What is the least-visited state park in Texas? Here’s the top 10 countdown

AUSTIN (KXAN) — From mountains and canyons to forests and swamps, the vast scale of Texas provides so many natural wonders.

Across the Lone Star State, there are 87 state parks, natural areas and historic sites currently operated by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.


What is the most visited state park in Texas? Here’s the top 10 countdown

The first parks were opened to the public in the 1930s and the newest, Old Tunnel State Park, opened in 2012. TPWD also has plans to develop five sites into future state parks.

Fairfield Lake State Park, meanwhile, permanently closed at the end of February.

TPWD splits the state into seven ‘natural regions,’ each of which is home to several state parks. The Prairies & Lakes region is home to 22 parks, more than any other region. The South Texas Plains region is home to the fewest, with seven parks.

Across the system, state parks welcomed more than nine million visitors in Fiscal Year 2022. The Prairies & Lakes region recorded the most visitors, with more than 3.1 million across its 22 parks.


Texas state park to close and be turned into multi-million dollar development

The Hill Country region welcomed more than 2.3 million visitors across 16 parks, while the Pineywoods and Panhandle Plains regions each saw more than one million visitors.

State parks in the Big Bend Country region saw the fewest number of visitors, with around 464,000. Those numbers do not include visitors to Big Bend National Park, which alone saw more than half a million visitors in 2021, a record high for the park.

But which individual state park gets the fewest visitors? Explore for yourself using our interactive table below, or keep scrolling to see our top 10 countdown.

Top 10 least-visited Texas state parks

Note: The TPWD-operated Wyler Aerial Tramway is not included in the list below because it’s been closed since April 2020 due to safety concerns. TPWD says it is working with local partners to determine the future of the tramway.

10. Estero Llano Grande State Park

Estero Llano Grande State Park (Texas Parks and Wildlife Department photo)

TPWD says nature’s orchestra is “always in full swing” at Estero Llano Grande State Park. The instruments? Birds singing, insects buzzing, frogs peeping, water trickling and leaves rustling. The park welcomed 27,007 visitors in FY 2022.

9. Lake Colorado City State Park

Lake Colorado City State Park (Texas Parks and Wildlife Department photo)

Lake Colorado City State Park offers “wide open spaces.” TPWD says the water draws humans and wildlife alike for respite from the dry West Texas climate. The park welcomed 21,414 visitors in FY 2022.

8. Mission Tejas State Park

Mission Tejas State Park (Texas Parks and Wildlife Department photo)

At Mission Tejas State Park, TPWD says you can “enjoy the peace of the Pineywoods and glimpses of the past.” The park sits at the north end of the Davy Crockett National Forest. The park welcomed 18,586 visitors in FY 2022.

7. Fort Boggy State Park

Fort Boggy State Park (Texas Parks and Wildlife Department photo)

“A tranquil patchwork of woods, fields and water.” That’s how TPWD describes Fort Boggy State Park, with its trails, primitive campsites and cabins and a lake. The park welcomed 17,693 visitors in FY 2022.

6. Big Bend Ranch State Park

Big Bend Ranch State Park (Texas Parks and Wildlife Department photo)

TPWD calls Big Bend Ranch State Park “the other side of nowhere.” The remote park boasts “rugged mountains, steep canyons, amazing views, unparalleled night skies and solitude in a high desert setting.” The park welcomed 16,909 visitors in FY 2022.

5. Resaca de la Palma State Park

Resaca de la Palma State Park (Texas Parks and Wildlife Department photo)

Referred to as a “Rio Grande treasure,” Resaca de la Palma State Park is a “semi-tropical paradise,” TPWD says, offering a peaceful refuge for people and wildlife. The park welcomed 11,206 visitors in FY 2022.

4. Kickapoo Cavern State Park

Kickapoo Cavern State Park (Texas Parks and Wildlife Department photo)

Kickapoo Cavern State Park is a “lightly-developed park” with caves, birds, bats and trails. TPWD says to bring a sense of wonder and a spirit of adventure. The park welcomed 8,434 visitors in FY 2022.

3. Fort Leaton State Historic Site

Fort Leaton State Historic Site (Texas Parks and Wildlife Department photo)

The Fort Leaton State Historic Site is the site of a former pioneer trading post near the U.S.-Mexico border. The site welcomed 5,527 visitors in FY 2022.

2. Devils River State Natural Area

Devils River State Natural Area (Texas Parks and Wildlife Department photo)

TPWD says Devils River State Natural Area boasts “one of the most pristine rivers in Texas” and features spring-fed water tumbling pasts rugged ridges, scenic canyons and brushy banks. “It’s not easy to get here, but it’s worth the effort.” The park welcomed 5,017 visitors in FY 2022.

1. Devil’s Sinkhole State Natural Area

Devil’s Sinkhole State Natural Area (Texas Parks and Wildlife Department photo)

Devil’s Sinkhole State Natural Area is home one of the largest colonies of Mexican free-tailed bats in the state. About 3 million bats emerge from the sinkhole in search of food on warm nights. Access to the site is only by guided tour. The park welcomed 700 visitors in FY 2022.

We also looked at the most-visited state parks across Texas. Click here to see our top 10 countdown.

 

Devil’s Sinkhole State Natural Area (Texas Parks and Wildlife Department photo)
Devil’s Sinkhole State Natural Area (Texas Parks and Wildlife Department photo)

AUSTIN (KXAN) — From mountains and canyons to forests and swamps, the vast scale of Texas provides so many natural wonders.

Across the Lone Star State, there are 87 state parks, natural areas and historic sites currently operated by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.


What is the most visited state park in Texas? Here’s the top 10 countdown

The first parks were opened to the public in the 1930s and the newest, Old Tunnel State Park, opened in 2012. TPWD also has plans to develop five sites into future state parks.

Fairfield Lake State Park, meanwhile, permanently closed at the end of February.

TPWD splits the state into seven ‘natural regions,’ each of which is home to several state parks. The Prairies & Lakes region is home to 22 parks, more than any other region. The South Texas Plains region is home to the fewest, with seven parks.

Across the system, state parks welcomed more than nine million visitors in Fiscal Year 2022. The Prairies & Lakes region recorded the most visitors, with more than 3.1 million across its 22 parks.


Texas state park to close and be turned into multi-million dollar development

The Hill Country region welcomed more than 2.3 million visitors across 16 parks, while the Pineywoods and Panhandle Plains regions each saw more than one million visitors.

State parks in the Big Bend Country region saw the fewest number of visitors, with around 464,000. Those numbers do not include visitors to Big Bend National Park, which alone saw more than half a million visitors in 2021, a record high for the park.

But which individual state park gets the fewest visitors? Explore for yourself using our interactive table below, or keep scrolling to see our top 10 countdown.

Top 10 least-visited Texas state parks

Note: The TPWD-operated Wyler Aerial Tramway is not included in the list below because it’s been closed since April 2020 due to safety concerns. TPWD says it is working with local partners to determine the future of the tramway.

10. Estero Llano Grande State Park

Estero Llano Grande State Park (Texas Parks and Wildlife Department photo)

TPWD says nature’s orchestra is “always in full swing” at Estero Llano Grande State Park. The instruments? Birds singing, insects buzzing, frogs peeping, water trickling and leaves rustling. The park welcomed 27,007 visitors in FY 2022.

9. Lake Colorado City State Park

Lake Colorado City State Park (Texas Parks and Wildlife Department photo)

Lake Colorado City State Park offers “wide open spaces.” TPWD says the water draws humans and wildlife alike for respite from the dry West Texas climate. The park welcomed 21,414 visitors in FY 2022.

8. Mission Tejas State Park

Mission Tejas State Park (Texas Parks and Wildlife Department photo)

At Mission Tejas State Park, TPWD says you can “enjoy the peace of the Pineywoods and glimpses of the past.” The park sits at the north end of the Davy Crockett National Forest. The park welcomed 18,586 visitors in FY 2022.

7. Fort Boggy State Park

Fort Boggy State Park (Texas Parks and Wildlife Department photo)

“A tranquil patchwork of woods, fields and water.” That’s how TPWD describes Fort Boggy State Park, with its trails, primitive campsites and cabins and a lake. The park welcomed 17,693 visitors in FY 2022.

6. Big Bend Ranch State Park

Big Bend Ranch State Park (Texas Parks and Wildlife Department photo)

TPWD calls Big Bend Ranch State Park “the other side of nowhere.” The remote park boasts “rugged mountains, steep canyons, amazing views, unparalleled night skies and solitude in a high desert setting.” The park welcomed 16,909 visitors in FY 2022.

5. Resaca de la Palma State Park

Resaca de la Palma State Park (Texas Parks and Wildlife Department photo)

Referred to as a “Rio Grande treasure,” Resaca de la Palma State Park is a “semi-tropical paradise,” TPWD says, offering a peaceful refuge for people and wildlife. The park welcomed 11,206 visitors in FY 2022.

4. Kickapoo Cavern State Park

Kickapoo Cavern State Park (Texas Parks and Wildlife Department photo)

Kickapoo Cavern State Park is a “lightly-developed park” with caves, birds, bats and trails. TPWD says to bring a sense of wonder and a spirit of adventure. The park welcomed 8,434 visitors in FY 2022.

3. Fort Leaton State Historic Site

Fort Leaton State Historic Site (Texas Parks and Wildlife Department photo)

The Fort Leaton State Historic Site is the site of a former pioneer trading post near the U.S.-Mexico border. The site welcomed 5,527 visitors in FY 2022.

2. Devils River State Natural Area

Devils River State Natural Area (Texas Parks and Wildlife Department photo)

TPWD says Devils River State Natural Area boasts “one of the most pristine rivers in Texas” and features spring-fed water tumbling pasts rugged ridges, scenic canyons and brushy banks. “It’s not easy to get here, but it’s worth the effort.” The park welcomed 5,017 visitors in FY 2022.

1. Devil’s Sinkhole State Natural Area

Devil’s Sinkhole State Natural Area (Texas Parks and Wildlife Department photo)

Devil’s Sinkhole State Natural Area is home one of the largest colonies of Mexican free-tailed bats in the state. About 3 million bats emerge from the sinkhole in search of food on warm nights. Access to the site is only by guided tour. The park welcomed 700 visitors in FY 2022.

We also looked at the most-visited state parks across Texas. Click here to see our top 10 countdown.

Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.


Best smart home devices for older users, according …

/ 6 hours ago

We interviewed our tech expert, Jaime Vazquez, to learn more about accessible smart home devices.


How to get started on spring cleaning early, according …

/ 6 hours ago

Ketia Daniel, founder of BHM Cleaning Co., is BestReviews cleaning expert.


Worried about your student using ChatGPT for homework? …

/ 6 hours ago

To learn more about ChatGPT and how we can inspire students, we sat down with BestReviews book expert, Ciera Pasturel.


View All BestReviews


Top Stories


Racial disparities in asthma-related ER visits for …


What is turbulence?


APD provides details surrounding fatal hit-and-run


Officials announce $93M for chronically unhoused


Why KXAN is ending most of our COVID data reporting


Top Stories


More Stories


Racial disparities in asthma-related ER visits for …


What is turbulence?


APD provides details surrounding fatal hit-and-run


Officials announce $93M for chronically unhoused


Why KXAN is ending most of our COVID data reporting


Gorgeous weekend forecast


COVID-19 Community Levels in your county


San Marcos Police search for hit-and-run suspect


More Stories

KXAN Austin Video

<article class="article-list__article article-list__article–is-stacked article-list__article–has-thumb article-list__article–is-media-type" data-article-id="8442905" data-index="0" data-collection="article-list4" data-anvato-params=" Friday, March 3 morning headlines

9 hours ago

Generating Green Energy

10 hours ago

Future of farming: Why one Austin-area farm is growing …

10 hours ago

Texas farm uses aeroponics to grow 10-times more …

10 hours ago

Rodeo Austin kicks off with the 2023 Cowboy Breakfast

10 hours ago

Rodeo Austin CEO Glen Alan Phillips joins KXAN live …

10 hours ago


More Videos


BestReviews


Best smart home devices for older users, according …

/ 6 hours ago


How to get started on spring cleaning early, according …

/ 6 hours ago


Worried about your student using ChatGPT for homework? …

/ 6 hours ago


Get to know our book expert, Ciera Pasturel

/ 6 hours ago


Cardio and more for a healthy heart, according to …

/ 6 hours ago


Insulated doghouses and other accessories to keep …

/ 8 hours ago


More reviews


More from KXAN Austin


Gorgeous weekend forecast


COVID-19 Community Levels in your county


San Marcos Police search for hit-and-run suspect


Rodeo Austin kicks off with Cowboy Breakfast


‘No Refusal’ Initiative reinstated for Spring Break


City announces pay package for police department


APD investigating theft from Girl Scouts


Teen arrested regarding fentanyl overdose death


More from KXAN Austin




`;

// –>

Tracking the Coronavirus


COVID-19 Community Levels in your county

/ 2 hours ago

Austin Weather

Current

69°

Sunny

Tonight

46°

Clear

Precip: 0&percnt;

Tomorrow

82°

Sunny

Precip: 0&percnt;

Trending Stories


Here’s why your car looks disgusting today


McConaugheys on emergency landing flight


APD investigating theft from Girl Scouts


What is the least-visited state park in Texas?


Texas rent relief program applications now open

Don’t Miss


The story of 12 students who integrated ATX schools


How to get to Q2 Stadium for 2023 Austin FC season


PHOTOS: Some of Austin’s most ‘modern’ homes


Cities offer free tree, brush disposals post-storm


KXAN launches new news podcasts



Latest weather conditions from the KXAN First Warning Weather team