Great Texas Wildlife Trails Brochure

Discover the Wildlife of Texas!

Whether you are a birder, a wildlife enthusiast, or just ready to discover the wildlife Texas has to offer, we have a map that makes it easy for you. These driving trails will direct you to the best spots in the state to observe wildlife such as birds, butterflies, bats or pronghorns. Texas is the perfect place to view wildlife; the Lone Star State is one of the top birding destinations in the world and is rich in its diverse species of wildlife. Along the trails, you will be captivated by all there is to do and local communities will welcome you with plenty of Texas hospitality.

Texas was the first state in the nation to create birding and wildlife viewing trails, an idea that resulted in similar projects throughout North America. These trails provide economic incentives for landowners and communities to conserve habitats while providing recreational opportunities for the traveling public. The wildlife trails of Texas promote sustainable economic development and build public support for conservation of wildlife and habitats.

Texas is one of the nation's leaders in nature tourism. In 2000, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department completed The Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail which was a great success and continues to be popular with both visiting birders and local naturalists. Following the coastal trail's success, TPWD has released the new Heart of Texas, Panhandle Plains and Prairies and Pineywoods Wildlife Trails maps to make wildlife viewing and nature tourism even easier in more regions of Texas. In 2010 through a partnership with the Texas Mountain Trail Region and Texas Pecos Trail Region, TPWD completed the state's Great Texas Wildlife Trails with the creation of the Far West Texas Wildlife Trail. The wildlife trails are immensely popular because they cater to the specific needs and interests of nature tourists, providing you the information you need to explore the back roads of Texas.