Fall Into Outdoor Fun at Texas State Parks
Oct. 9, 2025 – AUSTIN— The temperature is finally cooling off, so it’s time to go outside! Fall is the ideal season for warming up by a campfire, telling stories and making s’mores, and Texas State Parks have family-friendly events and programs for all to enjoy.
Birthdays and History
Head to the beach Oct. 11 to step back in time and celebrate 50 Years Through the Ages at Galveston Island State Park.
On Oct. 18, stop by Inks Lake State Park for its 75th Birthday Celebration, a fun-filled day of archery, fishing, historical programs and more.
Immerse yourself in the wild history of the Texas frontier at Abilene State Park’s Nov. 8 Frontier Day event. The celebration will include music, dancing and reenactments.
See a part of Texas history at Fort Richardson State Park and Historic Site’s Living History Day on Nov. 15. Watch soldiers drill in authentic uniforms, hear the crack of black powder rifles and see firsthand how settlers, craftsmen and soldiers lived and worked on the frontier.
Spooky Season Celebrations
Bring your little ghouls and goblins for a spooktacular Trunk-or-Treat event Oct. 24 at McKinney Falls State Park for trick-or-treating with the rangers and crafts.
On Oct. 25, put on a mad scientist costume and join Estero Llano Grande State Park for Spooky Science Fest: Night of the Living Bugs! Enjoy food vendors, costume contests, tram rides and more.
Boo at the Bog at Fort Boggy State Park on Oct. 25! What does that mean? It means games with prizes, pumpkin hunts, costume contests and haunted trails.
Go fish and scream at Huntsville State Park’s BOO-Gill Fishing Event and Haunted Boathouse on Oct. 25. Fishing’s Future will be hosting fishing activities like night fishing around the Boathouse and Black Light Backyard Bass while the park rangers turn the Boathouse into a haunted house with some creepy critters you might find in the park. Enter…if you dare.
Fall Festivals
Get ready for food, fun and games at Cedar Hill State Park’s Harvest Heritage Festival on Oct. 18. Meet the Buffalo Soldiers, Texas Game Wardens and Inland Fisheries team and take a tour of historic Penn Farm.
Ride horses, experience Dutch oven cooking, fish, learn archery and more at the Fall Festival at Lake Somerville State Park – Nails Creek Unit Oct. 18.
Community and Special Events
In West Texas, head to the 31st Annual Community Fair at Hueco Tanks State Park and Historic Site Oct. 18-19 and learn about new traditions and cultures, explore the past of Hueco Tanks, try rock climbing, enjoy wildlife presentations and more.
On Nov. 8, join Dinosaur Valley State Park for “Dino-bility Day,” a special event designed to celebrate and connect people of all abilities with the outdoors. This event will feature fun and accessible activities for all ages and ability levels.
Take your family to the park for an Explore Bowhunting event at Inks Lake State Park or Guadalupe River State Park on Oct. 11 and 25, respectively. All equipment will be provided; participants just need to show up ready to learn!
No matter where you go, there will always be an adventure waiting for you at a Texas State Park.
Take a look at the calendar of events to see what is happening at the park during your next visit.
