New Parkland Acquisition | Hiking the Extraordinary Parks | New Deluxe Album |Campfire Tips | and More!
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New Acquisition: Bear Creek

Bear Creek State Park, with view of Spring Creek

View of Spring Creek at Bear Creek State Park


We're excited to introduce you to a new jewel in the crown of Texas State Parks, Bear Creek, a 1,720-acre park located less than a mile from popular Garner State Park.

"The acquisition of Bear Creek State Park will provide Texans access to the Frio River along with streams, canyons and hiking trails for visitors to explore," said Governor Greg Abbott.

Once this Hill Country gem opens, you'll also have access to Spring Creek and Bear Creek, along with scenic views of the surrounding area – including Old Baldy at Garner.

Find out more about your newest park in our press release 1,720-acre Bear Creek State Park Becomes Latest Acquisition by Texas State Parks.

Hike the Unexpected and Extraordinary

Seminole Canyon pictographs, video link


Your parks are built for walking and hiking, and most have interactive and downloadable trail maps. Some parks offer hikers extraordinary experiences and deserve a spot on your bucket list, like these:

Hikers in Palo Duro Canyon, link


Join us on any of our free guided hikes and walks in parks, including September's Veteran Suicide Awareness Ruck Hikes. And you have to try a night hike! Get a taste with our short Night Hikes at State Parks video.

If big canyon hikes are your thing, hike spectacular Palo Duro – the second largest canyon in the U.S. Find out more in the Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine story Hiking Rim-to-Rim at Palo Duro Canyon.

 

Campfire Weather!

Campfire with marshmallow on a stick, video link

For thousands of years campfires supplied warmth and entertainment to our ancestors, and they continue to enchant us – even a campfire video is hypnotic! 

But nothing beats the real thing. You can build campfires in most parks, as long as the park doesn't have a burn ban and you follow the fire rules. Take 40 seconds to watch Smokey Bear's Campfire Safety Steps video – because only you can prevent wildfires. 

If you prefer to just enjoy the fire, join one of the many Campfire Gatherings taking place at your parks – including cowboy campfires, where we keep the tradition of cowboy poetry alive. 

The Events of July 4th

Floodwaters devasted Texas on July 4, impacting 25 counties and leading to significant loss of life and property. Texas State Parks staff took swift action when floodwaters were headed their way, relocating and evacuating 359 visitors from 22 state parks without any injuries or loss of life. The success of the team’s response was the result of planning, communication and execution of emergency protocols, while also adapting to ever-changing conditions. When you are at a Texas state park, your safety is our priority.

Texas Wild – Deluxe Edition Now Available!

Texas Wild Double Album, link

Texas Wild – Deluxe Edition is here, and it’s even wilder than before. This expanded ode to Texas’ untamed spirit features a limited edition vinyl with two bonus cuts: “Pretty Woman” by Ruthie Foster and The Texas Gentlemen and “You’re Gonna Miss Me” by Zella Day. With four interchangeable covers by artist Mishka Westell and a 24-page companion booklet, this is vinyl worth collecting!

The digital album also includes two more bonus tracks: Max Frost covering Beyoncé's "Irreplaceable" and Jonathan Terrell’s take on George Strait’s “All My Exes Live in Texas.”

Proceeds benefit Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation, so every listen helps keep Texas wild.  

ORDER NOW

Chillout Video: Fall at Inks Lake

Pelicans and cormorants on Inks Lake in fall, video link

White pelicans and cormorants at Inks Lake State Park

Fall doesn't last long in Texas, but we do get some leafy color and lots of birds. Birds migrate through Texas to spend winter in Central and South America, and many stopover at parks to refuel. Others enjoy the parks so much, they stay all winter. Take a couple of minutes to relax in the serenity of birds on the water at Inks Lake with our short video Morning on Inks Lake


A message from our sponsor:

Toyota Sienna ad, link

Messages from Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine advertisers:

Wurstfest in New Braunfels, Nov. 7-16, with link

Visit El Paso - home of the bighorn sheep of Texas, link

Enjoy Oktoberfest in Frederickburg, link

Conservation History book on Andrew Sansom, link

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