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Overview
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.
List of Texas State Parks
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Abilene State Park – A peaceful park known for its scenic landscapes, hiking trails, and clear waters in central Texas.
Atlanta State Park – A tranquil park on the shores of Lake Wright Patman, ideal for fishing and boating.
Balmorhea State Park – Famous for its spring-fed swimming pool, one of the largest in the world.
Barton Warnock Visitor Center – A gateway to Big Bend, offering information and exhibits about the desert and Big Bend National Park.
Bastrop State Park – A pine forest park offering hiking, biking, and scenic views along the Lost Pines of Texas.
Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park – A birdwatching haven in the Rio Grande Valley, known for its diverse bird species.
Big Bend Ranch State Park – A rugged desert landscape with dramatic views, ideal for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding.
Big Spring State Park – Offers hiking trails, picnic areas, and historic attractions in the heart of the Texas plains.
Blanco State Park – A park centered around the Blanco River, perfect for fishing, picnicking, and camping.
Bonham State Park – A peaceful park with a picturesque lake, perfect for fishing, hiking, and birdwatching.
Brazos Bend State Park – Known for its observatory and star-gazing, as well as hiking, biking, and wildlife watching.
Buescher State Park – A wooded park offering hiking, picnicking, and the serene Rock Creek.
Caddo Lake State Park – Famous for its cypress swamp, perfect for kayaking and birdwatching.
Caprock Canyons State Park – Offers dramatic red rock formations, hiking, and bison watching.
Caprock Canyons Trailway – A scenic trailway that follows the historic path of a railway through rugged canyon landscapes.
Cedar Hill State Park – A popular park for hiking, fishing, and camping with great views of Joe Pool Lake.
Choke Canyon State Park – Calliham Unit – Offers lakeside camping and fishing opportunities in a peaceful, natural setting.
Choke Canyon State Park – South Shore Unit – A lakefront park with hiking, fishing, and boating options.
Cleburne State Park – A family-friendly park with swimming, fishing, and hiking in the beautiful North Texas landscape.
Colorado Bend State Park – Known for its beautiful caves, waterfalls, and outdoor adventures like hiking and kayaking.
Cooper Lake State Park – Doctors Creek Unit – A lakeside park offering boating, fishing, and camping activities.
Cooper Lake State Park – South Sulphur Unit – Features scenic views, camping, and outdoor recreation around Cooper Lake.
Copper Breaks State Park – A remote park with hiking trails, stargazing, and peaceful outdoor recreation.
Daingerfield State Park – A serene park offering fishing, hiking, and camping near a beautiful 80-acre lake.
Davis Mountains State Park – A high-altitude park perfect for hiking, camping, and observing diverse wildlife in the mountains.
Devil’s Sinkhole State Natural Area (Rocksprings Visitor Center) – A dramatic natural sinkhole offering bat-watching opportunities.
Devils River State Natural Area – Known for its pristine river, perfect for canoeing and enjoying remote natural beauty.
Dinosaur Valley State Park – A park with actual dinosaur tracks visible in the riverbed and great hiking opportunities.
Eisenhower State Park – A lakeside park perfect for fishing, hiking, and camping, with a focus on family recreation.
Enchanted Rock State Natural Area – Famous for its massive pink granite dome and stunning panoramic views from the top.
Estero Llano Grande State Park – A birdwatching paradise in the Rio Grande Valley, with trails and wetlands for wildlife observation.
Falcon State Park – Located on Falcon Lake, this park offers fishing, boating, and beautiful views of the borderlands.
Fort Boggy State Park – A peaceful park offering trails, fishing, and wildlife watching in the East Texas Piney Woods.
Fort Leaton State Historic Site – A historical site showcasing a 19th-century fort along the Rio Grande.
Fort Parker State Park – A park with a historic fort, scenic lake, and excellent opportunities for camping and outdoor activities.
Fort Richardson State Park & Historic Site / Lost Creek Reservoir State Trailway – A park combining Texas history with outdoor recreation like hiking and fishing.
Franklin Mountains State Park – A large park with stunning desert landscapes, ideal for hiking, rock climbing, and stargazing.
Galveston Island State Park – A coastal park with beach access, camping, fishing, and wildlife watching on the Gulf Coast.
Garner State Park – A beloved park on the Frio River offering hiking, swimming, and camping amidst stunning Hill Country scenery.
Goliad State Park & Historic Site – Features a historic Spanish mission and the nearby San Antonio River for outdoor activities.
Goose Island State Park – A peaceful coastal park offering birdwatching, fishing, and camping near the Gulf of Mexico.
Government Canyon State Natural Area – A natural area offering hiking trails and wildlife viewing just outside of San Antonio.
Guadalupe River State Park – A scenic park along the Guadalupe River, popular for tubing, fishing, and camping.
Hill Country State Natural Area – A rugged and scenic natural area offering hiking, horseback riding, and wildlife watching.
Honey Creek State Natural Area – A serene natural area with limited access, focusing on preserving its natural beauty and wildlife.
Hueco Tanks State Park & Historic Site – A park known for its unique rock formations, ancient petroglyphs, and rock climbing.
Huntsville State Park – A lakeside park offering hiking, fishing, and family-friendly camping in East Texas.
Indian Lodge – A historic lodge in the Davis Mountains offering a unique stay with access to the surrounding park and trails.
Inks Lake State Park – A popular park for boating, fishing, and hiking, located along the Colorado River.
Kickapoo Cavern State Park – A remote park featuring caves, hiking, and wildlife watching in a rugged Texas landscape.
Lake Arrowhead State Park – A peaceful park around Lake Arrowhead offering fishing, hiking, and camping.
Lake Bob Sandlin State Park – A scenic park with lakeside camping, boating, and fishing on Lake Bob Sandlin.
Lake Brownwood State Park – A popular park with outdoor activities like fishing, boating, and camping on Lake Brownwood.
Lake Casa Blanca International State Park – A lakeside park offering boating, fishing, and picnicking near the Texas-Mexico border.
Lake Colorado City State Park – A quiet park featuring fishing, hiking, and camping on Lake Colorado City.
Lake Corpus Christi State Park – A lakeside park offering fishing, boating, and camping in the Coastal Bend area.
Lake Livingston State Park – A spacious park with a large lake, perfect for swimming, boating, and hiking.
Lake Mineral Wells State Park – A park centered around a beautiful lake with opportunities for fishing, boating, and hiking.
Lake Mineral Wells Trailway – A scenic trail connecting Lake Mineral Wells State Park to the nearby town, perfect for hiking and biking.
Lake Somerville State Park – Birch Creek Unit – A park along Lake Somerville offering boating, fishing, and camping.
Lake Somerville State Park – Nails Creek Unit – A quieter unit of Lake Somerville State Park, offering picnicking, fishing, and hiking.
Lake Tawakoni State Park – A lakeside park offering camping, boating, and fishing opportunities near Dallas.
Lake Whitney State Park – A park offering beautiful views, hiking trails, and water activities on Lake Whitney.
Lockhart State Park – A family-friendly park with a historic golf course, hiking trails, and a swimming pool.
Longhorn Cavern State Park – Features guided cave tours through stunning underground formations and a variety of outdoor activities.
Lost Maples State Natural Area – Famous for its fall foliage and hiking trails in the rugged Hill Country.
Lyndon B. Johnson State Park & Historic Site – A historical site honoring President Johnson, with the nearby LBJ Ranch and Hill Country views.
Martin Creek Lake State Park – A peaceful park with a scenic lake, perfect for camping, fishing, and wildlife watching.
Martin Dies, Jr. State Park – A park along the Neches River, offering canoeing, hiking, and camping.
Mckinney Falls State Park – A park with picturesque waterfalls, hiking trails, and swimming holes near Austin.
Meridian State Park – A small, scenic park perfect for hiking, fishing, and camping in the Central Texas Hill Country.
Mission Rosario State Historic Site – A historic site preserving the 18th-century Mission Rosario, important to Texas history.
Mission Tejas State Park – A park preserving the site of the Spanish mission with hiking and camping among the East Texas forests.
Monahans Sandhills State Park – A unique desert landscape featuring sand dunes, ideal for hiking, sand surfing, and picnicking.
Mother Neff State Park – A small but charming park with trails, picnicking areas, and access to the Leon River.
Mustang Island State Park – A coastal park offering beach access, fishing, and camping along the Gulf of Mexico.
Old Tunnel State Park – A park famous for its bat colony, offering tours and opportunities for bat-watching.
Palmetto State Park – A park known for its lush, tropical palmetto trees and scenic hiking trails.
Palo Duro Canyon State Park – Known as the “Grand Canyon of Texas,” this park features dramatic canyon views and diverse outdoor activities.
Pedernales Falls State Park – A beautiful park offering hiking, swimming, and tubing near the Pedernales River.
Possum Kingdom State Park – A picturesque lakeside park with opportunities for boating, hiking, and fishing.
Purtis Creek State Park – A quiet park centered around a serene lake, ideal for fishing, hiking, and camping.
Ray Roberts Lake State Park – Isle du Bois Unit – A popular lakeside park for fishing, hiking, and camping near the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
Ray Roberts Lake State Park – Johnson Branch Unit – Features beautiful views, camping, and recreational activities at Ray Roberts Lake.
Resaca de la Palma State Park – A nature preserve offering trails, birdwatching, and unique wetland environments.
San Angelo State Park – A park with a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, camping, and fishing near O.C. Fisher Lake.
Sea Rim State Park – A coastal park offering beach access, birdwatching, and fishing along the Gulf of Mexico.
Seminole Canyon State Park & Historic Site – A park showcasing ancient pictographs and offering scenic hiking in the rugged canyon landscape.
Sheldon Lake State Park & Environmental Learning Center – An urban park offering environmental education programs, hiking, and birdwatching in Houston.
South Llano River State Park – Known for its scenic river views, perfect for tubing, hiking, and camping in the Hill Country.
Stephen F. Austin State Park – A small park offering camping, hiking, and picnicking with views of the Brazos River.
Tyler State Park – A park with a beautiful lake, perfect for boating, hiking, and fishing in East Texas.
Village Creek State Park – A park along the Village Creek offering canoeing, hiking, and fishing opportunities.
Wyler Aerial Tramway – A scenic tramway ride to the top of the Franklin Mountains offering panoramic views of El Paso.
Zaragoza Birthplace State Historic Site – A historic site commemorating the birthplace of General Zaragoza, offering a glimpse into Mexican heritage.
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
The Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife operates 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 as other state peace officers.
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.
