Texas' new 1,700-acre state park to stay rugged with remote Frio River access

Texas park authorities have acquired a 1,720-acre ranch in Uvalde County to create Bear Creek State Park, offering outdoor visitors a more natural and rugged alternative to the heavily developed recreation areas nearby. According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), the property was purchased for $33.5 million using a one-time state appropriation. It sits less than a mile from Garner State Park, the most visited park in the state system. However, officials plan to develop Bear Creek in a very different way. Unlike Garner, where visitors can park close to the river and use paved areas, reaching the spring-fed Frio River at Bear Creek will require visitors to travel for miles through steep canyons, limestone ridges, and backcountry trails.A deliberate shift toward backcountry conservationAccording to TPWD, limiting vehicle access near the river is part of an effort to expand public recreation while protecting the environment.