Conquering the Lone Star: A Journey to All 89 Texas State Parks

Betty Louise, a dedicated outdoor enthusiast and friend of the Outdoor Explorer: TX app, has just achieved an extraordinary milestone—visiting all 89 Texas State Parks.

This journey, sparked by a need for mental clarity during the challenging times of 2020, evolved into a life-changing adventure filled with breathtaking landscapes, unexpected challenges, and profound personal growth.

In the below interview, Betty shares the highs and lows of her incredible quest, revealing the moments that shaped her experience and offering tips for those inspired to embark on their own outdoor adventures. Explore her story to discover how Texas' diverse natural beauty became a sanctuary and a source of strength, and why her journey is far from over.

Dinosaur Valley, The last park on my 15 park trip 3/2023

You recently completed a goal to visit all 89 Texas State Parks. How did you begin this journey?

It started with mental health. I deal with bipolar disorder and anxiety and 2020 really made it all worse. I ran away to my first state park 7/2020 to just get away and after some traumatic personal issues decided to keep myself going I'd go to one state park a month. I finally decided to visit all the state parks 10/2020. I hadn't planned to visit a park, I stayed in Alto to visit the Caddo Mounds and Mission Tejas was down the street. I was driving around, in awe of all the giant East Texas Trees, and thought “I bet I could visit all the parks.” I did not realize what I had decided to do.

Looking at the pictographs in Hueco Tanks.

How did you plan your trips? Did you visit the parks in a particular order or region by region? Were there any resources or guides that you found particularly helpful when planning your visits?

I originally started going to parks that were an hour or two away from me on weekends, then when it got to 3 or 4 hours I'd try to hit 3 or 4 parks in a region. The major planning started when I had to look at the longer trips. I was originally going to just take a bunch of trips of 8 hour drives. When I got to the point where anything more than 4 hours away was all I had left I made a list of all the parks in the state, the drive time from where I live, and then I took one of the maps from the State Park booklet and started circling what could be made into trips. I worked full time through all of this, but was really blessed with a CEO that was super encouraging about it and then having bosses that let me take my laptop with me if I wanted to go on long trips.

I think my longest and most parks was 3/2023. I got 15 parks in a week and a half. I started in Dallas, drove down to Guadalupe River State Park, then Choke Creek, then hit all the border parks between Laredo to McAllen up the coast then back up through San Antonio. A freak cold front came in so I was even able to add a day. A lot of the parks were smaller flat parks so it was easy to go to 2 parks in a day. I also tried to stay in cabins if I could, but Motel 6 and cheap hotels became useful too.

You’ve been a big supporter for OUTX since the beginning. What do you love about the app, compared to others, and how has it helped you navigate on your hikes across Texas?

I tried using All Trails, but whenever I did it'd try to make trips longer or go down different trails than I wanted it to be, then the maps are also a little bit more complicated. Having simplified maps, based on what the parks offer, just made the navigation easier to process. And yall have been super helpful at keeping everything updated.

Are there any parks that were particularly challenging to visit or navigate?

Devils River State Natural Area. By far the most harrowing park to get to. It's 22 miles down a rock/dirt road to the head quarters and another 6 to the river. I honestly almost didn't get to the river because I drive a Hyundai Elantra. Fortunately some kind strangers passed by and I was able to hitch a ride with them. That's a story in of itself.

I wish I could have explored Big Bend Ranch more. There is a main road that takes you to some well known trails, but they have a whole inner corridor I didn't try to get to due to everyone's recommendation not to go on the back roads unless you've got good ground clearance and all wheel drive.

The road to Devil's River.

It was about 28 miles total from where the paved road ends to the river.

Are there any parks that you think are particularly great for beginners or families?

I think Inks Lake, Guadalupe, Blanco, and Garner are great summer parks because they have water. But Brazos Bend, Palmetto, and Stephen F Austin are really flat and would be good for beginners. Though honestly even outside of those I think almost every park has something good for a family to experience. Franklin Mountains might be tough and hiking Big Bend Ranch can be tough, but the views are worth going there alone.

Many Texas State Parks have significant cultural or historical sites. Did you have any favorite historical parks or learn something new that stayed with you?

Anything and everything about the Civilian Conservation Corp. I could talk your ear off about them. On a high level, they were a New Deal program to help give out of work men a purpose, a place to lay their head, food, and some change to send home (they made $30 a month and had to send $25 home). There are 29 CCC State Parks all across the state, and there are even some non state parks (Big Bend National is a CCC Park, Big Bend Ranch State Park is not). I've been researching their history of how they influenced the Texas State Parks. My favorite of the CCC parks by far is Lake Brownwood, it was the largest CCC unit and there is so many old buildings and baths (plus cabins to stay in).

One of the many CCC buildings at Lake Brownwood

You’ve talked on your Instagram about struggling with the heat. Any tips on how to enjoy the parks when it’s too hot for comfort?

For me? Not really. Going to parks with historical things like Goliad are good options. But, for people not extremely sensitive to heat, anything with water is a good idea, just make sure you can actually access the water and that the lake/water source isn't dry. Some parks have to close lakes either due to gators or at times amoebas that make people sick due to heat and stagnant water. The only reason I survived that 7/2020 hike was because it was at Colorado Bend and I had a spring fed pool to cool in.

You’re often a solo traveler on your trips. I think many people, especially women, have apprehension about this, both for safety reasons and perhaps worries about being lonely. Any suggestions for someone who wants to take a solo trip, but is nervous about it?

I think Texas State Parks are special because there's almost always a park host and park Rangers. I've been at other state parks where that's just not the case and am honestly on a little more edge there. I also carry around a very large and painful stun gun as well as pepper and bear spray.

On being lonely… I'd be lying if I said there weren't a few times where I saw something absolutely amazing and didn’t wish I had someone to ooh and ah with, but not enough to make me want to change how I travel. I have bone conduction ear buds and only keep one in so I can have hear what's around me. I'll bring snacks and a book so I can sit at an overlook and embrace the moment. And honestly there are times where I just needed to process stuff mentally and I just embraced the loneliness and ability to work things out in my head.

Have you done any hikes with big groups that organize? What were they? Where did you go? Who was the organization?

Honestly, not really. If I do anything it's normally with a person who two that I've met or a friend I bring along. There is a Girls Who Hike Texas Group that has hikes and I know a lot of groups localized to areas. I just have never dealt with being in groups well.

How has completing this journey impacted you personally? Has it changed your perspective on nature or Texas as a whole?

When I started this I had already been visiting New Mexico a few times with family and dipping my toes into nature, but this definitely yeeted me over a cliff with it. Personally I learned a lot on listening to my body and instincts. Finding importance in getting out in Nature. And also learning how to challenge myself without harming myself. And learning how to fail without beating myself up.

It's definitely affected my opinion on Texas. As a left leaning queer woman it can feel a little lonely in Texas, and honestly it's hard not to be mad at what politics has done here (personally) but the nature of Texas takes me out of that and reminds me with what it has to offer as sanctuary. I think it's hard keeping my being feeling safe in all of the government chaos, but when I'm at the parks it is just me and the mountains, trees, lakes, bugs… whatever.

What’s next for you?

School! At least try to. I'm going back to get my masters in accounting. I've also got my list of places to revisit (its much longer than that list above to be honest) plus some out of state parks including the Redwood National Forest in CA, Mammoth Caves in KY, and Gila National Forest and Cliff Dwellings in NM. At some point I'd like to live a snow bird life, be down here to hike in the fall and winter and live on the north east coast for spring in summer. But all of that requires some major budgeting. I'm definitely not done with Texas or adventures just yet.

Continuing the Adventure

Betty Louise's remarkable journey through all 89 Texas State Parks is a testament to resilience, passion, and the healing power of nature. Her story is not just about reaching a goal but about finding solace and adventure in the wild corners of Texas. If you’re inspired by her travels and want to continue following her journey, you can connect with her on Instagram at @texasninwanderlust, where she shares more of her outdoor adventures and future explorations.