Topic · Page 10
The Great Outdoors
Local Notes
The Great Outdoors notes
Live Oak County · State Park / Fishing
Choke Canyon State Park Has a Unit in Live Oak County
Choke Canyon State Park's South Shore unit sits in Live Oak County and gives you access to a 25,670-acre reservoir with strong bass and catfish fishing.
Live Oak County · Wildlife Management Area / Hunting
James E. Daughtrey WMA Offers Public Hunting Near Choke Canyon
The 34,000-acre Daughtrey Wildlife Management Area spans Live Oak and McMullen counties and offers permitted public hunting in classic South Texas brush country.
Llano County · City Park
Badu Park Gives Downtown Llano a Lake Edge
Badu Park puts fishing, picnics, a beach, and small-boat water access within a short hop of Llano's downtown square.
Llano County · Lake Park
Black Rock Park Is Llano County's Lake Buchanan Camp Base
Black Rock Park gives the Llano County side of Lake Buchanan a public camping and swimming base run by the Lower Colorado River Authority.
Llano County · River Access
Castell Crossing Opens 950 Feet of the Llano River
A TPWD lease at Castell Crossing provides about 950 feet of Llano River frontage for bank fishing and nonmotorized fishing access through August 2027.
Llano County · Hunting
Deer Hunting in Llano County
Llano County has a large white-tailed deer population and is widely recognized for deer hunting, but nearly all land is private, so access requires a lease or landowner permission.
Llano County · State Park
Inks Lake State Park: Camping and Water Recreation Near Llano County
Inks Lake State Park is in Burnet County, just east of Llano County, and offers year-round camping, fishing, and swimming on a lake that holds a steady water level.
Llano County · River Park
Robinson City Park Keeps Llano on the River
Robinson City Park stretches along the Llano River west of downtown, giving the city camping, swimming, fields, and river frontage in one public place.
Loving County · Hunting & Wildlife
Hunting in Loving County: Mostly Private Land
Loving County sits in the Trans-Pecos region where mule deer and pronghorn live. On private ground, access starts with landowner permission.
Lubbock County · Playa Lakes
A Dry Field Can Still Be a Lake
Lubbock County's shallow playas may sit dry for long stretches, then fill with rain and become busy stops for migrating birds.
Lubbock County · Deer Hunting
Both White-Tailed and Mule Deer Are Hunted Here
For the 2025-26 Outdoor Annual, Lubbock County has separate white-tailed and mule deer rules, including a 20-inch outside-spread rule for mule deer bucks.
Lubbock County · Reservoir
Buffalo Spring Lake Is the County's Close-In Lake Day
Buffalo Spring Lake, about nine miles southeast of Lubbock, is a local water-district reservoir built for recreation, the county's nearby spot for a day on the water.
Lubbock County · Garden park
Clapp Park Packs Gardens, an Arboretum, and a Chapel Together
Clapp Park in central Lubbock blends the city's arboretum, garden center, rose garden, and a historic chapel with everyday park amenities.
Lubbock County · Dove Hunting
Dove Hunting Is a Fall Tradition on the Plains
Lubbock County follows North Zone dove seasons, with separate dates, bag limits, and migratory-bird requirements.
Lubbock County · City parks
Lubbock's Canyon Lakes Follow the Draws Across a Flat City
Lubbock's Canyon Lakes are a chain of parks and lakes strung along the draws that cut through the otherwise flat Llano Estacado.
Lubbock County · Mackenzie Park
Mackenzie Park's Prairie Dog Town Goes Back to 1937
Mackenzie Park, off I-27 in Lubbock, holds the city's well-known Prairie Dog Town along with trails, disc golf, an amphitheater, and ballfields.
Lubbock County · State Parks
Six State Parks Fan Out from Lubbock
The state-park map gives Lubbock six choices, from Caprock Canyons and Palo Duro to lakes and a road up a small mountain.
Lubbock County · Landmark trails
Walk 4.5 Miles of Trails at Lubbock Lake Landmark
Lubbock Lake Landmark, a Texas Tech preserve inside the city, has 4.5 miles of trails winding through native prairie in Yellowhouse Draw.
Lynn County · Natural Features
Lynn County has two permanent natural lakes on the flat High Plains
Double Lakes and Tahoka Lake are two natural lakes in Lynn County, which is unusual for this flat, dry region.
Madison County · Waterways
Bedias Creek and the Trinity Shape Madison County's East Edge
Bedias Creek runs into a Trinity River edge of hardwoods, muddy banks, sand bars, and few crossings, giving eastern Madison County a bottomland character.
Madison County · Hunting
Deer hunting in Madison County has a local antler rule
Madison County has TPWD antler rules for white-tailed deer. The short version: read the county page before deer season, not after.
Madison County · City Park
Lake Madison Park Is Madisonville's Everyday Outdoor Stop
A 75-acre lake, fishing pier, splash pad, ballfields, and walking trail share one practical patch of Madisonville on East Collard Street.
Marion County · State Park
Caddo Lake State Park sits on a vast cypress swamp near Karnack
Caddo Lake State Park gives you access to a 26,810-acre lake full of cypress trees, more than 70 fish species, and CCC-built cabins from the 1930s.
Mason County · Public hunting
Mason Mountain WMA Offers Public Hunting by Permit
Texas Parks and Wildlife manages Mason Mountain Wildlife Management Area in Mason County, offering public hunting opportunities through a permit system.
Matagorda County · Hunting Regulations
Deer hunting in this county has a specific antler rule
Matagorda County has a four-deer bag limit, but only one of your two bucks can have a wide antler spread — check TPWD for current season dates.
Matagorda County · Wildlife Management Area
Matagorda Island is a wild, boat-only public hunting and fishing area
Matagorda Island WMA covers more than 56,000 acres of barrier island and marsh, and you can only get there by boat.
Maverick County · Hunting
Hunting Seasons in Maverick County Follow South Zone Rules
Maverick County is in the South Zone for deer and dove, which sets different season dates and bag limits than Central or North Texas.
Maverick County · Downtown Lake
Maverick County Lake Softens Downtown Eagle Pass
Maverick County Lake gives downtown Eagle Pass a quiet water stop for morning walks and fishing.
Maverick County · Riverfront Park
Shelby Park Puts Main Street on the Rio Grande
Shelby Park ties the west end of Main Street to ballfields, soccer fields, a boat ramp, and the Rio Grande.
McCulloch County · Hunting
McCulloch County falls in the North Zone for deer and turkey hunting
Hunters in McCulloch County follow North Zone rules for white-tailed deer and turkey, with bag limits and season dates set each year by Texas Parks and Wildlife.
McLennan County · Waco park
Cameron Park: 416 Acres of Cliffs and River Right at Waco's Edge
Cameron Park is 416 acres of bluffs, trails, and riverfront where the Bosque meets the Brazos, just a short drive from downtown Waco.
McLennan County · Camping
Camping on Waco Lake: Four Corps Parks, and Two Close for Winter
The Army Corps runs four campgrounds on Waco Lake, but only Airport Park stays open year-round, so a winter trip takes a little planning.
McLennan County · Fishing
Lake Waco Fishing Changes With the Season
Lake Waco holds bass, crappie, and several kinds of catfish, while the best bite and the usable boat ramp can change with the season.
McLennan County · Wetlands
Lake Waco Wetlands: 180 Acres Born From Raising the Lake Seven Feet
When Waco raised its lake to bank more water, it built a 180-acre constructed wetland to replace the habitat it flooded, and that trade-off became one of the county's best birding and learning spots.
McLennan County · Land and Soil
McLennan County Sits Where Two Prairies Meet
Grand Prairie country lies to the west and Blackland Prairie to the east, a divide that helps explain McLennan County's farming history and changing landscape.
McLennan County · Lake access
Six Ways Onto Waco Lake, and Which Ones Charge a Fee
The Army Corps of Engineers runs six day-use parks around Waco Lake, and knowing which charge the $5 gate fee and which are free saves you a wasted drive.
McLennan County · Paddling
Two Waco Paddling Routes Meet Near Downtown
The Bosque and Brazos rivers offer distinct Waco paddling routes, but distance, current, and shuttle needs should be checked against the route chosen that day.
McLennan County · National monument
Waco Mammoth Is a Free Walk in the Woods, Mammoths Aside
Most people come to Waco Mammoth for the dig shelter, but the monument is also 108 wooded acres along the Bosque River with five short, free trails, a quiet morning stroll on the edge of the city.
McLennan County · Climate
Waco's Climate Runs Hot, With Rain That Comes in Bursts
Waco's 1991–2020 normals put the July high near 97 degrees, the January low near 36, and yearly precipitation at 36.4 inches.
McLennan County · Hunting
White-Tailed Deer and Turkey Hunting in McLennan County
McLennan County is in TPWD's North Zone for deer, while turkey rules split at I-35 and require prompt harvest reporting.
McMullen County · Public Lands
Public Hunting and Fishing at Daughtrey WMA
The James E. Daughtrey Wildlife Management Area gives the public access to 34,000 acres of South Texas land for hunting, fishing, and wildlife viewing.
Medina County · River Park
Castroville Regional Park Keeps the Medina River in Town Life
The city's big park is also a Medina River bottomland, with old bald cypress and a strong birding list.
Medina County · Hunting Regulations
Deer Bag Limits in Medina County Depend on Which Side of US 90 You Hunt
US 90 divides Medina County into two deer hunting zones with different buck limits and season-end dates.
Medina County · Hunting / CWD
Deer Hunters in Medina County Must Know the CWD Zone Rules
Chronic Wasting Disease has been detected in Medina County deer, and hunters must follow special check-in rules when hunting in the CWD zone.
Medina County · Lakes & Fishing
Medina Lake Supplies Irrigation and Offers Bass and Catfish Fishing
Medina Lake, completed in 1913 on the Medina River, is a source of irrigation water and a known spot for bass and catfish fishing.
Menard County · Hunting
Hunting in Menard County is mostly on private land with leases
Menard County is prime Hill Country hunting country, but nearly all land is private — most access comes through hunting leases or the TPWD public hunting permit program.
Midland County · Community Park
Beal Park Keeps a Windmill and Old Ranch Buildings Among the Ball Fields
On the west side at 5200 W. Wall, this 112-acre park mixes sports and fishing with a working-windmill-and-elevated-tank corner that nods to the ranch land it used to be.
Midland County · Community Park
C.J. Kelly Park Has a Football Field and a Fishing Pond on the West Side
This 66-acre park off League Drive is one of the few places in Midland where you can throw a line in the water, and it carries a full-size football field, not just diamonds.
Midland County · Downtown Park
Centennial Park turned the old courthouse blocks into Midland's downtown lawn
Centennial Park fills two downtown blocks at 200 W. Wall Street, on land once used by the Midland County Courthouse and Centennial Plaza.
Midland County · Dove Hunting
Dove hunting straddles two zones in Midland County
Interstate 20 divides Midland County into two dove hunting zones with slightly different season dates.
Midland County · City Park
Hogan Park Is the Big Green Anchor on Midland's North Side
At 620 acres off Wadley Avenue, Hogan Park is the city's catch-all outdoor space, with ball fields by the dozen, a golf course, a dog park, and room to wander.
Midland County · Quail Hunting
Midland County has quail hunting through the statewide season
The statewide quail season runs November 1 through February 28, with a daily bag limit of 15 birds, and an Upland Game Bird Endorsement is required.
Midland County · Trails
Midland's Trail Plan Is Mostly Still on Paper
Midland's trails page separates planned trails from route maps, so it is worth checking which layer you are looking at before you plan a ride or run.
Midland County · Dog Parks
Midland's Two Dog Parks Sit Inside Hogan and Beal
Hogan's Run on Wadley is a five-acre fenced run with separate small- and big-dog yards; Waggin' Trail sits over at Beal Park on West Wall.
Midland County · Big Game Hunting
Mule deer and pronghorn also roam Midland County
Midland County sits in the Trans-Pecos zone for mule deer and the Permian Basin permit zone for pronghorn, giving hunters two additional big game options.
Midland County · Deer Hunting
White-tailed deer hunting in Midland County follows North Zone rules
Midland County falls in the TPWD North Zone for white-tailed deer, with a general season running November through early January and a bag limit of three deer with no more than one buck and no more than two antlerless.
Midland County · Water-Wise Park
Windlands Park Shows You What Grows in Midland Without Much Water
A 55-acre park on West Dengar with the usual fields and a walking track, plus a xeriscape demonstration plot that's a quiet lesson for any new homeowner facing a yard out here.
Milam County · Public River Access
Free Public Fishing Access on the Brazos River
Texas Parks and Wildlife leases two public access points on the Brazos River in Milam County near Cameron for fishing and paddling.
Milam County · Fair Grounds
Rockdale's Fair Park Keeps the County's Show-Grounds Side Visible
Fair Park and Rodeo Arena in Rockdale gathers the picnic, livestock, pavilion, and arena pieces of small-town civic life in one place.
Milam County · River Corridor
The San Gabriel Brings Bluffs and Green Banks into Milam County
The San Gabriel River flows through western Milam County toward the Little River, with a corridor of vegetation, bluffs, and variable water.