Topic · Page 7
The Great Outdoors
Local Notes
The Great Outdoors notes
Parker County · Lakes & Recreation
Lake Weatherford supplies city water and local recreation
Lake Weatherford sits inside Parker County and serves as both the city's water supply and a spot for fishing and boating.
Parker County · Hunting
Parker County has good seasons for turkey, dove, and quail
Hunters in Parker County can pursue wild turkey, dove, quail, and other upland game through most of the year.
Parker County · State Parks
Possum Kingdom State Park is about an hour away
Parker County has no state park of its own, but Possum Kingdom State Park in neighboring Palo Pinto County is a short drive west.
Parker County · Public Hunting
TPWD's Annual Public Hunting Permit opens access to state lands
Texas hunters can pay for a single annual permit to access public hunting lands across the state, including areas near Parker County.
Pecos County · State Park
Big Bend Ranch State Park: What to Know Before You Go
Big Bend Ranch State Park sits along the Rio Grande near Pecos County and offers rugged hiking, paddling, and stargazing with very few services.
Pecos County · Hunting Access
Public Hunting in and Around Pecos County
TPWD offers drawn hunts on public land near Pecos County, but you need a special permit on top of your regular hunting license.
Polk County · National Preserve
Big Thicket National Preserve Has Units in Polk County
Big Thicket National Preserve spans several Southeast Texas counties including Polk County, with free day-use access to trails and waterways.
Polk County · Fishing
Lake Livingston Is a Major Fishing Lake in East Texas
Lake Livingston covers about 90,000 surface acres on the Trinity River and is rated excellent for blue catfish and white bass.
Polk County · State Park
Lake Livingston State Park Offers Camping an Hour from Houston
The 635-acre state park on the lake's southeastern shore has camping, boat ramps, hiking, and swimming in a Piney Woods setting.
Potter County · National Monument
Alibates Flint Quarries: Ancient Stone Tools, Guided Tours Only
Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument, north of Amarillo, preserves flint quarry sites used by people for at least 13,000 years and requires a guided tour to visit.
Potter County · Hunting
An Annual Permit Opens Hunting on TPWD Public Lands
Texas Parks and Wildlife offers an Annual Public Hunting Permit that lets you hunt on over 180 TPWD-managed areas across the state, including areas near Potter County.
Potter County · Recreation
Lake Meredith Offers Boating, Fishing, and Camping Near Amarillo
Lake Meredith National Recreation Area sits on the Canadian River northwest of Amarillo and provides free boating, fishing, camping, and hiking in the Texas Panhandle.
Potter County · State Park
Palo Duro Canyon State Park Is a Short Drive from Amarillo
Palo Duro Canyon State Park, located in Randall and Armstrong counties just south of Amarillo, is one of the most visited natural areas in the Texas Panhandle.
Potter County · Geography
The Canadian River Cuts Through Northern Potter County
The Canadian River flows east across the northern part of Potter County and created the canyon landscape that now holds Lake Meredith.
Presidio County · State Park
Big Bend Ranch State Park: What to Know Before You Go
Big Bend Ranch State Park sits mostly in Presidio County along the Rio Grande and requires permits for backcountry use.
Rains County · Freshwater Fishing
Lake Fork Is a Trophy Bass Lake That Touches Rains County
Lake Fork spans three counties including Rains and is one of the most closely regulated bass lakes in Texas.
Rains County · State Park Access
Lake Tawakoni State Park Sits on the Rains County Border
The 376-acre state park on Lake Tawakoni offers camping, boat access, and shore fishing without a license.
Randall County · Wildlife Refuge
Buffalo Lake National Wildlife Refuge Near Umbarger
Buffalo Lake National Wildlife Refuge is a 7,664-acre federal refuge about 10 miles west of Canyon that now hosts grassland wildlife, though the lake itself has been dry for decades.
Randall County · Hunting Regulations
Deer, Pheasant, and Quail Hunting in Randall County
Randall County sits in Texas Panhandle hunting territory with seasons for white-tailed deer, mule deer, pheasant, quail, dove, and waterfowl.
Randall County · Park Hunting
Drawn Hunts Inside Palo Duro Canyon State Park
TPWD offers limited, drawn hunts inside Palo Duro Canyon State Park for exotic species like aoudad sheep and feral hogs.
Randall County · State Park
Palo Duro Canyon State Park: The County's Crown Outdoor Feature
Palo Duro Canyon State Park, located just east of Canyon in Randall County, is a massive canyon that offers hiking, camping, mountain biking, and horseback riding.
Randall County · Wildlife
What Wildlife Lives in Palo Duro Canyon?
Palo Duro Canyon's varied habitats support a surprising range of wildlife, including two threatened species found only in this area.
Reagan County · Hunting & Outdoors
Hunting in Reagan County is mostly on private land
There are no public Wildlife Management Areas in Reagan County, so hunters rely on leases and private landowner access.
Real County · River Access
Floating the Frio: What the Law Says About River Access
The Frio River rises in Real County and much of it is a public waterway, but you cannot cross private land to reach it without permission.
Real County · State Park
Garner State Park: Hill Country Swimming on the Frio
Garner State Park sits along 2.9 miles of the Frio River and draws large crowds in summer — reservations are essential.
Red River County · Hunting Regulations
Deer Hunting in Red River County Has a Specific Antler Rule
White-tailed deer hunters in Red River County can take up to four deer per season, but only one buck can have an inside antler spread of 13 inches or more.
Reeves County · State Park
Balmorhea State Park has a large spring-fed pool open to swimmers
Balmorhea State Park in Toyahvale features a spring-fed pool fed by San Solomon Springs, open year-round for swimming and scuba diving.
Refugio County · Hunting
Refugio County sits in TPWD's South Zone for deer and dove hunting
Hunters in Refugio County follow South Zone rules for white-tailed deer, dove, and turkey, with specific bag limits set by TPWD each year.
Roberts County · Hunting
Roberts County is in the Panhandle and North zones for hunting seasons
Hunters in Roberts County can go after white-tailed deer, mule deer, wild turkey, quail, pheasant, and pronghorn. Different zone rules apply. Almost all land here is private, so you need permission from the landowner.
Robertson County · Public Hunting
Over 1,000 Acres of Public Hunting Land in Robertson County
TPWD's Annual Public Hunting Permit gives access to the Luminant Texas Unit in Robertson County, a 1,071-acre tract open for hunting and other outdoor use.
Rockwall County · Lake & Recreation
Lake Ray Hubbard borders Rockwall County and offers public access
Lake Ray Hubbard is a large reservoir that forms the western edge of Rockwall County and provides fishing, boating, and shoreline access close to the DFW metro.
Rockwall County · Water Supply
Lake Ray Hubbard is a Dallas water supply reservoir, not just a recreation lake
Lake Ray Hubbard was built by the City of Dallas to supply drinking water, and Dallas Water Utilities still owns and operates the dam today.
Runnels County · Hunting
Hunting in Runnels County: Deer, Dove, and Turkey
Runnels County sits in solid hunting country for white-tailed deer, mourning dove, and wild turkey — but seasons and limits change yearly, so always check TPWD before you go.
Runnels County · Fishing
Winters-Elm Creek Reservoir: A Quiet Place to Fish
Winters-Elm Creek Reservoir is a 337-acre lake in Runnels County with largemouth bass, blue catfish, and white crappie — plus public access from a city park.
Rusk County · Hunting Regulations
Deer, Dove, and Duck Hunting Follow Specific Rusk County Rules
Rusk County falls in the North Zone for deer and Central Zone for dove, which sets the season dates and bag limits that apply here.
Rusk County · State Park
Martin Creek Lake State Park Is the County's Main Outdoor Destination
Martin Creek Lake State Park near Tatum offers year-round fishing, camping, and trails on a warm-water lake in East Texas Piney Woods.
Sabine County · Lake Fishing
Fishing Toledo Bend Reservoir
Toledo Bend is a 181,600-acre reservoir on the Texas-Louisiana border, and a large part of it runs along Sabine County's eastern edge.
Sabine County · National Forest
Sabine National Forest: Public Land in the Piney Woods
The Sabine National Forest covers more than 160,000 acres across several East Texas counties and gives the public access to camping, fishing, and boat ramps on Toledo Bend.
San Augustine County · Hunting
Deer Hunting in San Augustine County: Public Land and Rules
San Augustine County is in the Texas North Zone for deer and includes parts of the Sabine National Forest where public hunting is allowed with required permits.
San Jacinto County · Fishing & Boating
Lake Livingston Covers Part of San Jacinto County
Lake Livingston, a large reservoir on the Trinity River, spans San Jacinto County and offers fishing, boating, and camping.
San Patricio County · Wildlife Refuge
A 7,800-Acre Private Wildlife Refuge Sits Near Sinton
The Rob and Bessie Welder Wildlife Foundation runs a 7,800-acre refuge eight miles northeast of Sinton. It is open for public tours and supports major wildlife research.
San Patricio County · Fishing
Lake Corpus Christi Offers Good Fishing Year-Round
Lake Corpus Christi spans parts of San Patricio, Live Oak, and Jim Wells counties and is known for bass, catfish, crappie, and alligator gar.
San Patricio County · State Park
Lake Corpus Christi State Park Has Camping, Swimming, and Over 200 Bird Species
Lake Corpus Christi State Park near Mathis offers camping, water activities, hiking, and exceptional bird watching in one of the last stretches of South Texas brush country.
San Saba County · State Park
Colorado Bend State Park: What to Know Before You Go
Colorado Bend State Park sits in San Saba County along the Colorado River and offers hiking, fishing, caving, and a 70-foot waterfall.
San Saba County · Hunting & Wildlife
Hunting and Wildlife Resources in San Saba County
San Saba County has a Wildlife Management Association backed by TPWD, and sits in a productive Hill Country hunting region.
Schleicher County · Hunting
Schleicher County Is Good Deer and Dove Country
Schleicher County sits in a productive hunting zone for white-tailed deer, dove, quail, and turkey, all regulated by Texas Parks and Wildlife.
Scurry County · Hunting
Hunting in Scurry County: Deer, Quail, and More
Scurry County falls in Texas's North Zone and offers seasons for white-tailed deer, mule deer, quail, dove, and other game — but most land is private, so access requires a lease or landowner permission.
Shelby County · Lakes & Fishing
Fishing Toledo Bend Reservoir from Shelby County
Toledo Bend Reservoir sits on Shelby County's eastern edge and is one of the largest reservoirs in the South, known for bass, crappie, and catfish.
Shelby County · Wildlife Management Area
Hunting and camping at North Toledo Bend WMA
North Toledo Bend WMA is a 3,650-acre public hunting and camping area in Shelby County, managed by Texas Parks and Wildlife.
Shelby County · National Forest
Sabine National Forest: public land in Shelby County
Sabine National Forest covers parts of Shelby County and offers camping, fishing, and hiking on federal land along Toledo Bend Reservoir.
Smith County · Fishing
Lake Palestine offers good fishing just outside Tyler
Lake Palestine is a 25,560-acre reservoir on the Neches River with strong populations of bass, catfish, crappie, and striped bass.
Smith County · Local Water Supply
Lake Tyler and Lake Tyler East supply water to the city of Tyler
Smith County has two city-owned lakes that serve as Tyler's drinking water source and also provide recreational access.
Smith County · Lake Access
Multiple public boat ramps give access to Lake Palestine
Five public boat launches serve Lake Palestine, along with more than a dozen private marinas and campgrounds on the lake.
Smith County · Timber Land
Smith County sits in the Piney Woods — timber is a major land use
East Texas pine and oak forests cover much of Smith County, and timber production has been a major industry here for over a century.
Smith County · Rivers
Two major rivers border Smith County
The Neches River and the Sabine River border Smith County and feed the county's lakes and wetlands.
Somervell County · State Park
Dinosaur Valley State Park protects real tracks in the Paluxy River
Dinosaur Valley State Park in Glen Rose lets visitors walk in actual dinosaur footprints left in the riverbed.
Starr County · Fishing
Fishing in Starr County means the Rio Grande
The Rio Grande is the main fishable water in Starr County — catfish are the primary game species, and you need a Texas fishing license.
Starr County · Public Land / Wildlife Management Area
Las Palomas WMA offers free public hunting and hiking
The Las Palomas Wildlife Management Area has units in Starr County and is open year-round for hiking, wildlife viewing, and public hunting with the right permit.
Starr County · Hunting
Starr County has a wide variety of hunting seasons
Starr County offers deer, turkey, dove, duck, quail, javelina, and more — each with its own season dates and license requirements set by TPWD.
Stephens County · Fishing & Recreation
Hubbard Creek Reservoir Sits Just West of Breckenridge
Hubbard Creek Reservoir is a 14,922-acre lake in Stephens County with public boat ramps and fishing for bass, crappie, and catfish.