enjoy the outdoors

All Texas state parks to offer free admission one day only this fall

McKinney Falls State Park in Austin, Texas

Visitors get free admission to all Texas State Parks, including McKinney Falls, on November 3.

tpwd.texas.gov

Calling all outdoorsy Austinites: Keep an eye the forecast for Sunday, November 3, because you won't want to miss out on free admission to all Texas state parks in celebration of Texas State Parks Day.

The free admission day is a new tradition after the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) celebrated its centennial in 2023. In a press release, Texas State Parks director Rodney Franklin said he hopes the event encourages Texans of all ages to explore and enjoy Texas' natural beauty.

"Any day in a Texas State Park is a good day," said Franklin. "[All Texans] are invited to visit a park that is new to you, take a friend and try a new adventure."

McKinney Falls State Park is the closest park for residents of the Austin area. The park has about nine miles of trails for hiking and biking, overnight campsites, fishing opportunities, a bat cave, and more. Visitors are also welcome to swim and fish in Onion Creek.

The Lower Falls at McKinney Falls State Park in Austin, Texas The Lower Falls at the park can flood after a healthy rain.tpwd.texas.gov

TPWD lauds McKinney Falls for its "rugged beauty" and calls the park "Austin's backyard" due to its location 13 miles from the State Capitol.

"The upper and lower falls on Onion Creek are scenic and rugged attractions," the website says. "After a good rain upstream, water pours over the limestone ledges of the lower falls."

For Austinites who are keen on a weekend road trip to take advantage of the free admission day, two parks should be at the top of the list: Garner State Park (170 miles southwest of Austin) and Palo Duro Canyon State Park (about 485 miles northwest of Austin). The two popular parks recently appeared among the top 10 best state parks in the nation, according to the 2024 HomeToGo State Park Index.

But if traveling long distances isn't in the cards for that weekend, there's always one of the many nearby state parks around Austin and Central Texas, such as:

Pedernales Falls State Park, Johnson City
Blanco State Park
Inks Lake State Park, Burnet
Longhorn Cavern State Park, Burnet
Lockhart State Park
Buescher State Park, Smithville
Bastrop State Park

A full list of parks and a map of the closest nearby can be found on the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department website.

austin state parks texas parks and wildlife department

A New Frontier

Ultra-low cost airline adds 4 new nonstop flights from Austin in 2025

Photo courtesy of Frontier Airlines

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New low-cost, nonstop flights are on the horizon for Austin travelers. Budget-friendly carrier Frontier Airlines will double its nonstop routes from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) in 2025 by adding four new destinations to its docket.

According to a release, Frontier will launch nonstop service from Austin to Orlando (MCO), Chicago (ORD), Cincinnati (CVG), and Phoenix (PHX) in March 2025. The four new routes join its existing nonstop service from Austin to Atlanta (ATL), Cleveland (CLE), Denver (DEN), and Las Vegas (LAS).

Service to Orlando and Chicago begins March 6, 2025, and will operate three times a week. Service to Cincinnati and Phoenix follows on March 7, 2025, and will be available twice a week.

In conjunction with the announcement, the discount airline is promoting fares as low as $49 each way for the new routes on select travel dates. The special rates are available for Frontier's Discount Den members through November 25 only.

A review of standard fares for March travel on the new routes shows prices ranging from $253-$289 round trip per person.

“It’s fantastic to see our partners at Frontier expand their offerings to AUS customers,” said AUS CEO Ghizlane Badawi in the release. “Providing ultra-low cost nonstop flights to our community plays an important role in giving options to travelers and making air travel accessible for Central Texans.”

A reminder for future Frontier travelers: The low-cost airline currently operates out of Austin-Bergstrom International Airport's South Terminal, along with Allegiant Airlines. In 2026, both airlines will relocate to the main Barbara Jordan Terminal, as the South Terminal is slated to close amid airport expansion plans.

abia frontier austin airport nonstop flights

enjoy the outdoors

All Texas state parks to offer free admission one day only this fall

A New Frontier

Ultra-low cost airline adds 4 new nonstop flights from Austin in 2025

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