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Road Trip! Galveston Island

Summer called and said it'll meet you at the beach – the Galveston Island State Park beach. This tropical escape is just south of Houston and looks like a new park after a major makeover of its beach-side facilities. 

Try renting a kayak or SUP to explore the paddling trails, or fish, swim, photograph the birds and build a sand castle. Need to relax? Just sit at the edge of the water and watch the waves roll in.  

Find out more about the park's recent improvements in the Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine story Galveston's Beach Side Reopens After Renovations. Then make a reservation and pack the sunblock. Summer's waiting!

Update on Fairfield State Park

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission unanimously voted to authorize our executive director to take all necessary steps to purchase approximately 5,000 acres in Freestone County including Fairfield Lake State Park. Get the details in our press release TPW Commission Approves Purchase of Fairfield Lake State Park.

Up Next: 6 New Parks & Natural Areas

As your parks celebrate their 100th birthday, it's not only a time to reflect on the past and appreciate the present, but to plan the next 100 years.

We already own six sites that are destined to be a park or a state natural area (SNA) within the next 15 years. Palo Pinto Mountains State Park near Ft. Worth is expected to open later this year. Others are the Albert and Bessie Kronkosky SNA near Boerne, the Dan A. Hughes Unit of Devils River SNA near Del Rio, Chinati Mountains SNA near Presidio, Davis Hill SNA near Houston and Powderhorn State Park (video) near Port Lavaca.

The difference between a state natural area and a state park is that an SNA is intentionally less developed, so you won't have all the facilities you might find at a state park, like cabins. For more about these future parks and SNAs see the magazine story Parks on the Horizon. 

Fish for Free on Father’s Day

Want to make fun memories with dad during Father's Day (6/18) weekend? Take him fishing at a state park, where you can fish from the shore or a pier without a fishing license – but you do need to follow fishing regulations.  If you don't have tackle, many parks lend fishing gear – you just bring bait, a smile and something to hold your catch. If you don't plan to cook the fish, try catch-photo-release for Father's Day memories that last a lifetime. There are plenty of parks with fishing spots, including these 3 favorites: Sheldon Lake – NE of Houston, fishing tips Meridian – NW of Waco, fishing tips Martin Dies, Jr. – E of Huntsville, fishing tips Once you choose a park, be sure to get your day passes before heading out – reserve now, avoid disappointment later.

GASP! GOSH Is Back

State Parks Getaways is made possible in part by the generous support of Toyota.

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