Newly acquired Silver Lake Ranch set to become Texas’ second-largest state park

AUSTIN, Texas (KWTX) — Texans could soon have a new, massive Hill Country destination after the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department acquired nearly 54,000 acres in Edwards and Kinney counties that will become Silver Lake State Park.

State officials said the new park will be Texas’ second-largest state park, behind Big Bend Ranch State Park. Gov. Greg Abbott called the purchase an expansion of outdoor opportunities in the region, saying the property will give Texans access to more than 50,000 acres for recreation and exploration.

According to TPWD, the Moody Foundation gifted 87.5% ownership interest in the property, known as Silver Lake Ranch, to the department. TPWD purchased the remaining interest for $11.85 million using money from the Centennial Parks Conservation Fund and the Sporting Goods Sales Tax.

Located about 150 miles west of San Antonio, between Rocksprings and Uvalde, the property includes steep canyons, rolling hills, and miles of frontage along the West Nueces River. It also features the park’s namesake — a 30-acre, spring-fed Silver Lake — along with creeks and water features such as Sycamore Creek, Lost Creek, North Spring Creek, Blue Waterhole and Dutch Waterhole.

TPWD said the landscape includes limestone cliffs and native vegetation like live oak and juniper, with wildlife including white-tailed deer, turkey, javelina and dove. The department also noted some aquatic species, including the greenthroat darter, live in Silver Lake, and parts of the property may be habitat for the endangered golden-cheeked warbler.

TPWD plans to develop the new park in phases, with early access potentially limited to guided tours and restricted day-use while infrastructure is planned and built. Later phases could add trails, basic visitor facilities, and expanded amenities including camping and paddling access.

The agency said it will begin natural and cultural resource surveys to guide management plans and future interpretive exhibits. TPWD also said it will seek public input as it develops a recreation plan and will announce milestones, including a potential opening date, in the coming months.