This 29-Year-Old Is Visiting All 89 Texas State Parks in One Year — and She Has 3 Strict Rules for Every Stop (Exclusive)

In a bold endeavour to explore the natural beauty of Texas, 29-year-old Emma Keteler has set herself the ambitious target of visiting all 89 state parks in the Lone Star State by 2026. With more than half of her goal achieved, Keteler has already explored 49 parks, although her timeline is tightening due to her impending wedding in November.

The social media manager from Austin embarked on this journey after a long-standing focus on international travel. She realised that despite her extensive trips abroad, she had barely scratched the surface of what Texas has to offer. “Until I was old enough to make my own decisions, I think I’d been to one state park once, and that was pretty much it,” she shared.

Keteler’s mission commenced in January, after leaving her corporate job to immerse herself in Texas’s natural landscapes. She established three personal guidelines to make the most of her park visits: to camp at parks known for their camping facilities, to swim in accessible bodies of water, and to engage in the park’s primary activities, whether that be hiking, horseback riding, paddleboarding, or fishing.

“This approach is about making sure I truly experience the best each park has to offer,” Keteler explained. Her rules have pushed her limits, leading her to brave icy 35-degree plunges in winter and endure tent camping in sweltering 85-degree evenings.

Despite the challenges, she has already compiled a list of favourite parks. At Caprock Canyons State Park in the Texas Panhandle, she navigated stunning red-rock landscapes and encountered free-roaming bison. In contrast, Daingerfield State Park in East Texas offered her a tranquil environment, filled with tall pine trees and a serene, spring-fed lake adorned with lily pads.

Keteler uses platforms like Instagram, where she has nearly 16,000 followers, and TikTok, boasting over 34,000 followers, to document her journey. Her posts aim not just to showcase her adventures but also to inspire others to explore local attractions rather than focusing solely on popular tourist destinations.

“National parks can feel like Disney World sites,” she commented, emphasising the need for connection to local heritage and nature. Keteler encourages her audience to engage with the stunning landscapes close to home, noting that many people may overlook nearby state parks that can offer equally enriching experiences.

Reflecting on her own experience, she confided, “I never went to state parks as a kid. There are four or five parks within an hour’s drive from where I lived for 15 years, and I didn’t even realise we had such extraordinary natural wonders.”

As she continues her journey across Texas, Keteler faces the challenge of completing her goal while balancing her pre-wedding commitments. Nonetheless, her enthusiasm remains infectious, and she intends to visit remote locations, including El Paso and Big Bend, to complete her quest.

Emma Keteler’s story serves as a reminder of the treasures that await in one’s own backyard. Her adventurous spirit and commitment to local exploration inspire others to appreciate the diverse landscapes and experiences offered by the Texas state parks, encouraging a deeper connection with the great outdoors that is often overlooked in favour of more distant travels. Her journey not only highlights the beauty of Texas but also promotes a sense of community and the exploration of familiar areas that might otherwise be taken for granted.