TPWD Buys 2,000+ Acres for New State Park Near Colorado Bend State Park

Fishing, Hiking, and Camping Access Along Two Miles of Colorado River

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has finalized a purchase of 2,020 acres in the Hill Country for a new state park adjacent to the existing Colorado Bend State Park.

“Texas’ state parks system is about to get a little bigger,” reported the Houston Chronicle on Jan. 28, 2025. “The property includes two miles along the Colorado River and is located across the river from Colorado Bend State Park. The purchase is phase one of a potential two-phase property purchase to create a new state park spanning more than 3,000 acres, with TPWD exploring an additional 1,100-acre property in Lampasas and Burnet counties.”

The Texas Standard reported that the purchase is one of the latest acquisitions by the TPWD, which is aiming to expand the state park system through the Centennial Parks Conservation Fund that was approved by voters in 2023.

“This is going to be an exciting addition to our Texas state park system,” Todd McClanahan, chief of programs for Texas State Parks told the Texas Standard. “Obviously, it’s got about two miles of Colorado River access that will provide our visitors with activities such as fishing and hiking and camping. So, we’re really excited with this addition.”

Texas is Home to 89 State Parks over 640,000 Acres

The State Parks Division says that it oversees 640,000+ acres of land owned or leased by the department, including 89 state parks, historic sites, and natural areas.

“The State Parks Division is responsible for protecting, interpreting, and managing cultural and natural resources of statewide significance and providing opportunities for outdoor recreation and learning about Texas history and natural science,” says TPWD.

TPWD looks after state parks across seven geographical zones:

• Big Bend Country: 9 state parks.
• Gulf Coast: 8 state parks.
• Hill Country: 18 state parks.
• Panhandle Plains: 10 state parks.
• Pineywoods: 11 state parks.
• Prairies & Lakes: 21 state parks.
• South Texas Plains: 6 state parks.

Texas celebrated its 100-year anniversary in 2023 by being named the Gold Medal winner for the best state park system in the nation.

“We should all be proud of the state parks here in Texas. As more and more Texans are discovering the beauty of state parks, it is exciting to have the opportunity to grow our system of parks through the Centennial Parks fund which was passed by Texas voters by 77 percent,” reported State Parks Director Rodney Franklin in the 2024 Texas State Parks Official Guide. “This is a huge legacy that will impact outdoor recreation and conservation for years to come. Adding new state parks will allow Texans to explore new, special, wild places in a variety of ways.”

New Hill Country State Park Land Purchase: $35 Million

One of the goals of TPWD is to find new properties such as the Hill Country location on the Colorado River that are within an easy drive for those Texans coming from the “Golden Triangle” or “Texas Triangle”—Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston area, and Austin/San Antonio area.

“We look around some of these areas that are within the Golden Triangle or in the Valley to try to make it as accessible as possible for most Texans,” McClanahan said. “We’ve got a lot of partners. And then we also look at properties that are openly on the market. We procure properties from willing sellers.”

The 2,000+ acres for the new Hill Country state park cost the state $35 million according to the Texas Standard article.

"It's great to see these acquisitions which will provide public access and conserve their beautiful landscapes for years to come," said Jeff Hildebrand, chairman of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission, in a statement. "This property near the current Colorado Bend State Park is the cornerstone for what will be a brand-new park."

New State Park to Expand Camping Options Along Colorado Bend

The new state park will be located directly across the Colorado River from the existing Colorado Bend State Park.

“This piece of property has got a really unique post oak woodland, a mature post oak woodland that is not really seen and certainly not in Colorado Bend. But this piece of property will likely have more developed camping than what Colorado Bend offers currently,” McClanhan said.

The Houston Chronicle article says that the new state park, located 10 miles upstream from Lake Buchanan, will feature rugged hills and diverse native habitats.

“With the land sale now complete, TPWD said it will develop a plan using public input to determine recreational opportunities, which could take months to complete,” reported the Houston Chronicle.

Half Dozen More New Parks in the Next Two Decades

The new Hill Country state park adjacent to Colorado Bend State Park could be just one of a half dozen new state parks in the planning stages for the next 10 to 15 years.

“There is a need to provide more recreational opportunities for the growing population of Texas,” said Texas State Parks Director Rodney Franklin in May 2023. “Until the recent passage of Proposition 5, we haven’t had the funds to develop some of the properties we have in our inventory. So, it’s exciting that we can build new state parks for future generations of Texans to enjoy.”

New parks in the works, according to TPWD, include:

• Palo Pinto Mountains State Park near Fort Worth.
• The Dan A. Hughes Unit of the Devils River State Natural Area near Del Rio.
• Albert and Bessie Kronkosky State Natural Area near Boerne.
• Powderhorn State Park near Port Lavaca.
• Chinati Mountains State Natural Area near Presidio.
• Davis Hill State Natural Area near Houston.

“The [Hill Country] land acquisition is one of many made by TPWD in recent months to expand public access to Texas' natural spaces in more corners of the state. The state agency recently added 3,073 acres to Enchanted Rock State Natural Area and purchased a 500-acre Lake Colorado City State Park,” reported the Houston Chronicle.

TPWD reports that construction has begun on the Palo Pinto Mountains State Park: “Once developed, this rugged, beautiful park will offer hiking, camping, fishing, stargazing, and other outdoor activities.”

State Parks Visitor Fees and Passes

TPWD says that about 50 percent of its budget to operate state parks comes directly from visitor fees including:

• Entrance Fee: To visit a park; includes a variety of activities and visitor programs and allows entrance to multiple state parks in the same business day.
• Facility Fee: To stay overnight at a campsite, cabin, or guest room, or to rent a group facility, meeting room, or pavilion.
• Activity Fee: To participate in a special park activity, tour a historic site, or ride a ferry or train.

Reservations can be made at TexasStateParks.org/reservations. Free admission for kids 12 and under.

You can get unlimited visits, all year, to every state park for you and a carload of guests. Learn more about park passes and purchase or renew your State Parks pass online at TexasStateParks.org/passes.

It may take two to four years for the new state park in the Hill Country along the Colorado River to be open to the public with limited day use planned for 12 to 18 months from now for guided hikes or public hunting.

In the meantime, get out and explore some of the great Texas State Parks around the Lone Star State today.