Planning Your Visit
We continue to follow COVID-19 safety guidelines in the parks. Read through our recommendations before 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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Falling water
Did you know Texas State Parks are home to waterfalls? Texas waterfalls depend on rainfall and the time of year. Some of our waterfalls only appear after a hard rain.
The most easily accessible waterfalls are at these three parks in Central Texas:
- McKinney Falls, with upper and lower waterfalls on Onion Creek
- Colorado Bend, with the dramatic Gorman Falls
- Pedernales Falls, with its namesake falls, as well as the Twin Falls.
The second and third tallest waterfalls in Texas, Madrid Falls and Mexicano Falls, are at Big Bend Ranch State Park. You'll need a four-wheel drive vehicle to access the trailheads leading to these seasonal falls.
Hike Pick: Juniper Ridge Nature Trail
Copper Breaks State Park
Travel back in time on the Juniper Ridge Nature Trail at Copper Breaks State Park. Look for ripples in the sandstone, remnants of an ancient sea that covered this area millions of years ago.
This moderate ¾-mile hike has lots of stairs and climbing, but you’ll be rewarded with a beautiful view of the lake and spillway at the end. Take a relaxing break on the shaded bench at the halfway point. Have a sip of water and enjoy the sights and sounds of nature.
Be sure to stay on the trails. One the park's most unusual and fragile inhabitants blankets the ground in some areas. Cryptobiotic soil is a living surface crust made of algae, cyanobacteria and fungi.
TPW Magazine: Park News
'Super' intendents of Texas State Parks
When you hear that someone's title is park superintendent, you probably picture a ranger in khaki leading a hike. Khaki's is a staple, but the duties of the job vary from one side of Texas to the other.
The Texas state park system includes 89 state parks, natural areas and historic sites that cover more than 630,000 acres. These parks pose unique challenges to those who oversee them. There's no cookie-cutter job description, but a skill set that includes park management, wildlife biology and flexibility comes in handy.
Six state park superintendents from across Texas give us a behind-the-scenes look at their jobs.
Thanks to Toyota for providing support for the mobile version of the Texas State Parks website.