in Texas can be really great. In parts, you have to push it to find such, but where you do it is really great.

Palo Duro has been greatly expanded, with most of S. Cita Canyon and an extensive bit of the Llano Estacado above being added -- almost doubles the size of the park. The new part, mostly all one former ranch long in the same hands, has not been opened to the public yet for regular access, but the plan is to keep it as a "Natural Area" appended to the park, as I understand. I got an early peek at it as a part of some consulting work I was doing out that way -- super nice. The previous owner was conservation minded (if you raise cows, you should try to keep things perking along, but too many don't), and the grass remains in good shape compared to the mostly overgrazed allotments nearby.

Texas did better for a while at acquiring and protecting large parcels of land for conservation, though that hasn't been a priority of the two most recent state administrations. Another relatively new acquisition that I have not gotten a chance to see close up is the Chinati Mt. State Natural Area S of Marfa. I've been into the Chinai Mts., but just skirting along the edge in a vehicle, driving from Marfa down to Ruidoso and Candaleria on the Rio Grande. If you go, go in a high clearance vehicle and be prepared to negotiate around (or even move) some sizeable rocks (though the route is a county road), but the drive is one of the most beautiful (and remote) in the state. At any rate, the Chinati will be a grand addition to state wild lands accessible (with limitations) to the public when it finally reaches that state. I think for that one, there are no plans for highway vehicle access at all -- but over time it likely will evolve as the Big Bend Ranch has, so that at least pickups and SUVs can reach parts of it.

Enjoy exploring.

Dave Mc