TEXAS — State parks in Texas are growing. Interest from the state’s $1 billion Centennial Parks Conservation Fund is paying for the development of new public lands.

Enchanted Rock State Natural Area is one of three parks that are using the funding so far to develop areas that have been recently acquired. This is being met with excitement from those who explore the state’s parks.

Jeff Krech has been hiking along Enchanted Rock’s trail since the 1980s.

“We come here once or twice a year,” Krech said. “It’s our favorite place in Texas.”

With every step he takes, the park offers an opportunity to see something new.

“We’re looking forward to discovering the new parts,” Krech said.

Texas Parks & Wildlife acquired more than 3,700 acres of land for Enchanted Rock. 

The view of Enchanted Rock’s summit from recently acquired land. (Spectrum News 1/Geraldine Torrellas-Piñero)

“We’ve got this beautiful building, and so it’s just going into that design process of deciding what we’re going to do with what we’ve got here, and the further development would be moving into the public use plan where we would engage design and public engagement opportunities,” said April Butler, the park development coordinator for Texas State Parks.

The Centennial Parks Conservation Fund was approved by Texas voters in 2023 and is currently also being used to develop land at Bear Creek State Park in Uvalde County and Post Oak Ridge State Park near Lampasas.

“In 18 months, we plan for a public day-use opening, so that would be where folks could come on site for the day and enjoy hiking or maybe picnicking,” Butler said. “And then, of course, within 48 months, we plan on the full park opening.”

Hikers aren’t the only ones who are excited about what’s coming to Texas’ state parks. Staff at Enchanted Rock are also looking forward to the changes.

“The opportunities are just endless to what we can do here,” said Doug Cochran, the park superintendent of Enchanted Rock. “We’re going to be able to preserve 3,600 more acres of prime Texas land for future generations. More hiking, more walking around, fresh air, stargazing.”

Krech is happy about this initiative to preserve the land of a park he has enjoyed for more than 40 years.

“I like the fact that it’s going to prevent any encroachment of other types of development in and around the park that might take away from the natural beauty and quietness of the space,” Krech said.

The public is invited to attend two meetings in January to provide input on how the land at Enchanted Rock should be used.