Outdoors

For Texans looking for a quieter corner of the Hill Country, a newly accessible state park near Lampasas is opening the gate to more visitors. Post Oak Ridge State Park began welcoming the public for expanded day use Sept. 24, giving hikers, families and outdoor enthusiasts their first opportunity to explore the developing park independently.

Located west of Lampasas and across the Colorado River from Colorado Bend State Park, Post Oak Ridge State Park encompasses 3,118 acres of ranchland marked by post oak woodlands, spring-fed creeks, canyons, cliffs and Colorado River frontage. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department purchased the property beginning in January 2025 and is developing it as one of Texas' Centennial Parks.

What Visitors Can Expect at Post Oak Ridge State Park

The experience is intentionally rugged for now. After entering the park, visitors travel about 2.5 miles along a gravel road to a parking area with a restroom. An accessible picnic area sits beneath post oaks nearby, while trails lead farther into the property and toward scenic overlooks.

TPWD's Sept. 17 announcement describes 3.5 miles of rolling Hill Country trails currently available, while the park's visitor information describes roughly four miles of rugged trails overall. Superintendent Kacey Sloan cautioned that reaching some destinations requires considerably more walking because the trails are out-and-back routes.

“The trails lead out and back,” Sloan said. “Visitors should be prepared to hike about five miles total to catch the view from the overlook, and a little over three miles to complete the shorter trail with challenging terrain.”

Those who make the trek will find overlooks across the rolling landscape and Colorado River corridor, along with an unusual rock formation visible across the river. Wildlife watching, picnicking and simply spending time beneath the park's namesake post oaks are also part of the experience.

Reservations Required Before Entering the Park

An online day-use reservation is required to enter Post Oak Ridge State Park. Visitors receive a gate code in their reservation confirmation email, which they will need to access the property. If day passes remain available, TPWD has also posted a QR code at the entrance linking to the reservation system.

The park is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Visitors reach the entrance through the community of Naruna, then travel about four miles along County Road 105 to the park gate.

Preparation is especially important at this stage of the park's development. There is no drinking water or electricity available, and cell service is limited or nonexistent in portions of the property. Visitors should bring enough water for their entire outing, download or carry a trail map and be prepared for rugged terrain. Construction and continued park development also remain underway.

For Sloan, some of those primitive conditions are part of what makes the property distinctive.

“We are excited to have visitors start traveling to Post Oak Ridge State Park and seeing what makes this area so special,” Sloan said. “The park is rugged and primitive, with a unique sound environment. There aren’t human made sounds. It is one of those rare places where you can escape urban noise and relax.”

From Vann Family Ranchland to a Texas State Park

Long before the property became part of the Texas State Parks system, it was home to generations of the Vann family. John Fletcher and Mattie Lou Vann settled there in 1889 and raised seven children. Over the decades, members of the family ranched the property, cut cedar and operated a popular fish camp.

TPWD began acquiring the 3,118 acres, including land purchased from Vann descendants, in January 2025. Development is being supported through the voter-approved Centennial Parks Conservation Fund, created to help Texas acquire and develop additional state parks as the state's population grows and demand for outdoor recreation increases.

Post Oak Ridge's opening is also part of a phased approach TPWD is using for Centennial Parks. The agency's development timeline calls for facilitated public access, such as guided hikes, around the 12-month point, followed by expanded day use around 18 months so visitors can explore more independently.

A State Park That Is Still Taking Shape

Opening the gates does not mean Post Oak Ridge State Park is finished. Natural and cultural research, ecological restoration, planning and public feedback are continuing as TPWD determines how the property will develop over time.

Future amenities are expected to be designed with the landscape itself in mind. TPWD says the park is intended to complement neighboring Colorado Bend State Park while protecting sensitive resources, including its Post Oak Woodlands and the canyons and creeks along the Colorado River bluffs.

That balance means early visitors are seeing Post Oak Ridge during a distinctive period in its history. The park is accessible enough for Texans to begin experiencing it, but still primitive enough that a visit requires planning, water and a willingness to leave some everyday conveniences behind.

For Central Texas residents searching for hiking near Lampasas, new Texas state parks, Colorado River overlooks or outdoor day trips in the Texas Hill Country, Post Oak Ridge State Park adds another option to the map. Visitors should check the official Texas Parks and Wildlife Department park page for current conditions, trail information and reservations before making the trip.

Stay tuned to My Neighborhood News for more updates on new Texas parks, outdoor recreation opportunities and destinations taking shape across Central Texas.

By Tiffany Krenek, My Neighborhood News 

Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.

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