Celebrate 100 Years of Parks | NEW Ornament and 100-Year Gear | Where to Find Fall Color | Road Trip! Longhorn Cavern + Inks Lake | and More



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Celebrate 100 Years of Your State Parks
Pedernales Falls SP at sunrise with 100 Years of State Parks logo [ [link removed] ]

Pedernales Falls State Park

Since 1923, Texas State Parks has been preserving the natural and cultural treasures of our state. Like the previous generations that enjoyed state parks during the first 100 years, we recognize that it's YOUR love of the outdoors that keeps parks alive and growing. You who buys a park pass or souvenir, you who shares stories about your favorite parks, you who rents a cabin or votes to support state parks, you are keeping parks relevant. Thank you.

Join us as we celebrate this once-in-a-lifetime experience with festivities throughout 2023. Begin with a First Day Hike [ [link removed] ] on Jan. 1. Most parks will have at least one, and some are planning other activities, like polar plunges (brrrrr!).

Next up is the Art of Texas State Parks [ [link removed] ] exhibit. It will be at Austin's Bullock Museum from 1/7/23 to 4/30/23, then it travels to other cities. These activities are just the start, so keep an eye on the 100-year updates [ [link removed] ], and we'll see you out there.




*Road Trip! Longhorn Cavern + Inks Lake*



Group tour in Longhorn Cavern, video link [ [link removed] ]

Winter is the perfect time to plan a trip to two unique Hill Country parks. Longhorn Cavern [ [link removed] ] is underground, huge and filled with geologic wonders. 

Less than 15 miles away is Inks Lake [ [link removed] ]. It's very popular due to its pink rock formations, gorgeous views, hiking trails and camping options. 



Family fishing on the rock shore of Inks Lake, video link [ [link removed] ]

Got out-of-town visitors over the holidays? Share the awesome beauty of natural Texas with a visit to one or both of these parks. 

It's best to make reservations [ [link removed] ] ahead of time for Inks Lake. Buy tickets [ [link removed] ] to tour Longhorn Cavern in lieu of paying a park entrance fee.   





*Where to Find the Fleeting Fall Color *
Guadalupe River State Park in fall colors [ [link removed] ]

Guadalupe River State Park

The trees were a little late changing into their autumn coats, but from all accounts they are looking good this year! The color won't last long, so catch it while you can.

Look for gold, copper, and red on trees in northeast parks, including Lake Bob Sandlin [ [link removed] ], Tyler [ [link removed] ] and Daingerfield [ [link removed] ]. You'll also find color pop-ups at Dinosaur Valley [ [link removed] ], near Waco and at Guadalupe River [ [link removed] ] in the Hill Country [ [link removed] ]. 

For a list of more parks with autumn color, see the "Texas Parks & Wildlife" magazine story Why Do Leaves Change Color in Fall? [ [link removed] ] Once you decide where to go, call the park to make sure the leaves haven't fallen from the trees before you head out, and don't forget your day pass [ [link removed] ].

Camping and bluebonnet license plates that support State Parks, with ink [ [link removed] ]


*NEW: E-Rock Ornament + 100-Year Gear*



Enchanted Rock SNA ornament [ [link removed] ]

The 2022 State Parks official holiday ornament [ [link removed] ] is now available. It's an image of Enchanted Rock State Natural Area under a starry sky.

This will be a nice gift for fans of Enchanted Rock, park lovers on your list, or yourself. This ornament is a limited edition, so get it now – once they're gone, they won't be back. 



100 Years of State Parks keychain on backpack [ [link removed] ]

The 100-year celebration has already started in our online store [ [link removed] ], where you'll find a lapel pin, keychain and more. Additional products will be added throughout the yearlong celebration. 

Find out more about the new 100-year gear in our press release Gear Up for 2023 With Official Texas State Parks Centennial Merch [ [link removed] ].





*Be a Park Hero: Volunteer*
Park volunteer with geocaching tools, video link [ [link removed] ]

The new year is less than a month away, and if you're looking for a resolution, how about volunteering at a state park [ [link removed] ]? Volunteering in 2023 will be more fun than usual, because 100-year celebrations will be happening throughout the state.

Use the volunteer Opportunity Search [ [link removed] ] to find a position that works for you. Choose from a variety of job options, locations, indoor or outdoor work – and you control how much time you commit. If you don't see an opening that appeals to you, check back, new positions are added regularly.

If you're not convinced, volunteering has been shown to reduce stress and increase feelings of well-being – another excellent reason to make a New Year's resolution to volunteer at a state park in 2023.

"A message from our nonprofit partner, Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation:"

Help Build a New State Park for Texas
Palo Pinto Mountains [ [link removed] ]

The State Parks centennial kicks off next month, and what better way to celebrate than by building a new park! " "

Thanks to the many generous Texans who contributed to Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation’s fundraising campaign, Palo Pinto Mountains State Park [ [link removed] ] is slated for a soft opening in late 2023 as the capstone of the centennial celebration.

Texas' newest park will provide a beautiful setting for hiking, camping, fishing, swimming and more.

The fundraising campaign is still underway, and your support will help ensure that Palo Pinto Mountains becomes a first-class outdoor destination that Texans will enjoy for generations to come. Donate [ [link removed] ] today.

Visit Port Aransas - traditions anchor here, with link [ [link removed] ]________________________________________________________________________

Soar Like a Bird at South Padre, 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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