Geologic and Historic Guide to the State Parks of Texas

Published in 1970, this guidebook provides a great geologic and historical overview of over 60 State Parks in Texas. It also provides a brief discussion of geology and the geologic history of Texas. It makes a great companion for any fan of camping and hiking in Texas:

"Texas is no longer a frontier. The expansion of cities, industries, super highways, and reservoirs, and changing land uses are fast absorbing the open spaces that once were so abundant in Texas. Unlike many states that contain vast areas of National forests and parks, there is little federally owned land in Texas, so the State must rely on its own State parks system for outdoor recreational activities. Until recently, however, the State parks program was operated with limited finances, and as a result Texas is far behind the established national acreage average in its State parks. The present State parks cover about 64,000 acres, but of this total, only 18,888 acres is land area available to meet the public's demand for recreation, and only slightly more than 8,000 acres is currently developed to an adequate standard. For our own wellbeing and for those who follow after us, we must treat the land with respect, conserve it and wisely develop it. In addition to the 61 recreation, scenic, and historic parks listed in this report, there are many other places in Texas that are of historic interest-old missions, old houses and buildings, burial sites, etc. Some of these have been included as points of interest if they are near a specified State park; many have granite or metal markers at or near their sites.

Citation:
Maxwell, R. A., 1970, Geologic and Historic Guide to the State Parks of Texas: The University of Texas at Austin, Bureau of Economic Geology, Guidebook 10, 197 p.