Texans laced up their boots in record numbers this year, continuing a fast‑growing tradition that has become one of the state’s most popular outdoor celebrations. For the fourth year in a row, Texas State Parks shattered participation records during their annual First Day Hike events, held statewide on Jan. 1.

This year’s turnout was the strongest yet. A total of 86 parks and natural areas hosted 181 events, drawing 12,835 participants who collectively logged 28,154 miles on trails, prairies, canyons, and coastlines. Every major metric—sites, events, hikers, and miles—set a new all‑time high. Participation alone jumped by more than 3,000 people compared to last year, and total miles hiked surged by nearly 10,000.

Texas didn’t just break its own records—it led the nation. No other state reported more First Day Hike locations, events, or participants.

“Texas led the nation once again in First Day Hike participation,” said Rodney Franklin, director of Texas State Parks. “We had wonderful weather, and it was a great way to spend time with family in the outdoors at one of your Texas State Parks. So many Texans have made this event an annual tradition. I enjoyed the day at one of Texas’ newest state parks, Palo Pinto Mountains, and joined the first wave of visitors as we explored the trails during the sneak peek event. I hope to see you on the trail next year!!”

Some parks saw especially strong crowds. Dinosaur Valley State Park near Glen Rose topped the list with 931 hikers, followed closely by Palo Duro Canyon State Park with 861. Other high‑traffic destinations included Brazos Bend State Park (830 participants), Cedar Hill State Park (624), and Palo Pinto Mountains State Park (559), where visitors got a rare preview of Texas’ newest state park before its full opening.

The continued growth of First Day Hikes reflects a broader trend: Texans are embracing the outdoors in every season, and state parks are meeting that enthusiasm with expanded programming, new sites, and more opportunities to explore.

With another record‑setting year in the books, park leaders are already looking ahead—hoping even more Texans will start 2027 on the trail.

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In other Texas State Park news…

For nearly a quarter‑century, volunteers across the Texas coast have united each February for a massive cleanup effort targeting abandoned crab traps—one of the most persistent threats to coastal wildlife and fisheries. These derelict traps can damage shrimpers’ nets, snag anglers’ lines, clutter shorelines, and continue catching and killing marine life long after they’re forgotten, a phenomenon known as “ghost fishing.”

Since the program began, volunteers and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) staff have removed nearly 45,000 abandoned traps, preventing an estimated 740,500 blue crabs from being lost to ghost fishing.

This year’s cleanup window runs Feb. 20 through March 1, during which Texas coastal waters will be closed to crabbing with wire mesh traps. Any traps left in the water—including those tied to docks—will be considered abandoned and treated as litter under state law, allowing volunteers to legally remove them.

Volunteers are the backbone of the Abandoned Crab Trap Removal Program, and TPWD is calling on coastal residents, anglers, paddlers, and conservation groups to join the 2026 effort. Several locations will host facilitated volunteer events on Feb. 21, while all designated sites will offer drop‑off dumpsters or collection areas throughout the 10‑day closure.

Participants may work on Feb. 21 or at their own pace anytime during the closure period. Traps cannot be removed before Feb. 20 or after March 1. Limited opportunities are also available for land‑based volunteers.

This year’s cleanup is supported by a wide network of conservation partners, including the Coastal Conservation Association Texas, Coastal Bend Bays & Estuaries Program, Galveston Bay Foundation, San Antonio Bay Partnership, Christmas Bay Foundation, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and numerous local organizations and businesses.

Volunteers can pick up free tarps, gloves, and information at TPWD Coastal Fisheries field stations. TPWD also asks participants to record the number of traps they collect and report any sightings of diamondback terrapins to program coordinator Holly Grand at crabtrap@tpwd.texas.gov.

All other legal forms of crabbing remain unaffected during the temporary wire‑trap closure.

For more details, including the history of the program, images from past cleanups, and a TPWD‑produced video, visit the Texas Abandoned Crab Trap Removal Program page.

2026 Crab Trap Drop‑Off Sites
(Coordinators and site types included for your reference—feel free to format as a sidebar or list in your final layout.)

SABINE LAKE – Coordinator: Carey Gelpi, (409) 983‑1104 ext. 222
• Pleasure Island Marina Boat Ramp – Facilitated

GALVESTON BAY – Coordinator: Christine Jensen, (281) 534‑0110
• Jones Lake State Ramp (Fat Boys) – Non‑facilitated
• Dickinson Bayou SH 146 Bridge Ramp – Non‑facilitated
• Fort Anahuac County Park – Facilitated
• Chocolate Bayou State Boat Ramp FM 2004 – Non‑facilitated
• TPWD Dickinson Marine Lab (M–F, 8–5) – Non‑facilitated
• L.K. Lauderdale Boat Ramp – Non‑facilitated
• San Luis Pass Boat Ramp – Facilitated

MATAGORDA BAY – Coordinator: Jessica Geiskopf, (361) 972‑6253
• Matagorda Harbor – Non‑facilitated
• Railroad Park (Palacios) – Non‑facilitated

SAN ANTONIO BAY – Coordinator: Christopher Steffen, (361) 983‑4425
• Port O’Connor TPWD Docks – Facilitated
• Charlie’s Bait Stand – Non‑facilitated
• Swan Point/Sanders Park (Seadrift) – Non‑facilitated
• Seadrift Marina – Non‑facilitated
• Austwell Public Boat Ramp – Non‑facilitated

ARANSAS BAY – Coordinator: Alyx Bradley, (361) 729‑5429
• Goose Island State Park Boat Ramp – Non‑facilitated

CORPUS CHRISTI BAY – Coordinator: Donella Strom, (361) 729‑2328
• South Conn Brown Harbor Ramp – Non‑facilitated
• Ransom Channel Ramp – Non‑facilitated

UPPER LAGUNA MADRE – Coordinator: Ethan Getz, (361) 431‑6003
• Kaufer‑Hubert Memorial Boat Ramp – Non‑facilitated

LOWER LAGUNA MADRE – Coordinator: Jason Ferguson, (956) 350‑4490
• Port Mansfield Navigation District Ramp – Non‑facilitated
• Adolfe Thomae County Park – Non‑facilitated

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