Martin Dies, Jr.

Martin Dies, Jr. SP https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/martin-dies-jr https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Dies_Jr._State_Park Martin Dies Jr. State Park is located along U.S. Route 190 on the banks of the Steinhagen Reservoir in Jasper and Tyler counties in Texas. The park consists of three units; Hen House Ridge Unit, Walnut Ridge Unit and Cherokee Unit. Cherokee Unit is a day use area only, whereas the other two units allow camping. The park offers recreational activities such as paddling, fishing, swimming, hiking, cycling, and volleyball. The park's distance from major cities means dark skies and it offers stargazing events at times.

For assistance using this map, contact the park. Martin Dies, Jr. State Park TexasStateParks.org/App 516 57 4 57 2 Whitetail Trail 1.2 mi. 570 Walnut Slough Day Use Area 1 3 56 565 6 56 7 9 568 55 549 55 5 4 53 542 1 53 573 571 569 Hen House Ridge Unit Fishing Pier Wildlife Trail 1.5 mi. Forest Trail 1.1 mi. Wildscape Garden PARK ROAD Alligator Etiquette and Safety Tips N i. T-shirts, caps and one-of-a-kind gift items are available at the headquarters building. PARK ROAD 48 Swamp Area Park Boundary Stop the spread of invasive species. CLEAN, DRAIN and DRY your boat. To Jasper TPWD receives funds from the USFWS. TPWD prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, disability, age, and gender, pursuant to state and federal law. To request an accommodation or obtain information in an alternative format, please contact TPWD on a Text Telephone (TTY) at (512) 389-8915 or by Relay Texas at 7-1-1 or (800) 735-2989 or by email at accessibility@tpwd.texas.gov. If you believe you have been discriminated against by TPWD, please contact TPWD, 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, TX 78744, or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office for Diversity and Workforce Management, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041. © 2023 TPWD PWD MP P4504-031C (2/23) This publication can be found at tpwd.texas.gov/spdest/parkinfo/maps/park_maps/ The American alligator does exist in and around the waters of the lake and the park. Respect alligators in their habitat: • Enjoy viewing them at a safe distance (30 feet, minimum). • Designated swimming area closes at sunset. Keep all pets out of the water. • Do not feed or harass alligators. Offering food or bait is dangerous and illegal. • Do not fish near an alligator that’s interested in your bait. • Inform park staff of nuisance alligators or anyone feeding or harassing alligators. PARK RESERVATIONS TexasStateParks.org ParquesDeTexas.org (512) 389-8900 Playground Angelina/Neches/Dam B Wildlife Management Area .2 m Parking Fish Cleaning Texas State Parks Store gh T rail 2 Designated Swimming Area Canoe/Kayak Launch Park Boundary Slou Group Picnic Area Boat Ramp 190 48 Sandy Creek Trail .78 mi. Picnic Area 56 318 314 320 312 321 309 322 310 323 308 324 307 306 325 305 326 304 303 327 301 302 300 55 0 556 558 539 530 553 552 547 567 Boat trailer parking Hiking Trail 525 527 54 6 529 532 Observation Bridge 524 52 6 52 8 419 Education Center 55 523 Shelter with Amenities Group Hall Excess Parking 313 311 Dump Station 1 217 101 Water and Electric Sites Island Trail .8 mi. Screened Shelter 522 316 317 319 Water Only Sites 600 518 519 328 315 601 517 334 216 Showers 603 Walnut Ridge Unit 564 562 560 218 513 515 2 420 401 Restrooms 605 602 One Way 551 215 141 142 143 51 4 416 418 415 417 State Parks Store 610 609 604 4 219 140 511 0 540 405 402 414 411 413 611 606 55 100 103 403 412 Headquarters 608 One Way 5 54 543 541 4 54 537 535 533 108 51 520 521 332 331 330 329 333 220 138 139 107 102 214 400 Gum Slough 137 109 404 209 211 213 135 136 110 104 133 134 212 210 131 51 7 509 8 53 53 6 8 132 406 407 207 613 612 548 Day Use Area 106 105 208 130 129 111 50 50 205 408 409 410 618 616 615 #BetterOutside LEGEND 607 501 128 112 203 206 622 620 617 0 113 204 625 50 One Way 114 202 502 116 115 200 201 127 624 623 621 619 506 120 118 117 125 126 614 503 124 505 121 119 190 B. A. Steinhagen Reservoir To Woodville 504 123 122 To Cherokee Unit (Day Use Area only - see inset box) Cherokee Unit (Day Use Area Only) B. A. Steinhagen Reservoir #TexasStateParks TexasStateParks.org/SocialMedia Dumpster Recycle Cans Park Host Accessible Features 634 Park Road 48 S Jasper, TX 75951 (409) 384-5231 Proud Sponsor of Texas State Parks 

For assistance using this map, contact the park. For a web version of the map text, visit our Trails Information page. For information on #TexasStateParks, visit texasstateparks.org Sign up today for free email updates: texasstateparks.org/email /TexasStateParks @TPWDparks @TexasStateParks Sponsor: Whole Earth Provision Co. 

INTERPRETIVE GUIDE A CATHEDRAL OF PINE AND BALD CYPRESS TREES SOAR ABOVE THE WATER’S EDGE AT MARTIN DIES, JR. STATE PARK. LUSH MARSH PLANTS GROW ALONG THE EDGES OF THE B.A. STEINHAGEN RESERVOIR. A MAZE OF SLOUGHS AND RIVER CHANNELS BECKONS PADDLERS WITH THE PROMISE OF LIMITLESS ADVENTURE. PARK TRAILS REVEAL THE GOLDEN HUES OF BEECHES AND THE REDS OF BLACK GUMS. CAMPING, BIRDING, MOUNTAIN BIKING, OR PICNICKING IN THIS Martin Dies, Jr. State Park is a recreation area and nature preserve. Help us protect the park’s resources and ensure your safety by following park rules. Stay on park trails. Keep pets on a leash. If you find artifacts, leave them in place and tell a ranger. Park interpreters offer a variety of public programs at the nature center. Or, schedule a group program on natural and cultural history by calling the park or by asking the staff at headquarters for more information. The park is located 10 miles west of Jasper on Highway 190. From U.S. Highway 69, travel 17 miles east from Woodville on U.S. Highway 190 to reach the park. From U.S. Highway 96, travel 12 miles west from Jasper on U.S. Highway 190. Or from Houston, take U.S. Highway 59 north to Livingston, and then travel east on U.S. Highway 190 for 65 miles to the park via Park Road 48. Martin Dies, Jr. State Park 634 Park Road 48 South, Jasper, TX 75951 (409) 384-5231 • www.tpwd.texas.gov/martindiesjr WONDERLAND OF NATURAL BEAUTY CREATES LIFELONG MEMORIES. © 2019 TPWD. PWD BR P4504-0031K (7/19) In accordance with Texas State Depository Law, this publication is available at the Texas State Publications Clearinghouse and/or Texas Depository Libraries. TPWD receives funds from the USFWS. TPWD prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, disability, age, and gender, pursuant to state and federal law. To request an accommodation or obtain information in an alternative format, please contact TPWD on a Text Telephone (TTY) at (512) 389-8915 or by Relay Texas at 7-1-1 or (800) 735-2989 or by email at accessibility@tpwd.texas.gov. If you believe you have been discriminated against by TPWD, please contact TPWD, 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, TX 78744, or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office for Diversity and Workforce Management, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041. Texas State Parks is a division of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. MARTIN DIES, JR. STATE PARK M A R T I N D I E S , J R . S T A T E P A R K RICH CULTURAL HISTORY A COMPLEX NATURAL HISTORY N ative people hunted and foraged on this land for thousands of years, and farmed it for hundreds of years, before the arrival of Europeans. Fur-bearing animals, such as beaver and otter, drew European and American trappers to this area. By the early nineteenth century, merchants founded Bevilport near the present park as a river port to ship furs to distant markets. Decades later, Anglo settlers transported cotton grown on their plantations down the Neches and Angelina rivers. The construction of railroads after the Civil War ignited a logging boom that transformed the area’s economy and profoundly changed the landscape. The economic growth fed new industries, including the petroleum industry. To provide electrical power for them, in 1953 the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers impounded the Neches and Angelina rivers creating B.A. Steinhagen Reservoir. Martin Dies, Jr. saw an opportunity. Wanting to share with others the outdoor experiences he enjoyed as a youth, Dies lobbied to develop the area around the new reservoir as a state park. The son and grandson of U.S. Congressmen, he too, dedicated his life to public service. Dies represented the people of Texas in the state senate, as Texas secretary of state, and as a circuit court judge. His efforts helped create the park that today bears his name. Dies proudly turned a shovel at the groundbreaking on April 16, 1964. Martin Dies, Jr. when he served as Texas Secretary of State. Courtesy of Martin W. Dies. When army engineers built the B.A. Steinhagen reservoir they set in motion a transformation of the landscape. Their work created a wildlife refuge but also displaced large areas of native mixed forest. The park offers rare natural beauty to paddlers. RECREATION ABOUNDS The waters surrounding the park offer a paddlers’ paradise. Buoys mark paddling trails that guide you through calm waters and dazzling scenery. No boat? No problem! The park rents canoes and kayaks. Promises of spotted bass, crappie, and catfish entice anglers young and old. You can fish from a boat or from the park fishing pier. Bring your binoculars or spotting scope to view some of the hundreds of different birds seen at Martin Dies. Park headquarters provides an up-to-date bird checklist to help. Hike or bike seven miles of trails through a whispering pine and hardwood forest. There’s so much to see and do— stay the night in one of the park’s many campsites! The new reservoir attracted wildlife species supported

TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE BIRDS OF MARTIN DIES, JR. S T A T E P A R K AND ANGELINA-NECHES AND DAM-B WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT UNITS A FIELD CHECKLIST 2019 INTRODUCTION M artin Dies, Jr. State Park, the Angelina-Neches Scientific Area and the Dam-B Wildlife Management Units are located at the edge of B.A. Steinhagen Reservoir at the junction of the Angelina and Neches Rivers in Jasper and Tyler Counties. These managed lands and waters are licensed from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and managed for wildlife and fish, and resource-based recreation. The Corps of Engineers is responsible for water management for the checklist area reservoirs. This checklist covers all area Texas Parks and Wildlife Department facilities, as well as the area between FM 92 and the west (Dam-B), Steinhagen Reservoir dam on the south, Texas Hwy. 96 on the east (Jasper) and RR 255 on the north (Sam Rayburn Reservoir dam). A total of 235 species are reported from the Angelina and Neches River bottomland hardwoods, the open waters and swamps of Steinhagen Reservoir, the dam at Sam Rayburn Reservoir, the shallow ponds of the Jasper State Fish Hatchery, the old growth pine and hardwoods of the state park and adjacent national forest, and the upland farmlands and mixed pine-hardwoods of the checklist area. The best areas to bird are all of the state parks for most species occupying old growth pine-hardwoods, and the southern end of the Cherokee Unit on the west side of Steinhagen Lake for migrating songbirds. Swainson’s Warblers and other species occupying bottomland hardwoods can be found at Wolf Creek adjacent to the USCOE’s Magnolia Ridge Park on the west side of Steinhagen. Waterfowl can be seen from the edge of the Hwy. 190 causeway and the shore of the Hen House Ridge Unit on the northeast corner of the state park. Bald eagles are found periodically during winter below Steinhagen Reservoir and at the Sam Rayburn Reservoir dam. The dam at Sam Rayburn also attracts loons and a variety of gulls and terns over the open water, and LeConte’s sparrows and Evening grosbeaks (irregular) in the fields below. Small numbers of shorebirds can be found at the Jasper State Fish Hatchery and on Steinhagen Reservoir when it is drawn down. Marsh and swamp birds, including several heronries, are best viewed from a boat within Steinhagen Lake and the Angelina-Neches Scientific Area. Red-cockaded woodpecker and Bachman’s sparrow inhabit posted private property on the north end of the checklist area. Other birding areas of interest are the June Day compartment (accessible by car on the northwest end of Steinhagen), and the McGee Bend compartment (accessible by car from RR 255) of the Angelina National Forest. Both areas 1 contain high quality bottomland hardwoods. Farm lands to the northeast in the Peachtree, Bevilport and Curtis communities and avifaunal diversity to this predominantly forested area. The main body of the Angelina-Neches Scientific area is accessible by boat only. Access and registration are available at all boat ramps on Steinhagen Reservoir. This checklist was updated by Mark McClelland based on previous editions compiled by Rhandy Helton, Fisheries Biologist, and Brent Ortego, Wildlife Biologist, with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department at Jasper, Texas. Nomenclature and organization for this checklist follow the 7th edition of the A.O.U. Check-list of North American Birds as currently supplemented. Please help us protect the natural avian communities in our parks by refraining from using playback tapes of bird songs. Frequent use of these tapes disrupts normal avian activity patterns and essential territorial behavior and may lead to nest failure. Thank you for your cooperation. LEGEND Abundance (in suitable habitat) a – Abundant (many should be seen) c – Common (should see) u – Uncommon (might see) r – Rare (seldom seen regular visitor or resident) i – Irregular (not seen every year) * – Breeds in area Seasons Sp – Spring (March, April, May) S – Summer (June, July, August) F – Fall (September, October, November) W – Winter (December, January, February) 2 CHECKLIST Sp S F W ____ Black-bellied Whistling-Duck............................u u u u ____ Snow Goose.......................................................u u u ____ Greater White-fronted Goose.............................u u u ____ Canada Goose....................................................r r r ____ Tundra Swan...................................................... i ____ *Wood Duck......................................................c c c c ____ Blue-winged Teal...............................................c c u ____ Cinnamon Teal..................................................u u u ____ Northern Shoveler.............................................c c c ____ Gadwall.............................................................c c c ____ American Wigeon..............................................u u u ____ Mallard.....................

PWD BK P4504-031H MartinDies 6/11/07 2:43 PM Page 1 texas parks and wildlife TREES, SHRUBS AND WOODY VINES OF MARTIN DIES, JR. S T A T E PA R K PWD BK P4504-031H MartinDies 6/11/07 2:43 PM Page 2 Illustrations from Tree, Shrubs and Woody Vines of the Southwest by Robert A. Vines with drawings by Sarah Kahlden Arendale, 1960, University of Texas Press, Austin, Texas. PWD BK P4504-031H MartinDies 6/11/07 2:43 PM Page 3 Trees, Shrubs and Woody Vines of Martin Dies, Jr. State Park 1 AMERICAN BEAUTYBERRY Callicarpa americana These shrubs usually produce abundant crops of bright purple berries. It is highly desirable food (mast) for many birds and deer. Although it has a bitter, astringent taste, it can be made into a pleasant tasting jelly. 2 AMERICAN BEECH Fagus gradifolia This tree averages 70 to 80 feet in height, with large seed crops being produced every two to three years. The seed provides excellent food (mast) for animals and has a bur-covered husk. Beech leaves turn a beautiful golden color during the fall months. 1 PWD BK P4504-031H MartinDies 6/11/07 2:43 PM 3 AMERICAN HOLLY Ilex opaca The largest of the native hollies and grows up to 50 feet in height, maturing in 100 to 150 years. It is very tolerant of forest compe­ tition. With their dark green leaves and bright red berries, hollies have played an important part in primitive magic, medicines and folk­ lore. 4 AMERICAN HORNBEAM Carpinus caroliniana A member of the birch family, the American horn­ beam is also called ironwood, named for the extremely hard and tough wood. The bole (trunk) of the tree has a “muscular” or fluted appearance. 2 Page 4 PWD BK P4504-031H MartinDies 6/11/07 2:43 PM 5 BALD CYPRESS Taxodium distichum Distinguishing features of this tree is the swollen base of the trunk and “knees” which are believed to help support the tree. It can successfully grow in marshy or submerged soils. Unlike other needle-bearing species, this tree is deciduous (drops its needles in the fall). Highly resistant to decay, it was used in the past to build bridges, ships and hot tubs. 6 BLACK WALNUT Juglans nigra One of the most highly valued of North American hardwoods. Medium-sized tree from 70 to 90 feet tall, it is allelo­ pathic, meaning it inhibits growth of other plants under and around the tree. Native Americans used these husks when fishing, as the toxin killed fish, yet were still edible for humans. The black walnut seed is enclosed by a lime green fleshly covering, or husk. This husk is very valuable as a brown dye. 3 Page 5 PWD BK P4504-031H MartinDies 6/11/07 2:43 PM 7 DEVIL’S WALKING STICK Aralia spinosa Aptly-named shrub or small tree, containing circles of sharppointed prickles (small thorns) around the trunk and at the base of each leaflet. Each leaflet may grow to 60 inches in length. Fruit provides food (mast) for animals. 8 EASTERN HOPHORNBEAM Ostrya virginiana The Eastern hophornbeam has a scaly bark, with seedpods shaped like hops. They are very tolerant trees, success­ fully growing under other trees. The buds, catkins (flexible flower) and fruit are important mast (food) for wildlife. 4 Page 6 PWD BK P4504-031H MartinDies 6/11/07 2:43 PM Page 7 MUSCADINE GRAPE Vitis rotundifolia 9 SWEET WINTER GRAPE Vitis cinerea GRAPE FAMILY Vitis sp. The park is home to two types of native grapes: muscadine and sweet winter grapes. The larger-leafed winter grape vine produces whitish flowers and a purple-black berry. The darker green, more rounded muscadine grape also produces whitish flowers, and a larger grape. Many types of wildlife eat these grapes, and both grapes make excellent jelly. 10 HICKORY FAMILY Carya sp. Hickories produce heavy, strong, especially shock-resistant wood with high fuel value. Hickory wood has also been used to smoke meats. They have up to 11 to 23 leaflets, are long-lived trees and have outstanding yellow-gold fall color. Historically, Native Americans crushed the meat of the hickory nuts to make flour. SHAGBARK HICKORY Carya ovata 5 PWD BK P4504-031H MartinDies 6/11/07 2:43 PM Page 8 11 MAGNOLIA (SOUTHERN) Magnolia grandif lora This medium-sized tree grows from 60 to 110 feet tall with large, showy, beetle-pollinated creamy white flowers that reach up to 11 inches in diameter. Leaves are dark green and glossy, and the red seeds are produced in an upright aggregate (cluster of seeds) cone. 12 MAPLE FAMILY Acer sp. FLORIDA MAPLE Acer barbatum Three members of the maple family can be found in the park. Florida maple leaves have five lobes with rounded tips, red maple has pointed tips, and the box-elder has a compound leaf (many leaflets on a stem) with usually three lobes. Red maple petiole (leaf stalk) is reddish in color, with the leaf turning a bright red in the fall. RED MAPLE Acer rubrum BOX-ELDER MAPLE Acer negundo 6 PWD BK P4504-031H MartinDies 6/11/07 2:43 PM Page 9 WHITE OAK Quercus alba 13 OAK FAMILY Quercus sp. There are over five mem

Martin Dies, Jr. State Park All About: Flying Insects Many types of flying insects are found in the park. Dragonflies and Damselflies come in all different colors and are considered beautiful to many, but did you know they’re very beneficial? They consume numerous pest insects, including mosquitoes. After being laid in the water, the eggs hatch into naiads, or Dragonfly nymph aquatic nymphs, consuming large quantities of mosquito larvae. They live anywhere from 1 to 5 years in this Dragonfly stage before molting into adults, living only a few months. Dragonflies hold their wings straightout while damselflies will fold their wings back like a butterfly. Damselfly The Crane Fly is sometimes mistaken for a giant mosquito. These fragile flies have extremely long legs, and in their larval stage live among decomposing leaves, feeding primarily on organic matter. Adult crane flies do not eat, nor can they sting or bite. They are harmless. Crane fly Mayflies, also called dayflies, hold their 4 wings upright, and have 2 to 3 long, hair-like tails. Female mayflies lay their eggs in water, and newly hatched mayflies are called nymphs. These nymphs live from a few months to 2 years, feeding on aquatic plants and breathing through gills. When ready to molt, the nymph swims to the water’s surface, sheds its skin, and takes flight. After shedding Mayfly its skin once more that same afternoon, the mayfly is considered mature and will mate. They orient themselves according to the moon, so bright lights will attract a swarm. After mating the males dies immediately. Females live long enough to lay their eggs. Mayflies lack mouthparts and are unable to eat or bite. The Lovebug is a member of the march flies. Eggs are laid in grasses and weeds, hatching out, and living in a nymph stage for most of a year. During this stage they will eat pieces of decaying plant matter, redistributing nutrients to the ground. After molting in the spring or late summer, adult lovebugs mate and will remain coupled for up to several days. During this time they are beneficial pollinators, feeding on flower nectar. Females live 3 to 4 days, while the males live a little longer. If you find squished lovebugs on your car it’s recommended to wash them off with a non-abrasive scrubber and soap that same day to reduce paint damage. Lovebugs 

Martin Dies, Jr. State Park All About: Invasive Exotic and Native Aquatic Plants Plants not native to an area, either brought in by accident or for a purpose, are called exotic. Those plants that occur in an area naturally are called native. Plants that grow quickly and take over an area are called invasive. Invasive plants can be either exotic or native. Depending on the location, native invasive plants can be very beneficial to wildlife, such as black willows colonizing a newlyformed sandbar. In man-made reservoirs where recreation is the primary focus, native invasive plants are often removed to provide access to fishing spots or paddling trails. Exotic invasive plants need to be controlled since they do not belong in that environment. Often times they do not have natural predators or pests to keep them from taking over, and often have little value to wildlife. When they overpopulate an area they can cover entire reservoirs, impact water flow, block sunlight, and starve the water of oxygen. They also prevent recreational activities such as fishing and paddling. Many plants have adapted to live in a variety of ponds, reservoirs, and streams. These plants can tolerate a diversity of water conditions ranging from swift-flowing to stagnant, fresh water to brackish water. Water Hyacinth - A somewhat tall (1 to 3 feet), free-floating plant with thick, glossy, ovate leaves, and feathery freehanging roots. It has violet spikes of flowers. Native to South America. American Lotus - Rooted plant with circular leaves up to 2 feet across. Large yellowwhite flowers, with a seed pod that resembles a showerhead. Native to North America. Hydrilla - Dark-green submerged plant with long branching stems and whorled leaves. Native to Asia, Africa, and Australia. Alligator Weed - An emergent plant with upright stems and 4 inch long opposite oval leaves. White flowers on short stalks. Can thrive in both dry and aquatic areas. Native to South America. Salvinia (common and giant) - Both species are small floating plants with oval-shaped leaves covered with tiny hairs on the upper surface. Giant Salvinia leaves are quarter to half-dollar sized, twice as large as common Salvinia leaves. Native to southern Brazil. 

Martin Dies, Jr. State Park All About: Poison Ivy What does poison ivy look like? Poison ivy typically has 3 leaves that meet on a single red stem. When ripe, the berry is white. “Leaves of 3, let it be” The central leaf is symmetrical from the mid-vein line, whereas the outside leaves are mirror images. The vine has an extremely large amount of hair, allowing it to cling tightly. Poison ivy “If it’s hairy, it’s scary!” The leaves, stem, vine, hairs, seeds, and roots all contain urushiol (pronounced yr-oo-shee-aal), an oil that can cause a rash. How do I treat the rash? As soon as you realize you’ve come in contact with poison ivy, flush the area with large amounts of cold water and soap. The oil usually takes up to 5 to 15 minutes to bond with your skin, and can be effectively rinsed (but not rubbed) off. If there’s no water, rubbing alcohol can remove it. If a rash forms, very warm water seems to relieve itching and aid in drying out blisters. The park store sells products that are meant to reduce itchiness. Do we have poison oak and poison sumac here? Yes, but they’re very rare and difficult to find. Poison oak has 3 leaves similar to poison ivy, but the leaf is rounded. Poison sumac has 7 to 13 leaves. Poison oak berries are green and sumac go from green to white as they mature. Poison sumac Poison oak Peppervine Paul Nelson Is this poison ivy? No, this is peppervine. This vine creates a small round hard berry resembling a peppercorn. The berries are dark blue to black and are poisonous. Is this poison ivy? No, this is Virginia creeper. This 5-leaf vine occasionally grows among poison ivy and may contain traces of the rash-producing oil. It has dark blue berries. I have poison ivy at my house. How can I get rid of it? Virginia creeper Wearing two layers of disposal gloves, place vines in trash bag, and dispose of them. Take a cold shower immediately after, and wash clothes as soon as possible. Remember to remove oil from shoes. Never burn poison ivy as this allows smoke to spread oil through the air. 

-Official- FACILITIES Get the Mobile App: MAPS ACTIVITIES TexasStateParks.org/app T O Y O T A T U N D R A The Toyota Tundra is built to explore the great outdoors. No matter what the weekend throws at you, your Tundra takes it on with ease. | toyota.com/tundra Official Vehicle of the Texas Parks & Wildlife Foundation CONTENTS 4 100 Years of Texas Parks 6 Parks Near You 8 90 Checklist DIRECTORY TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT 52 68 20 38 60 30 84 68 David Yoskowitz, Ph.D. Executive Director Rodney Franklin State Parks Director Mischelle Diaz Communications Director TPW COMMISSION Arch “Beaver” Aplin, III, Chairman Lake Jackson Dick Scott, Vice-Chairman Wimberley James E. Abell Kilgore Oliver J. Bell Cleveland Paul L. Foster El Paso Anna B. Galo Laredo Jeffery D. Hildebrand Houston Robert L. “Bobby” Patton, Jr. Fort Worth Travis B. “Blake” Rowling Dallas T. Dan Friedkin, Chairman-Emeritus Houston Lee Marshall Bass, Chairman-Emeritus Fort Worth 52 Panhandle Plains 48 State Parks Map Special thanks to Toyota and advertisers, whose generous support made this guide possible. Texas State Parks is a division of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Cover illustration: Brad Woodard, bravethewoods.com Texas State Parks Official Guide, Nineteenth Edition © TPWD PWD BK P4000-000A (3/23) TPWD receives funds from DHS and USFWS. TPWD prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin (including limited English proficiency), disability, age, and gender, pursuant to state and federal law. If you believe you have been discriminated against by TPWD, visit tpwd.texas. gov/nondiscrimination or call (512) 389-4800 for information on filing a complaint. To obtain information in an alternative format, contact TPWD on a Text Telephone (TTY) at (512) 389-8915, by Relay Texas at 7-1-1, (800) 735-2989, or by email at accessibility@tpwd.texas.gov. If you speak a language other than English and need assistance, email lep@tpwd.texas.gov. You can also contact Department of the Interior Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Civil Rights, 1849 C Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20240, and/or U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL), Mail Stop #0190 2707, Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave., S.E. Washington, D.C. 20528. In accordance with Texas State Depository Law, this publication is available at the Texas State Publications Clearinghouse and/or Texas Depository Libraries. WELCOME from Rodney Franklin, State Parks Director This year is very special for Texas State Parks: We are celebrating our 100-year anniversary in 2023. More and more Texans are discovering the beauty of State Parks and exploring the outdoors in new and adventurous ways. Our teams across the state are incredibly excited to welcome outdoor enthusiasts, especially those who have yet to discover what our parks have to offer. The variety of Texas’ lands is unmatched; from the mountains of west Texas to the Gulf shores, the Texas State Park system celebrates and preserves the natural and cultural treasures that make Texas such a special place. The 640,000-plus acres that make up the state park system are nearly as diverse as the people of Texas. Since 1923, our mission has been to help connect our visitors with the outdoors. As we honor those who have come before us, I invite a new generation to be a part of the story of the lands that connect us all. There is more to enjoy in our parks than you know, so please join us in our celebrations and activities. Every day we look for new and better ways to ensure your state parks are welcoming to every Texan, regardless of their background or experience being outside. I hope you’ll visit soon and often, while bringing your friends and family along. YOU are a natural and we’re looking forward to celebrating the 100-year anniversary of state parks with you! WHAT’S NEW IN STATE PARKS Galveston Island State Park reopened the beachside of the park with a new headquarters, campsites, restrooms, and more. Bastrop State Park unveiled an extensive new group of trails, the “Tree Army Trails,” many of which are ADA-accessible. Improvements and major repairs are planned for Indian Lodge, Tyler, Inks Lake, Cedar Hill, South Llano River, Eisenhower and several other state parks All-terrain “GRIT” wheelchairs are now available at 10 parks with more adaptive equipment on the way to help people of all abilities experience Texas State Parks. Learn more about our accessibility efforts, page 14. More information: TexasStateParks.org/whatsnew 100 Years of Texas Parks The crown jewels of Texas road trips started as an unfunded wish list before the Depression. Back in 1923, Governor Pat Neff realized rising numbers of new car travelers needed places to camp overnight on multi-day trips. Neff convinced the state legislature to create a six-member State Parks Board, half men, half women. Isabella, the Governor’s mother, and her family donated acreage on the Leon

Guía de Parques INSTALACIONES Descarga la Aplicacíon Móvil MAPAS ACTIVIDADES texasstateparks.org/app ¡Los niños entran gratis! La entrada es gratis para los niños de 12 años y menores. Encuentra un parque: parquesdetexas.org Contenido Estero Llano Grande SP 2 Actividades y Programas 4 Parques Cercanos 6 Lugares para Quedarse 8 Tarifas y Pases 9 Directorio 10 Mapa de Parques 18 Instalaciones y Actividades BIENVENIDO Rodney Franklin, Director de Parques Texas tiene algunas de las tierras públicas más diversas del país, con una gran riqueza natural y cultural. La vida silvestre está por todas partes, los paisajes florecen con belleza, y la historia es abundante. Sus parques estatales son parte del legado que nos enorgullece. La gente de Texas ayuda a asegurar ese legado para las generaciones futuras al visitar y ser voluntarios. ¡Gracias! Estos más de 630,000 acres exhiben algunos de los grandes tesoros del estado. Los parques nos ayudan a crear recuerdos con la familia y a encontrar consuelo en la naturaleza. Los parques fortalecen las economías locales y unen a las comunidades. Sobre todo, los parques nos permiten pasar tiempo al aire libre para recargar energías, estar saludables y relajarnos a nuestra manera. Les invito a disfrutar de sus parques estatales, explorando lo mejor de Texas con amigos y familia. Los parques están aquí para todos. Nos pertenecen a todos. ¡Visítelos, diviértase y ayude a protegerlos para siempre! Foto de portada: Estero Llano State Park, Chase Fountain © 2021 TPWD PWD BK P4000-000A (5/21) TPWD recibe fondos del Servicio de Pesca y Vida Silvestre de EE.UU. (USFWS por sus siglas en ingles). TPWD prohíbe la discriminación por raza, color, religión, nacionalidad de origen, discapacidad, edad y género, conforme la ley estatal y federal. Para solicitar un acomodo especial u obtener información en un formato alternativo, por favor contacte a TPWD en un Teléfono de Texto (TTY) al (512) 3898915 ó por medio de “Relay Texas” al 7-1-1 ó (800) 735-2989 ó por email a accessibility@tpwd.texas.gov. Si usted cree que TPWD ha discriminado en su contra, favor de comunicarse con TPWD, 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, TX 78744, o con el Servicio de Pesca y Vida Silvestre de EE.UU., Office for Diversity and Workforce Management, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041. De acuerdo con la Ley de Depósito del Estado de Texas, esta publicación está disponible en el centro de Distribución de Publicaciones del Estado de Texas y/o las Bibliotecas de Depósito de Texas. ACTIVIDADES Y PROGRAMAS ¿Qué puedo hacer en los parques estatales? ¡Disfruta de un día de campo, visita un sitio histórico o elige entre muchas otras opciones! Bicicletas Pedalea a lo largo de los parques a cualquier velocidad, en cualquier estilo, con cualquier grupo. Elige las rutas, el tipo de terreno y las distancias que cumplan con tu zona de confort. Caminatas Empieza con un circuito más corto, avanza a terrenos más difíciles o únete a una caminata guiada. Pescar Puedes pescar sin licencia en tantos como 70 parques estatales. Muchos parques ofrecen equipo para pescar a manera de préstamo y eventos especiales para aprender a pescar. Barcos Renta canoas y kayacs y explora uno de los senderos acuáticos en Texas. Nadar Animales Silvestres Acampar Descubre aves, mamíferos y plantas que tienen su hogar en Texas. Muchos parques tienen señalamientos y listados que te ayudan a aprender más. Encuentra un lugar que cumpla con lo que quieres. Prueba nuevas recetas, comparte historias favoritas y disfruta de las estrellas. 2 Más información y reservaciones: parquesdetexas.org Escape del calor en arroyos, ríos, lagos, manantiales, piletas y playas del mar. Tu seguridad en el agua es muy importante. Lleva el chaleco salvavidas. Aprende a nadar. Guarda a los niños. (512) 389-8900 ¡Pregunta en tu parque cuáles están disponibles! Los niños de 12 años y menores entran GRATIS Cielos Estrellados Escapa de las luces de la ciudad y goza de maravillosas vistas del cielo que no encontrarás en ninguna otra parte. Ven a una fiesta de estrellas o toma una excursión de constelaciones auto-guiada. Familias en la Naturaleza Elige un taller o diseña tu propia aventura. ¡Monta una tienda de campaña, cocina al exterior, prende una fogata y juega al exterior! Nosotros te Toma una publicación gratuita de actividades o pregunta por los paquetes gratuitos con los parques proporcionamos todo el equipo. No es necesario tener experiencia. participantes. Usa los binoculares, lupas, libros de bosquejos y libros de guías para explorar el parque. Mochilas para Exploradores Soldados Búfalo de Texas Descubre la historia con cuentos, vestuarios y herramientas. Sigue la pista de un animal, pesca con caña, cocina sobre una fogata, visita los fuertes y más. Adéntrate en las historias de vida de aquellos que sirvieron valientemente en los primeros regimientos Áfrico-Americanos de las Fuerzas Armadas. ! Seguridad en el Parque Ten cuidado con el agua Pre