Steep limestone canyons, miles of river, and a rare spring-fed lake: Silver Lake is set to become the second-biggest state park in Texas, and it’s a manageable drive from San Antonio and Austin
Get ready, neighbor — Texas just got a whole lot bigger when it comes to wild places to roam. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department announced it has acquired nearly 54,000 acres in Edwards and Kinney counties to create Silver Lake State Park, which will become the second-largest state park in Texas, behind only the giant Big Bend Ranch.
And wait until you hear what’s waiting out there.
Sitting about 150 miles west of San Antonio, tucked between Rocksprings and Uvalde near the southern edge of the Edwards Plateau, this is classic Hill Country at its most rugged and beautiful — steep limestone canyons dropping into rolling hills lined with live oak and juniper, with miles of river frontage tracing the West Nueces River. In fact, it’ll be the only state park to host a stretch of that river.
The crown jewel? A rare 30-acre, spring-fed lake known as Silver Lake, which gives the park its name. Several creeks wind through the land too — Sycamore Creek, Lost Creek, and North Spring Creek — along with swimming-hole-worthy spots like Blue Waterhole and Dutch Waterhole, plus caves and other landmarks scattered across the property. Wildlife runs wild here, from white-tailed deer, turkey, javelina, and dove to aquatic species like the greenthroat darter, and parts of the land may even shelter the endangered golden-cheeked warbler.
How Texas Pulled It Off
Here’s the part that’ll make you smile. This incredible piece of land came into public hands thanks to a mix of generosity and good planning. The Moody Foundation — a Galveston-based charitable foundation that’s been giving back across Texas for more than 80 years — gifted its 87.5% ownership stake in the ranch to Texas Parks and Wildlife. The state then purchased the remaining share for $11.85 million using money from the Centennial Parks Conservation Fund and the Sporting Goods Sales Tax, both approved by Texas voters.
That billion-dollar Centennial Parks fund was approved by the Legislature and voters back in 2023 to create and expand parks, and Silver Lake is its very first land purchase. In other words, this is your park — Texans voted to make it happen.
When Can You Go?
Now for the patient part. An opening date hasn’t been set yet, and right now the land is in its most rugged, undeveloped form. Early access could include guided tours and limited day-use opportunities while planning and infrastructure work continues, with future phases expected to add trails, visitor facilities, camping, and paddling access. The department also plans to host public hunts on the property starting this fall.
So while you can’t pack the car just yet, this is absolutely one to put on your radar. At just a three-to-four-hour drive from Austin and about two and a half hours from San Antonio, it’ll be an easy weekend escape once it opens — and you’ll be among the first Texans to explore a brand-new natural treasure. Keep an eye on the Texas Parks and Wildlife website, follow the updates, and start dreaming about that first hike down into the canyons.
Bigger really is better in Texas — and your next great adventure is taking shape right now.
If You Go (Eventually)
Silver Lake State Park will sit about 150 miles west of San Antonio, between Rocksprings and Uvalde in Edwards and Kinney counties. At nearly 54,000 acres, it will be the second-largest state park in Texas after Big Bend Ranch. No opening date has been set yet, though early guided tours, limited day-use, and public hunts (starting this fall) are expected before full development of trails, camping, and paddling access in later phases. For updates, opening news, and eventual reservations, keep an eye on the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department website at tpwd.texas.gov.
