Texas State Park News
Happy Holidays!
We hope you find time this holiday season to head outdoors with your family. Your state parks are great places to hike, camp, fish, or just discover nature!
Wrap up the holidays by taking a First Day Hike on Jan. 1. We're offering hikes at parks across the state. Kick off the new year with us!
Planning Your Visit
State parks are very busy at this time of year, especially on weekends and holidays. Guarantee entry by making day pass and overnight reservations online or by calling (512) 389-8900.
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Hike Pick: Mesquite Bend Trail
Lake Casa Blanca State Park
Aptly named, the Mesquite Bend Trail surrounds you with honey mesquite trees and prickly pear cacti. As you explore the trail's several bends and turns, you are sure to hear birds such as cactus wren and green jays calling all around you. If you are lucky, you may even see white-tailed deer or javelina running through the brush!
The moderate, 1.5-mile-long trail is a great workout both on foot and by bicycle. The trail has two main trailheads, both with easy access parking inside Lake Casa Blanca International State Park.
TPW Magazine
Birds! Birds! Birds!
A plain chachalaca strolls the grounds while a green jay stops for a drink and an Altamira oriole takes a bite of an orange at the feeding station. Three different species of hummingbirds zoom in and out.
At the Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park wildlife-viewing blind, the action is nonstop. This is one of the best places in the country for bird-watching.
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