State Parks Getaways – February 2019

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department sent this bulletin at 02/28/2019 12:29 PM CST

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Where to Find Spring Bling

Texas spring wildflowers are world famous because they're uniquely beautiful and so many appear at once, draped like jewels across the landscape. Your state parks offer perfect opportunities for picnics and photos among the blossoms. For tips on where to go, read our magazine story listing state parks with wildflowers, including these:

Fort Parker – between Dallas & Houston
Inks Lake – Hill Country
Lake Corpus Christi – Gulf Coast
Big Bend Ranch – Southwest

Before you head out, you may want to check with the park to be sure wildflowers are still in bloom. And keep an eye on our Flickr page for the latest photos of wildflowers at state parks. These colorful little gems are making an impressive early arrival this year, so start planning your wildflower experience now.

Celebrating Texas Independence Day

It's Texas Independence Day on March 2! Celebrate by visiting Washington-on-the-Brazos, capital of the Republic of Texas and now a beautiful state historic site. While you're there, don't miss Barrington Living History Farm, home of the last president of the Republic and now a working 1850s-era farm. In a party mood? Join us for the big Texas Independence Day party March 2 and 3.

Other important sites you can visit include San Jacinto Battleground, where the war for Texas independence was won, and Monument Hill, with its memorial honoring 52 "Texians" who died in the fight for independence and are now buried here. Learn more about this park, also home to the historic Kreische Brewery, in our magazine story, The Angel on the Hill.

Bluebonnet license plate supporting state parks - link

Spend Springtime with the Birds

Birds add excitement to the outdoors in spring – they're singing, nest building and showing off their best colors. What better place to hang out with them than at state parks? Plan a visit using our birding guide by travel region and our birding events calendar – with more activities to come!

The Texas Birding Classic is gearing up for another fun competition starting April 15. It takes place during spring migration, so you never know what you'll see! Why not compete in the State Park Tournament? Just put together a team and plan to spend some quality time outdoors.

4 Tips For Spring Break Visits

Spring break is a busy time at your parks – wildflowers are in bloom, birds are aflutter and lots of people plan to visit. But parks are fragile by nature, so the number of visitors allowed in has to be limited. Don't get turned away! Use these 4 tips and a little advance planning to enjoy spring break at a state park.

Save the Day! Make a day use reservation to secure your entry into a park on a specific date. A few super-popular parks may also have you reserve a time to enter. You can get a "Save the Day" pass starting 30 days in advance and up to the day of your visit, if still available.
Plan a weekday visit to avoid the weekend crowd.
Use the Texas State Parks app to locate alternative parks in case your first choice has a long line of cars or has hit capacity.
Monitor individual parks on social media for capacity updates.

These tips will help with any holiday or weekend visit, which are the busiest times at your state parks.

Insider Tip:

Texas Outdoor Family just posted their spring/summer workshop schedule! These learn-to-camp getaways fill up FAST, so check them out now if you’re interested.

Link to order a free Texas State Travel Guide & Travel Map

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