In early 2025, Devils River State Natural Area will open a new unit that will make it the second largest Texas Parks and Wildlife Department state park or state natural area open to the public. The Dan A. Hughes Unit at Devils River State Natural Area — 15 miles downriver from the existing, 19,988-acre Del Norte unit in West Texas — will double the current size of the state natural area for a grand total of 37,000 acres in Val Verde County.
The new unit boasts 10 miles of riverbank on the Devils River, one of the wildest and cleanest rivers in Texas.
When the Dan A. Hughes Unit opens, it will have reduced visitor capacity while work is completed. No matter when you want to come, visitors should make reservations or call ahead because of the natural area's limited capacity under its management plan. Unlike a state park, a state natural area's primary objective is to protect valuable and sensitive habitats, so visitors should expect some differences from a state park experience: reduced day-use capacities, less-developed facilities, pet restrictions, limited campfire use, etc.
Access to the new unit will be provided through day-use areas and campgrounds. The unit will be accessible to disabled guests thanks to ADA-compliant picnic tables and composting toilets at the day-use areas and campgrounds. Because of some rough roads, visitors will need a high-clearance vehicle like a truck, jeep or SUV to fully experience the state natural area.
As guests enter the state natural area, they'll be greeted by uplands plateau grassland before driving down into the rocky river basin. If you keep your eye out, you might spy a bald or golden eagle, both of which nest within the unit. Guests can experience a new visitors center with an interpretive room and native plant garden before setting about hiking, camping, swimming or paddling. More adventurous visitors may inquire about a Devils River Access Permit if they wish to see more of the Devils River beyond the shoreline of the unit — perhaps even planning a trip between the two units!
The opening of the new TPWD property comes at a pivotal moment in the agency's history. TPWD is working to rapidly expand its holdings and increase the amount of public land.
Currently, TPWD oversees nearly 90 state parks, historic sites and natural areas covering more than 640,000 acres of land.
TPWD is already working on opening 50,000 acres of parkland, some of which is currently under development: 4,421 acres at Palo Pinto Mountains State Park; 3,757 acres at Albert and Bessie Kronkosky State Natural Area; 17,300 acres at Powderhorn State Park and Wildlife Management Area; 39,000 acres at Chinati Mountains State Natural Area; and 1,700 acres at Davis Hill State Park.
Last year, TPWD announced two acquisitions that will enhance the visitor experience and conservation efforts at existing parks. At Caprock Canyons State Park, a 1,100-acre parcel will further expand the state park and increase critical Panhandle habitat for the State Bison Herd. An 860-acre tract will more than double the size of Lake Brownwood State Park in the Hill Country. More recently, TPWD purchased the 500 acres of land it had been leasing at Lake Colorado City State Park to ensure it will remain a park in perpetuity.
TPWD is constantly acquiring new acreage pieces to enhance its current catalog of parks and conservation areas. What's new are the big-ticket land purchases enabled by recent legislation.
A constitutional amendment approved by voters in 2019 ensured that money generated from our sporting goods sales tax exclusively goes to TPWD and the Texas Historical Commission. This measure has helped TPWD make tremendous steps forward in making strategic land acquisitions and park upgrades like Texans have recently seen at Enchanted Rock and South Llano River.
In the last legislative session, the state passed Senate Bill 30, which provides additional funds for park acquisition.
In 2025, the department hopes to announce even more acquisitions using the Centennial Parks Conservation Fund approved by voters in 2023. This $1 billion endowment is specifically earmarked to acquire new lands, ideally in the “golden triangle” region between San Antonio, Dallas and Houston.
Although the coming acquisitions are exciting news, it may still be a while until each parcel is open to the public. Historically, state parks take several years between acquisition and grand opening due to planning and construction. However, TPWD is committed to providing access to new properties as soon as possible, potentially using tools such as phased openings for public recreation.