New year, fresh air

All the Texas parks hosting 'first day hikes' on New Year’s Day 2026

This beats the stair-stepper at the gym any day.

Photo courtesy of San Marcos CVB

Here's a way to start your health-focused new year's resolutions that won't make you want to hit the snooze button on January 1: Plan a "first day hike."

According to Texas Parks & Wildlife, First Day Hikes is a nationwide program to encourage hiking on New Year's Day. State parks near Dallas and throughout Texas are offering the chance for people of all ages and fitness levels to stretch their legs and explore the great outdoors on the first day of 2026.

"First day hikes vary from short, leisurely nature walks on forested trails; boardwalk strolls through wetlands or to the beach; or climbs into the mountains of the Chihuahuan Desert," the agency says on its website. "Some first day hikes aren't hikes at all: We also lead bike rides, paddling tours, and maybe even horseback rides. Choose the event that's right for you."

State parks offer both guided and self-guided hikes on January 1. If you choose a self-guided hike, look for tables or stop at headquarters for hike information and maps, they advise. "After your hike, stop back by to report on your hike and collect a memento of your visit," they say.

Note that most state parks charge an entry fee or day use fee. For those who plan to visit several times throughout the year, a Texas State Parks Pass could help save money.

Here are all the Texas state parks offering first-day hikes on January 1, 2026, clustered by region. All are self-guided walking hikes that do not require registration, unless otherwise indicated. Find out more details about each one here.

North Texas

Ray Roberts Lake State Park (Johnson Branch & Isle du Bois. Guided and unguided hikes.)
Eisenhower State Park
Lake Mineral Wells State Park & Trailway (Guided hike)
Fort Richardson State Park & Historic Site
Palo Pinto Mountains State Park (Registration required)
Lake Whitney State Park (Guided mindful walk)
Bonham State Park (Guided hike)
Lake Arrowhead State Park
Purtis Creek State Park
Possum Kingdom State Park

East Texas & Piney Woods

Tyler State Park (Guided tour)
Daingerfield State Park
Lake Tawakoni State Park
Martin Creek Lake State Park (Birding hike)
Atlanta State Park (Guided hike)
Mission Tejas State Park
Caddo Lake State Park
Cooper State Park (South Sulphur & Doctors Creek. Hike or bike.)
Martin Dies, Jr. State Park (Guided and unguided hikes)
Village Creek State Park

Hill Country & Central Texas

Honey Creek State Natural Area (Registration required.)
Blanco State Park
Guadalupe River State Park
Palmetto State Park (Self-guided hike and sunrise bird hike)
Lockhart State Park
Pedernales Falls State Park (Guided hike)
Government Canyon State Natural Area
Lake Somerville State Park
Lost Maples State Natural Area
Inks Lake State Park (Guided hike)
Old Tunnel State Park (Guided hike)Hill Country State Natural Area (Gu
Hill Country State Natural Area (Gu ided hike)
Lyndon B. Johnson State Park & Historic Site (First Day Bird Walk)
Dinosaur Valley State Park (Guided hike)
Meridian State Park (Story Book Stroll)
Colorado Bend State Park (Guided hike)
Lake Brownwood State Park
Bastrop State Park (Ranger-guided birding)
Buescher State Park

Gulf Coast & Coastal Bend

Galveston Island State Park (Sunrise beach walk with a ranger.)
Mustang Island State Park (Ranger-guided walk at sunrise.)
Goose Island State Park (Bird hikes)
Sea Rim State Park (First Day Paddle)
Brazos Bend State Park (Guided hike)
Sheldon Lake State Park & Environmental Learning Center (Guided hike and dog walk)
Huntsville State Park (Chinquapin Challenge)
Lake Livingston State Park (Guided hike)
Stephen F. Austin State Park

South Texas & Rio Grande Valley

Falcon State Park (Guided hike)
Choke Canyon State Park
Lake Corpus Christi State Park
Goliad State Park & Historic Site (Guided hikes)
Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park
Resaca de la Palma State Park
Lake Casa Blanca International State Park

West Texas & Panhandle

Palo Duro Canyon State Park (Guided and unguided hikes.)
Caprock Canyons State Park & Trailway
Copper Breaks State Park
Abilene State Park
San Angelo State Park
Big Spring State Park (Guided hike)
Davis Mountains State Park
Franklin Mountains State Park
Hueco Tanks State Park & Historic Site
Big Bend Ranch State Park (including Chinati Mountains)
Seminole Canyon State Park & Historic Site (Guided and unguided)

state parks new year's day new years exercise hiking

Exploring Texas

Texas' new Palo Pinto State Park opens just a 2-hour drive from Dallas

Photo courtesy of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

Palo Pinto Mountains State Park opens March 1

Texans will be able to hike, fish, camp, and explore a brand-new state park — the first new Texas state park in 25 years — starting on Sunday, March 1.

Palo Pinto Mountains State Park, located at 100 Park Road 77 in Strawn, spans 4,871 acres of former ranchland between Abilene and the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex (about a two-hour drive west from downtown Dallas).

According to a press release, the land was originally purchased by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) in 2011 and the park was expected to open three years ago, but construction delays impeded the opening. Funding for the park was provided by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation (TPWF), the Texas Legislature, the Sporting Goods Sales Tax, the federal government, and $10 million was raised by TPWF through private donations.

The park offers more than 16 miles of trails for hikers, bikers, and horseback riding, and the park's website states 1.25 miles are ADA compliant, and all-terrain wheelchairs are available for some non-accessible trails. Campers and overnight guests also have three campsites to choose from, including RV sites, walk-in tent spots, and primitive camping areas.

Visitors are also welcome to swim, fish, and boat (note: motorboats are not allowed) in the 68-acre Tucker Lake using the park's accessible kayak/canoe launch, fishing pier, and fish cleaning station. Visitors don't need a license to fish at Palo Pinto Mountains State Park, and the park will loan fishing gear upon request.

Tucker Lake at Palo Pinto Mountains State Park Visitors are welcome to kayak and canoe at Tucker Lake, but motorboats are not allowed.Photo courtesy of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

Birding enthusiasts might spot golden-cheeked warblers during their visit, as the endangered species take residence in the park's oak and Ashe juniper trees in the spring and summer months. Many other migratory birds can be seen at the park throughout the year.

Palo Pinto Mountains State Park is anticipating high visitation in March with the spring season's temperate weather and Texas schools' spring breaks. TPWD strongly encouraged visitors to reserve day passes in advance to avoid being turned away if the park has reached its capacity limit.

"This is a tremendous moment for Texas State Parks and the state of Texas," Texas State Parks director Rodney Franklin in the release. "Opening Palo Pinto Mountains State Park represents the culmination of collaborative efforts that includes our Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation as well as private donors. I am proud of the dedication of our TPWD team but also the unwavering support of the Texas Legislature and the voters of Texas that have brought us to this moment. State park staff stand ready to welcome families far and wide to begin making memories at Texas’ newest state park."

Day passes are available up to one month in advance, are non-transferrable to another person or park, and are valid all-day until 10 pm unless the park closes earlier. Day passes can be reserved online or by calling TPWD's Customer Service Center during regular business hours at (512) 389-8900. Entrance fees are $7 daily for adults and children aged 13 and older, and admission is free for children 12-years-old and younger.

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