Texas state parks to allow limited overnight camping

TPWD: No new reservations can be made yet

Old Baldy at Garner State Park (Photo Courtesy: tpwd.texas.gov)

SAN ANTONIO – Attention happy campers: Texas state parks will start allowing overnight stays as the state begins to reopen amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department announced Wednesday that it will resume limited overnight camping on May 18 — the same day that gyms can reopen.

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Limitations will depend on individual park occupancy to ensure social distancing, according to a news release.

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Some existing reservations will still be honored but no new reservations can be made yet, the release states. TPWD will announce when new reservations can be made.

“As overnight campers are welcomed back to their favorite natural spaces, our team will continue maintaining the cleanliness of frequently used facilities such as campsites, cabins and restrooms to ensure that visitors, volunteers and staff can continue to enjoy Texas State Parks safely,” Executive Director Carter Smith said in the release.

All visitors are required to pre-purchase and print day-use and overnight camping permits trough the reservation system before arriving. Reservations can be made online at www.texasstateparks.org or by calling 512-389-8900.

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Visitors must maintain a six-foot distance from those outside of their party. Gatherings of groups larger than five that are not part of the same family or household are prohibited.

Face masks are encouraged.


About the Author
Rebecca Salinas headshot

Rebecca Salinas is the Digital Executive Producer at KSAT 12 News. A San Antonio native, Rebecca is an award-winning journalist who joined KSAT in 2019.

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