(credit: Texas Parks & Wildlife)

Visiting a state park offers plenty of opportunities for amazing photographs and outdoor family fun. Whether you capture the look on your child’s face after she catches her first fish, a magnificent sunset from a historic overlook, or a surprise encounter with wildlife, you’re sure to bring home treasured photographs — and memories.

When viewing or photographing wildlife, always maintain a safe distance.

Texas State Parks Photo Contest: Enter your most inspirational state park photo(s) in the Texas State Parks Photo Contest, March 1 – April 30. Prizes include a GoPro video camera ($400 value) from Whole Earth Provision Company, a weekend camping excursion in the state park of your choice, and a Texas Outdoor Family Workshop.

Have Fun Taking Pictures In Texas State Parks:

• Check out this guide for a sample of state parks where you can photograph wildlife, wildflowers, beautiful canyons, beaches, forests and rivers.
• Use this guide or a Texas Trails Map to find out “where the wild things are” — like foxes, woodpeckers, prairie dogs, dolphins.
• Enjoy this article on landscape and wildlife photography by Texas State Parks & Wildlife’s on-staff photographer, Earl Nottingham.

Join the fun for Texas Parks & Wildlife’s 50th anniversary. This year, we’re celebrating 50 years of making life better outside in Texas. Share a story or photo about one of your most memorable outdoor moments in Texas. You could be selected to star in our next video!

• Camera and/or video camera
• Weather-appropriate clothing
• Water, sunscreen

• Texas Geocache Challenge
• Outdoor Kids Journal
• Neighborhood Fishin’ Program
• Animal Trackers
• Ranger Talks

What Experts Say About The Benefits Of Nature Play

Remember, Pack Out What You Bring In: Leave No Trace!