Texas' New State Park Is Expected To Open By 2030 But Offers Scenic Paddling Trails Now

It's an exciting time for Texas' state parks. Thanks to the creation of the $1 billion Centennial Parks Conservation Fund, the Lone Star State now has the funds to both protect existing state parks and develop new ones. Recent additions include Palo Pinto Mountains State Park with miles of trails for outdoor fun and the breathtaking Bear Creek State Park with gorgeous trails and recreation. Next on the list is Powderhorn State Park near Port O'Connor on the Gulf Coast. Visitors will have to wait a while longer before it opens its gates to the public in 2030, but for now, you can still visit the unique wetland landscape from the water on the Powderhorn Paddling Trails.

Located in one of the largest remaining undisturbed coastal prairies in Texas, Powderhorn sits next to the shallow waters of Matagorda Bay and the shoreline of Powderhorn Lake in an area rich in birdlife. The vast area of coastal prairie, freshwater wetlands, salt marshes, seagrass beds, and oak tree woodlands provides the ideal habitat for more than 200 species of birds, as well as alligators, dolphins, and turtles. When the park finally opens, there will be hiking trails and campsites to enjoy alongside the waterways.

Originally home to the Karankawa people, Powderhorn became one of the biggest cattle ranches on the Texas Gulf Coast in the late 1800s. It continued to operate until 2014, when the non-profit Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation bought the land and began restoring it back to its natural state. In 2018, the foundation donated 15,000 acres of land to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department for the creation of Powderhorn Wildlife Management Area, with over 2,250 acres destined for Powderhorn State Park. The Powderhorn Paddling Trails are located around 140 miles southwest of Houston, and visitors coming from far afield can fly into George Bush Intercontinental Airport for easy access.

While you wait for Powderhorn State Park to open, the 26 miles of paddling trails will give you a taste of what's to come. Divided into four shorter trails, each one passes through a different kind of habitat within the Powderhorn Wildlife Management Area. Explore sheltered estuaries, salt marshes, open bays, and freshwater lakes on the Boggy Bayou Trail, the Matagorda Bay Shoreline Trail, the Powderhorn Lake Shoreline Loop, and the Coloma Creek Trail.

The 5.4-mile round-trip Boggy Bayou Trail leads paddlers on a meandering route from Port O'Connor along the peaceful estuary full of seagrass and oyster beds. Birders will be in their element as herons, roseate spoonbills, and ospreys move amongst the protected marshland. Also accessed from Port O'Connor, the 5.4-mile one-way Matagorda Bay Shoreline Trail provides wonderful views across Matagorda Bay, passing what will be the future state park and continuing up to Indianola. If you're lucky, you may even spot bottlenose dolphins and sea turtles. While pleasant when the waters are calm, high winds can sometimes make this route unsafe.

For a decent day trip, the 13.4-mile Powderhorn Lake Shoreline Loop circles all the way around the lake, where you can explore the hidden coves and quiet inlets. During the winter months, you may encounter the rare whooping cranes as they feed on blue crab and wolfberries. This trail can be accessed either at Indianola or Powderhorn RV Park. Lastly, the 8-mile round-trip Coloma Creek Trail winds through shallow mudflats where alligators sometimes bask in the sunshine. Whichever trail you choose, be sure to take plenty of water, sunscreen, and protective footwear, and given the wetland habitat, insect repellent is a must.

The main activity may be kayaking for now, but fishing is also permitted on the paddling trails. Look out for spotted seatrout, red drum, and flounder while exploring the bays and estuaries. Kayaks are available to hire at Paddle Port O'Connor, where there's a choice of tandem kayaks from $95 or solo fishing kayaks from $75. They also rent out golf buggies if you want to explore on dry land.

To learn more about the birdlife, guided group tours and open days take place in Powderhorn Wildlife Management Area. Two of the most popular events are the Matagorda Bay Birdfest, which takes place during the spring migration in April, and the Texas Mid-Coast Birding Festival in May. Keen birdwatchers may also want to visit the Bolivar Peninsula, considered Texas' best birding destination, around 175 miles up the coast from Powderhorn.

Once Powderhorn State Park opens, there will be plenty of hiking and camping options available. But in the meantime, consider visiting Goose Island State Park instead. Located less than an hour away on the same stretch of coastline, it's a similar habitat to Powderhorn and there's a short nature trail as well as plenty of birding opportunities and campsites by the bay. It's one of the smaller state parks, so for somewhere with more space, head further south to Mustang Island State Park, where you can paddle, walk, and birdwatch to your heart's content, as well as camp out on the beach. Texas currently has 89 state parks, historic sites, and natural areas, so you shouldn't have any trouble finding one that suits.