Presenter: Robert Cook
Commission Agenda Item No. 7
Briefing
Summer in Texas State Parks
June 1998
I. Discussion: Staff will present an overview of the events and activities planned in Texas State Parks for this summer. The briefing will focus upon the diversity represented in the parks, and the great opportunities available for all to enjoy. Also presented will be information regarding the status of the State Park System and State Parks Division programs, new facilities and programs, current initiatives, and what is anticipated for the near future. A schedule of Texas Conservation Passport events and upcoming 75th Anniversary events are included as attachments.
Attachments - 2
1. Exhibit
A – 75th
Anniversary Events Schedule
2. Exhibit
B – Texas
Conservation Passport Schedule
Commission
Agenda Item No. 7
Exhibit A
75th Anniversary Events Schedule
June 6
Goose Island SP - Pathway to Fishing - Learn safety, ethics, fish biology, rules, regulations, casting. Casting contest. 8 a.m.-noon. 512-729-2858
Lake Whitney SP - Youth Fishing Tournament - A fishing tournament for youth ages 4-12 years old. 10 a.m.-noon. 254-694-3793
Lake Somerville SP/Nails Creek Unit - 75th Anniversary and Open House - Visit us for a free day of fishing, free day hikes, a wildlife program and bird watching. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. 409-289-2392
Martin Dies, Jr. SP/Angelina Neches/Dam B Unit - 8th Annual Kids' Fish Day - 409-384-5231
Lake Somerville SP/Birch Creek Unit - 75th Anniversary Celebration - Visit us for a free day of fishing, free day hikes, a wildlife program and bird watching. 409-535-7763
Caprock Canyons SP & Trailway - National Trails Day - Events at Quitaque include Queen of the Valley tours on Caprock Canyons Trailway SP, parade, arts-crafts show, washer-pitching, Amarillo gunfighters show, cloggers, kids' tractor pull, cow patty bingo, barbecue, dance. 806-455-1492
Abilene SP - Pioneer Day - Celebrate pioneer/frontier history of this area. Cowboy campfire, dance and tournaments. Free fishing day. 915-572-3204
Fort Richardson SHP - National Trails Day - Grand opening of the new 9 mile hike, bike and equestrian trail. 940-567-3506
Purtis Creek SP - Kids' Fish and Play Day - Fishing contest for youth 16 and under. Games and entertainment for all ages. 903-425-2332
Eisenhower SP - Free Fishing Day - 903-465-1956
Lake Bob Sandlin SP - 10th Anniversary of Park, Car Show - Family fishing event from 9 a.m.-noon. Antique car show from 1-3 p.m. 903-572-5531
Lake Mineral Wells SP - GRAND OPENING OF TRAILWAY - Mineral Wells and Weatherford have events at either end of the trail all day. Barbecue dinner and music at the park in the evening. 940-328-1171
Lake Livingston SP - Free Sport Fishing Day - Enjoy a day of sport fishing in the park. 8 a.m.-10 p.m. 409-365-2201
Sheldon Lake SP - Children's Fishing Tournament - Children 15 and under can fish for fun and prizes. 9 a.m.-noon. 281-456-9350
Bonham SP - Free Fishing Day - Come to the park for a day of free fishing. Starts at 8 a.m., fees free to TCP members, $2 non-members, $1 senior citizens, free to children 12 and under. 903-583-5022
June 6-7
Confederate Reunion Grounds
SHP - Living
History Days -
Confederate reenactors
will demonstrate the
life of a confederate
soldier during the
war between the states.
10 a.m.-5 p.m. 254-562-5751
June 11
Falcon SP - Grand
Opening of Park Headquarters -
Program and ribbon-cutting
10 a.m. 956-848-5327
June 13
Magoffin Home SHP - 75th
Anniversary and Open House -
Free admission all day,
guided tours every hour
and light refreshments
will be served. Call for
more details, 9 a.m.-4
p.m. 915-533-5147
Martin Creek Lake SP - Pre-Juneteenth Celebration - Domino contests, Buffalo Soldiers, car show and children's activities. Starts 8 a.m. 903-836-4336
June 18-27
Fort Griffin SHP - 75TH
ANNIVERSARY AND FANDANGLE - 915-762-3592
June 20
Seminole Canyon SHP - Fate
Bell Cave and Panther
Cave Tours -
The Fate Bell Cave Dwelling
is one of North America's
oldest cave dwellings
and houses some of the
oldest rock art. Panther
Cave has some of the best
rock art in the Lower
Pecos area. Call for times
and prices, reservations
available but not required.
915-292-4464
July 3-4
Palo Duro Canyon SP - 75TH
ANNIVERSARY - Fundraiser
trail ride and barbecue
for Palo Duro Endowment.
Events in conjunction
with the Canyon Chamber
of Commerce. 806-488-2227
July 4
Admiral Nimitz Museum & Historical
Center SHP - Independence
Day Celebration -
A parade down Main Street,
flyover with 40 planes,
music and speeches at
Market Square. 830-997-4379
Lake Casa Blanca
International SP - Coca
Cola Concert -
956-725-3826
Texas State Railroad
SHP - TEXIAN
CELEBRATION - 2500 YEARS
OF HERITAGE - Texas
history reenactments and
living histories including
Native Americans, early
pioneers, Texas Rangers,
Civil War, Buffalo Soldiers,
Spanish/American War, WW
I, WW II, Korean War, slavery
life, railroad life and
forest history. Enjoy train
stories, steam train tours
and ride on antique railroad
motor cars. Go on an evening
Wild West train excursion.
Fees for train excursion
only $15 adults, $9 children
3-12, reservation required
for train excursion only,
903-723-7545. 1-800-442-8951
Sea Rim SP - Beach Bash - Celebrate Independence Day on the beaches playing in volleyball tournaments and other family oriented activities. 10 a.m.-till, fee $2 per-person. 409-971-2559
July 12
Choke Canyon SP/South
Shore Unit - Fun
Run in the Sun -
512-786-3538
July 19
Atlanta SP - Outlaw
Boat Races -
Boats classed according
to horsepower; course
is a 1,000 feet straight-away.
Campsites available. Excellent
viewing area. Wind and
weather permitting. Noon-7
p.m. 903-796-6476
July 25
Dinosaur Valley SP - Open
House - Celebrating
the 30-year anniversary
of Dinosaur Valley SP.
254-897-4588
July 28 thru
August 31
Governor Hogg Shrine SHP - Music
of the Past -
On display daily. See
musical instruments, song
books, sheet music, and
photos of past musical
events. 8 a.m.-5 p.m.,
fees $3 adults, free to
children 12 and under,
reservations available
but not required. 903-763-2701
August 1
McKinney Falls SP - Lava
Fest - 512-243-1643
August 5
Inks Lake SP - Roy
B. Inks Birthday Celebration -
Come and celebrate the
birthday of the man the
lake is named for. Featured
events will be hands on
activities, special speakers
and other open-house events.
10 a.m.-3 p.m. 512-793-2223
August 8
Tyler SP - 75th
Anniversary Celebration -
903-597-5338
Huntsville SP - Celebration at Lake Raven - 409-295-5644
August 12
Enchanted Rock SP - Meteor
Shower - Enjoy
the viewing of an annual
meteor shower in the August
night skies over Enchanted
Rock SNA. 915-247-3903
August 22
Kickapoo Cavern SP - Bat Flight at Green Cave -
Enjoy the park all day
free of charge and in
the evening watch the
bat flight at Green Cave.
9 a.m.-till dark. 830-563-2342
September 5
Lake Texana SP - Triple
Celebration -
Lake Texana's 17th Birthday,
Texas Parks 75th anniversary
and Labor Day festivities.
512-782-5718
September 6
Caddo Lake SP - Kids
Fishing Day, 5K Run and
Canoe Races -
Join us for our 75th Anniversary
party. Activities start
at 8 a.m. with a 5k run
through the park. The
canoe races start at 1
p.m., with categories
for all ages. Kids of
all ages are invited to
join us for an afternoon
of fishing fun from 2-4
p.m. 903-679-3351
Commission
Agenda Item No. 7
Exhibit B
Texas Conservation Passport Schedule
ALL ABOUT PLANTS
Hill Country -
Lyndon B. Johnson SHP Composting Naturally - July 18. Learn how to recycle your yard clippings into rich soil and more. 3-4 p.m., 830-644-2252.
ART
Panhandle Plains -
Copper Breaks SP Summer Art Exhibition - July 3 thru Aug. 15. On display daily. See an exhibition of the works of our local artists in the museum at park headquarters. Reservations available but not required, 940-839-4331.
BATS
Hill Country -
Devil's Sinkhole SNA Devil's Sinkhole Observation and Bat flight - July 25; Aug. 1, 29; Sept. 12, 26. Observation and interpretation of the Devil's Sinkhole phenomenon and Brazilian free-tailed bat emergence. Call for time, fees $4 TCP members, $8 non-members, $4 children 12 and under, reservations required, 830-563-2342.
Inks Lake SP Bat Watch - July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; Aug. 6, 13. Join us at Devil's Waterhole at dusk to watch bats flying over the lake. Learn about the bats and other night creatures. Starts at dusk, 512-793-2223.
Kickapoo Cavern SP Green Cave Bat Flight Observation - July 3, 17, 18; Aug. 14, 15, 28; Sept. 11, 25. Evening interpretive program featuring the emergence of the Brazilian free-tailed bats. 6:30-8:30 p.m., fees $5 adults, $3 children 12 and under, reservations required, 830-563-2342.
Old Tunnel WMA Old Tunnel Bat Emergence Tour - July, Aug. & Sept. Every Thursday & Saturday. Bat emergence observation with interpretation by wildlife biologist. First come first served. Approx. 1 hour prior to sunset, fees free to TCP members, $5 non-members, $3 senior citizens, $2 children 16 and under, 830-644-2478.
BIRDS
Big Bend Country -
Balmorhea SP Birding Tour - July, Aug. & Sept. Every Saturday tour the desert cienega and then go birding at Phantom Cave Spring. 8:30-10:30 a.m., fees $5 adults, free to children 12 and under, reservations required, 915-375-2370.
Davis Mountains SP Bird Banding - Aug. & Sept. Join us daily as we identify and band birds that have been caught in the mist net. 8-11 a.m., fees $2 adults, free to children 12 and under, reservations available but not required, 915-426-3897.
Hueco Tanks SHP Bird Identification Tour - July 19; Aug. 16; Sept. 20. Go on a guided birding tour of the park in search of some of the popular species. 8:30-10 a.m., fees $2 per-person, 915-857-1135.
South Texas Plains -
Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley SP Kiskadee Bus Tour - July, Aug. & Sept. Tours are held every Tuesday and Friday. A bus tour to some of the best birding hot spots in Texas. Bring a sack lunch, binoculars, bird book and comfortable shoes. 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m., fees $20 per-person, reservations required, 956-519-6448.
CAMPFIRE GATHERINGS
Panhandle Plains -
Abilene SP Campfire Interpretive Program - July 18; Aug. 15; Sept. 19. Interpretive program on cultural and natural resources of the park, topics will vary. 8:30-10 p.m., 915-572-3204.
Pineywoods -
Martin Dies, Jr. SP Texas Unsolved Mysteries - Sept. 5. Sit around the campfire and hear stories about famous Texas unsolved mysteries such as "The Stagecoach Inn Leper" and "Old R.P.". 7-8 p.m., 409-384-5231.
CAVING
Hill Country -
Colorado Bend SP Wild Cave Tours - July, Aug. & Sept. Every Saturday & Sunday. The crawling tour takes you through several relatively small and progressively more difficult caves. The walking tour takes you to Gorman Cave. Starts 9:15 a.m. Saturdays for crawling tours, resources and weather permitting, fees $10 per-person for walking tour and $15 per-person for crawling tour, reservations required, 915-628-3240.
Kickapoo Cavern SP Primitive Cave Tour - July 3, 17, 18; Aug. 14, 15, 28; Sept. 11, 25. Join us on a flashlight tour of an undeveloped Hill Country cave. 4-6 p.m., fees $5 adults, $3 children 12 and under, reservations required, 830-563-2342.
CELEBRATIONS
Hill Country -
X Bar Ranch 4th of July Weekend Celebration - July 3-5. Friday afternoon and Saturday morning enjoy swimming, hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. Saturday afternoon in San Angelo - Ft. Concho, enjoy shopping, historic district, an evening picnic at Pops concert and fireworks display along the Concho river. Enjoy Sunday morning on the ranch. Call for times and prices, 888-853-2688.
Western/Rodeo Weekend - Aug. 7-9. Come and enjoy the events of Schleicher County Days and the annual Eldorado Open Rodeo. Lodging at ranch and some meals, other activities include parade, arts and crafts, rodeo and dances in Eldorado. Call for scheduling and prices, 888-853-2688.
West Texas Mt. Bike Festival - Sept. 5-7. A 3 day event focused on Mt. biking, outdoors, family, friends and fun. Various events, activities and vendors, X-C race on Sunday. Call for scheduling and prices, 888-853-2688.
Lyndon B. Johnson SHP LBJ's Birthday - Aug. 27. Join us as we celebrate the late President Johnson's birthday. Free bus tours operated by the National Park Service. Wreath laying ceremony at the cemetery with the Johnson family in attendance. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 830-644-2252.
COWBOY POETRY
Panhandle Plains -
San Angelo SP Campfire Concert - July 18; Aug. 15. Cowboy poets and entertainers will perform a wide range of music and stories. 7:30-9:30 p.m. In addition to the park entry fee the event fees are: $7.50 adults, $6 senior citizens, $2 children 12 and under, 915-949-4757.
Pineywoods -
Martin Dies, Jr. SP Cowboy Poetry - Sept. 6. Sit around the campfire and listen to poems of Texas cowboys. 7-8 p.m., 409-384-5231.
Prairies and Lakes -
Cleburne SP American Music Heritage Night - July 4. Join us for a concert of some gospel music and traditional cowboy music and poetry. 7:30-10 p.m., 817-645-4215.
Traditional Cowboy Music Concert - Aug. & Sept. Relax under the stars as you enjoy and lean about the cowboy lifestyle through the music and poetry of the old west. Bring a lawn chair. Call for dates and times, 817-645-4215.
Cowboy Campfire, Poetry and Stories - Sept. 19. Enjoy an evening of cowboy poetry and stories around a campfire. Learn and experience the cow camp lifestyle through poetry of the old time cowboys. Bring a lawn chair. 8-10 p.m., 817-645-4215.
FIELD TRIPS ON WHEELS
Big Bend Country -
Big Bend Ranch SP Bus Tour - July 18; Aug. 15; Sept. 19. Departing from Barton Warnock Center at Lajitas. Stops include geological, archeological and historic sites. Lunch at Sauceda Lodge included. 8 a.m.-5 p.m., fees $55 TCP members, $60 non-members, reservations required, 512-389-8900.
Bus Tour - July 4; Aug. 1; Sept. 5. Depart on bus from Fort Leaton SHP. Visit some points of natural and historical interest along the way. Lunch is included. 8 a.m.-5 p.m., fees $55 TCP members, $60 non-members, reservations required, 512-389-8900.
HIKES, WALKS & RUNS
Hill Country -
Colorado Bend SP Gorman Falls Hike - July, Aug. & Sept. Every Saturday & Sunday. Caravan from park headquarters to the Gorman area of the park and then hike to below the falls. From trailhead, it's 1-1/2 miles round-trip hike over beautiful Hill Country terrain. No pets allowed on tour. No restrooms or drinking water available. 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturdays. 10 a.m. on Sundays, weather permitting. Fees $3 adults, $2 children 12-6, 915-628-3240.
Panhandle Plains -
San Angelo SP Macey's Ridge Hike - Aug. 29. Five mile hike on a scenic trail to Macey's Ridge where an early pioneer was killed. Meet at North Concho River Park, 9 a.m.-noon. In addition to the park entry fee, the tour fees are: free to TCP members, $2 non-members, $1 children 12 and under, reservations available but not required, 915-949-4757.
Prairies and Lakes -
Cooper Lake SP/Doctors Creek Unit Nature Hike - July 18. Take a hike along the 1-mile nature trail. Learn interesting facts about the plants, trees and wildlife of the area. 7-8:30 p.m., reservations available but not required, 903-395-3100.
Cooper Lake SP/South Sulphur Unit Creatures of the Night - Aug. 8. Take a night hike in the light of the moon and search for creatures who prowl the night. 9-10:30 p.m., reservations available but not required, 903-945-5256.
Hike The Hill/Nature Hike - Sept. 5. Afternoon of adventure as we meander through the country side searching for unusual relics in the area. Call for times, 903-945-5256.
Pineywoods -
Martin Dies, Jr. SP Take a Walk on the Wild Side - July 5, 12, 26; Aug. 2, 9, 23, 30; Sept. 6,13, 27. Take a leisurely walk along the hiking trails. Learn about what there is in the woods and get a brief history of the park. 9-11 a.m., 409-384-5231.
Village Creek SP Guided Nature Trail Hike - July 4, 11, 18, 25; Aug. 1, 8, 15, 22; Sept. 5, 12, 19. Go on a 2-hour, 2-mile hike through bottomland hardwood/pine forests and around cypress/tupelo swamps. 9-11 a.m., fees $1 TCP members, $2, non-members, $1 children 12 and under, reservations available but not required, 409-755-7322.
South Texas Plains -
Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley SP Nature Tours - July, Aug. & Sept. Every other Wednesday go on a hike through the park and WMA to discover the South Texas wilderness, 8 a.m.-3 p.m., reservations required, 956-519-6448.
HISTORICAL TOURS
Gulf Coast -
Matagorda Island SP & WMA History Tour - Aug. 16; Sept. 5. Visit the historic sites of the park, bring a lunch and water for picnicking on the beach. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., fees $2 TCP members, $8, non-members, $4 children 12 and under, tour fee does not include ferry fee to island, reservations required, 512-983-2215.
Pineywoods -
Texas State Railroad SHP Steam Train Restoration Shop Tours - July 25; Aug. 29; Sept. 26. Visit one of the nations best known steam train restoration facilities. View operating steam engine, coaches and other historical railroad equipment. Call for times, fee free, 1-800-442-8951.
Prairies and Lakes-
Fanthorp Inn SHP Stagecoach Rides - July 11; Aug. 8; Sept. 12. Ride on a replica of the 1850 Concord stagecoach over the old stagecoach roads in Anderson. Tour the inn while listening to dulcimer music. 1-4 p.m., fees $4 adults, $2.50 children 12 and under, 409-873-2633.
Monument Hill & Kreische Brewery SHP Guided Tours - July, Aug. & Sept. Every weekend. Take a walk in the woods with a trained docent and learn how German immigrant H.L. Kreische built one of the first breweries in the state and how his "Bluff Beer' was made. 2-4:30 p.m., fee free to TCP members, $2 non-members, $1 students, free to children 5 and under, reservations available but not required, 409-968-5658.
Stephen F. Austin SHP Historical Tour - July, Aug. & Sept. Every Saturday & Sunday. Tour the area and learn about the life and time of Stephen F. Austin. Go on a tour of the Josey museum. 1-3 p.m., 409-885-3613.
HOG HUNTING & MORE!
Gulf Coast -
Fennessey Ranch Wild Hog Management Hunt - Aug. 15, 22. Hunt Russian boar from an African style brush blind. Bring an ice chest for your meat. Lunch is provided. Daylight-6 p.m., fee $185 adults, reservations required, 512-529-6600.
Pineywoods
Martin Dies, Jr. SP Hunter's Education - Aug. 25, 26, 27. Mandatory Hunter Education. Every Texas hunter born on or after Sept. 2, 1971, must successfully complete a Hunter Education training and certification course. 6-10 p.m. fee $10 per-person, reservations required, 409-384-5231.
KIDS - CORNER
Prairies and Lakes -
Cleburne SP Kid's Wilderness Survival - July 21; Sept. 29. This 2-2 hour course is a fun way for kids to learn what to do if they get lost. The course requires kids to be accompanied by a parent, guardian or youth group leader. 8:30-11:30 a.m., reservations required, 817-645-4215.
RECREATION AND HOBBIES
Hill Country -
Lyndon B. Johnson SHP 3rd Annual Softball Tourney - July. Batter up for this round robin tourney. Need 4 to 6 teams. 1st and 2nd place trophies and MVP trophy to be awarded. Entry fee of $125/team must be paid in advance. Starts at 9 a.m., call for dates, 830-644-2252.
X Bar Ranch 277 Golfing Tour - July 17-19. Spend the weekend golfing along U.S. Highway 277. Weekend includes lodging at X Bar Ranch, some meals and green and cart fees at Sonora Golf Club, San Filepe Springs in Del Rio and Eldorado Golf Club. Saturday excursion from Del Rio to Acuna Mexico. Noon on Friday July 17 till Sunday afternoon July 19, fees $162.60 TCP members, reservations required, 888-853-2688.
ROCK ART
Big Bend Country -
Big Bend Ranch SP Rock Art - Sept. 5-7. Three day seminar on prehistoric and historic Native American rock art. Five sites will be visited with evening programs on rock art. Participants must be able to hike up to 4 miles a day in rough terrain and desert climate. Price includes meals, handouts and lodging. 8 a.m. on Sept. 5 till 5 p.m. on Sept. 7, fees $341 TCP members, $350 non-members, reservations required, 915-229-3416.
Hueco Tanks SHP Rock Art Tours - July, Aug. & Sept. Go on daily tours of the park and view a select number of rock art sites. 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m., fees $2 per-person, 915-857-1135.
Seminole Canyon SHP Fate Bell Cave Dwelling Tour - July, Aug. & Sept. Every Wednesday thru Sunday. Take a walking, guided tour to one of North America's oldest cave dwellings whose walls are covered with Pecos River-style pictographs, some 4,000 years old. 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., fees $3 per-person, $1 children 6-12, 915-292-4464.
Panhandle Plains -
San Angelo SP Dinosaur Walk - July 18; Aug. 15; Sept. 19. Hike back in time to tracks left over 200 million years ago by Permian vertebrates. Three-mile total hike. 1-3 p.m. In addition to the park entry fee, the tour fees are: free to TCP members, $2 non-members, $1 children 12 and under, reservations available but not required, 915-949-4757.
Petroglyph Tour - July 11; Aug. 8. Visit the site of a prehistoric Native American village and see Native American rock art. 1-3 p.m. In addition to the park entry fee, the tour fees are: free to TCP members, $2 non-members, $1 children 12 and under, reservations available but not required, 915-949-4757.
SPLISH SPLASH
Gulf Coast -
Matagorda Island SP & WMA Beachcombing Tour - Aug. 13, 23; Sept. 6. Participants will have 6 hours of shelling and beachcombing. Bring a lunch for picnicking on the beach. Transportation is an open four-wheel drive vehicle. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on May 23, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on June 12, fees $2 TCP members, $8 non-members, $4 children 12 and under, reservations required, 512-983-2215.
Marine Ecosystems Tour - Aug. 22. Experience the Marine Environment through a variety of sampling methods on both the bay and gulf beach of the island, bring lunch, water, and shoes for wading, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., fees $2 TCP members, $8 non-members, $4 children 12 and under, reservations required, 512-983-2215.
Hill Country -
Inks Lake SP Devils' Waterhole Canoe Tour - July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; Aug. 6, 13; Sept. 3,17. Take a guided canoe tour and explore the geological and natural features of Inks Lake with an emphasis on local birds. 4-6 p.m., fees $5 TCP members, $6 non-members, $5 senior citizens and children 12 and under, reservations available but not required, 512-793-2223.
Pineywoods -
Caddo Lake SP & WMA Caddo Lake Ecotour - July 11, 25; Aug. 8, 22; Sept. 12, 26. Enjoy a guided tour of Caddo Lake by boat. 1-3 p.m., fees $7 TCP members, $6 senior citizens, $5 children 12 and under, reservations required, 903-679-3743.
Atlanta SP Outlaw Boat Races - Aug. 22; Sept. 20. Boats classed according to horsepower; course is a 1,000 feet straight-away. Campsites available. Excellent viewing area. Wind and weather permitting. Noon-7 p.m., 903-796-6476.
Martin Dies, Jr. SP Canoeing the Forks - July 18, 19; Aug. 15, 16; Sept. 19, 20. Take a canoe trip on the Angelina and/or Neches Rivers. 8 a.m.-1 p.m., fees $20 if you bring your own canoe, $25 if we provide the canoe, third person in canoe $7.50, reservations required, 409-384-5231.
Prairies and Lakes -
Cooper Lake SP/South Sulphur Unit 3rd Annual Sand Castle Building Contest - July 4. Bring your buckets, shovels and imagination for a day at the beach and see what kind of exciting creation you can fabricate. 1-2 p.m., 903-945-5256.
STARGAZING
Panhandle Plains -
Copper Breaks SP Starwalk - July 11; Aug. 15. Take a hike through the night skies above the park. Weather permitting, 8-9:30 p.m., fee $2 adults, free to children 12 and under, 940-839-4331.
San Angelo SP Stargazing Party - Aug. 14. See the Perseid Meteor shower up close. Excellent observation of the constellations and stars. San Angelo Amateur Astronomy Club will bring telescopes and answer questions. 8 p.m.-till, fees regular park entry fee, 915-949-4757.
Prairies and Lakes -
Cleburne SP Stargazing - Beginning Astronomy - July 25. Learn about the constellations of the season and specific stars and objects of interest. The program will start with a slide presentation, followed by telescope observation. Several telescopes will be provided. Bring your own telescope, binoculars and a blanket or lawn chair. Sunset-10 p.m., 817-645-4215.
Dinosaur Valley SP Astronomy - Aug. 15. Join us for a slide show in the outdoor amphitheater and view the night sky through telescopes provided by the Fort Worth Astronomy Club. Begins at dusk, 254-897-4588.
WILDLIFE
Hill Country -
Kerr WMA Deer Management Seminars - July 10; Aug. 7. Learn about deer, livestock, endangered species and range management from our biologist, 1:30-5 p.m., reservations required, 830-238-4483.
Panhandle Plains -
San Angelo SP Nature Workshop - July 25; Sept. 26. Learn about wildlife at the park. There will be games, hiking and lots of fun for 6-8 year-olds. 9 a.m.-noon, reservations required, 915-949-4757.
Prairies and Lakes -
Cleburne SP Night Sounds - Aug. 22. Listen to the sounds of a Texas summer night. Actual and recorded sound of the insects, birds, frogs, and mammals will be heard and identified with slides of the animals. Bring a lawn chair. 8:30-10 p.m., 817-645-4215.
Cooper Lake SP/Doctors Creek Unit Spiders-Friends or Foe? - Aug. 15. Hear interesting facts about spiders and learn how to identify two dangerous species - the black widow and the brown recluse. 10-11 a.m., reservations available but not required, 903-395-3100.
75th ANNIVERSARY
Gulf Coast -
Sea Rim SP Beach Bash - July 4. Celebrate Independence Day on the beaches playing in volleyball tournaments and other family oriented activities. 10 a.m.-till, fee $2 per-person, 409-971-2559.
Lake Texana SP Triple Celebration - Sept. 5. Lake Texana's 18th birthday, Texas parks 75th anniversary and Labor Day festivities. Booths available, arts and crafts, cultural exhibits and show, wildlife programs, boat show and much more. 9 a.m.-4 p.m., fee $2 per-person, 512-782-5718.
Hill Country -
Admiral Nimitz Museum & Historical Center Independence Day Celebration - July 4. A parade down Main Street, flyover with 40 planes, a patriotic program, music and speeches at Market Square and living history demonstrations at History Walk. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., 830-997-4379.
Enchanted Rock SNA Meteor Shower - Aug. 12. Enjoy the viewing of an annual meteor shower in the August night skies over Enchanted Rock SNA. 12 midnight-4 a.m., 915-247-3903.
Inks Lake SP Roy B. Inks Birthday Celebration - Aug. 5. Come and celebrate the birthday of the man the lake is named for. Featured events will be hands on activities, special speakers and other open-house events. 10 a.m.-3 p.m., 512-793-2223.
Kickapoo Cavern SP 75th Anniversary - Aug. 22. Enjoy the park all day free of charge and in the evening watch the bat flight at Green Cave. 9 a.m.-till dark, 830-563-2342.
McKinney Falls SP Lava Fest - Aug. 1. Come and see buffalo soldiers, a Choctaw storyteller, snakes, birds of prey, bats and listen to live musical entertainment and much more. 10 a.m.-10 p.m., 512-243-1643.
Panhandle Plains -
Palo Duro Canyon SP 75th Anniversary - July 4. The weekend begins with a fundraiser trail ride and Bar-B-Q for Palo Duro Endowment on July 3, a parade and winners of the poster contest will be announced on July 4. Call for details, 806-488-2227.
Pineywoods -
Atlanta SP Outlaw Boat Races - July 19. Boats classed according to horsepower; course is a 1,000 feet straight-away. Campsites available. Excellent viewing area. Wind and weather permitting. Noon-7 p.m., 903-796-6476.
Caddo Lake SP & WMA Kids Fishing Day, 5K Run and Canoe Races - Sept. 6. Join us for our 75th Anniversary party. Activities start at 8 a.m. with a 5k run through the park. The canoe races start at 1 p.m., with categories for all ages. Kids of all ages are invited to join us for an afternoon of fishing fun from 2-4 p.m., 903-679-3351.
Governor Hogg Shrine SHP Music of the Past - July 28 thru Aug. 31. On display daily. See musical instruments, song books, sheet music, and photos of past musical events. 8 a.m.-5 p.m., fees $3 adults, free to children 12 and under, reservations available but not required, 903-763-2701.
Texas State Railroad SHP Texian Celebration - 2500 Years of Texas Heritage - July 4. There will be Texas history reenactments and living histories including Native Americans, early pioneers, Texas Rangers, Civil War, Buffalo Soldiers, Spanish/American War, WW I, WW II, Korean War, slavery life, railroad life and forest history. Enjoy train stories, steam train tours and ride on antique railroad motor cars. Go on an evening Wild West train excursion. Fees for train excursion only $15 adults, $9 children 3-12, reservation required for train excursion only, 903-723-7545.
Tyler SP Celebration of Completion of the Dam by the CCC - Aug. 8. Commemorating completion of the Tyler state park dam and view other existing CCC structures. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 903-597-5338.
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