Staying safe at the parks
We are continuing to follow COVID guidelines to keep parks open for you.
Parks have reduced the number of visitors to allow for social distancing and enhanced cleaning. As a result, we highly recommend that you make reservations for both day passes and overnight stays.
Make reservations online or by calling (512) 389-8900.
Read through our guidelines before your visit.
For the latest information, follow us on Twitter, find us on Facebook, or check back here.
Celebrating Black History Month
Park rangers from around the state will offer virtual programs throughout February to celebrate Black History Month. Learn about the contributions and achievements of Black Americans in conservation, the outdoors, and in state and national parks.
The series will end with an interactive Black History Trivia Challenge on Saturday, Feb. 27. Look for details on programming and signing up for the challenge on the Buffalo Soldiers Facebook page.
Hike Pick: Talala Trail
Cedar Hill State Park
Abounding with native grasses, wildflowers and wildlife, the 2.3-mile Talala Trail at Cedar Hill State Park is a window to a nearly lost landscape.
You'll travel across the rolling prairie out to stunning vistas overlooking Joe Pool Lake. As you hike this moderate trail, imagine yourself a pioneer crossing Texas by wagon.
Traveling west, you emerge from the Pineywoods and oak savannahs of east Texas into a sea of tall grass - the northern Blackland Prairie. This region once stretched from the Red River in north Texas to San Antonio. Less than one percent of this prairie remains today.
TPW Magazine: Park News
Pain-free Park Visits
Since it launched in February 2019, the online state park reservation system has brought major changes for park visitors and parks.
With the online system, visitors can reserve day passes (one month in advance) and overnight sites (five months in advance).
The online reservation system is even more important in 2020, a time of reduced park capacity and increased park demand. Many parks reach capacity on weekends. A park's reservations may all be gone before the weekend arrives — a change from the first-come, first-served system previously in place.
Thanks to Toyota for providing support for the mobile version of the Texas State Parks website.