Following the recent debut of Palo Pinto Mountains State Park—Texas’s first new state park in 25 years—officials have announced an even larger upcoming destination: Silver Lake State Park.
Earlier this week, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) confirmed the acquisition of 54,000 acres in the Texas Hill Country, situated between Edwards and Kinney counties. Once established, Silver Lake will become the second-largest state park in Texas, surpassed only by Big Bend.
A Historic Philanthropic Gift
Located approximately 150 miles west of San Antonio, between Uvalde and Rocksprings, the land was previously utilized for sheep and cattle ranching under the ownership of the Moody Foundation and the Libbie Shearn Moody Trust. To secure the site for conservation and future public recreation, the Moody Foundation gifted 87.5% of the Silver Lake Ranch property to the TPWD.
“This is an exciting addition to our state park system, and we are grateful to our partners at the Moody Foundation for their philanthropy and for bringing this slice of the hill country to the people of Texas,” stated TPWD Executive Director David Yoskowitz. “Silver Lake is sure to become a destination for park visitors and be the backdrop of memories made for generations to come.”
Governor Greg Abbott echoed this sentiment:
“With this new land acquisition across the Hill Country, Texans will have access to more than 50,000 acres of unique outdoor activities. This future state park will grant generations of Texans with a deeper understanding of the land that helps make our state the natural envy of the world.”
Landscape, Ecology, and History
Silver Lake State Park will preserve a rich cross-section of rugged Hill Country topography. Visitors can expect a dense mix of natural resources and native wildlife across the acreage:
The property is defined by steep canyons, limestone cliffs, hidden caves, and rolling hills heavily populated with live oak and juniper trees.
Miles of frontage along the West Nueces River cross the landscape, anchored by the park’s namesake—a 30-acre, spring-fed body of water known as Silver Lake. Additionally, the grounds feature pictographs and sprawling oak motts.
The habitat is home to robust populations of native fauna, including white-tailed deer, javelina, wild turkey, and dove.
Silver Lake State Park Phased Opening
While officials have not yet announced an official opening date, the TPWD has outlined a multi-phase rollout for the new park:
While primary infrastructure is constructed and the site’s layout is finalized, the park will open strictly for guided tours and limited day-use activities.
Subsequent development will introduce essential visitor facilities alongside a comprehensive network of hiking trails. The final phase will maximize the park’s recreational footprint by introducing dedicated campsites and direct water access for paddlers.
