Topic
The Great Outdoors
From the Gulf coast to the Hill Country, the Pineywoods to Big Bend, Texas is built for getting outside. These notes connect the places — lakes, state parks, rivers, and trails — to the counties around them, each pointed at the official source.
Local Notes
The Great Outdoors notes
Anderson County · Wildlife Management Area
Big Lake Bottom WMA Sits Along the Trinity River Southwest of Palestine
Big Lake Bottom WMA covers about 4,253 acres of Trinity River bottomland in Anderson County. It is open to hunting, fishing, birding, and hiking with a public hunting permit, but there are no roads inside.
Anderson County · Wildlife Management Area
Gus Engeling WMA Offers Hunting, Birding, and Hiking on 11,000 Acres
Gus Engeling Wildlife Management Area covers 11,095 acres in northwest Anderson County. It is open to hunting, fishing, bird watching, hiking, and camping with an Annual Public Hunting or Limited Public Use permit.
Andrews County · Hunting / Wildlife
Mule deer hunting in Andrews County has a 20-inch antler rule
Andrews County is mule deer country, but state rules set a minimum 20-inch outside spread for legal bucks — know the restriction before you hunt.
Angelina County · Outdoors / National Forest
Angelina National Forest provides camping, hiking, and forest access near Lufkin
The 153,179-acre Angelina National Forest surrounds much of Sam Rayburn Reservoir and offers free and fee-based camping, the Sawmill Hiking Trail, fishing, and wildlife viewing managed by the U.S. Forest Service.
Angelina County · Fishing / Recreation
Sam Rayburn Reservoir offers some of the best freshwater fishing in East Texas
Sam Rayburn Reservoir, a 114,500-acre lake on the Angelina River, is managed partly within Angelina County and is known statewide for its largemouth bass, crappie, and catfish fisheries.
Aransas County · State park / Outdoors
Goose Island State Park: Bay Camping, Fishing, and the Big Tree
Goose Island State Park near Rockport offers bayfront camping, a 1,620-foot fishing pier, and access to one of Texas's most celebrated old-growth live oak trees.
Aransas County · Wildlife / Outdoors
Whooping Cranes at Aransas National Wildlife Refuge
Aransas National Wildlife Refuge is the wintering ground for the only wild flock of whooping cranes, one of North America's rarest birds, and is open to the public year-round for wildlife watching, fishing, and hiking.
Archer County · Fishing / Recreation
Lake Kickapoo offers fishing and boating in southern Archer County
Lake Kickapoo is a 6,028-acre lake in southern Archer County open for fishing, boating, and other water recreation.
Armstrong County · State parks / Outdoors
Part of Palo Duro Canyon State Park Lies in Armstrong County
Palo Duro Canyon State Park, known as the Grand Canyon of Texas, spans Randall and Armstrong counties. It offers hiking, camping, horseback riding, and a limited draw hunt.
Atascosa County · Hunting
Deer hunting rules in Atascosa County
Atascosa County is in the South Zone for white-tailed deer with a bag limit of five deer total and antler restriction rules hunters should know before they go.
Atascosa County · Water quality
Water quality in the Atascosa River
The Atascosa River has documented water quality issues including elevated bacteria levels that affect contact recreation like swimming and wading.
Austin County · State park / Outdoor recreation
Stephen F. Austin State Park offers camping and trails near the Brazos
Stephen F. Austin State Park sits along the Brazos River in San Felipe and offers year-round camping, five miles of trails, and easy access to the adjacent state historic site.
Bailey County · Wildlife / Public land
Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge Draws Tens of Thousands of Sandhill Cranes Each Winter
Muleshoe National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1935 and described by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as the oldest national wildlife refuge in Texas, sits 20 miles south of Muleshoe and hosts large concentrations of sandhill cranes during winter.
Bandera County · State park / Recreation
Hill Country State Natural Area offers rugged trails and horse camping near Bandera
Hill Country State Natural Area is a 5,000-plus-acre primitive park in Bandera County open to hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders, with camping available year-round.
Bastrop County · State park
Bastrop State Park: National Historic Landmark and Lost Pines
Bastrop State Park, about 32 miles east of Austin, protects the Lost Pines ecosystem and stone cabins built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s.
Bastrop County · Fishing
Lake Bastrop: Warm-Water Bass and Catfish Near Town
Lake Bastrop is a 906-acre reservoir near Bastrop known for largemouth bass, with special size and gear restrictions because the LCRA uses it as a power plant cooling lake.
Baylor County · Fishing / Recreation
Lake Kemp: the 15,590-acre reservoir north of Seymour
Lake Kemp sits on the Big Wichita River in Baylor County and covers about 15,590 acres. It offers public fishing for striped bass, white bass, catfish, crappie, and largemouth bass, with multiple boat ramp access points.
Bee County · Hunting / TPWD
Hunting in Bee County: Seasons, Limits, and Restricted Areas
Bee County is in the South Zone for deer and turkey hunting. State law bans hunting along the Aransas River and Poesta Creek.
Bell County · Outdoors / Camping
Camping at Belton Lake and Stillhouse Hollow
The Army Corps of Engineers operates multiple campgrounds and day-use parks on Belton Lake and Stillhouse Hollow Reservoir with reservable sites near Belton.
Bell County · Fishing
Fishing at Belton Lake and Stillhouse Hollow Reservoir
Belton Lake and Stillhouse Hollow Reservoir, both managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, offer fishing for largemouth bass, catfish, and other species within Bell County.
Bexar County · State parks / Hiking
Government Canyon State Natural Area: 13,000 acres of trails north of San Antonio
Government Canyon State Natural Area in northwest San Antonio offers more than 40 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails, camping, and the only known dinosaur tracks on public land in Bexar County.
Bexar County · Boating / Invasive species
Medina Lake is infested with zebra mussels—boaters must decontaminate
Medina Lake, popular for fishing and boating northwest of San Antonio, is officially designated as infested with invasive zebra mussels, and boaters are required by law to clean, drain, and dry before moving to another body of water.
Bexar County · Fishing / Parks
No fishing license is needed inside Texas State Parks in Bexar County
Texas parks visitors can fish inside state park boundaries without a Texas fishing license—a useful rule for families visiting state parks near San Antonio.
Bexar County · National park / History
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park: a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Bexar County
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park preserves four 18th-century Spanish colonial missions along the San Antonio River and is Texas's only UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Bexar County · Water / Environment
The Edwards Aquifer recharge zone runs through Bexar County and is protected by state law
Rain falling on the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone in Bexar County seeps into the limestone to refill the region's drinking water supply, and state and local rules restrict development over the most sensitive areas.
Bexar County · Flood control / Water
The San Antonio River Authority manages flood risk across Bexar County
The San Antonio River Authority (SARA) works with the city and county to maintain flood-control dams, update floodplain maps, and operate a real-time sensor network for low water crossings.
Blanco County · State park / Recreation
Blanco State Park Offers Swimming and Camping on the Blanco River
Blanco State Park sits on a spring-fed stretch of the Blanco River in the town of Blanco, giving residents and visitors affordable access to swimming, fishing, tubing, and camping.
Borden County · Hunting / TPWD
Borden County Has Good Hunting Including Mule Deer and Pronghorn
Borden County sits in a zone where both white-tailed deer and mule deer can be hunted, and pronghorn antelope permits are available by application for qualifying areas.
Borden County · Weather / Wildfire / Drought
Drought and Wildfire Are Routine Hazards in Borden County
Borden County averages under 20 inches of rain per year and is regularly affected by drought, which raises wildfire risk across the county's grass and mesquite rangeland.
Borden County · Fishing / Recreation
Lake J.B. Thomas Offers Fishing and Camping in Borden County
Lake J.B. Thomas, a reservoir on the Colorado River straddling Borden and Scurry counties, provides the main public outdoor recreation opportunity in this otherwise remote area.
Bosque County · Outdoors / Fishing
Lake Whitney gives Bosque County residents access to one of Texas's larger reservoirs
Lake Whitney on the Brazos River touches the southeastern edge of Bosque County and is managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, offering camping, fishing, and boating at multiple public access points.
Bosque County · State park / Outdoors
Meridian State Park offers camping, fishing, and trails near the county seat
Meridian State Park sits just outside the county seat and offers 72-acre Lake Meridian for fishing and paddling, five miles of trails, and overnight camping in historic CCC-built facilities.
Bowie County · Outdoors / Lake
Wright Patman Lake offers camping, fishing, and boating near Texarkana
Wright Patman Lake is a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reservoir on the Sulphur River in Bowie and Cass counties, about 10 miles southwest of Texarkana, with camping, fishing, boating, and wildlife viewing.
Brazoria County · Parks / Beach
Brazoria County Parks Offer 14 Miles of Public Beach and Boat Ramp Access
The Brazoria County Parks Department manages 11 parks including beach access near Surfside, 20 public boat ramps, and two RV campgrounds along the Texas Gulf Coast.
Brazoria County · Wildlife refuge / Birding
Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge Offers Free Access to 44,000 Acres of Coastal Habitat
The Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge near Freeport is a free, year-round public refuge with more than 320 bird species, fishing access, hiking trails, and a seasonal auto tour route.
Brazoria County · Hunting / TPWD
Deer Hunting Rules for Brazoria County
Brazoria County falls in the TPWD North Zone for white-tailed deer, with specific season dates, antler restrictions, and bag limits hunters must follow.
Brazoria County · Wildlife refuge
San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge Adds More Coastal Public Land in Brazoria County
The San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge stretches from Gulf beaches into river bottomlands in Brazoria County, offering free public access for birding, fishing, hiking, and seasonal hunting.
Brazos County · Fishing / Outdoors
Fishing at Lake Bryan
Lake Bryan, a 829-acre reservoir five miles west of downtown Bryan, offers public bank and boat fishing for largemouth bass, catfish, and sunfish.
Brazos County · Flood / River
The Brazos River and flooding in Brazos County
The Brazos River has a long history of major floods near Bryan and College Station, and USGS monitors the river's level in real time at a gauging station on SH 21.
Brazos County · Wildlife / Outdoors
Wildlife watching and the Brazos Valley Loop trail
The TPWD Brazos Valley Wildlife Trail connects viewing sites across the area, and Lick Creek Park in College Station offers 515 acres of Post Oak Savannah habitat for hiking, biking, and birding.
Brewster County · National Park
Big Bend National Park occupies a large part of Brewster County
Big Bend National Park covers 801,163 acres entirely within Brewster County and protects the largest stretch of Chihuahuan Desert in the United States.
Brewster County · State Park
Big Bend Ranch State Park: Texas's largest state park straddles two counties
Big Bend Ranch State Park covers roughly 310,000 acres across southwestern Brewster County and southeastern Presidio County, with 238 miles of trails and International Dark Sky Park status.
Briscoe County · State park / Wildlife
Caprock Canyons State Park: Canyons, Bison, and Dark Skies
Caprock Canyons State Park in Quitaque sits along the eastern edge of the High Plains and is home to the official Texas State Bison Herd, nearly 90 miles of trails, a designated Dark Sky area, and a bat colony in a historic railroad tunnel.
Brooks County · Hunting / Wildlife
Hunting in Brooks County: South Texas Brush Country Rules
Brooks County is prime South Texas hunting land. Seasons for white-tailed deer, turkey, dove, and quail are set by TPWD and should be checked every year.
Brown County · State park
Lake Brownwood State Park: CCC History and Three Ecosystems
Lake Brownwood State Park sits where three Texas ecosystems meet on the shore of a 7,300-acre lake, with cabins and trails built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s.
Burleson County · State park / Outdoor recreation
Lake Somerville State Park offers camping, hiking, and birding on two units near Caldwell
Lake Somerville State Park sits on the Burleson County-Washington County border. It offers camping, fishing, hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian trails close to home.
Burnet County · State Park
Inks Lake State Park offers camping, fishing, and swimming near Burnet
Inks Lake State Park sits about an hour northwest of Austin and offers nearly 200 campsites, 9 miles of hiking trails, and direct lake access.
Burnet County · State Park
Longhorn Cavern State Park is a day-trip cave park near Burnet
Longhorn Cavern State Park is a day-use cave park in Burnet County with guided tours open almost every day of the year.
Caldwell County · Hunting Regulations
Deer hunting in Caldwell County has antler restrictions
Caldwell County has antler restrictions for white-tailed deer, limiting hunters to specific buck sizes and requiring mandatory harvest reporting.
Caldwell County · Hunting Seasons
Dove and turkey hunting are both available in Caldwell County
Caldwell County hunters can pursue mourning and white-winged dove in fall, and spring turkey in April, all subject to current TPWD regulations.
Caldwell County · State Park
Lockhart State Park offers camping, fishing, and a nine-hole golf course
Lockhart State Park sits just outside the county seat and offers camping, trails, and a historic 1930s golf course along Clear Fork Creek.
Calhoun County · Public lands / Fishing / Hunting
Matagorda Island WMA: Fishing, Hunting, and Camping by Boat Only
Matagorda Island Wildlife Management Area, accessible only by boat from Port O'Connor, offers 56,688 acres of barrier island for fishing, hunting, camping, and wildlife watching with no motorized vehicles allowed.
Callahan County · Hunting
Deer and turkey hunting seasons in Callahan County
Callahan County is in the TPWD North Zone. White-tailed deer and wild turkey seasons run each year, but you must have a valid Texas license.
Cameron County · State Park
Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park Anchors Valley Birding
Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park in Mission is the headquarters of the World Birding Center and draws visitors from around the world.
Cameron County · Hunting
Hunting in Cameron County: Seasons and Bag Limits
Cameron County has deer, turkey, dove, duck, and quail hunting seasons — each with its own license and bag limit rules.
Cameron County · Birding / Wildlife
South Padre Island Is a Major Bird Migration Hotspot
South Padre Island, in eastern Cameron County, sits along a major flyway where millions of birds cross the Gulf of Mexico each spring and fall.
Cameron County · Water Quality
The Arroyo Colorado Runs Through Cameron County — and Has Water Quality Issues
The Arroyo Colorado flows from Hidalgo County through Cameron County to the Laguna Madre and has had water quality problems from farm runoff and failing septic systems.
Cameron County · Coastal Ecology
The Laguna Madre Is One of the World's Few Hypersaline Lagoons
Low rainfall and high evaporation make the Laguna Madre saltier than the open ocean — a rare condition that shapes the entire ecosystem.
Cameron County · Fishing
The Lower Laguna Madre Offers Unique Coastal Fishing
The lower Laguna Madre runs along Cameron County's Gulf coast and holds fish species found almost nowhere else in Texas.
Camp County · Fishing / State Park
Lake Bob Sandlin Touches Camp County — and Offers Good Fishing
Lake Bob Sandlin spans Titus, Camp, and Franklin counties, and the state park on the lake's north shore is just outside Pittsburg.
Related topics