jan
10
9:00a
End Date
Jan
24
9:00a
End Date
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
6:00p
End Date
Murder Mystery at the Fort
Fort Richardson State Park & Historic Site / Lost Creek Reservoir State Trailway
Love… Betrayal… and Murder!
Feb
14
12:30p
End Date
Second Saturday with Steve: Housewives and other sewing tools
Stephen F. Austin State Park
Join us at the Stephen F. Austin State Park Nature Center to learn all about housewives and hussies of the 1830's!
Feb
14
1:30p
End Date
Gyotaku - Fish Printing
Stephen F. Austin State Park
Capturing the present in an art form from the past
March 2026
Mar
11
9:00a
End Date
Spring Break Honey Creek Guided Walk
Honey Creek State Natural Area
Experience the natural and cultural history of Honey Creek during a special walk during Spring Break!
Mar
18
9:00a
End Date
Spring Break Honey Creek Guided Walk
Honey Creek State Natural Area
Experience the natural and cultural history of Honey Creek during a special walk during Spring Break!
April 2026
Apr
18
8:00p
End Date
Spring Star Party with UT ASA
Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
Join the University of Texas Astronomy Students Association for a fabulous Star Party under our Central Texas skies!
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!
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!