The Texas Parks & Wildlife Department recently acquired Silver Lake Ranch in the Hill Country, which is set to become a new state park.
Located between Uvalde and Rocksprings, the Silver Lake Ranch encompasses almost 54,000 acres. It will soon be the second largest state park in Texas.
“With this new land acquisition across the Hill Country, Texans will have access to more than 50,000 acres of unique outdoor activities,” said Gov. Greg Abbott. “This future state park will grant generations of Texans with a deeper understanding of the land that helps make our state the natural envy of the world.”
Historically used for cattle and sheep ranching, the site features steep canyons, rolling hills, several miles of river frontage on the West Nueces River, and the 30-acre spring-fed Silver Lake.
The ranch was previously owned by the Moody Foundation and the Libbie Shearn Moody Trust. Nearly 87 percent of the property was gifted to the TPWD by the Moody foundation, with the department purchasing the remaining portions of the ranch for $11.85 million.
The Moody Foundation, founded in Galveston in 1982, announced the gifting of the property in November. In a press release published at the time of the announcement, the foundation emphasized its “long-standing commitment to conservation and community enrichment.”
“The Moody Foundation is proud to help preserve this remarkable stretch of Texas Hill Country and make it accessible for generations to come,” said Ross Moody, trustee of the Moody Foundation. “Silver Lake Ranch represents the natural beauty, history and spirit of our state, and we are honored to make this gift to Texas Parks and Wildlife to ensure it remains protected and enjoyed by all Texans for years ahead.”
TPWD reports that the park will be developed in stages, using funds leftover in the Centennial Parks Conservation Fund. This $1 billion endowment fund was approved by voters in 2023 for the purpose of acquiring and developing state parks.
Initial access to the new park may include guided tours and day-use opportunities while development is under way.
In the coming months, TPWD will be working to develop a plan to determine “recreational opportunities” for the new park, which will include public input.
Although this will take some time, the department says it will soon be communicating upcoming milestones, such as a potential opening date for the park.
The Palo Pinto Mountains State Park—Texas’ first new state park in 25 years—just opened in March.
