Most Popular Texas State Parks

Posted on October 22, 2011 by joanie7

2011 Texas State Park Visitation Stats Released

Is one of your favorites listed here?

Inks Lake

Swimming at Inks Lake State Park

Despite record-breaking heat, a relentless drought and wildfires that struck several parks, overall visitation to Texas state parks increased slightly to 7.7 million during the fiscal year that ended on Aug. 31, according to a report from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s State Parks Division. Once again, Garner State Park near Concan topped the list with 370,369 visits. Rounding out the Top 10 most visited state parks were: Cedar Hill (282,133), Ray Roberts Lake’s Isle du Bois unit (278,204), Palo Duro Canyon (271,445), Battleship TEXAS (254,250), Brazos Bend (236,037), Enchanted Rock (218,084), Huntsville (208,912), Lake Casa Blanca (190,774) and Inks Lake (177,907). Ray Roberts Greenbelt, a non-revenue-generating park, recorded 352,116 visits.

Posted in State Parks, Texas, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Cedar Hill State Park 20th Anniversary

Posted on October 20, 2011 by joanie7

Texas Parks & Wildlife News Release
Cedar Hill State Park to Celebrate 20th Birthday This Saturday
CEDAR HILL – What has become one of Texas’ most popular state parks will celebrate its 20th anniversary on Saturday with a host of activities wrapped around Cedar Hill State Park’s annual Harvest Heritage Festival. Reduced park entrance fees will apply, and all activities will be free.

Posted in State Parks, Texas, Texas Events, Things to do in Texas | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Boo At The Zoo, Fort Worth Texas

Posted on October 10, 2011 by joanie7

Boo At The Zoo will be held at the Fort Worth Zoo over two consecutive weekends, October 21st through 23rd and October 28th through 30th, 2011. This year Boo At The Zoo will be a daytime event held at the specially Halloween decorated Chesapeake Pavillions, the special events site at the Fort Worth Zoo. Children, wear your costumes and come out and trick or treat, play games and enjoy the wild wonders animal shows from 12noon until 5PM. Of course various zoo animals will be the stars of the day. Admission to the special events site is $3 per person. Regular zoo admission applies as well. $12 for adults, $9 for children ages 3-12 and seniors 65 and older. Children 2 years of age and younger are free. A spooky sleepover will take place on Friday October 28th at the Fort Worth Zoo. Explore the zoo after dark, enjoy a pizza dinner and have fun with Halloween crafts and activities. The Spooky Sleepover begins at 630PM on Friday evening and ends at 10AM on Saturday morning. The price of this event is $45 per/person. Call the zoo at 817-759-7200 for more information. www.forthworthzoo.org

Posted in Texas, Texas Events, Things to do in Texas | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Possum Kingdom State Park and Davis Mountains State Park are open to visitors

Posted on October 9, 2011 by joanie7

Texas Parks & Wildlife News Release
Parks Open for Business After Spring Wildfires

Two state parks are again open for visitors: Possum Kingdom State Park and Davis Mountains State Park. Both of these popular state parks re-opened in May after springtime wildfires roared through. Possum Kingdom facilities were saved from the massive fire that burned 90% of the 1500-acre park and also saved from the more recent August fires. Wildfire burned 675 acres within the 2700-acre Davis Mountains State Park, but missed camping facilities and the historic Indian Lodge.

It’s encouraging to know that wildfire generally renews wild lands. Park visitors have a chance to see nature’s amazing recovery process and to learn more about fire’s benefits to wildlife and habitat.

We owe a heartfelt thank you to state and federal firefighters who fought valiantly – and continue to fight – to protect people and property.

Posted in State Parks, Texas, Texas Events, Texas Wildlife | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Halloween in the Texas State Parks New Updates

Posted on October 8, 2011 by joanie7

On Saturday October 22nd, 2011 from 6PM-8PM Lake Tawakoni State Park will host it’s 2nd annual Trick or Treat in the park.

Also on Saturday October 22nd Sheldon Lake State Park and Environmental Center in Houston will be the site of A Natural Halloween from 7PM-9PM highlighted with the Creatures of the Night Hike.

Saturday October 29th boasts a variety of state parks with activities to choose from. In addition to those I have already written about, new announcements have come from Dinosaur Valley State Park in Glen Rose. Come out for a Dino Dig at 6PM and stay for a Haunted Hike.

Fort Richardson State Park near Jacksboro will be the setting for an Evening Ghostwalk.

Martin Dies Jr State Park Near Jasper will lead you on a Haunted Trails Stroll. And for a $1 donation you will be sipping soda, as well as roasting hotdogs and marshmellows.

Government Canyon State Natural Area, just west of SanAntonio will receive 50 trick-or-treaters, wear your costumes, bring a pumpkin to carve, listen to spooky stores and receive a bag of goodies. Call 210-688-9055 to reserve your spot.

Village Creek State Park near Lumberton, Texas, 10 miles north of Beaumont will start the day with a Bat Program at 10AM and repeated at 2PM and 7PM just before the Night Hike.

Birch Creek State Park in Burleson County will take you on it’s 4th Annual Haunted Trail walk.

Posted in State Parks, Texas, Texas Events, Things to do in Texas | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment