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The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is a state agency that manages and conserves natural resources and provides Texans and visitors to the state with opportunities for hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation.
The agency operates more than 90 state parks from Galveston Island on the Gulf Coast to Palo Duro Canyon in the Pandhandle and Caddo Lake near the Louisiana border.
Texas state parks are home to a huge variety of wildlife, including bison, deer, prairie dogs, prairie chickens, hawks, cranes, coyotes, dolphins, and many varieties of fish.
TPWD has 12 internal divisions and maintains its headquarters at 4200 Smith School Road in Austin, with regional and field offices throughout the state. Within the department is a Law Enforcement Division that employs Game Wardens, a type of sworn peace officer.
Hunting and Fishing
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department issues hunting permits that give hunters access to some one million acres of walk-in hunting land.
Fishing from the shore or a pier is free at more than 70 state parks, without any license required. TPWD issues fishing licenses for fishing in other state waters.
Sporting goods stores, gun shops, tackle shops, and department stores sell hunting and fishing licenses throughout the state. All revenues from the licenses go toward conservation efforts.
Park Rules
- Texas State Parks prohibit the public display or consumption of alcohol. That includes all outdoor areas within the park.
- Visitors may not collect plants, animals, or artifacts. They may not gather firewood.
- Persons with a valid handgun license may carry a handgun within many state parks.
- Drones are not allowed except in San Angelo and Martin Dies Jr. state parks, or for filming purposes at other state parks, with a filming permit.
- For additional rules and information, visit the State Parks website.
Agency Structure and Leadership
TPWD is an executive branch agency that falls under the governor. The governor appoints a nine-member board of commissioners who oversee the work of the department.
Reporting to the commission, an executive director manages the day-to-day operations of the agency. TPWD has 12 internal divisions, including a wildlife division, parks division, inland fisheries division, and law enforcement division.
TWPD maintains its headquarters in Austin, with regional and field offices throughout the state.
Texas Game Wardens
Within the department is a Law Enforcement Division that employs two types of law enforcement officers: Park Police Officers and Game Wardens.
Game wardens enforce the hunting and fishing laws of the state. Additionally, Texas game wardens hold federal commissions issued by the U.S. Department of the Interior and the U.S. Department of Commerce for purposes of enforcing federal fisheries and wildlife laws.
The law enforcement officers employed by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department have the same powers and privileges as any other state peace officers. They have the same authority as a sheriff, for instance, to arrest without a warrant, serve criminal or civil process, etc.
The requirements to become a Texas game warden are similar to those of other peace officers but also include a swimming test and 2,000-meter row.
Budget and Personnel
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department had a budget of $374 million in fiscal year 2023, according to the Appropriations Act.
The department’s sources of funds included:
- $102 million from the Sporting Goods Sales Tax
- $99 million from fishing and hunting licenses and other fees
- $6.5 million from the General Revenue Fund
- $24.5 million from entrance fees and facility use fees
- $64 million in federal funding.
The department has an authorized staffing level of 3,161.
Map of State Parks
For a map of all state parks, visit here.
