Topic · Page 8
The Great Outdoors
Local Notes
The Great Outdoors notes
Sterling County · Hunting & Wildlife
Hunting in Sterling County
Most hunting in Sterling County is on private ranch land, but a Texas Parks and Wildlife annual permit opens public hunting statewide.
Stonewall County · Hunting
Hunting Seasons in Stonewall County
Stonewall County falls in the TPWD North Zone and Panhandle mule deer zone, with seasons for white-tailed deer, mule deer, turkey, quail, dove, and waterfowl.
Sutton County · Hunting Regulations
Deer hunting rules for Sutton County
Sutton County falls in the North Zone for white-tailed deer and has specific bag limits and season dates set each year by Texas Parks and Wildlife.
Swisher County · Hunting
Deer Hunting in Swisher County: Two Species, Different Rules
Swisher County hunters can pursue both white-tailed deer and mule deer, but mule deer carry Panhandle-specific antler restrictions.
Swisher County · Water / Recreation
Mackenzie Reservoir Supplies Water and Recreation Near Tulia
Mackenzie Reservoir on Tule Creek provides municipal water and outdoor recreation for communities in and near Swisher County.
Tarrant County · Lake Levels
Check Tarrant County Lake Levels Anytime on the TRWD Website
The Tarrant Regional Water District publishes a daily report on water levels in its lakes, which is useful for boaters, anglers, and anyone monitoring drought conditions.
Tarrant County · State Park
Cleburne State Park Is About 30 Miles from Fort Worth
Cleburne State Park in Johnson County is one of the closest TPWD parks to Fort Worth, offering fishing, camping, hiking, and paddling.
Tarrant County · Fishing
Fishing at Benbrook Lake in Tarrant County
Benbrook Lake sits about 10 miles southwest of downtown Fort Worth and offers fishing for largemouth bass, catfish, hybrid striped bass, crappie, and white bass.
Tarrant County · Fishing
Fishing at Eagle Mountain Lake in Tarrant County
Eagle Mountain Lake, just north of Fort Worth, covers more than 8,700 acres and supports white crappie, white bass, largemouth bass, and catfish.
Tarrant County · River Fishing
River Fishing on the Trinity in the Fort Worth Area
The Clear Fork and West Fork of the Trinity River in Tarrant County offer accessible river fishing for catfish and other species.
Tarrant County · State Parks
State Parks Near Fort Worth and Tarrant County
Tarrant County has no state park within its borders, but several TPWD parks are within an hour's drive of Fort Worth.
Tarrant County · Lake Recreation
TRWD Lakes Offer Free Public Recreation in Tarrant County
The Tarrant Regional Water District (TRWD) manages parks and trails on its lakes, including Eagle Mountain Park, which is free and first-come, first-served.
Taylor County · State Park
Abilene State Park offers camping, fishing, and CCC history
Abilene State Park sits 16 miles southwest of Abilene and includes a no-wake lake, camping, horse trails, and Depression-era stone buildings built by the Civilian Conservation Corps.
Taylor County · Freshwater Fishing
Lake Abilene holds bass, crappie, and catfish
Lake Abilene is a 595-acre reservoir inside Abilene State Park where you can fish for largemouth bass, white crappie, and channel catfish.
Taylor County · Climate & Weather
Taylor County has a semi-arid climate with hot summers and periodic drought
Taylor County averages about 23 inches of rain per year, with hot summers, occasional drought, and the potential for severe thunderstorms and hail in spring.
Taylor County · Geography
Taylor County straddles two river watersheds
The Callahan Divide runs through Taylor County, separating land that drains north toward the Brazos River from land that drains south toward the Colorado River.
Taylor County · Hunting
White-tailed deer and quail are both legal to hunt in Taylor County
Taylor County is open for white-tailed deer, quail, dove, turkey, javelina, and several other species under TPWD regulations that change each year.
Terrell County · Hunting Regulations
Deer Hunting in Terrell County: Two Species, Different Rules
Terrell County has both white-tailed and mule deer, and each species has its own season dates and bag limits set by Texas Parks and Wildlife.
Terry County · Public Hunting
Public Hunting Land Exists in Terry County
Terry County has at least one public hunting area managed by Texas Parks and Wildlife where dove and quail hunting are allowed with a permit.
Throckmorton County · Hunting
Deer and turkey hunting rules for Throckmorton County
Throckmorton County has a deer bag limit of five per season and a county-specific turkey season — check TPWD for current dates.
Throckmorton County · Public Land Access
Public hunting land is available in Throckmorton County
A TPWD Annual Public Hunting Permit lets you access public hunting land across Texas, including tracts in Throckmorton County.
Titus County · TPWD Licenses
Hunting and Fishing Licenses in Titus County
You need a valid Texas hunting or fishing license before you go after game or fish in Titus County, with limited exceptions.
Titus County · Camping and Fishing
Lake Bob Sandlin State Park
Lake Bob Sandlin State Park sits about twelve miles southwest of Mount Pleasant and offers camping, fishing, and hiking on a 9,000-acre lake.
Tom Green County · Hunting
Deer Hunting in Tom Green County: Bag Limits and Seasons
Tom Green County falls in the North Zone for white-tailed deer hunting, with a five-deer bag limit and multiple season types.
Tom Green County · Fishing
O.C. Fisher Reservoir Is Inside San Angelo State Park
O.C. Fisher Reservoir sits on the west side of San Angelo and is accessible through San Angelo State Park for fishing, boating, and swimming.
Tom Green County · Nature & History
Permian-Age Fossil Trackways Are Preserved at San Angelo State Park
San Angelo State Park's Dinosaur Trail features fossilized trackways from the Permian period, preserved in rock along the trail.
Tom Green County · Wildlife
San Angelo State Park Keeps a Bison and Longhorn Herd
San Angelo State Park maintains paddocks with bison and Texas longhorn cattle as part of its natural and historical interpretation.
Tom Green County · State Park
San Angelo State Park Offers 50 Miles of Trails Near the City
San Angelo State Park sits on the shores of O.C. Fisher Reservoir and has 50 miles of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding.
Tom Green County · Hunting
Turkey, Dove, and Quail Are All Fair Game in Tom Green County
Tom Green County offers upland game bird hunting for wild turkey, dove, and quail under TPWD regulations.
Tom Green County · Fishing & Public Lands
Twin Buttes Reservoir Requires a Permit to Fish or Hike
Twin Buttes Reservoir west of San Angelo is on a public hunting lease — anyone 17 or older needs a permit to fish, hike, or camp there.
Travis County · City Swimming Hole
Barton Springs Pool: Year-Round Natural Swimming in Austin
Barton Springs Pool is a three-acre spring-fed pool in Zilker Park that stays around 68–70 degrees all year.
Travis County · Flash Flood Safety
Flash Floods: Travis County's Most Dangerous Weather Hazard
Central Texas sits in 'Flash Flood Alley' — water can rise faster than expected, and low-water crossings are deadly.
Travis County · Severe Weather
Hail and Severe Thunderstorms in Travis County
Travis County gets hailstorms and severe thunderstorms, especially in spring — they can damage roofs, vehicles, and crops.
Travis County · Nature & Gardens
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Travis County
The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in southwest Austin is operated by UT Austin and focuses on native Texas plants.
Travis County · Highland Lakes / LCRA
Lake Travis and the Highland Lakes: Flood Control and Water Supply
Lake Travis is managed by the LCRA for both water supply and flood control — water levels can change dramatically.
Travis County · State Park
McKinney Falls State Park: Hiking and Swimming Near Downtown Austin
McKinney Falls State Park sits 13 miles from the state capitol and offers hiking, swimming, and camping on Onion Creek.
Travis County · Local Flood Hazard
Onion Creek: Flash Flood Risk in Southeast Travis County
Onion Creek in southeast Travis County has a history of severe flash flooding that has damaged neighborhoods and caused fatalities.
Travis County · Lake Access
Public Boat Ramps and Access Points on Lake Travis
There are 16 public access points on Lake Travis — most charge a fee and are run by LCRA or Travis County.
Travis County · Wildfire Hazard
Wildfire Risk in Travis County: Homes Near the Wildland Edge
More than half of Austin falls inside a wildland-urban interface zone where fire risk is high and building rules are stricter.
Trinity County · Public Land / Hiking / Hunting
Davy Crockett National Forest: Public Land in Your Backyard
More than 160,000 acres of national forest land spans Houston and Trinity counties. It is free and open to the public for hiking, hunting, and fishing.
Trinity County · Fishing / Boating
Lake Livingston: Fishing and Boating on Trinity County's Eastern Edge
Lake Livingston is an 83,000-acre reservoir on the Trinity River. It borders Trinity County and is known for catfish and white bass fishing.
Tyler County · Fishing & Recreation
B.A. Steinhagen Lake: Fishing and Camping on the Neches River
B.A. Steinhagen Lake sits on the Tyler-Jasper County line and offers public fishing, camping, and wildlife viewing managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Tyler County · National Preserve
Big Thicket National Preserve Has Trails in Tyler County
The Turkey Creek Unit of Big Thicket National Preserve spans Tyler and Hardin counties and offers free hiking, backcountry camping, and fishing.
Tyler County · Public Hunting Land
Public Hunting on the Angelina-Neches WMA
The Angelina-Neches/Dam B Wildlife Management Area covers land in both Tyler and Jasper counties and is open to public hunters with the right permit.
Upshur County · Lake Access
Free Public Boat Ramps Serve Lake O' the Pines
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers operates free public boat ramps at Lake O' the Pines, including the Lone Star ramp open year-round.
Upshur County · Fishing
Lake O' the Pines Offers Fishing on Upshur County's Edge
Lake O' the Pines is a 19,780-acre reservoir on Big Cypress Creek that touches Upshur County and is managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Upshur County · Geography
Upshur County Sits on Two Major Drainage Divides
The northern part of Upshur County drains toward the Mississippi River, while the southern part drains to the Gulf of Mexico through the Sabine River system.
Upton County · Hunting
Deer and turkey hunting rules for Upton County
Upton County follows TPWD North Zone deer rules, with a bag limit of five deer per season — but most land here is private, so access requires permission from landowners.
Uvalde County · Hunting
Deer hunting in Uvalde County follows a split-zone system
U.S. Highway 90 divides Uvalde County into two deer hunting zones with different bag limits and season lengths.
Uvalde County · State Park
Garner State Park is on the Frio River in this county
Garner State Park sits along 2.9 miles of the Frio River and draws families for swimming, camping, and tubing.
Val Verde County · National Recreation Area
Amistad NRA: Camping and Paddling on the Rio Grande
Amistad National Recreation Area wraps around the reservoir near Del Rio and offers low-cost camping, boating, and paddling managed by the National Park Service.
Val Verde County · Fishing
Amistad Reservoir: Fishing on a Large International Lake
Amistad Reservoir sits on the Rio Grande near Del Rio and is one of Texas's largest lakes, with good fishing for bass and catfish year-round.
Val Verde County · State Natural Area
Devils River State Natural Area Requires Advance Planning
Devils River State Natural Area is a remote, spring-fed wilderness in Val Verde County that requires reservations and is only open certain days each week.
Val Verde County · Rivers / Water Quality
The Devils River: One of Texas's Cleanest Waterways
The Devils River runs through Val Verde County to Amistad Reservoir and is known for its clear, spring-fed water and exceptional water quality.
Van Zandt County · Fishing
Lake Tawakoni borders Van Zandt County and offers year-round fishing
Lake Tawakoni lies on the Van Zandt County border and is a popular fishing destination managed by Texas Parks and Wildlife.
Van Zandt County · Public Hunting Land
Tawakoni WMA offers public hunting and outdoor access
The Tawakoni Wildlife Management Area includes land in Van Zandt County where you can hunt, fish, hike, and camp with a permit.
Victoria County · Wildlife Management Area
Guadalupe Delta WMA offers public hunting and wildlife access near the coast
The Guadalupe Delta WMA spans about 7,400 acres across Victoria, Calhoun, and Refugio counties and is open for hunting, fishing, and wildlife viewing.
Victoria County · Local Waterways
The Guadalupe River runs through Victoria County on its way to the coast
The Guadalupe River flows through Victoria County into San Antonio Bay. It supports fishing and wildlife but also adds flood risk in low areas.
Walker County · State Park
Huntsville State Park: Camping and Fishing Near Houston
Huntsville State Park sits inside Sam Houston National Forest and offers camping, hiking, and fishing on a 210-acre lake just 60 miles north of Houston.
Walker County · National Forest
Sam Houston National Forest Covers Much of Walker County
Sam Houston National Forest spans 163,000 acres across three counties, with a large share in Walker County, offering trails, camping, and public hunting.