4 Texas State Parks to Visit This Fall and Winter

You can find a range of landscapes and wildlife found across Texas’ state parks, from ancient rock art to rare bird sightings and historic bison herds. These destinations offer affordable ways to experience the state’s natural and cultural richness.

Story and photos by Gerald McLeod, retired TCDRS Communications Manager

From the majestic Palo Duro Canyon to the bird-filled marshes and beaches of Galveston, Texas’ 91 state parks showcase the beauty and diversity of our state. The mild weather of fall and winter is a great time to get outdoors.

Left: A herd of cranes at Goose Island State Park. Right: A guided hike through Seminole Canyon State Park.

From October to April, whooping cranes, the tallest birds in North America, often make an appearance at Goose Island State Park, outside of Rockport on the coast. Whooping cranes frequently congregate in a field near the Big Tree, named the State Champion Coastal Live Oak in 1966.

In West Texas there is a library of stories on rock walls left by ancient residents. Seminole Canyon State Park, west of Del Rio, holds hundreds of pictographs dating back 7,000 years. September through May is the time to take one of the guided hikes.

Left: Bison grazing at Caprock Canyon State Park. Right: A copse of trees in Martin Dies Jr. State Park.

The stunning red canyons of Caprock Canyon State Park were once a campsite for Native Americans. In 1997, 50 bison were donated from a herd started in 1878 by Charles and Mary Ann Goodnight. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department watches over them and their offspring to this day. As visitors drive around the park, the animals barely pay attention, allowing vehicles to get remarkably close.

Deep in southeast Texas, Martin Dies Jr. State Park is a jewel in the forest on the banks of B.A. Steinhagen Reservoir. During autumn the trees put on a show of colors. This park is tucked between the Big Thicket National Preserve and the Angelina National Forest. All roads leading to the park east of Woodville are scenic.

From the Piney Woods in the east to the West Texas desert, state parks are a great value for Texans. Entrance fees are often $5 or less, campsites cost around $20 a night, and the experience is priceless.

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