Bursts of red, eruptions of orange and washes of shimmering yellow illustrate autumn in many Texas state parks. Lost Maples has the most famous fall foliage in the Hill Country, but there are plenty of other state parks that also get flashy in the fall. Here are some favorites:

• Lake Bob Sandlin, east of Dallas-Ft. Worth
• Daingerfield, northeast of Tyler
• Caprock Canyons, southeast of Amarillo 
• Davis Mountains, southeast of El Paso

Mother Nature is a woman of mystery, so it’s hard to predict when she’ll switch to her fall wardrobe in each park. The most up-to-the minute reports are usually from park-goers like YOU, via social media. So, when you discover some fantastic foliage at a Texas state park, please share your photos with the hashtag #Fall4TX. And follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for the best in crowd-sourced color reports – they’re already coming in!

Since fall’s colors are found up, down and all around, try taking photos from different angles. Looking up, you can use the sky as a blue backdrop for yellow cottonwoods. Look down at the fallen leaves around your feet for a mosaic of possible close-up shots. You can get more fall foliage photo tips from photographer Earl Nottingham in Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine. Autumn has come to Texas! It’s time to get out and breathe it all in, then let its beauty take your breath away.

However you get your jingle on, your state parks have a holiday event for you. Whatever you prefer - sparkly, crafty, cultural or musical, we’ve got it. And more! If you’ve got visitors, bring them to our events for a truly Texas experience they’ll always remember.

This video and the list of state parks below will give you a sample of seasonal activities. Check our Holiday Calendar for the full list of events. 

• Lyndon B. Johnson - Holiday Cookie Decorating: join in the German traditions of making wreaths, candles and cookies for the tree while you await the arrival of St. Nicholas; 11/28
• Tyler - Pineywoods Christmas: decorate your campsite for this event and you can camp for FREE! Or come on out and see all the decorations; 12/12
• Golidad - Christmas at the Mission: join us for sacred and secular holiday music performed by candlelight in the old mission chapel; 12/5. Los Pastores: experience this traditional play performed in Spanish; 12/19
• Galveston Island - Island-Style Holiday Crafts: a crafty extravaganza will ensue as we supply materials for 4 projects, including sand dollar ornaments; 12/5, 12/12, 12/19, 12/22
• Palo Duro - Christmas in the Canyon: the glowing colors of hot air balloons are the backdrop for your visit to Santa; 12/17
• Lake Brownwood - Holiday at the Lake: come out for an evening of cookie decorating, toy-making and a campsite decorating contest, plus a visit from Santa; 12/19
• Battleship Texas - A Sailor’s Christmas: come aboard to send a Morse Code message to the North Pole, make battleship ornaments, listen to live music and take a picture with Santa; 12/12. And see the ship decorated as the crew traditionally did it during the entire month of December.

‘Tis the season, so come on out and get jingly with it! 

The toughest part of the holiday season is figuring out what to get for your friends, colleagues and loved ones. Most everyone would like to give a gift that’s unique, not superficial, doesn’t involve a screen and is “green” and healthy. Get the gift that meets all that criteria AND doesn’t need batteries – a Texas State Parks Pass!

To help you in your gift-giving, Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation is giving you $5 off the regular price of $70 when you order the pass online by Dec. 19. They’ll even mail a gift-wrapped certificate directly to anyone on your nice list, what could be easier?  

This year-long pass not only gives your lucky giftees free access to more than 90 Texas state parks, but they can use it to waive the entry fee for EVERYONE in their vehicle! And 100% of the proceeds directly support our state parks. This is getting better and better, right? So don’t delay, go the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation website, order those park passes and then watch their faces when they open your gift. Visions of parks will dance through their heads, guaranteed.

More than 200 dinosaur tracks over 100 million years old can be seen on this hike. They’re about 2.5 miles up the trail, just past Marker #19. Keep an eye out for unique wildlife, including eagles and the endangered golden-cheeked warbler. Your trek will culminate at the Zizelmann house, believed to have been built by German bakers in 1882.

The military blazed the trail that became the Joe Johnston Route at Government Canyon State Natural Area in the 1850s. Most of Government Canyon sits atop the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone and this video tells how the land was saved from urban development in the early 1990s.  

This rugged hike is a 5.7-mile round trip, so bring plenty of water, snacks and good hiking shoes. Follow Government Canyon on Facebook for updates on hiking conditions. Pets are not allowed on this trail but are welcome in some other areas of the park. To reduce impact on this highly sensitive ecosystem, please follow the Leave No Trace Seven Principles. With your help, the Joe Johnston Route will remain pristine for many more generations to enjoy.

Nature can be very inspiring, as many artists know. Texas State Parks, through its Arts in the Parks program, aims to motivate Texans of all ages to connect with the outdoors through art. We have partnered with Get to Know for an annual Texas State Parks Youth Arts Contest, and here are this year’s winners and the parks that inspired them:

• 1st Place: “Sunflower Rabbit” by Yolanda C., age 15, Big Bend Ranch       
• 2nd Place: “Palo Duro Canyon" by Champ T., age 13, Palo Duro Canyon
• 3rd Place: “Prickly Cactus at Sunset” by Joel P., age 7, Lake Somerville
• Best Photo: “White Delphinium Flower” by Faith P., age 15, Brazos Bend

The contest is open to children age 19 and under. Children are asked to explore any Texas state park and create art of any kind that is inspired by the park’s natural beauty. They then share their creativity through the contest. All Texas entries are displayed online in the Texas State Parks Gallery. Winners receive prizes, including cameras and art supplies.

Next year’s contest runs from May 1 through Nov. 1, 2016. So, get your kids out there, visit some state parks and get inspired! We’d love to see their creative entries next year.

Would you like to relax in the air-conditioned cabins at Inks Lake next summer? Or maybe your style is more a beach campout at Mustang Island when the dune flowers are in bloom? Wherever you plan to go, NOW is the time to reserve your space! State parks can get really busy in spring and summer, so to avoid being disappointed, make reservations now. 

You can reserve online or by phone at (512) 389-8900. Cabins, screened shelters and group facilities can only be reserved by phone. Now is the perfect time to call because call volume is lower than at other times of the year. With one call, you can make reservations at any state park, up to 11 months in advance! So make reservations for spring and summer at your Texas state parks today.