State Parks Getaways — June 2026

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department sent this bulletin at 06/16/2026 11:50 AM CDT

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New Acquisitions: Silver Lake and More

Cliffside next to creek and trees at Silver Lake SP

Silver Lake State Park

Silver Lake is now your second-largest state park. Once it opens, you'll find steep canyons, rolling hills and miles of the West Nueces River — look at the photos.

“The opportunities to explore nature’s wonders are truly bigger in Texas,” said Governor Greg Abbott. “With this new land acquisition across the Hill Country, Texans will have access to more than 50,000 acres of unique outdoor activities.”

Learn more in our press release Newly Acquired Silver Lake Ranch Becomes Texas’ Second Largest State Park. We are grateful to the Moody Foundation and the citizens of Texas who voted for the Centennial Parks Conservation Fund which helped make the Silver Lake acquisition possible.

We've also added acreage to existing parks. See our press releases for more info:

Road Trip! Parks for Budget Vacays With Kids

Young boy on rock reaching into water, link

Need a fun budget vacation? Road trip to state parks this summer — kids 12 and under always get in free!

We offer guided activities, fishing, paddling and much more. Use "Filters" on the parks map to search for parks that will loan you fishing gear, or have playgrounds or interpretative centers, etc. Check out the Junior Ranger program, which loans kids backpacks with tools for outdoor discovery.

Don't miss summer park events that appeal to both adults and kids.

Just a few unique park attractions:

Brazos Bend: observatory, nature center and wild alligator viewing
Sauer-Beckman Living History Farm at L.B.J: free tours of a working, historically-recreated 1800s farm
Ft. Richardson: free tours of the old fort, plus unique events like Scorpion Scavenger Hunt

Find more parks in our magazine story A State Park Road Trip Keeps a Kid Happy.

Texas-America250 Events at Your Parks

The 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence signing is on July 4th. Texas played a major role in the formation of our nation, and we're celebrating with Texas-America250 events, including:

Inking the Constitution at Lake Corpus Christi Oak gall ink was used to sign the Constitution. You'll make oak gall ink and write with it. This event is also at other parks.
Red, White + Blue Birding Walk at Village Creek Ranger-guided walk to find red, white and blue birds. This event is also at other parks.
America250 Family Trivia Night at Fort Parker Ranger-led family-friendly trivia game about our state and national symbols.

Join us in the celebrations! Make your park reservation ahead of time. Reserve your day passes up to 30 days ahead of your visit and overnights up to 5 months ahead. Children under 12 get in free! Reserve now, avoid disappointment later.

Texas-America250 Events

Join Us in Planning New State Parks

Creek runs through hills at Post Oak Ridge SP

We've got 3 ways for you to share feedback about the development of new state parks:

1. Take the Post Oak Ridge public survey by July 9.

2. Join a public meeting about the Enchanted Rock Expansion in Llano, at American Legion Hall, June 17 at 6 pm; or San Antonio at Leon Valley Conference Center, June 18 at 6 pm.

3. Join a public meeting about Bear Creek in Kerrville at Kerrville-Schreiner Park Recreation Hall, July 8 at 6 pm; or Houston at Houston Arboretum and Nature Center, July 9 at 6 pm.

Public surveys for Bear Creek and Enchanted Rock will be available to you online beginning the first day of their public meeting. We look forward to seeing you!

Everyone Can Play Bird Bingo and GOSH

It's easy to add Bird Bingo to your summer fun. Select a region of Texas and print out the card, or pick up preprinted cards at participating state parks. Mark off birds you see - 5 in a row gets you a bingo!

One bingo and you're eligible to win the grand prize: a half-day Hill Country birding excursion! Find out more in the magazine story Third Annual Bird Bingo Contest Begins.

GOSH! 2026, family outdoors taking photo, link

Discover the best of Texas by playing GOSH 2026 – the Great Outdoor Scavenger Hunt. The game will take you on a journey to state parks and other amazing spots.

Complete every GOSH activity to be entered to win our grand prize — a curated wellness weekend for 2 in Mineral Wells, the Wellness Capital of Texas. Start playing today!

Teach Your Child to Swim this Summer, link

What To Do if You Find an Artifact

Pottery shard with fingernail marks found at Lake Somerville

One of the many ways your parks serve the citizens of Texas is by protecting cultural and natural artifacts.

If you think you've discovered something noteworthy at a park, don't remove it from its original location. Instead, take a photo, note the coordinates using your phone's map function, then show this information to a park ranger. We'll call in the professionals to assess your discovery and keep you informed of the outcome.

Help I.D. Screwworm on Wild Animals or Pets

TPWD veterinarian with background filled with screwworm, video link

If you see live maggots on a live animal, immediately report the sighting, and do not move the animal. It may be infested with New World Screwworm (NWS).

NWS are flies that lay eggs in open wounds and moist body parts of live mammals. The eggs hatch into maggots that feed on living tissue. They kill the animal if left untreated. The first case of NWS in Texas was found on a calf on June 3, 2026.

Stay informed with our NWS updates and watch our video short New World Screwworms.

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