Wild Texas FAQ

General

• "I would like you to send me information and maps for the following..."
Wild Texas is a not-for-profit site run by a husband and wife team -- a personal endeavor to share information -- not a travel agency or official tourism bureau. As such, we cannot directly provide you with printed brochures, maps or other information other than what is already on our site. We happily try to answer all requests for information, but in some cases we must refer individuals to the official Texas travel and recreation sites such as Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, TravelTex, TEXAS.gov and the convention and visitors bureaus listed in the Texas Travel Planner.

Texas Parks

• "How can I obtain more information (maps, brochures, rates) about a specific Texas State Park?"

  The Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) manages all Texas State Parks, State Natural Areas and State Historical Sites. TPWD's website contains a wealth of information for Texas outdoors enthusiasts; their Find a Park section offers detailed information on all 123 state-owned parklands, including information on lodging, entrance fees and activities.

• "How can I obtain more information (maps, brochures, rates) about a specific National Park in Texas?"

  The National Park Service's online Park Guide provides a wealth of information on all of the National parklands in the United States. Use the Park Guide to learn more about your National Parks and get information on lodging, entrance fees and activities.

• "How can I reserve a campsite/rental cabin/screened shelter at a Texas State Park?"

  You can reserve campsites and other facilities at Texas State Parks by phone, fax, or via the Internet. To register by phone, call the Central Reservation Center at (512)389-8900 between 9AM and 8PM Monday through Friday or from 9AM to noon on Saturdays. A TDD line for the hearing impaired is available at (512)389-8915. To register via the Internet, visit TPWD's Making Reservations page and follow the directions. NOTE: Reservations made via the Internet will incur a $3 non-refundable service charge, and cancellations incur a $5 non-refundable service charge.

• "How can I reserve a campsite/rental cabin/screened shelter at a National Park in Texas?"

  At present, you will need to call the park directly to make your reservations. None of the National Park Service managed areas in Texas currently use the U.S. National Parks Reservation Service. However, if you will also be visiting another state during your trip, this service may be useful.

• "How can I get discounts on the entry fees or tour fees at Texas State Parks?"

  Anyone can purchase an annual Texas State Parks Pass (TCP). This $60 card allows free park entry for a period of 1 year to you and all passengers riding in your vehicle. One additional pass may be obtained for $15 at the time of purchase, extending benefits to an additional family member. The pass also provides savings on tour fees and permits special access to Texas Wildlife Management Areas.

  A special pass, the Texas State Parklands Passport, may be issued to individuals who meet eligibility requirements as outlined in Title 31 Texas Administrative Code:
  

  • Texas residents 65 years of age and over are entitled to 50% reduced entry rounded to the next whole dollar. (Residents and nonresidents turning 65 years of age before September 1, 1995 are entitled to waived entry fees at state parks where entrance fees are collected.)
    
  • Veterans of the US Armed Services holding a 60% or more service connected disability (as determined by the US Veterans Administration). US Veterans meeting these eligibility criteria will receive waived entry fees to state parks where entrance fees are collected. You will be required to present a VA letter stating you are 60% disabled; the paperwork is completed at the park.
    
  • Individuals who have been medically determined to be permanently disabled as a result of a mental or physical impairment (including blindness) for purposes of receiving benefits under the Social Security Act and who are currently receiving those benefits. These individuals will be entitled to 50% reduced entry rounded to the next whole dollar.
    

  Your can obtain your Texas State Parklands Passport or Gold Texas Conservation Passport at any Texas State Park, any Texas Parks & Wildlife regional law enforcement office or by calling toll-free 1-800-895-4248 (option: License Sales).

• "How can I get discounts on the entry fees at National Parks located in Texas?"

  Visit the National Park Service's (NPS) fees & passes information to learn about your options. Anyone can purchase the annual $50 National Parks Passport, while the lifetime Golden Age Passport (available for a one-time $10 fee) is only available to U.S. citizens or permanent residents age 62 or older and the Golden Access Passport is only available for U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are blind or permanently disabled.

  The National Parks Passport can be purchased online at any national park where an entrance fee is charged or by calling 1-888-GO-PARKS. The Golden Age Passport and the Golden Access Passport must be obtained in person at a federal area where an entrance fee is charged; proof of eligibility must be presented in order to obtain either pass.

• "Which of the Texas State Parks have cabins available for rent and how much do they cost?"

  Consult the official State Park Cabin Information for everything you need to know about Texas State Park cabins.

• "Which of the Texas State Parks allow horseback riding?"

  The Texas Parks & Wildlife Department has compiled a useful directory of all the state parks where horseback riding is permitted. Wild Texas currently features several of these parks:
  

  • Palo Duro Canyon State Park
  • Hill Country State Natural Area
  • Pedernales Falls State Park
  • Choke Canyon State Park

Texas Recreation

• "How can I find out if there's an outdoors club in my area?"

  There are numerous outdoors clubs and organizations in Texas, including local chapters of national and international organizations. Consult our Wild Texas Web Guide for links to related websites. Each activity or hobby listed in the Wild Texas Web Guide includes a "Clubs & Organizations" sub-category with links to related websites.

• "What parks and recreation opportunities are available for the disabled?"

  The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is in the process of ensuring all its parks are compliant with the ADA. They are also busy compiling information on parks, cabins, and group facilities that are currently accessible to the disabled. Additionally, many city parks such as Friedrich Wilderness Park and Eisenhower Park in San Antonio are handicapped-accessible.

  For more information, visit the following information pages maintained by the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department:
  

  • Trails Accessible by Wheelchair
  • ADA Update
  • State Park Cabins Information
  • ADA Group Facilities
  • Wheelchair-Accessible Wildlife Viewing Sites

• "I am new to camping/hiking/etc. and would appreciate any tips or suggestions you may have."

  We offer a limited but growing collection of our personal Wild Texas Hints & Tips, but there are numerous online and print resources with far more information to help you get started. Consult our Wild Texas Web Guide to begin learning more.

Texas Travel

• "How can I get a copy of the Texas State Travel Guide I have seen advertised on television?"

  The free 250+ page Texas State Travel Guide is available from TravelTex.com, the official Texas travel website, via an online order form or by calling toll-free 1-800-8888-TEX. The full-color guide comes with an official Texas travel map and accommodations guide which lists inns, hotels, motels, and B&B's throughout the state. Allow at least 3 weeks for the guide to arrive.

• "When is the best time to see/photograph Texas wildflowers?"

  The wildflowers start to appear in Texas during the last two weeks of March, peaking during the first two weeks of April. Texas bluebonnets (Lupinus texensis), the State flower, are especially noticable along the Interstate highway roadsides and medians. For more information on wildflowers, the Wild Texas Web Guide's Wildflower & Fall Foliage Viewing category contains dozens of links to online wildflower reports, photos and information.