Aug. 30, 2019

Balmorhea State Park Closes Sept. 3 for Maintenance Projects

TOYAHVALE— Balmorhea State Park is closing its gates Sept. 3 for continued park improvements scheduled to run through Spring 2020.

Aug. 12, 2019

Six Texas State Parks and Historic Sites Transfer to the Texas Historical Commission Sept. 1

AUSTIN— Beginning Sept. 1, the operation and maintenance of six Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) sites will be transferred to the Texas Historical Commission (THC). The 86th Texas Legislature approved House Bill 1422 which transfers operational control of these sites to the THC.

Aug. 7, 2019

Battleship Texas Closes to the Public Aug. 26

LA PORTE— The Battleship Texas State Historic Site will close to the public Aug. 26, allowing staff and contractors full accessibility to the ship ensuring they can safely perform the necessary preparation work ahead of a repair project. The last day the public will be able to explore the Battleship Texas will be Sunday, Aug. 25.

Partial Closure of Big Bend Ranch State Park Runs Aug. 19-27 for Wildlife Surveys

TERLINGUA— The interior of the Big Bend Ranch State Park Complex will be closed for the safety of park visitors during wildlife surveys Aug. 19 – 27. During the surveys, staff will be counting desert bighorn sheep by helicopter and dispatching non-native aoudad (barbary sheep) when encountered.

July 22, 2019

Mustang Island Reopens for Overnight Camping

PORT ARANSAS— Mustang Island State Park is reopening for overnight camping after Hurricane Harvey storm damage delayed the previously scheduled restroom replacement project in the campgrounds.

July 12, 2019

Galveston Island State Park Remains Open Before Beachside Project Begins

AUSTIN— Galveston Island State Park is keeping its beachside gates open through the summer before beginning a major beach redevelopment project in September. The park will continue to accept new day use and beachside overnight reservations until Sept. 3.

Ten Grants Awarded by Winners of Great Texas Birding Classic

AUSTIN— The 23rd annual Great Texas Birding Classic (GTBC) has wrapped up another year and the winners of the largest and longest bird-watching competition in the United States have chosen 10 conservation projects to award grant funds. Grants range in amount to $1,000 to $10,000.

July 2, 2019

Texas Game Wardens Cracking Down on Boating Under the Influence This Fourth of July Weekend

AUSTIN – As boaters head out to Texas waterways for the Fourth of July holiday, Texas Game Wardens and thousands of law enforcement officers will be on heightened alert looking for those violating boating under the influence laws. These ramped up efforts to crack down on impaired boaters will continue July 5-7 during the annual Operation Dry Water weekend, a nationally coordinated heightened awareness and enforcement campaign focused on deterring boaters from boating under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

June 28, 2019

Battleship Texas Visiting Hours Reduced to Prepare for Repair; Transport

AUSTIN— Starting July 8, the Battleship Texas State Historic Site is reducing its visitation hours to allow staff full accessibility to the ship and its historic artifacts ahead of an upcoming trip to a drydock facility for major repairs to restore the ship’s leaking hull. The ship will be closed to the public Monday-Thursday and open weekends 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

June 20, 2019

Six Heat Hacks to Stay Safe This Summer at Texas State Parks

AUSTIN— Last year, Texas’ temperatures soared to record highs and staff at more than 40 Texas Parks and Wildlife Department sites handled 134 incidents relating to heat-related illnesses in humans and pets. On the eve of the official start of summer, TPWD experts are sharing their top six heat hacks for staying safe in the outdoors during the blistering Texas heat.