State buys 2,000 acres of land in Burnet County for new state park
Editor's Note: The photo featured in this story shows the existing Colorado Bend State Park, which is located across the river from the planned state park.
AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has purchased more than 2,000 acres of land in Burnet County for the creation of a new state park.
The 2,020-acre property includes a two-mile stretch of the Colorado River and is across the river from the existing Colorado Bend State Park. The purchase was made using a one-time funding appropriation, as well as funds from the state's sporting goods sales tax.
In a press release Monday, TPWD said the acquisition is the first of two purchases to create the new state park, which will be more than 3,000 acres in total. An additional 1,100-acre property is located in Burnet and Lampasas counties. Last week, Parks and Wildlife commissioners authorized TPWD's executive director to 'take all necessary steps to acquire' that property from a willing seller.
The new state park will be developed using the new Centennial Parks Conservation Fund, which voters approved in 2023. The $1 billion fund is dedicated to acquiring and developing new state parks in Texas.
TPWD said the property's 'outstanding natural and historic features' made it an excellent candidate for a new state park. The property features 'rugged hills, diverse native habitats and the aforementioned two miles of river front on the Colorado River,' TPWD said in its release.
'It is exciting to add another incredible property that will eventually become a new Texas State Park. This acquisition will give visitors access to enjoy the beautiful Colorado River and the diverse landscapes that are featured across the property,' said Rodney Franklin, director of Texas State Parks. 'It is fun to imagine generations of Texans enjoying the scenic views and outdoor adventures awaiting on this property. It is also great to see our team and families work together to leave this legacy for Texas.'
TPWD said it will now move forward with public input to determine recreational opportunities at the site. The plan is expected to take 'many months.' A potential opening date has not yet been announced.
This is just the latest property purchase made by TPWD in recent months. Earlier this month, the department announced it had bought more than 3,000 acres of property to double the size of Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, west of Austin.
In December, TPWD announced it had purchased Lake Colorado City State Park, between Abilene and Midland, from an energy company which owned the land but leased it to the state to operate the park. The same company, Vistra, had owned the land used for Fairfield Lake State Park, east of Waco.
From state park to private development: The twisting timeline of Fairfield Lake
After Vistra announced plans to sell the Fairfield Lake property, a private developer purchased the site, with plans to turn it into a private, gated community with multi-million dollar homes and a golf course, despite TPWD objections. The state park closed to the public in June 2023.
At that time, Vistra said it was open to selling the Lake Colorado City State Park property to the state at fair market value.
'We're proud to have been able to provide public access to this privately owned land and lake for the last 50 years through a no-cost lease, and now it's exciting to see this land in new hands but serving its same purpose – as a respite for our fellow Texans,' said Kyle Box, Vistra's vice president of real estate, after the purchase was completed.
The state already has plans to develop five other sites into future state parks. Construction has already begun on the Palo Pinto Mountains State Park, west of Fort Worth.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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