Hike along the Tom Mays Trail and learn about the flora of the Franklin Mountains, especially the cacti. Bring your cell phone with the iNaturalist app already installed. Get familiar with the use of the app during the hike.

Meet inside of the Tom Mays park at the parking lot opposite of the Nature Walk trailhead. (MAP)

You must make a reservation online for the park visit at https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/franklin-mountains or call (512) 389-8900. You get a fee reduction when mentioning the Celebration of our Mountains hike. Dress comfortably and according to the weather forecast. Put on sun-screen and eat before the hike. Bring water, a hat (cap), a walking stick (if needed) and wear solid walking shoes. Bring a mask. Please observe social distancing as best as you can. Hand sanitizer will be available.

Your guide is Dr. Gertrude Konings, retired professor of biology at EPCC and co-author of the book, Cacti of Texas in Their Natural Habitat (2009). For more information, contact her at 915-667-4565.

MAKE A RESERVATION NOW with the Franklin Mountains State Park. ARRIVE thirty minutes early for your event. Bring a printed copy of your registration.

This is important for this event and others held in the park. There is a crowd restriction and, on weekends, that number is filling up fast. So, act now and not on the day of the event. There is a $5 park fee per person over the age of 13.

You can register online (https://texasstateparks.reserveamerica.com/franklin-mountains-state-park/r/facilityDetails.do?contractCode=TX&parkId=1200020&_ga=2.13887220.2103983814.1600880018-402071100.1600275012) or by calling 512-389-8900.

Additionally,  every visitor must check in with a ranger (assuming you have a printed reservation) or inside the Visitors Center at Tom Mays Unit (if you do not have your reservation printed or if you have no reservation at all). 

Visitation has been reaching capacity on weekends and holidays. The amount of visitors arriving during the first 2 hours of opening has been overwhelmingly large. The Park Staff have been doing the best that they can to expedite the check-in process. It may take several minutes before you can enter the park.