Topic · Page 5
The Great Outdoors
Local Notes
The Great Outdoors notes
Dickens County · Hunting
Dickens County Whitetails, Private Gates, and Public Maps
Dickens County was one of TPWD's whitetail release counties; access today depends on a landowner's permission or a specifically listed public area.
Dimmit County · Hunting
Deer and Turkey Hunting in Dimmit County (South Zone)
TPWD places Dimmit County in the South Zone for white-tailed deer and Rio Grande turkey, with county-specific limits and reporting rules.
Donley County · Lake / Recreation
Greenbelt Reservoir Offers Fishing and Camping Near Clarendon
Greenbelt Reservoir sits just north of Clarendon on the Salt Fork of the Red River and is the main public outdoor recreation spot in Donley County.
Eastland County · Hunting
Deer hunting rules for Eastland County
Eastland County falls under Texas Parks and Wildlife rules that limit deer harvest and set season dates you need to know before you hunt.
Ector County · Dove Hunting
Dove Season Dates in Ector County Depend on Which Side of I-20 You Hunt
Interstate 20 splits Ector County into two TPWD dove zones with different season start and end dates.
Ector County · Small Game & Javelina
Ector County Has Seasons for Quail and Javelina
Quail season runs through late winter and javelina season runs from fall into late February in Ector County.
Ector County · Mule Deer Hunting
Mule Deer Season in Ector County Is Short
Ector County is in the Trans-Pecos mule deer zone, where archery and general season combined run only a few weeks in fall.
Ector County · Public Access
There Is No Public Hunting Land in Ector County
All hunting in Ector County takes place on private land — hunters must have written or verbal permission from the landowner.
El Paso County · County Park
Ascarate Park Gives El Paso a County Lake
Ascarate Park is El Paso County's largest public park, built around a 48-acre lake, with an aquatic center, sports fields, and a 27-hole golf course.
El Paso County · Urban Park
Chamizal Has Grounds, Art, and Boundary History
Chamizal National Memorial gives central El Paso open grounds and a cultural center tied to a peaceful border settlement.
El Paso County · Trailheads
City Trailheads Put Mountain Trails Inside Daily Life
El Paso's city trailhead system lets residents reach Franklin Mountains and foothill trails without treating them as a far-away trip.
El Paso County · County Parks
County Parks Reach Beyond Central El Paso
El Paso County's parks system is not only in central El Paso; it also serves smaller communities out in the valley.
El Paso County · Fishing Rules
El Paso County Has Restrictions on Live Bait for Fishing
Only certain fish species can be used as live or dead bait in El Paso County. TPWD sets these rules to protect local waters from invasive species.
El Paso County · Desert Ecology
El Paso Sits at the Heart of the Chihuahuan Desert
El Paso County sits near the northern edge of the Chihuahuan Desert, one of North America's largest deserts and more biologically rich than it looks.
El Paso County · Trail Safety
El Paso Trail Plans Need Desert Weather Checks
El Paso's official trail guidance reminds hikers that desert sun, wind, heat, and sudden storms can turn a simple outing serious.
El Paso County · State Park
Franklin Mountains State Park Sits Inside El Paso City Limits
Franklin Mountains State Park covers nearly 27,000 acres of desert mountain terrain inside El Paso, with over 100 miles of trails.
El Paso County · State Park and Historic Site
Hueco Tanks Has Ancient Rock Art and Strict Daily Visitor Limits
Hueco Tanks State Park protects thousands of ancient pictographs in the Chihuahuan Desert and limits daily visitors to preserve the site.
El Paso County · Wetlands
Rio Bosque Brings Back River Habitat
Rio Bosque Wetlands Park is a 372-acre City of El Paso park in the lower valley, run by UTEP, where old Rio Grande habitat is being restored.
El Paso County · Scenic Drive
Scenic Drive Turns Into a Sunday Walking Route
The City of El Paso closes Scenic Drive to vehicle traffic on Sunday mornings so people can walk, bike, and take in the view over the city.
El Paso County · Trail Plan
The Paso del Norte Trail Is a Long-Range Plan
The Paso del Norte Trail is a planned countywide trail, so check which segments are actually open before you build a ride around it.
El Paso County · Trail
The Playa Drain Trail Adds a Valley Route
The Playa Drain Trail gives Mission Valley residents a paved walking and biking route near Shawver Park and Yarbrough Drive.
El Paso County · State Park Facility
The Wyler Aerial Tramway at Franklin Mountains Is Being Rebuilt
The Wyler Aerial Tramway at Franklin Mountains State Park is closed for rebuilding. Texas got $27 million to reconstruct it.
El Paso County · Hunting Seasons
What You Can Hunt in El Paso County and When
El Paso County sits in TPWD's Trans-Pecos mule deer country, with separate rules for javelina, dove, quail, and waterfowl.
Ellis County · City Parks
Bluebonnet Park is Ennis's everyday outdoor room
On the south side of Ennis, Bluebonnet Park packs ball fields, open grass, playgrounds, a fishing pond, and a three-quarter-mile walking trail into one civic park.
Ellis County · Deer Hunting
Deer hunters in Ellis County face specific antler rules
Ellis County is under Texas antler restriction rules, which limit how many large-antlered bucks a hunter can take in a season.
Ellis County · Bluebonnets
Ennis turns country roads into a bluebonnet map each April
The Ennis Bluebonnet Trail maps more than 40 miles of spring driving routes, giving Ellis County one of its clearest outdoor identities.
Ellis County · Lake Bardwell
Lake Bardwell gives Ennis a real lake edge
Four miles southwest of Ennis, Lake Bardwell turns the prairie side of Ellis County into a place with boat ramps, fishing water, and a wide horizon.
Ellis County · Nature Park
Mockingbird Nature Park keeps a patch of Midlothian quiet
Midlothian's Mockingbird Nature Park is a 62-acre place for trails, native grass, bluebird boxes, a pond, and butterfly gardens.
Ellis County · Waterways
The Trinity River forms the eastern edge of Ellis County
The Trinity River runs along the eastern edge of Ellis County. Several local creeks drain the county and feed into the Trinity system.
Ellis County · Public Hunting Access
TPWD public hunting land is limited in Ellis County — know your options
Public hunting land is limited in Ellis County. Most hunters use private leases, but a TPWD Annual Public Hunting Permit opens access to areas across Texas.
Ellis County · Turkey Hunting
Turkey season in Ellis County only applies west of I-35
Ellis County has a spring turkey season west of Interstate 35 and no turkey season east of it.
Ellis County · Trails
Waxahachie Creek gives the city a four-mile green spine
The Waxahachie Creek Hike and Bike Trail follows woods and creek bends from Getzendaner Park through the historic cemetery to Lion Park.
Erath County · Local Trail
Stephenville's river trail links City Park with downtown
Stephenville's 1.5-mile Bosque River Trail follows the north bank and connects City Park, the historical museum, and downtown.
Erath County · River Geography
The North Bosque gathers north of Stephenville
Forks rising near Lingleville and Huckabay meet north of Stephenville to begin the 97-mile main branch of the North Bosque River.
Erath County · Paluxy River
The Paluxy starts in Bluff Dale, upstream from the dinosaur tracks
The North and South Paluxy meet at Bluff Dale, linking Erath County headwaters to the dinosaur tracks downstream near Glen Rose.
Falls County · Blackland Prairie
Blackland Soil Sits Under Falls County's Railroad Story
Deep black soil helps explain why farms multiplied, cotton surged, and railroad towns spread across western Falls County.
Falls County · Fishing & River Access
Public fishing access on the Brazos River near Marlin
Texas Parks and Wildlife has a public boat ramp on the Brazos River about 5 miles west of Marlin. You can fish there without needing private land.
Fannin County · New Lake
Bois d'Arc Lake Is Texas's Newest Major Reservoir
Bois d'Arc Lake opened in April 2024 as Texas's first major new reservoir in more than 30 years, with fish habitat built into the lake from the start.
Fannin County · Public Land
Caddo National Grasslands Offers Hunting and Fishing in Fannin County
Caddo National Grasslands WMA is a patchwork of two Fannin County units, so its map matters as much as its long list of outdoor uses.
Fannin County · Fishing
Coffee Mill Lake Feels Tucked into the Grasslands
Coffee Mill Lake is a 650-acre reservoir with mostly natural shoreline, aquatic plants, and a fishery that gives this corner of the grasslands its own rhythm.
Fayette County · Hunting
Deer hunting in Fayette County has a county-specific bag limit
TPWD sets the deer bag limit for Fayette County separately from surrounding areas, so hunters need to check the county-specific rules before the season.
Fayette County · Fishing
Fayette County Reservoir is known for largemouth bass fishing
The Fayette County Reservoir, about 10 miles east of La Grange, is a power plant cooling lake that Texas Parks and Wildlife has ranked highly for largemouth bass.
Fayette County · River Park
White Rock Park Brings La Grange to the Colorado River
This 23.5-acre day-use park pairs a Colorado River canoe launch with a walking trail, ball fields, picnic areas, and wildlife watching.
Floyd County · Geography
Blanco Canyon cuts through the southern edge of Floyd County
Blanco Canyon is a dramatic break in the High Plains near Floydada, carved by the White River along Floyd County's southern border.
Fort Bend County · County Park
Bates Allen Park mixes wetlands, map reading, and Fort Bend history
The 236-acre Kendleton park combines wetlands, fishing, a permanent orienteering course, historic sites, and a county heritage museum.
Fort Bend County · State Park
Brazos Bend State Park offers 37 miles of trails 45 miles from Houston
Brazos Bend State Park in southern Fort Bend County has hiking, fishing, camping, and live alligators in the lakes.
Fort Bend County · Hunting
Brazos Bend State Park offers limited drawn hunts
Hunters can apply for drawn hunts at Brazos Bend State Park through the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
Fort Bend County · River Park
Brazos River Park Turns Sugar Land Toward the River
Brazos River Park in Sugar Land has riverfront trails, disc golf, open meadows, picnic space, and a large event overlook.
Fort Bend County · Lake Park
Buffalo Run Park Gives Missouri City Lakes, Trails, and Boat Access
Buffalo Run Park has connected lakes, trails, fishing piers, a boat ramp, a garden, and bird-watching spots.
Fort Bend County · Nature Park
Cullinan Park Is a Big Sugar Land Nature Stop
Cullinan Park gives Sugar Land a large nature park with trails, White Lake, a boardwalk, and birding spots.
Fort Bend County · Parks
Fort Bend is planning a countywide parks and trails network
Fort Bend County adopted a parks and trails vision plan focused on access, safety, and countywide connectivity.
Fort Bend County · Trail Access
Independence Park Connects Missouri City to the GCWA Trail
Independence Park has a walking trail, fishing pier, boat ramp, broad water views, and access to Missouri City's GCWA Trail.
Fort Bend County · County Park
Jones Creek Ranch Park can handle 25 people or 4,000
Its eight event spaces range from a lodge and bunkhouses to four pavilions and Jones Hall, alongside a pool and sports areas.
Fort Bend County · County Park
Kitty Hollow Park mixes a historic house with ball fields and a fishing pier
The 190-acre park near Missouri City combines sports, a lake, dog areas, and the historic Dew House Museum in one stop.
Fort Bend County · Creek Park
Oyster Creek Park Is Sugar Land's Classic Creek Walk
A rock-lined water feature and bridge give this 111-acre Sugar Land park a clear landmark along a three-mile trail.
Fort Bend County · Nature Park
Seabourne Creek Nature Park Has Prairie, Wetland, and Birding
Seabourne Creek Nature Park is Rosenberg's largest park, with prairie, wetland, lake habitat, birding, and public nature walks.
Fort Bend County · River Park
Sugar Land Memorial Park Has Trails, Water, and a Memorial
Sugar Land Memorial Park sits by the Brazos River with trails, a veterans memorial, play space, picnic space, and lake uses.
Fort Bend County · Astronomy
The George Observatory at Brazos Bend State Park opens Saturday nights for stargazing
A public observatory inside Brazos Bend State Park lets visitors look through high-powered telescopes on Saturday nights, weather permitting.
Fort Bend County · Fishing
You do not need a fishing license inside Brazos Bend State Park
Fishing from the shore or pier inside Brazos Bend State Park does not require a Texas fishing license.
Franklin County · Prairie Habitat
Daphne Prairie Puts Grassland in the Piney Woods
Daphne Prairie gives eastern Franklin County a grassland pocket with old mounds, wet winter ground, and birds that do not fit the usual woods-and-lake picture.