Calling all outdoorsy Dallasites: Keep an eye the forecast for Sunday, November 3, because you won't want to miss out on free admission to all Texas state parks in celebration of Texas State Parks Day.
The free admission day is a new tradition after the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) celebrated its centennial in 2023. In a press release, Texas State Parks director Rodney Franklin said he hopes the event encourages Texans of all ages to explore and enjoy Texas' natural beauty.
"Any day in a Texas state park is a good day," said Franklin. "[All Texans] are invited to visit a park that is new to you, take a friend and try a new adventure."
Cedar Hill State Park is the closest park for residents in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The park has about 1,200 acres of trails for hiking and biking, plus 350 campsites, the Penn Farm Agricultural Center, and more. Visitors are also welcome to fish in the 7,500-acre Joe Pool Lake, which is full of largemouth black bass, crappie, and catfish.
"We have two lighted fishing jetties and a perch pond for kids," the park's website says. "We also have two four-lane boat ramps and lighted boat trailer parking. You do not need a fishing license to fish from shore or pier in a state park."
Visitors can swim, boat, fish, and relax at Joe Pool Lake at Cedar Hill State Park.tpwd.texas.gov/
TPWD lauds Cedar Hill as an "urban oasis" and says the park feels like "a world away from the city" due to its location 20 miles from downtown Dallas.
- Dinosaur Valley State Park, Glen Rose
- Cleburne State Park
- Lake Mineral Wells State Park and Trailway
- Fort Richardson State Park, Historic Site and Lost Creek Reservoir State Trailway
- Ray Roberts Lake State Park, Pilot Point
- Lake Tawakoni State Park, Wills Point
- Purtis Creek State Park, Eustace
