Oct. 20, 2023

Texas State Parks Named Texas Travel Alliance 2023 Heritage Award Winner

AUSTIN— Texas Travel Alliance (TTA) named Texas State Parks the 2023 Heritage Award winners Oct. 17 at the annual Texas Travel Summit.

Early Voting Begins Oct. 23; Constitutional Amendment on Ballot Would Dedicate Surplus Funding Towards Parkland Acquisition, Maintenance

AUSTIN— Next week, Texans will have an opportunity to head to their local voting centers and cast their ballots on several constitutional amendments, including Proposition 14. If adopted, Prop 14 would create the Centennial Parks Conservation Fund, allocating $1 billion from state government surplus to acquire and develop new state parks across Texas.

Oct. 19, 2023

Partial Closure of Big Bend Ranch State Park Runs Oct. 25-28 for Wildlife Surveys

TERLINGUA— Campsites and many facilities at the Big Bend Ranch State Park Complex will be closed for the safety of park visitors during wildlife surveys Oct. 25 – 28. During the surveys, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Wildlife Biologists will be counting desert bighorn sheep by helicopter and performing the lethal removal of non-native aoudad (barbary sheep) when encountered.

Oct. 11, 2023

Texas State Parks Receive National Gold Medal Award, Recognized as Best State Park System in the Country

AUSTIN— Texas State Parks received the 2023 National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management Wednesday morning.

Oct. 5, 2023

Texas Pollinator BioBlitz Kicks off Friday, Oct. 6

AUSTIN — From Oct. 6-22, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) will kick off the eighth annual Texas Pollinator BioBlitz, celebrating the bees, wasps, butterflies, moths, beetles, flies, hummingbirds, nectar-feeding bats, and other animals that serve as pollinators across Texas.

Oct. 4, 2023

Summer Photo Contest Winner Chosen; “Fall in Love With Your Park” is Final Theme

AUSTIN— The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department wrapped up the summer portion of the Texas State Parks Centennial Photo Contest, choosing a winner from more than 740 entries. The winning photo for the “Keepin’ it Cool at Texas State Parks” summer theme was taken by Heather Averill and features an otherworldly underwater view of Balmorhea State Park’s spring-fed pool.

Sept. 20, 2023

Texas State Parks Director Named Vice-President of National Association of State Park Directors

AUSTIN— The National Association of State Park Directors (NASPD) has named a new leadership team to help guide the organization into the future.

Sept. 19, 2023

Reserve Now: Texas State Parks Offer Prime Viewing for Upcoming Annular Eclipse

AUSTIN – Less than a month remains until a much-anticipated annular solar eclipse graces Texas skies. On Saturday, October 14, an annular eclipse will pass over the state from Midland/Odessa to Corpus Christi, with 17 Texas State Parks along its path of greatest eclipse visibility. Visitors planning to visit state parks along the path are highly encouraged to reserve a day pass in advance since they will likely reach capacity.

Sept. 7, 2023

Join the Celebration at the 29th Annual Hueco Tanks Community Fair

EL PASO— Experience the magic of Hueco Tanks as we celebrate Texas State Parks’ 100th birthday! Pencil in a day or two of excitement, education and unforgettable memories Oct. 21 and 22 at the 29th Annual Hueco Tanks Community Fair.

Sept. 6, 2023

New Military Parklands Passports Give Veterans, Service Members New Options to Enter Texas State Parks for Free

AUSTIN— Thanks to a recent bill passed during the last legislative session, active-duty military, honorably discharged veterans and the immediate family members of a service member who died while serving now qualify for one of three new Parklands Passports. These passports are available at no cost and grant the cardholder free entry to all Texas State Parks.