Stay up-to-date on operations adjustments and temporary closure of TPWD offices, state parks, recreation facilities and water access points due to COVID-19. Please follow guidance from local authorities, Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Department of State Health Services.
EL PASO— The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, in close coordination with state and local officials, will be reopening portions of Franklin Mountains State Park for limited day use starting May 22. Visitors must purchase day passes in advance before visiting the park. No walk-in reservations or overnight camping will be available at this time.
AUSTIN – In 2019, 36 boating fatalities, and multiple boat accidents and injuries occurred on Texas waters. In conjunction with National Safe Boating Week May 16-22, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is reminding Texans to be safe this Memorial Day weekend and all summer long by following the law and taking basic safety precautions while on the water.
The following items are compiled from recent Texas Parks and Wildlife law enforcement reports.
May 12, 2020 (AUSTIN) — With peak boating season around the corner, Texans recreating on the coast are likely to spot iconic coastal birds like brown pelicans, roseate spoonbills, black skimmers and reddish egrets nesting in dense colonies, called rookeries, which can consist of thousands of birds and a multitude of other species on barrier islands and smaller islands in Texas bays. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is encouraging Texas boaters and anglers to watch out for these nesting birds while on the coast, so they aren’t disturbed during this sensitive time.
AUSTIN- The Gulf of Mexico commercial shrimp season for both Texas and federal waters will close 30 minutes after sunset on Friday, May 15, 2020 until a still-to-be determined date in July.
May 11, 2020 (AUSTIN) — Amid ongoing public health concerns, the May meeting of the Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPW) Commission scheduled for May 20-21 will be streamed virtually on the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s website. Planned agenda items remain unaltered and public comment will still be accepted until May 20.
AUSTIN – The Toyota Bassmaster Texas Fest benefiting the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has been rescheduled for Nov. 5-8 at Lake Fork in Quitman. The tournament was originally scheduled for June 5-9 but was moved back amid the ongoing public health situation that forced the postponement of the spring competition.
LAREDO—El Departamento de Parques y Vida Silvestre, en colaboración con oficiales estatales y locales, abrirá Lake Casa Blanca International State Park para uso limitado durante los fines de semana comenzando el 8 de mayo. El parque estará abierto los viernes, sábados y domingos de 8a a 5p para 250 visitantes, con pases diarios que se deben comprar antes de visitar.
LAREDO— The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, in close coordination with state and local officials, will be reopening Lake Casa Blanca International State Park for limited weekend use starting May 8. The park will be open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m-5 p.m. for 250 visitors with pre-purchased day passes. No walk-ins will be admitted to the park at this time.
AUSTIN— As part of a broader effort to reopen Texas, Texas State Parks will resume limited overnight camping beginning May 18. This gradual reopening of overnight reservations will be limited at all Texas State Parks to varying degrees depending on individual park occupancy in order to align with safe business practices currently followed in Texas. Some existing reservations will be honored, but to prevent overcrowding, manage continued social distancing and safeguard public health, no new reservations can be made for now. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) will notify the public once new reservations can be booked.