Post Oak Ridge State Park

By America's State Parks Editorial TeamOctober 10, 2026

🏆 Post Oak Ridge State Park covers 3,118 acres of former ranchland on the Colorado River in Burnet and Lampasas counties, Texas, west of Lampasas and cattycorner to Colorado Bend State Park. It has been open for day use since September 24, 2026. Every visit needs an online reservation, entry is $2 per person age 13 and older, and there is no drinking water on site.

The park takes its name from the ridgeline at its center, where an uncommon stand of post oaks grows above the Colorado River. Below the ridge the land breaks into cliffs, canyons and spring-fed creeks, and Yancy Creek runs down to the river. Across the water you can see a rock formation that TPWD calls “otherworldly”. John Fletcher and Mattie Lou Vann settled here in 1889 and raised seven children. Their family later ranched the land, cut cedar and ran a fish camp on the river. Texas Parks and Wildlife began buying the land in January 2025, partly from Vann descendants. Post Oak Ridge is one of the first parks developed with interest from the voter-approved Centennial Parks Conservation Fund, and building work continues while the gates are open. The park superintendent describes it as rugged and primitive, a place without man-made noise.

Visitor Information

The park’s coordinates are 31.0082, -98.3933. TPWD gives this point as the park gate.

Closed for Hunts in 2026

On hunt dates the park is open only to permitted hunters. As of October 2026 the TPWD park alert lists these closures:

Check this table before you book a day pass for late October through December.

Trails and Overlooks

From the gate, a gravel road leads to the parking area. TPWD gives its length as 2 miles on the development page and 2.5 miles in the opening announcement. The trails start at the parking area and run through post oak woodland to overlooks of the Colorado River and views across rolling hills. TPWD’s park page lists about 4 miles of trail, the September 2026 opening announcement 3.5 miles. All trails are out and back. Plan on about five miles round trip to reach the river overlook, and a little over three miles for the shorter trail, which has challenging terrain. The trails map names the Whispering Oaks Trail at 1.7 miles.

The trails map asks you to carry at least one bottle of water per person per hour of hiking, along with boots and snacks. Keep pets on a leash, don’t hike alone and stay out of construction zones. Trail maps are on the TPWD park page and at the trailhead.

Hunting at Post Oak Ridge

The 2026–27 TPWD Drawn Hunt Catalog lists four deer hunts here, each with 9 permits. Hunters use assigned blind sites and bring their own portable blinds. The bag limit is three white-tailed deer, and axis deer, aoudad and feral hogs are unlimited, though TPWD notes they may be present only in low numbers. The permit fee is $80 per adult and the application fee $3 per adult; the youth-only hunt charges neither. Hunters cannot camp at the park.

What Comes Next

TPWD policy requires newly acquired parkland to open for limited public use within 18 months and for full public use within 48 months. During its first year, Post Oak Ridge was open only for guided access: hikes, birding, classes and park development talks. Self-guided day use followed in September 2026. The full opening is planned to bring improved roads, utilities, communication and overnight camping. TPWD presents the park as a complement to Colorado Bend State Park, its neighbor across the corner, and keeps the built facilities small to protect the post oak woodland and the canyons along the river bluffs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a reservation to visit Post Oak Ridge State Park?

Yes. Every visitor needs a day pass reserved online through Texas State Parks or by phone at (512) 389-8900. The confirmation email contains the gate code.

Can I camp at Post Oak Ridge State Park?

No. As of October 2026 the park is day use only. TPWD plans overnight camping for the full opening.

Is there drinking water at Post Oak Ridge State Park?

No. The park has no drinking water and no electricity, so bring all the water you need. The trails map recommends at least one bottle per person per hour of hiking.

When is Post Oak Ridge closed for hunting?

In 2026 the park is closed to the public from Oct. 26 to 30, Nov. 5 to 9, Nov. 22 to 26 and Dec. 20 to 24. Only permitted hunters may enter on those dates.

Editorial note: Fees, hours, directions, facilities, acreage and history come from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department park pages, the park trails map and the TPWD news release of September 17, 2026. Hunt dates and closures come from the 2026–27 Drawn Hunt Catalog and the park alert page. All were checked on October 10, 2026. The park is still being developed, so confirm on the TPWD park page before you go.

About the Author

America's State Parks Editorial Team

America's State Parks is an independent online guide to state parks and other public lands in the United States. Our editorial team compiles park profiles from official agency and operator sources and other identified references, and follows our published editorial policy and review methodology. Where a profile shows a source-check date, that date applies to the detail it names. We correct errors when we find them or when readers report them.

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