Texas is undertaking a historic expansion of its state parks, though transforming ranchland into trails can take years.

Why it matters: The Lone Star State's vast land mass ranges from forests and swamps to canyons and deserts, but 95% of it is privately owned. Texas ranks 37th in the nation for state park acreage per capita, per Environment Texas, a research and policy center.

Catch up quick: Voters in 2023 approved a $1 billion fund dedicated to new state parks.

• The state uses the interest on the fund, or about $40 million per year, for land purchases and park development, J.J. Fleury, a program director at the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, tells Axios.

The big picture: Two new parks (Bear Creek, Post Oak Ridge) and one expansion (Enchanted Rock) are in the works under the fund approved in 2023. They are all in the Hill Country.

• At least six other sites, including Palo Pinto Mountains west of Fort Worth, are also being planned.

State of play: When eyeing new land, TPWD looks for properties that are within a day's trip away from major population centers and with significant resources for recreation.

• "Building a park is like building a small city from scratch," Fleury says.

How it works: TPWD has to construct park roads and figure out how to bring in utilities like water, wastewater, electricity and internet.

• Creating a trail system is typically the largest investment.
• The agency is often buying family ranches, which can come with houses or other buildings that have to be removed.

What's next: While full development will take years, TPWD now offers activities like guided hikes and public hunts within a year of purchasing properties, as it has at Post Oak Ridge and Enchanted Rock's expanded area.

Heart-shaped hot tub

👋 Megan here, from Axios San Antonio. During a guided hike at new property at Enchanted Rock, I got a chance to see a state park while it's still taking shape.

State of play: I walked a portion of the more than 3,000 acres that TPWD bought in January 2025.

• North of the main park, the new area was previously a private game ranch used for hunting, a ranger told my hiking group.

Why it matters: I learned how private land owners can pave the way for public conservation through the way they care for the land.

• The ranger spoke about how controlled burns can lessen the impact of wildfires while encouraging new growth. I drove to the hike through a recently burned section, and it was stunning to see bright green poking through the ground around areas that were still charred.

My experience: The new northern property is dotted with granite rocks that are smaller and of different coloring than the large pink dome that Enchanted Rock visitors are familiar with.

• I climbed some rocks on a small hill for a great view of a pond and the Hill Country landscape surrounding it.

What's next: The next guided hike at the northern property at Enchanted Rock is on April 26.

• Email the ranger ahead of time to secure a spot. You'll also need to reserve a day pass.

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Six Flags Over Texas has tightened its chaperone policy, again, to keep unruly teenagers at bay.

Why it matters: Six Flags (the company) is imposing similar rules at its other parks amid reports of planned "teen takeovers."

The latest: The Arlington park now requires all guests younger than 17 to be accompanied by an adult. The previous age limit was 15.

• Six Flags says each adult chaperone can only monitor up to five youth, and the group must stay together during their visit.

What they're saying: "We believe these updates will help preserve the positive atmosphere that millions of guests have come to expect from Six Flags Over Texas," the park's website says.

💬 Our thought bubble: Chaperoning a bunch of teenagers at a theme park all day sounds like a reason not to go.