Passport to Texas

Giant spider web at Lake Towakani. Donna Garde, © Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

Halloween Hijinks in State Parks Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Texas State Parks and Historic sites are pulling out the stops for Halloween.

13— There are some pretty unique events. Eisenhower State Park up on the Texas / Oklahoma border, for example, is having a Zombie Apocalypse Hike. So, it’s an opportunity to not only get outdoors, but to learn some survival skills.

Survival skills like, maybe, how to outrun zombies so they don’t eat your brains? Thomas Wilhelm, with state parks, says to expect more traditional activities as well.

23—Lake Tawakoni has Boo in the park, which is just trick-or-treat through the campground area. Fort Richardson is having a contest; their friends group is offering a hundred dollar prize for the best decorated campsite. Estero Llano Grande in the valley is having their ninth annual spooky science fest. The theme this year is Jurassic Estero; so, dinosaurs, costumes and all sorts of fun opportunities.

Most Texans live 90 minutes or less from a state park or historic site, making Halloween fun convenient, safe and affordable.

13—Most of these events are included with your park entrance. A few that are having special events are having either specials pricing—some there are no fees. Some are doing special per car pricing. Contact a park beforehand if you have questions about pricing.

Find a full schedule of Halloween and fall events in State Parks by region at texasstateparks.org/holidays.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

Tossing a “ghost” through a ring is just one of the kid-friendly activities offered in the fright-free area at Halloween at the Hatchery.

Halloween in State Parks Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

This is Passport to Texas

Life is unpredictable, unless, of course, it’s October. That’s because in October you can always predict a spell of Halloween hijinks at Texas State Parks and Historic Sites.

08—You’ll find Halloween events in every corner of the state from far El Paso down to the Gulf, up to far North Texas.

Thomas Wilhelm is with state parks. He says there will, of course be trick-or-treating in the parks.

15—But there are also some other events—educational type events like: Not so Creepy Critters, where you can learn about spiders and owls and bugs. And then some downright spooky events, like the Wake of Henry Fanthorp at Fanthorp Inn. That event is 10 years old and up.

Historic sites will offer some of the more intriguing Halloween programs, suitable for mature audiences.

10—Battleship Texas is doing an event called The Seedier Side of Battleship Texas, where they talk about some of the shenanigans on board. And that’s a twenty-one and up only event.

Well, we are talking about shenanigans, after all. State Parks and Historic sites; who knew, right? Find a full schedule of Halloween and fall events in State Parks by region at texasstateparks.org/holidays.

That’s our show for today… Funding provided in part by Ram Trucks. Guts. Glory. Ram

For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

Fireworks Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center;Image from KYTX-TV, Tyler

July Fourth Festivities in Parks Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Celebrate our Nation’s Independence this weekend at a nearby Texas State Park. Parks throughout the state are offering a variety of activities for the whole family July Fourth.

Celebrate the 4th of July the old fashioned way at the Sauer-Beckmann Living History Farm at LBJ State Park in Johnson City in the Texas Hill Country. Cavort with the chickens and cows and see re-enactors in action; yes, there was life before smart phones.

In East Texas, Daingerfield State Park will be hosting a Dutch oven cook-off competition on July 4th. Prizes will be awarded for best Main Dish, Dessert, and Kid’s Cooked Dish.

Martin Dies, Jr. State Park, also in East Texas, wants you to bring your decorated bike, trike, strollers and wagons for a patriotic parade around the Park on July fourth. The Parade begins at 10:30 am and travels around the Bee Tree and Broken Bowl campsites/shelter area. Campers are encouraged to decorate their sites and stand outside to cheer on the cyclists. Stay afterwards for games and hot dogs.

And if a July Fourth firework display is what you’re after, find them at the birthplace of Texas– Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site–as well as the Texas Fresh Water Fishers Center in Athens.

That’s our show–Funding provided in part by Ram Trucks. Guts. Glory. Ram

For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

Family fishing.

National Free Fishing Day June 6th Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

This is Passport to Texas

Free Fishing Day is a nationwide event where for one day (sometimes even more), participating states waive the need for fishing licenses. Anyone who wishes to cast a line in fresh or saltwater can do so–freely.

This year it is June 6th.

In Texas, every day is Free Fishing Day at state parks that have fishing opportunities. Once you pay the park entrance fee, you and yours can fish to your heart’s content–while following bag limits and other regulations.

If you’re not currently an angler, but want to give it a try, some parks have tackle loaner programs. Borrow the tackle to use at the park, but bring your own bait. For very little investment, you can sample a sport that gets you outdoors and has the potential of putting food on the table.

On June 6th in East Texas, the Texas freshwater Fisheries Center offers a day of free fishing, hot dogs, soft drinks and games. In Central Texas, LBJ State Park offers its free fishing clinic for children and families. At Eisenhower SP in North Texas and Galveston Island State Park, on the coast, learn to fish and leave with a fishing fun pack and enter a drawing for door prizes.

Log onto the calendar page of the Texas Parks and Wildlife website for more angling opportunities.

We receive support for our program from the Sport Fish restoration Program- reminding you that Saturday June 6 is Free Fishing Day in Texas.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

Family takes time to view wildlife while on a state park hike.

State Park Hiking Events for National Trails Day Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Saturday, June 6th is National Trails Day–a nationwide event organized by the American Hiking Society to create awareness about the variety of trails across the country.

You can go to any park any time and find a trail to explore, but on National Trails Day parks statewide host special guided hiking events. We’ll focus on two events out west.

If you are in the El Paso area, the Wyler Arial Tramway at Franklin Mountains State Park hosts a 7 a.m., mile-long hike up Ranger Peak with a short Leave No Trace workshop prior getting underway. At the top of Ranger Peak you can enjoy a 7,000 square mile view of three
states and two nations. This hike is moderate to strenuous due to the incline.

Big Bend Ranch State Park offers a round trip 1.5 mile hike that starts at 9 a.m. June 6th and will take in the spectacular panoramic views from the top of the ridge trail. It’s a strenuous 2.5 hour hike; they recommend wearing a long sleeved shirt and long pants, and bringing at least 20 ounces of water with you.

In fact, anytime you go hiking, wear sturdy shoes, a hat, and bring plenty of water, a snack, and a walking stick if you like.

For more information about National Trails Day June 6th and to sign-up for these and other guided hikes, visit the Texas Parks and Wildlife website, or call the parks directly.

That’s our show… For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.