Texas State Parks struggle with lowered visitation due to weather

Texas had a rough year, and the state park visitation rate showed it. Weather problems depleted lakes and rivers that are popular visitor destinations, burn bans outlawed building campfires, devastating wildfires swept across much of the parched land, and long stretches of 100-degree days all combined to discourage visitors from venturing outside.

The problem was compounded since 50% of the state park budget comes from visitor fees, and as the visitor traffic and entry fees nose-dived, the budget gap widened.

The numbers tell the story. The popular 5,926-acre Bastrop State Park near Austin, for example, showed an 88% drop in revenue in October after it was ravaged by a wildfire. Wildfires devastated the equally popular Possum Kingdom park hugging the rocky shore of a lake west of Fort Worth and the Davis Mountain Park in West Texas known for having the state's most extensive mountain range.

Heat and the drought forced the closure of ramps used by boaters and fishermen on Sheldon Lake park's 400-acre reservoir for several weeks, and children's fishing programs were cancelled when fishing ponds shrank to less than a foot of water.

How to help

A fundraising drive was announced Tuesday and if enough revenue is not raised, the state will be forced to make some tough decisions such as shortening park hours, cutting staff and even possibly closing parks.

The three ways Texans can help their state parks as part of the fundraising effort include:

Make a tax-deductible donation at www.tpwd.state.tx.us/helpparks.

Make a donation when renewing motor vehicle registrations starting Jan. 1.

Visit state parks to increase usage and entry fees.

Get out and visit

Officials encouraged visiting Sheldon Lake Park, a biological island surrounded by an industrial area, 2 miles east of Beltway 8 in Houston, which is home to 250 species of birds, alligators, bobcats, foxes and other wildlife.

In addition, the park recently opened a $1.3 million 75-foot observation tower (photo) from which tourists can view wildlife as well as the downtown Houston skyline.

Bastrop just backdrop for Texas park woes

After being seriously charred by wildfires earlier this year, Bastrop State Park is trying hard to rise from the ashes, Phoenix-style. Early this month, as rangers re-opened park gates, they probably gazed longingly up a distant--and empty--road. As bad as it is for Bastrop, it's just a 6,000 acre example of what's happening to many of Texas' parks. Now the agency's executive director has taken up the tin cup.

"We need to raise $4.6 million to keep state parks operating," says Carter Smith, and adds this plea, "We can't do it without you." Earlier this week, Smith went before media cameras at Government Canyon State Natural Area. Like scores of other state park agencies across the country, Texas State Parks are cash-starved, and looking for relief among state lawmakers is like a fruitless rain dance.

Bucking the trend of other states, however, Texas has yet to resort to closing park gates for lack of funding. Not yet, anyway. But after lengthy drought and vociferous wildfires, natural attractions at many parks have been dried up or burnt up. The resulting drop-off in visitation rates is killing the park system budget. Park generated revenues from gate receipts and activity fees account for half the system's budget are drying up.

With nearly 96% of the park charred by wildfire and closed to the public for months, it isn't surprising that revenues from the park have nosedived by almost 90%. With the park re-opening, will the revenue begin to rebound? It's a big question. Meanwhile, park land management isn't taking time off to see. Log onto any Texas State Park website and you'll find a picture of Carter Smith, begging for help. What's to be done? Give. Outright donations. Increase your visits.

Winter Texans outraged by water surcharge

City officials in San Benito, Texas will "revisit" a town ordinance that has Winter Texans seeing red from more than just chilli. Caught with declining sales tax revenues, the town council passed a law that makes up $348,000 a year. Trouble is, it's based on placing a $10 a month surcharge on all apartments and RV spaces--occupied or not.

"They need to do a lot of rethinking," Sissy Wilhoit, manager at Tropical Trails RV park, said. "They owe some of us refunds." Wilhoit is quoted in a story on the subject in the Brownsville Herald. To be sure, snowbirding out-of-staters are upset by the town's approach to propping up its budget. Other RV park owners echo similar sentiments, warning town fathers that their approach will backfire when snowbirds revolt and take their rigs--and money--elsewhere.

Still, town officials claim it's necessary, and protects regular residents from an unfair monetary burden. Nevertheless, in mid-December town officials will make a "judicious review" of the matter.

photo: minimalistphotography101.com on flickr.com

Winter Texans--will they come?

Texas' Rio Grande Valley loves its Winter Texans. When the warm weather beckons the Mid-Westerners, they come with their RVs, their pets, and of course, a little spending money. But history hasn't been entirely kind to the Rio Grande.

When the 9-11 attacks on the World Trade Center sent a shiver into the bones of nearly every American, the Winter Texans were among them. Visitation rates dropped like a rock, and it wasn't until the 2010-2011 season that the number of seasonal visitors ever hit the same levels as before that fateful year of 2001.

The question now is: Will the violence spurred by Mexican drug cartels frighten off the Winter Texans? RV resort owners and others dependent on tourism are counting that the snowbirds will come as always. So far, they seem to be right. Lon Huff, who manages the Sunshine RV Resort in Harlingen recently told the Brownsville Herald that the numbers are looking good. Last year the park filled almost 90% of its 1,000+ RV slots. "We're definitely ahead of last year," says Huff.

Still, Melissa Cortez over at the Country Sunshine RV Resort in Weslaco isn't so sure. "My numbers are a bit down this season," says Cortez. "The publicity we're getting because of the Mexico issue has really hit us hard." Her reservations are down around 30% from last year.

Discussions we've had with RVers seem to indicate that the "Mexico scare" just isn't having a large an impact as some would have us believe. One traveler told us she's planning a trip into Mexico itself--alone--and is more concerned about how long it will take her to get back into the states when coming home time arrives.

Come season's end, the numbers will show how folks have been affected.

photo: Roadside stand on US Highway 281 north of Edinburg, taxibill on flickr.com

New, 75 mph speeds authorized on four Texas highways

RV snowbirds might want to be aware of new speed limits on a few Texas roads. The Texas Transportation Commission recently approved higher speeds on four Central Texas highways making them the first in the state to be posted at the 75-mile an hour limit since recent legislation (HB 1353) took effect on September 1.

After conducting engineering studies, the Texas Department of Transportation recommended that speed limits be raised on sections of I35, SH 130, SH 45 and US 281 in Bell, Travis, Burnet and Williamson counties.

"This is a great start, but we have a long way to go," said Carol Rawson, TxDOT Traffic Operations Division director. "TxDOT is reviewing existing 70-mile per hour speed limits statewide to determine where a higher limit may be safely posted. We anticipate having all of the speed studies completed by early 2013, so be looking for new 75 mph signs in the near future."

Texas already had 1,445 miles of 75-mph speeds and 521 miles of 80-mph speeds on certain state highways, but these areas were previously restricted to specific rural counties and highways located mostly in West Texas. The new law allows the department to implement the higher speeds on any 70-mph highway across the state.

The most recent 75 mph speed limits are located on:
•I-35, 22 miles from Georgetown to Salado;
•SH 130, 45 miles from I-35 in Williamson County to US 183 in Travis County;
•SH 45, nine miles from US 183 to I-35 in Travis County; and
•US 281, 12 miles from the Lampasas-Burnet County line to eight miles north of the Burnet city limits.

Speed limits in Texas are set by the 85th percentile method which represents the speed the majority of drivers are traveling at or below. This recognized engineering principle has been used to set speed limits nationwide for the past 60 years.

South Texas RV show coming January 5 to San Antonio

The South Texas RV Super Sale will be held at San Antonio's Joe Freeman Coliseum Exposition Hall on January 5-8, 2012. Participating dealers are Ancira RV of Boerne, Camping World of San Antonio, Crestview RV Superstore, ExploreUSA RV from San Antonio and Ron Hoover RV from Boerne.

This represents a new chapter in the South Texas RV Industry as multiple local RV dealers join forces to present and promote this Super Sale. The last exclusive RV show held in San Antonio was in 2007.

More than 200 RVs will be displayed, from basic towables to mega-motorcoaches with price tags of hundreds of thousands of dollars.

The show will feature special pricing for all active duty military and RV Club members. In addition, children under the age of 15 are free. Show hours are 10 AM until 6 PM on Thursday and Sunday and 10 AM until 8 PM Friday and Saturday. Free parking is availablel. Additional information is at SOUTHTEXASRVSUPERSALE.com.

Bastrop State Park to reopen in December

When September wildfires whipped though the plains east of Austin, more than 1,500 homes vanished. What else was lost? The famed, "Lost Pines," of Bastrop State Park. Genetically different that your average Texas pine, these loblolly pines were part of an ancient forest that has been shrinking for centuries.

The pines, like much of the of the 5,900 acre park, could not withstand the fierce firestorm that visited the area, reducing much of the park to what some describe as a moonscape. Estimates say 70% of the parks trees are gone.

Yet park officials and volunteers are not giving up.

Roads are being cleared, debris removed, and on December 1, park officials say they will begin reopening campgrounds to visitors. At the park's center, a green oasis still remains where firefighters made a stand to save 13 historical cabins.

Campers may find things somewhat challenging. Ongoing demolition and replacement of two restrooms may re-route facility users to alternative restrooms and showers that will be made available. Campers will find resealed or new roads, parking areas and RV pads being paved by the Texas Department of Transportation.

“Bastrop will soon reopen and in many ways will be like a new park,” Park Superintendent Todd McClanahan adds. “Park management asks for its customers’ continued patience as we work to restore this national landmark.”

Daingerfield State Park reopens with new RV improvements

Daingerfield State Park, northeast of Dallas is holding a "Grand Reopening" after being shut down since July for renovations. The park was originally a Civilian Conservation Corps project right out of the 1930s. Park officials say they're happy with the renovation project, which took the three original CCC buildings and put them back on their feet.

John Thomas, Daingerfield's park superintendent told the local paper, the Longview News Journal, "The neat thing about the renovations is that this is an opportunity for us to take the CCC structures, renovate them, and have an improved facility. This is putting them back into the original condition it was built for and designed back in the 1930s. The roofs on the buildings are made from wooden cedar shake, like the ones in 1938."

Other improvements include bringing the park's fishing lodge up to ADA compliance to make it accessible for those with disabilities. But of particular interest to RVers are the addition of 30 new full hookup sites, and the addition of sewer hookups to 20 other existing sites. What do folks do at Daingerfield? Try picnicking, camping, slow-speed boating (5 MPH limit), fishing, swimming, hiking, and nature study. A seasonal concession (March - October) rents pedal boats and canoes.

photo: Texas Parks and Wildlife. Map: wikipedia.org

Prehistoric "app"? Here's one for Dinosaur Valley State Park

Looking to view dinosaur tracks? If you're a fossil fool, then Dinosaur Valley State Park near Glen Rose, Texas is your bet. It's also a good bet for hitting the swimming hole, or dipping a line. Those dino-tracks are in the Paluxy, a branch of the Brazos River, and the best time to view them is in late summer.

While you've got your map out and setting plans for Texas, add this to your tool kit: The park now sports on official "app" for your iPhone or Android platform. Using the app will be like having a personal guide for real-time tours at any time. "One of the current problems we face at our park is that our interpretive displays are somewhat outdated, and our staff is just too limited to offer enough tours to meet all of the public demand," said Shannon Blalock, superintendent at Dinosaur Valley State Park. With the dino-app, those problems are--well--as historic as the dinosaurs.

The app will give users up-to-date video and audio clips (shades of Jurassic Park!), photographs, and data right at their fingertips. Once the free app is downloaded to a mobile device, visitors at the park are alerted to various points of interest as they approach by a phone vibration triggered by the hardware's GPS. Users can then click through for detailed information, clips and other options highlighting a specific park feature.

To get the free app, simply search your smartphone's app store and type in "Dinosaur Valley State Park," or "Glen Rose," and download to your device. If you don't have a smartphone, content is still available online, and can be used to help plan people's trip in advance to the state park.

To celebrate the new app's release, on Saturday, October 15 the park will sponsor an "app launch party" complete with "Dino Digs" and activities. Through the month you can enter to win a free iPad2 that the local visitor bureau is using as bait for dinosaur enthusiasts. Through October 31, registration entries can be dropped off on site at the Friends of Dinosaur Valley State Park Store inside the park, or go to the Glen Rose CVB Web site at www.glenrosetexas.net.

photo courtesy Glen Kuban, www.paleo.cc

Fall means fishing, camping in Texas State Parks

With cooler weather just around the corner and cabin fever taking its toll on those of the outdoor persuasion, people are ready to start enjoying the outdoors again. In North Texas, Meridian and Cleburne State Parks offer fishing opportunities close to home with excellent hiking and camping opportunities as well.

Both these lakes have ample shoreline access for those who prefer to relax on dry ground while waiting for a bite. If you have a boat to float, both parks have boat ramps. (With drought conditions being what they are, call ahead to make sure the boat ramp is useable.) These lakes are “no-wake lakes,” so boats with outboard motors may only idle while moving from spot to spot. This rule, however, makes these lakes ideal for paddle-powered crafts, so bring your canoe or kayak.

Meridian State Park’s 505 acres are located about three miles southwest of the city of Meridian off State Highway 22. The park is scenic and heavily wooded with many campsites. On weekends with good weather, the park can be a popular place, so call (512) 389-8900 to make reservations if you plan on camping.

You can also just access the park for the day and take advantage of a surprisingly diverse fishery. The 50-acre lake is surrounded by campsites on the lower end. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has placed large piles of brush within casting distance of some of the more accessible shoreline areas in order to improve angling opportunity and provide valuable fish habitat within the lake. Bass, crappie, catfish and sunfish can be targeted and anglers will be pleasantly surprised by the quality of bluegill, redear, longear and redbreast sunfish. Nightcrawlers (earthworms) or crickets under a bobber on light tackle can set your kids up for some fast-paced fishing.

Cleburne State Park, 528-acres, is located 10 miles southwest of the city of Cleburne on Park Road 21. It offers a 107-acre lake populated by bass, catfish, crappie and sunfish. TPWD has placed multiple brush piles in this lake as well. Many of these are within easy casting distance from the shoreline. Bring your bikes and challenge yourself on the 5.5-mile mountain bike trail if you’re not worn out from catching fish.

You can fish without a license in lakes totally enclosed with a state park. However, it is important to remember that length, bag limits and other regulations still apply. Park entrance fees must be paid in order to gain access to the lakes. Both Meridian and Cleburne State Parks charge $5 per day per person 13 and older; children 12 and under are free.

Free tacos at PPL Motor Homes on Saturday, Sept. 24

Houston, Texas, September 19, 2011 -- This coming Saturday will likely be a busy one at PPL Motor Homes. Back by popular demand, the company is hosting another Texas Association of Campground Owners (TACO) Day. Featuring door prizes, refreshments and specially priced deals on motorhomes, fifth wheels, travel trailers, RV covers and other RV parts and accessories, the company is expecting a large turnout.

Each participating RV park will have the opportunity to tell its story to the hundreds of RV fans who are expected to attend. Upon entering, customers will register to receive a stamp card, which gives them entry into the hourly door prize drawings.

“We had a TACO Day in the spring, and had such a great time that we had to organize one in the fall,” said Boyde McMakin, operations manager of PPL Motor Homes. “We will even be serving our signature PPL style tacos – nachos with cheese, meat and jalapenos.”

Participating parks will have tables throughout the building, parts store, reception area and outside the building near the customer lounge for customers to visit while they learn about used RVs for sale.

“It’s a win-win event for everyone,” said McMakin. “Parks and customers get a great environment where they can find all the information they need, and of course, who can say no to tacos?”

State park passes provide savings

The Texas State Parks Pass is an annual pass that offers many special benefits. As a passholder, you and your guests can enjoy unlimited visits to more than 90 state parks, and enter without paying the daily entrance fee (card holder and physical pass must be present). You can also receive discounts on camping (restrictions apply), park store merchandise and recreational equipment rentals and be eligible for other specials.

State parks passes can be purchased on site at any Texas State Park location, and can be used on your very first visit. Or, you can purchase your Parks Pass from the State Park Customer Service Center, by calling (512) 389-8900.

Passes are also available for seniors and disabled visitors.

Learn more here.

Possum Kingdon hit again by fires

On July 7 I reported that Possum Kingdom State Park had reopened following the devastating wildfire that decimated much of the park in April.

Now the fires have returned, burning 7,500 more acres and destroying at least 25 homes on Possum Kingdom Lake.

The April fire burned 127,000 acres causing about 150 million dollars damage. Wildfires have been burning in Texas now for close to 300 days due to severe drought, high winds, and gusting high winds. Temperatures in the area reached 106 degrees Tuesday afternoon, with winds gusting up to 28 mph. By 10 p.m., gusts were at about 15 mph and the temperature was 91.

Read more:

Bastrop State Park takes big fire hit

In what is described as a "monster wildfire," officials say at least half of Bastrop State Park in Central Texas. The 2,000 acre park is home to "The Lost Pines of Texas," better known as Loblolly Pines and also hosts the endangered species of Houston Toads.

The fire is part of a 25,000 acre wildfire complex fanned by the high winds of Tropical Storm Lee. For a time Texas Parks and Wildlife officers were making the park as a command post, but had to be evacuated when the park itself came under the flames. Officials still hope to make a stand to save some of the park's historic structures, which date back to the days of the Civilian Conservation Corps.

As to the Houston Toad, officials are quite concerned about the amphibians. The park is thought to have the largest number of breeding toads of this species in the world. With a world-wide estimated population of just three to four thousand, fears for its safety appear well founded. Information provided by wikipedia.com adds, "The largest known chorusing groups[of these toads] persist in Bastrop County, but the choruses monitored in Bastrop State Park showed a dramatic decline during the mid-1990s, with little recovery of those numbers since then. Importantly, that state park is the only public land that supports consistent chorusing from year to year of the Houston toad. However, even there, the total numbers are very low."

photos: fire--kvue.com toad--wikimedia.org

Fish for free? Texas Parks say, 'Come on y'all'

Fishing is probably one of the most popular of recreational sports in the country. Now good folks of the Texas State Parks are encouraging all to come and dip a line for free. Texas Parks & Wildlife has waived the normal fishing license and stamp requirements for anyone fishing inside the property boundary of a Texas state park. Once you've paid your park entrance fees, you don't needs a fishing license or stamp, whether freshwater or saltwater, adult or child, as long as you're inside the state park. Still, you've got to draw the line somewhere: Bag limits, length limits, and other regulations will still apply, and be enforced.

You'll be able to fish from the bank, a pier, river or creek fishing, and fish from a boat, if the water body is fully contained within the state park boundary. You can even wadefish in coastal state parks along park property.

Take advantage the Free Fishing in State Parks program at more than 50 state parks, and at numerous Wildlife Management Areas across Texas. The state plans fishing events throughout the year to add to the excitement—from kids’ fishing derbies to “Learn to Fish” seminars. Some parks will be providing loaner equipment and bait: just call ahead to ask.

Possum Kingdom State Park open for business after April wildfire

If the heat and the wildfires haven't driven you out of Texas yet, and you're looking for a quiet place to camp for a while, or paddle around a scenic lake, check out Possum Kingdom State Park west of Dallas/Fort Worth near Caddo.

You may be thinking that the wildfire that scorched all but 200 of the park's 1,528 acres has left burned out campsites and cremated opossums littered about. However, the fire mostly bypassed the park's cabins, campgrounds, marina, and swimming area.

But most people don't know that, and you may find the campground nearly deserted, a rarity for July. You can even rent canoes and kayaks at the concessionaire's store by the lake and find the lake mostly to yourself.

The park is known for its fishing, lake sports, and camping, and as soon as the word gets around that the park is open again following the fire, the crowds will return.

Possum Kingdom State Park is 17 miles north of Caddo on Park Road 33. Entrance fee is $4 per day for adults, $2 for seniors. Camping is $12 for water only; $17 for water and electric; $20 for premium water and electric. For information, call 800-792-1112 or visit their website.

Tailgating spaces for University of Texas 2011 football season now available

AUSTIN — RV parking and Centennial Park tailgating spaces are currently on sale for the 2011 University of Texas Football season through the Parking and Transportation Services (PTS) website.

Seasonal sales for RV parking and Centennial Park tailgating spaces opened on June 1 and will remain open until all spaces are filled, or through the close of business on Friday, July 15. Beginning Monday, July 18, any remaining RV parking spaces will be sold on a per-game basis.

There are 74 electrical and 12 non-electrical RV parking spaces available on campus. Each space accommodates one RV and one tow vehicle.

The Longhorn Foundation no longer rents RV parking spaces in lots 110, 111 or 113. PTS is now responsible for the management of these lots. If you have any questions regarding RV parking spaces for the 2011 football season, please email PTS at eparking@www.utexas.edu.

PTS also manages the tailgating spaces in the Centennial Park/tennis court area. There are 98 plots at Centennial Park for tailgating. Each plot is approximately 30 X 30; however, multiple plots can be purchased if you desire more space.

Questions about Centennial Park tailgating spaces can be emailed to centpark@utlists.utexas.edu.

Daingerfield State Park to reopen after closure, campground improved

After almost an entire calendar year of closure for repairs and renovations to facilities and campgrounds, Daingerfield State Park opened again to visitors June 24 at its Pineywood and lake setting.

During the last 11-plus months, Texas Parks and Wildlife invested more than $5 million in capital improvements and repairs to the 500-acre park located in far Northeast Texas. The money, which was appropriated in previous bienniums, has been used to upgrade campgrounds to include full hookup sites with water, electricity and sewer connections; three new restroom complexes; a new wastewater system and major overhauls to historic structures built by the Civilian Conservation Corp, which were constructed more than 70 years ago.

Buildings such as the large Bass Lodge overnight group facility that accommodates 15 people has new furnishings, new furniture, new appliances and central climate control; the boathouse near the ramp of the park’s centerpiece 80-acre lake has been renovated and features a new dock with canoe and paddleboat rentals. And the large pavilion-combination building has been remodeled with restrooms, a group meeting room and a State Park Store with convenience and souvenir items.

“There will be a ‘wow-affect,’ for sure,” said park superintendent John Thomas. “When people come here, they’ll notice some real changes. We have been able to add facilities and upgrades that people have been requesting for a long time. We went from old restrooms—some of which weren’t even usable—to state of the art. And it will be nice to offer folks the convenience of a State Park store. And for campers, we now have 40 full hookup sites instead of just 10.”

Reservations can be made beginning July 1 at the state park reservation center in Austin. To date, all of Daingerfield’s campgrounds and cabins are already booked full for July 1-4, evidence that reopening the park is a popular notion among outdoor enthusiasts.

An official grand opening and ribbon cutting of the park is being tentatively set for sometime in the fall.

For more information, contact Daingerfield State Park at www.texasstateparks.org. To book state park reservations in advance of your trip, contact the customer service center at (512) 389-8900.

Texas wildfire burns Top of the Hill RV Resort

A fast-moving brush fire temporarily closed Interstate 10 in Texas on Sunday afternoon and chased residents from an RV park in Kendall County before they could move their rigs to safety.

Several RVs and facilities were destroyed before the blaze was contained around nightfall, according to a report in mySanAntonio.

The wind-stoked fire moved swiftly into the Top of the Hill RV Resort, igniting propane tanks and ammunition stored in the roughly 70 travel trailers and recreational vehicles.

“We couldn’t hardly breathe due to the black smoke,” said Walt Lowell, 61, as he waited nearby at Po-Po Family Restaurant, the unofficial evacuation center, for permission to return to inspect the damage. “You could hear stuff blowing up left and right.”

Preliminary damage assessments indicated that six or seven RVs in the 103-site campground were destroyed, as well as three cars and a motorcycle, plus the RV park’s clubhouse, laundry room, and pavilion.

The fire danger was extreme Sunday, with strong winds and temperatures in the triple digits. The National Weather Service recorded 103 degrees in San Antonio, matching the record, set in 1918. Temperatures have hit 100 or higher since Tuesday. Low 90s are normal for June.

The wildfire is one of many that have spread through drought-stricken Texas since fire season began the middle of November. The Texas Forest Service has recorded 12,189 fires that have burned 3,012,876 acres--one-million acres more than the previous record set in 2006, forest service officials said.

Wildfires threaten Texas, campers advised to forgo campfires

Five fires have burned at least 100,000 acres each in Texas in the past two weeks and fires still rage. Most of the state is in extreme drought, and wildfires in the past week alone have burned more than 1,000 square miles of parched Texas ranchland — an area that combined would be the size of the state of Rhode Island.

The Possum Kingdom Lake fire about 70 miles west of Fort Worth has grown from 63,000 acres to nearly 150,000 acres in just one day according to the Texas Forest Service. More than 30 homes have been confirmed destroyed in the Possum Kingdom area, and the forest service says that number will grow.

Temperatures are expected to return to the mid-90s with wind gusts of up to 35 mph. Of the 1.5 million acres burned in Texas this year, 90% were started by humans. 90%!

"The public just needs to be mindful that any use of outdoor fire should not be considered," said a Texas Forest Service spokesman on Tuesday. Campers and especially boondockers should avoid building a campfire until the fire danger is declared over by forest service officials.

Win a $250 gas gift card

In this time of ever-rising gas prices, we could all use a break when we hit the road. Which is why TexasCampgrounds.com is giving away a $250 free gas card every quarter to one lucky visitor who fills out a short form about his or her camping habits. All it takes is a moment of time to fill out the form and the three short questions below and you’re automatically entered. Heck, $250 of free gas would be nice! Learn more.

Looking to catch a trophy bass? Then head over to Lake Fork

If you're a serious bass angler who lives to catch the big ones, then you better head on over to Lake Fork northwest of Quitman.

For the last eight years, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has been collecting information on catches of trophy bass seven pounds or greater or 24 inches or longer at Lake Fork. Through February 2011, the survey recorded 11,368 such fish.

Anglers weighed 83 percent and measured lengths of 59 percent of these trophies. With an average of 1,421 fish over seven pounds every year, these numbers suggest the lake is still doing well. By comparing eligible fish encountered in creel surveys with survey results for the same days, biologists estimate fewer than 10 percent of actual catches are reported, making these results appear even more astounding.

The proportions of various fish length groups have been surprisingly consistent from year to year, suggesting the size structure of the largest fish in the population has remained stable over the past eight years.

Texas drought continues, fuels wildfires

Drought-like conditions and the threat of wildfires continue in much of Texas, according to Texas AgriLife Extension Service and Texas Forest Service personnel according to Hay and Forage Grower.

On Tuesday, the Forest Service warned of “extremely critical fire weather conditions west of Big Bend, San Angelo and Wichita Falls, including major cities such as Lubbock, Childress, Abilene, Midland, Odessa and Amarillo.” The elevated threat was due to higher-than-normal temperatures and winds, low relative humidity and a plentitude of dry grass in pastures and rangeland.

Meanwhile, much of the rest of the state remains dry, including South Texas.

“Coming into March, South Texas received less than 25% of the normal rainfall,” says Megan Dominguez, AgriLife Extension range specialist in Corpus Christi. “A lot of the farmers and ranchers are concerned, and there's been some delay in crop planting.”

The Southwest Texas region is about 8” below the long-term average for moisture accumulation since Aug. 1, and some counties in the far western part of the state haven’t reported measurable rainfall for more than 165 days.

Campers and boondockers should be extra careful with campfires and camping near expecially dry brushland.

Save money with Texas State Parks pass

If you camp often in Texas State Parks, and meet certainly eligibility requirements, you can probably save money with a Texas State Parks Pass. As a passholder, you and your guests can enjoy unlimited visits to more than 90 State Parks, without paying the daily entrance fee (card holder and physical pass must be present). You can also receive exciting discounts on camping (restrictions apply), park store merchandise and recreational equipment rentals and are eligible for other specials. Check at any state park for details.

Among the benefits:
--Persons 65 years of age and over and Texas residents are entitled to 50 percent reduced entry rounded to the next whole dollar.

--Veterans of the US Armed Services holding a 60 percent 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.

--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 percent reduced entry rounded to the next whole dollar.

Wildfires scorch 88,000 acres in West Texas

Wildfires sweeping across West Texas destroyed dozens of homes, the Associated Press reported, forcing evacuations and closing an interstate after heavy smoke caused a fatal accident Sunday.Winds driving the fire were not expected to lessen overnight.

The fires blackened almost 88,000 acres and destroyed 58 homes from the Texas Panhandle to the southern plains. Heavy smoke from a wildfire near Midland, about 330 miles west of Dallas, was blamed for an eight-vehicle accident along Interstate 20 that killed a 5-year-old girl. The roadway was shrouded in smoke when a tractor-trailer hit the pickup truck she was riding in, said Trooper John Barton of the Texas Department of Public Safety. A man and another child were injured.

One firefighter suffered second-degree burns fighting a blaze near Colorado City, about 250 miles west of Dallas, but no other injuries were immediately reported. The largest fire burned about 30,000 acres in the Panhandle northeast of Amarillo, destroying 27 homes and damaging seven others, Kearney said.

If you are camping anywhere around the hill country, be extremely careful with campfires as the windy conditions can pick up a spark and set the dry brush into a wildfire in short order.

RVers wanted as park hosts in Texas State Parks

RVers are always in demand as park hosts at Texas State Parks. Park Hosts are volunteers who supplement park staff and serve as a representative of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Hosts greet campers and give assistance to park visitors and park staff. Here is information about park host positions and how to get them.

Where do Hosts serve?
More than fifty State Parks have Host positions available. These parks are located throughout the state in a variety of scenic settings. Most parks have opportunities for fishing, hiking, viewing wildlife and other recreational activities. Each park has its own unique features and special qualities.

When are Hosts needed?
The use of Park Hosts depends on the visitation at each park. Hosts are used seasonally in some, and at all times of the year in others. Hosts usually serve a minimum of one month; this may be extended with the approval of the Park Superintendent. Texas State Park Host Locations.

What are the duties of a Host?
The primary duty of the Park Host is to assist park visitors by providing information. Hosts will need to become familiar with park regulations and points of interest in and near the park. Hosts may also be asked to perform duties such as litter collection and light maintenance. Hosts will serve about 25 hours per week and be given days when they will not be on duty. In addition, as a representative of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Hosts should maintain their campsite in an orderly manner. Hosts will not perform law enforcement duties.

It's easy to volunteer
As full-time volunteers, all camping and entrance fees are waived for park hosts. Host sites have water and electrical hookups, and many furnish sewer hookups as well. Hosts will be trained by park staff, and uniform items are provided to identify them as park volunteers.

How do I get started?
Submit completed "State Parks Volunteer Application" and "Authorization and Consent for Disclosure of Criminal History Information" forms. Completed forms can be submitted to the parks of interest, or can be submitted to the contact listed below for distribution to the parks. Park staff is responsible for scheduling. Information regarding current and future availabilities can be obtained by contacting the park of interest
or
Lori Reiley
TPWD - State Parks Division
4200 Smith School Rd.
Austin, Tx. 78744-3291
512-389-4746 (phone) 512-389-4895 (fax)
Lori.Reiley@tpwd.state.tx.us

No license needed to fish in a Texas State Park

Here's some great news for Texas residents and perhaps even better news for out of state visitors. You don't need a fishing license to fish in a Texas State Park. For non-resident RVers who often are only licensed back home, this is a great benefit of staying at a Texas State Park.

Texas Parks abd Wildlife has waived the normal fishing license and stamp requirements for anyone fishing inside a park's boundary. Once the park entry fee is paid, there no need for a fishing license or stamp, whether freshwater or saltwater, adult or child, as long as the fishing is done inside the state park. However, bag limits, length limits, and other regulations will still apply, and be enforced.

This applies to fishing from the bank, a pier, river or creek fishing, and fishing from a boat, if the water body is fully contained within the state park boundary. Anglers can even wadefish in coastal state parks along park property.

The Free Fishing in State Parks program is available at more than 50 state parks and many Wildlife Management Areas across Texas. There are also fishing events throughout the year to add to the excitement — from kids’ fishing derbies to “Learn to Fish” seminars. Some parks even provide loaner equipment and bait.