Carry in Texas State Parks

[sscutter]

Is it legal to carry in state parks while camping?

Thanks

[Keith B]

Is it legal to carry in state parks while camping?

Thanks

First off, welcome to the forum.

The search engine can be used to find a lot of info on that subject, but to answer your question in Texas, it is legal unless it is a Texas Parks and Wildlife Park unless it is on Corp of Engineers (federal) land, which is prohibited by federal law (not sure if there are any around the Corp lakes, but just in case.) Here is a good thread to read on this very subject http://www.texasshooting.com/TexasCHL_F ... f=7&t=7299" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Enjoy the forum!

[sscutter]

Thanks for your quick answer. I tried to do a search, Should have tried more combinations.

[Gary Slider]

It is legal to carry in TX State Parks. Here is link to Exec Order that allows it.

http://www.txchia.org/txinpw.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[couzin]

...it is legal unless it is a Texas Parks and Wildlife Park unless it is on Corp of Engineers (federal) land, which is prohibited by federal law...

For instance - Town Bluff Dam/Lake Steinhagen is a USACE-owned lake but TPWD has parks and wildlife management areas on it; Cooper Dam/Lake Jim Chapman anf the nearby wildlife management area at White Oak Creek is also USACE-owned but is wholey leased to TPWD; Atlanta State Park is a TPWD area located on the USACE-owned lands of Lake Wright Patman; Lake Texhoma is USACE but has TPWD parks. Even more confusing is Lake Sam Rayburn which shares a cut up mish-mash of property with USACE and US Forest Service lands - OK to carry on USFS lands but not on the USACE land one foot away. Just goofy...

[RPB]

Whitney has a State Park, but USACE property


Here's what I do


Main page (for parks AND for Fishing/Lakes)

General rules for State Parks
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/park ... ations/#5c" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


Also whichever parks you intend to visit, look them up there, and ALSO look up and water body they are on, and unless the "CONTROLLING/MANAGING AUTHORITY" is Corps of Engineers, you can carry.

Example for Whitney

Find a Destination/Park
Find a park
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


Park
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/find ... e_whitney/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Then check the water body


Find a Lake
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/fishboat/fi ... nal/lakes/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Whitney
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/fishboat/fi ... s/whitney/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Reservoir Controlling Authority
US Army Corps of Engineers
285 CR 3602
Clifton, Texas 76634
(254) 694-3189


So I don't go to Whiney.


-------------------------------------

Inks Lake State Park

Park
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/find ... arks/inks/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


Lake
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/fishboat/fi ... akes/inks/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Reservoir Controlling Authority

Lower Colorado River Authority
3700 Lake Austin Blvd.
Austin, Texas 78703
(512) 473-3200 or 1(800) 776-5272

So I go to Inks

[bnc]

I think there was a bill last year that made it legal to carry in National Parks according to the local CC laws of wherever the park is located. It was tacked on to the credit card bill by Tom Coburn. As I understand it, which probably isn't very well, if the area would otherwise be legal to carry in under state laws then it is okay at that National Park.

http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/texas/faq/index.shtml
What I'm not 100% on is if this only applies to designated hunting grounds, meaning that you can CC while you are in a hunting area, or if it goes for the whole park, meaning you could CC on a hike/bike trail.

I was at Sam Houston recently and saw a sign at the entrance saying do not discharge firearms, which seemed to imply that you could have firearms as long as you didn't fire them.

IANAL and all that.

[RPB]

I think there was a bill last year that made it legal to carry in National Parks according to the local CC laws of wherever the park is located. It was tacked on to the credit card bill by Tom Coburn. As I understand it, which probably isn't very well, if the area would otherwise be legal to carry in under state laws then it is okay at that National Park.

http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/texas/faq/index.shtml
What I'm not 100% on is if this only applies to designated hunting grounds, meaning that you can CC while you are in a hunting area, or if it goes for the whole park, meaning you could CC on a hike/bike trail.

I was at Sam Houston recently and saw a sign at the entrance saying do not discharge firearms, which seemed to imply that you could have firearms as long as you didn't fire them.

IANAL and all that.

National Parks are a different matter, my "nutshell version" is you can carry except in buildings where employees work
Along with National Parks Service is:
areas controlled by US Forestry Service, US Fish and game/wildlife areas and Reserve areas / National Wildlife Refuge System
Yes, February 22, credit card bill attachment ...

No National Parks are on USACE land, SOME STATE Parks ARE on USACE land.

Credit Card bill attachment:
It does not allow you to carry on Army property (U S Army Corps of Engineers) recreational property such as Lake Whitney, Lake Georgetown, etc etc (Many) and parks (Many) on "their" property which Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept stock fish, and our taxes pay purchase and to maintain those properties. (Just like Federal buildings, post offices etc, general rule is nope, can't carry by default, but USACE passed additional "army regulations" like the post office has "postal regulations" prohibiting freedom on "their" property "we" paid for and maintain.)