Martin Dies, Jr. State Park

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Expired Events
Great Texas Birding Classic - Big Sit!
Our local Texas Master Naturalists are competing in the Great Texas Birding Classic. Stop by to learn about the birds they've observed or how to become a Master Naturalist
Guided Paddling Trip - Cherokee Paddling Trail
Explore the unique beauty of this seldom traveled paddling trail
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Texas Pollinator BioBlitz
Join the exciting BioBlitz to explore, discover, and catalogue important Texas Pollinators. *Please note - this event had been previously scheduled on 10/14, our event date will only be 10/21*
Hike the Island Trail
Join us for a guided hike along the beautiful Island Trail.
Meet Dexter the Corn Snake
Experience an up-close encounter with Dexter, the corn snake, and discover all about local snakes.
Bird Watching at Observation Bridge
Visit the Observation Bridge for a chance to use our spotting scope and discover the many birds living along the lake!
Meet Dexter the Corn Snake!
Observe our resident corn snake, Dexter, up close. Discover the many different snakes that call this area home.
Alligator Chat (with LIVE gator)
Meet a LIVE alligator to discover all about alligators and how they survive in the wild! Our Natural Resource Specialist and Park Police have teamed up to share all about their experiences in the wild.
Labor Day Weekend Scavenger Hunt
Explore the park to discover the hidden items. Bring your completed scavenger hunt to Headquarters during open hours for a prize!
Hike the Trails Challenge (Self-Guided)
Celebrate National Trails Day with us! Take on our challenge to travel all of our trails over the weekend.
Leaf Creatures
Use your imagination to create whimsical faces, animals, or designs using leaves!
A Dig Through Time
On this adventure we'll uncover mysterious "artifacts", explore fossils, and tell stories of the past.
3 Little Pigs Engineer Challenge
Do you have what it takes to engineer a home that can stand up to the big bad wolf?
Lake Dip Netting
Use our long handle dip nets to catch and investigate the tiny creatures that live in Steinhagen Lake!
Fishin' with a Ranger
Slow down and enjoy the afternoon. We'll bring the bait and the poles! Join us for fishin' with a ranger.
Paddling Basics
This easy going program is perfect for beginners, families, and anyone who just isn't ready to commit to a longer paddle trip!
Lichen Lab
Investigate the fascinating lichens that grow all throughout the park!
Summer Discovery Series: Sounds of Nature
Discover the glorious sounds of nature on this adventure!
Summer Discovery Series: Animal Detectives
Discover all about our local wildlife. Transform into a detective and investigate the scene.
Nature Journal: Sketching Basics
Discover techniques to help accurately sketch what you see in nature.
Nature Journal: Journey Mapping
Every trail we travel creates a new story of adventure. Practice mapping your journey to create the perfect keepsake.
Nature Journal: Watercolor Sketching
Flood your pages with color and enhance your sketches with watercolor. THE DATE OF THIS PROGRAM HAS CHANGED TO 9/28
Nature Journal: Illustrating Insects
Our favorite creepy crawlies come in all shapes and forms. Discover the many different features of insects and practice illustrating specimens that won’t crawl away.
Nature Journal: Many Shades of a Leaf
There is beauty and inspiration all around us this time of year. Take autumn leaves as your muse and explore how to journal about one thing in many ways.
Nature Journal: Modern Calligraphy *CANCELLED*
*THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN CANCELLED* Add flourish and pizazz to your natural journal titles with modern calligraphy.
Insect Netting *CANCELLED*
*THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN CANCELLED* Discover all about insects. Practice kind collection techniques!
Leaf Litter Investigation
Discover all about insects and investigate a leaf litter sample.
Furs and Skulls **RSVP REQ'd**
Discover all about mammals as we explore furs and skulls.
Lake Dip Netting
Use our long handled dip nets to investigate the tiny creatures that live in Steinhagen Lake!
Paddling Basics
Discover paddling basics with the guide of a ranger. This program provides a low commitment opportunity and does not require you to paddle an entire trail.
100 S'more Years at Martin Dies, Jr. State Park
Celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Texas State Parks the right way with LOTS of s'mores!
Guided Kayak Trip and Hiking Trip
Join us for a fun-filled day of kayaking and hiking!
Second Saturday Birdwatching
Join us on the second Saturday of the month to bird watch with a knowledgeable volunteer!
Guided Kayak Trip **No rentals available**
Explore the sloughs and lake, and discover all about local flora and fauna.
Guided Hike
Join us for a guided hike along the beautiful Island Trail
Watercolor Wonders
Flood your pages with color and enhance your sketches with watercolor.
Sunrise Hike
Experience the beauty of the rising sun and watch as the world wakes up.
Mother's Day Card Making
Show how much you care by creating a handmade, heartfelt card to celebrate mom!
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Pioneer Day
🎉 Take a journey back in time and experience the life of pioneers.
S'mores Roasting
Gather around as we enjoy this traditional camping treat!
Bevilport 9-Mile Guided Paddle Trip
Calling experienced paddlers to discover local history and explore the Angelina-Neches Forks.
Trick or Treat in the Park
Join us for family friendly fun! The Trick or Treat loop will be closed to traffic so we can stay spooky and safe!
Education Center OPEN - Saturday Hours
Explore our exhibits, engage in hands-on activities, ask questions!
Wildflower Seedbombs
Explore our Wildscape Garden and make your own wildflower seed bomb! This is an "open house" style program.
Hammered Leaf Prints
Release the pigments found within a leaf to make a beautiful botanic print!
Solar Artistry
Harness the power of the sun to showcase the beauty of light and shadow.
Sunset Hike
Experience a change in scenery as the sun sinks below the horizon.
Homeschool Class: Decomposers **FULL**
**PROGRAM REGISTRATION IS FULL** “Homeschool Classes” are educational field trip style lessons, only open homeschool families. Open posting to view program description.
Homeschool Class: Colors of Nature **FULL**
**PROGRAM REGISTRATION IS FULL.** “Homeschool Classes” are educational field trip style lessons, only open homeschool families. Open posting to view program description.
Homeschool Class: Nature Ornaments **FULL**
**PROGRAM REGISTRATION IS FULL.** “Homeschool Classes” are educational field trip style lessons, only open homeschool families. Open posting to view program description.
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iNaturalist Practice Hike
Discover how to use this powerful tool and boost your naturalist skillset! This program is a part of today's BioBlitz Event!
Education Center Open - Wildflower Seedbombs
Explore, discover, ask questions! View the exhibits and participate in creating make-and-take Wildflower Seedbombs to celebrate today's BioBlitz event!
Friday the 13th Mystery Hike
Each knotty twist of the trail hides a new challenge. Roll the dice and await your fate. Dun... dun... dun......
Insect Netting - BioBlitz
Discover all about insects. Practice kind collection techniques! This program is a part of today's BioBlitz Event!
Seed Dissection - BioBlitz
Investigate the parts of a seed to discover how they grow! This program is a part of today's BioBlitz Event!
Spooky Season Mystery Hike
Each knotty twist of the trail hides a new challenge. Roll the dice and await your fate. Dun... dun... dun......
Education Center Open - Creepy Crawlies
Explore, discover, ask questions! View the exhibits and investigate creepy crawly creatures to celebrate the spooky season.
Black Friday Paddling Trip
Join us to explore the swampy sloughs and the dazzling open water of B.A. Steinhagen Lake.
Education Center Open - Creepy Crawlies
Explore, discover, ask questions! View the exhibits and investigate creepy crawly creatures to celebrate the spooky season.
"Campfire" Stories
Gather 'round the campfire to hear adventurous tall tales and scary stories! PLEASE NOTE - DUE TO BURN BAN WE WILL USE LANTERNS AND FLASHLIGHTS INSTEAD OF A FIRE.
Haunted Laboratory
The 'Mad Scientist Hooligan' is at it again. Visit his haunted laboratory and investigate his strange experiments.
Guided Paddle Trip
Explore the sloughs and lake, and discover all about local flora and fauna.
Steamboats on the Neches Talk
Discover local history as we uncover the story of Texas Steamboat Captain, Andrew Smythe and how steamboats influenced the Neches River in the 1870's.
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Simple Country Christmas
Join our festive holiday activities in the park!
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Country Lights *CANCELLED*
**CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER** Drive, bike or walk thru the 200 camping loop to experience campsites adorned with holiday themed lights, sounds and decorations
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Illustrating Insects
Our favorite creepy crawlies come in all shapes and forms. Discover the many different features of insects and practice illustrating specimens that won’t crawl away.
Bats Bats Bats!
Discover all about local bats and their benefits to the environment.
Ultraviolet Light Lab
Explore nature with the help of UV Light and discover hidden messages that our eyes can not see! This is an "open house" style program!
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Black Friday Night Hike CANCELLED
THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN CANCELLED Explore the wild after the sun goes down to discover how the world changes at night.
Night Hike (RSVP REQ'D)
Explore the wild after the sun goes down to discover how the world changes at night.
SFA Program Takeover
Join Stephen F. Austin University Students as they take over this program and share something they love about the outdoors. This program is suitable for all ages.
Hands on Nature (RSVP REQ'd)
Discover how to safely explore nature! We'll learn how to handle live animals and investigate interesting plants.
Education Center OPEN - Spring Break Hours
Explore our exhibits, engage in hands-on activities, ask questions!
Animals and their Habitats
Discover animal habitats and what animals need to live. Then, try your hand at building an animal shelter of your own! **PLEASE NOTE: the program time has changed to 10:30am***
Reading with a Ranger - Brown Bear (2pm)
Join us this afternoon to read a book, and then engage in activities related to the story. Jump start your child's reading adventure through hands-on learning.
Reading with a Ranger - Brown Bear (3pm)
Join us this afternoon to read a book, and then engage in activities related to the story. Jump start your child's reading adventure through hands-on learning.
Hands on Nature (1pm)
Discover how to safely explore nature! We'll learn how to handle live animals and investigate interesting plants.
Hands on Nature (2:30pm)
Discover how to safely explore nature! We'll learn how to handle live animals and investigate interesting plants.
Kids Outdoor Games
Engage in fun outdoor games! Adults must accompany youth but are allowed to sit on the sidelines!
Legend of the Warm Fuzzies *TIME CHANGE*
Listen to the Legend of the Warm Fuzzies and discover the importance of being kind. **TIME AND LOCATION CHANGE** You can experience this program during today's Education Center Open Hours
Education Center OPEN
Explore our exhibits, engage in hands-on activities, ask questions! **PLEASE NOTE: Education Center hours have changed to 1-3pm on 4/6 - the center will NOT be open 10:30am-12pm**
Self Guided Turkey Trot
Jog, hike, or wobble your way along the trails to start your day off right!
Education Center OPEN - Friday Hours
Explore our exhibits, engage in hands-on activities, ask questions!
Homeschool Class: Winter Migration
“Homeschool Classes” are educational field trip style lessons, only open homeschool families. Open posting to view program description.
Homeschool Class: The Dirt on Soil
“Homeschool Classes” are educational field trip style lessons, only open homeschool families. Open posting to view program description.
Homeschool Class: Plant a Seed
“Homeschool Classes” are educational field trip style lessons, only open homeschool families. Open posting to view program description.
Homeschool Class: Animals and Their Habitats
“Homeschool Classes” are educational field trip style lessons, only open to homeschool families. Open posting to view program description.
First Day Hike - Self Guided
Start your year off right! Join us with a First Day Hike.
Fish with a Park Cop
Join Officer McGarry out by the lake to discover fishing rules and regulations while trying your hand with a rod and reel.
Conservation Hike with a Park Cop (RSVP REQ'd)
Join Officer McGarry to discover all about conservation as we hike the beautiful Island Trail. Earn the prestigious "Park Police Pal" badge for completing the hike!
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