Checked October 21, 2026 · Source: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) state park events calendar
Texas state parks have 14 dog programs on the calendar between Oct. 23 and Nov. 28, from Halloween costume hikes to walks with adoptable shelter dogs. Most are free with regular park admission, and several let your dog earn a B.A.R.K. Ranger certificate. Dates, times and fees below come from each park’s TPWD listing. Programs can be canceled for weather, so check the listing the morning you go.
This weekend: Oct. 23–24
| Date and time | Park | Program | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fri., Oct. 23, 9–10 a.m. | Eisenhower SP (Denison) | Tails on the Trails | Walk a rescue dog from Sherman Animal Shelter. Meet at the OHV parking lot. Waivers on the day. Repeats Oct. 30 |
| Sat., Oct. 24, 9–10 a.m. | Brazos Bend SP (Needville) | B.A.R.K. Ranger Hike | Light hike around Creekfield Lake. Meet at the 40 Acre Lake restrooms. Repeats Nov. 21 |
| Sat., Oct. 24, 10–11 a.m. | Eisenhower SP | Howl-o-ween B.A.R.K. Ranger Hike | Costumes encouraged. Meet at the Swim Beach parking lot |
| Sat., Oct. 24, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. | Fort Richardson SP (Jacksboro) | B.A.R.K. Ranger Halloween Scavenger Hunt | Drop in any time. Self-paced hunt through the campgrounds; new B.A.R.K. Rangers sworn in at the end. Start at the Interpretive Center |
| Sat., Oct. 24, 11 a.m.–noon | Caddo Lake SP (Karnack) | Howl-o-ween Hike | 0.7-mile Pine Ridge Trail loop with some uneven, narrow footpath. Dogs should be well socialized |
Before Halloween: Oct. 29–30
| Date and time | Park | Program | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thu., Oct. 29, 10–11 a.m. | Davis Mountains SP (Fort Davis) | Hike With Homeless Dogs | Walk a rescue dog from Grand Companions of Fort Davis on a short, rocky trail (50–100 feet of climb). Usually 3–5 dogs, so you may share. Canceled below freezing or in rain |
| Fri., Oct. 30, 9–10 a.m. | Eisenhower SP | Tails on the Trails | Second date of the shelter dog walk |
Halloween: Saturday, Oct. 31
| Time | Park | Program | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. | Copper Breaks SP (Quanah) | Bark Ranger Costume Contest | Show your costumed dog at the park headquarters parking lot (contest runs 9 a.m.–4:30 p.m.). Can’t make it? The listing says you can enter online by emailing the ranger |
| 9 a.m.–noon | Huntsville SP | BARK Ranger Costume Photos | Decorated photo spot near the Nature Center with a tripod set up; bring your own phone or camera. Then a self-guided hike |
| 10–11:30 a.m. | Bastrop SP | BOO! BARK Ranger Hike | 1-mile guided loop with steep and rocky sections; certificate at the end. Meet at the playground near the trail map sign. Dogs should be used to groups and other dogs |
| 10–11 a.m. | Daingerfield SP | B.A.R.K. Ranger Costume Stroll | Easy stroll around the day-use area (pavement, grass, some steps). Dogs can earn their badge. Meet at the pavilion |
Costumes are optional at all four. Keep them comfortable and easy to remove, and skip anything that blocks your dog’s sight or breathing. Our Halloween dog safety checklist covers costumes, candy and the front door.
November
| Date and time | Park | Program | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat., Nov. 7, 2–3 p.m. | Eisenhower SP | B.A.R.K. Ranger Hike | Ranger-led hike; dogs are sworn in as Eisenhower B.A.R.K. Rangers with a certificate. Meet at the Swim Beach parking lot |
| Sun., Nov. 8, 9–11 a.m. | Guadalupe River SP, Bauer Unit | Paws and Paths | Registration required. About 2 miles. Meet at the Bauer Unit parking lot at 8:45 a.m. No restrooms or water fountains. Repeats Dec. 13 |
| Sat., Nov. 14, 1–2 p.m. | Lake Livingston SP | Dog Day Out! (SPCA of Polk County) | Walk an SPCA shelter dog on the Pineywoods Boardwalk Trail; collars and leashes provided. No restrooms nearby. The listing also mentions a 10 a.m. start in one line, so confirm with the park |
| Sat., Nov. 21, 9–10 a.m. | Brazos Bend SP | B.A.R.K. Ranger Hike | Second date of the Creekfield Lake hike |
| Sat., Nov. 28, 8–9 a.m. | Huntsville SP | Dogs on the Dogwood | About 2 miles on the Dogwood Trail, with uneven ground and roots. Certificate and tags for new B.A.R.K. Rangers |
What it costs
The programs themselves are free, but you pay the park’s regular entrance fee unless you have a Texas State Parks Pass. Listed fees for adults 13 and up: Eisenhower $5, Caddo Lake $4, Daingerfield $4, Davis Mountains $6, Guadalupe River $7 (Bauer Unit has a self-pay station that takes exact cash or a pass). Children 12 and under enter free. Other parks list the program as “free with park admission” without a price, so check the park page.
Before you go
- Leash rule: the event listings ask for a leash 6 feet or shorter at all times.
- B.A.R.K. stands for Bag your pet’s waste, Always wear a leash, Respect wildlife, Know where you can go. Bring extra waste bags.
- Bring water and a bowl for your dog; several trailheads have no water.
- Hunting seasons are starting. Lake Tawakoni State Park is closed to the public from noon Oct. 30 to noon Nov. 2 for a youth deer hunt, and other parks close on some November dates. Check the park’s alerts before you drive.
- Shelter dog walks: the shelter staff decide which dog each visitor walks. If you fall for one, ask about adoption after the walk.
Want more? The National Park Service runs its own B.A.R.K. Ranger days this fall; see our list of free B.A.R.K. Ranger events in national parks. Driving a long way? Use our dog road trip checklist.
🎁 Heading out on the trail? Our free 15-page Travel & Safety Gear Guide covers harnesses, cold and hot weather gear and lost-dog steps, with a printable packing list. Subscribers also get the 19-page Dog Care Handbook. Get the free guides →
This article is general information for dog owners, not veterinary or legal advice. Event details can change. Follow the official source when it differs from this article.
Sources
- Texas Parks and Wildlife Department: State park events calendar and the individual program listings linked above (checked Oct. 21, 2026)
- Texas Parks and Wildlife Department: Park Closed: Youth Deer Hunt, Lake Tawakoni State Park