From Texas State Parks <[email protected]>
Subject State Parks Getaways – December 2024
Date December 7, 2024 12:37 PM
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More of E-rock to Love | Franklin Now Has Bighorns | 2024 Collectible Ornament | Native Peoples + Palo Duro | Dutch Oven Chili |+ More!



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Enchanted Rock Acreage Expanded
Comanche Rock, part of the new E-Rock property [ [link removed] ]

Comanche Rock, part of the new acquistion

Enchanted Rock [ [link removed] ] is one of the most beloved state parks, and due to our recent purchase of an adjacent ranch, there will be even more E-rock for you to love. 

The newly acquired 630 acres will expand opportunities for recreation while also protecting the natural and cultural resources near Enchanted Rock, including the dark night sky [ [link removed] ] and Sandy Creek. 

Next steps will include requesting input from the public to determine recreational opportunities for the property. This may take many months to complete, but we'll keep you informed of upcoming milestones – including a potential opening date.

The acreage was purchased using funds from the Sporting Goods Sales Tax [ [link removed] ]. “This land purchase would not have been possible without the help of our partners and the people of Texas,” said Texas State Parks Director Rodney Franklin.

Find out more in the "Texas Parks and Wildlife" magazine story TPWD Buys 630 Acres Next to Enchanted Rock [ [link removed] ]. 




Dutch Oven Chili for Chilly Campouts



Dutch oven covered in hot coals [ [link removed] ]

Chili is the State Food of Texas and perfect for the chilly weather of winter. Have you tried making chili the cowboy way – in a Dutch oven?

A Dutch oven is a cast-iron pot and lid, and it's perfect for camping. After adding ingredients to the pot, replace the lid and cover it in hot coals or put the whole thing in a fire.



Cheesy biscuits in a Dutch oven, top filled with coals, video link [ [link removed] ]

Ranger John demonstrates how to make chili and cheesy bread together in the video Dutch Oven Chili Recipe [ [link removed] ]. To see a Dutch oven demo in person, check out park Cooking Events [ [link removed] ].

For tips on keeping your Dutch oven in good shape, see the "Texas Parks & Wildlife" magazine article Skill Builder: Cast Iron Care [ [link removed] ].





Bighorns Return to Franklin Mountains

Franklin Mountains' [ [link removed] ] wildlife just got a lot more interesting. During the first week of December we released 77 desert bighorn sheep into the park, where they will live wild. 

Visit our Facebook [ [link removed] ] and Instagram [ [link removed] ] to see video of the release. Then make reservations [ [link removed] ] to visit the park, and try be one of the first to get a photo of the new residents!

Bighorn ram leaping with man in background, link [ [link removed] ]

*Native Peoples, Palo Duro Canyon and History*

Kiowa Tribe member Warren Queton, video link [ [link removed] ]

People have inhabited Palo Duro Canyon [ [link removed] ] for about 12,000 years. Native peoples lived there until 1874 and the Battle of Palo Duro Canyon.

Earlier this year, we partnered with the Kiowa Tribe, the Comanche Nation, the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes and Texas Tech University to host a special dance commemorating the 150th anniversary of this battle. 

Listen as a member of the Kiowa Tribe describes the significance of Palo Duro Canyon to native peoples in the video 150 Years Later Reflecting on the Battle of Palo Duro Canyon with Warren Queton [ [link removed] ].





Holiday Ornament, Events & Gifts Galore



Old Tunnel ornament with bats, 2024 [ [link removed] ]

This year’s collectible ornament [ [link removed] ] features the bats of Old Tunnel [ [link removed] ]. It makes a great gift for all fans of nature, parks and the outdoors.

Feeling lucky? Head to our Instagram [ [link removed] ] or Facebook [ [link removed] ] and enter the giveaway to win this fun 2024 holiday ornament. 



Merchandise at SP store [ [link removed] ]

The State Parks Store [ [link removed] ] is full of other unique items sure to bring a smile to all the outdoors-lovers in your life, including you! 

We also offer a full sleigh of special holiday events [ [link removed] ] you can enjoy alone or with all your holiday guests.





Chill Out Video: McKinney Falls in Winter
McKinney Falls with iced trees, video link [ [link removed] ]

It's not often you'll come across a frosted fantasyland in Central Texas. But on this occasion the elements cooperated, and we captured a park's rare look in the short video Winter at McKinney Falls - Postcard From Texas [ [link removed] ]. 

"A message from our non-profit partner Texas Parks & Wildlife Foundation:"

*Centennial Projects A Gift for Texas*
Park item collage, with link [ [link removed] ]

As the holiday season unfolds, we are grateful for park-loving Texans who celebrated the Texas State Parks Centennial in 2023 by collectively donating nearly $2 million to Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation’s [ [link removed] ] fundraising campaign for our parks.

Thanks to thousands of generous donors, thoughtful projects are coming to life at all Texas State Parks that will benefit visitors for many years to come. Projects include all-terrain wheelchairs, bike repair stations, ADA-compliant kayak launches, wildlife viewing stations, binoculars/spotting scopes for birding and interpretive programs, rescue UTVs, water bottle filling stations, and even a pontoon boat!

Here’s to another century of wonder among Texas’ wild things and wild places!

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CONSERVATION LICENSE PLATE SUPPORTING STATE PARKS, WITH LINK [ [link removed] ]
Garner Partially Closed for Construction

Aerial view of Garner State Park, link [ [link removed] ]

A section of Garner [ [link removed] ] has been closed to complete road construction and facility repairs. The closure is expected to last until summer 2025 with a limited reopening in March. 

The areas impacted include: Pecan Grove and Oakmont camping loops and cabins, the pavilion, park store, mini-golf, Garner Grill, boat house, day-use picnic area, Frio River dam and rock beach. All trails will be closed, except for the Nature Trail and the Frio Canyon Trail. 

During the closure, visitors will still have access to more than 200 campsites and many other recreational amenities. Find more information in our press release [ [link removed] ].



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"Messages from Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine advertisers:"

Visit George Bush Library, with link [ [link removed] ]
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Visit El Paso, with link [ [link removed] ]
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Holiday Season at Moody Gardens ad with link [ [link removed] ]



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

Toyota [ [link removed] ]

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