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The Texas Trailhead sells this pocket-sized passport to log visits to parks around the Lone Star State. Pam LeBlanc photo

A handy new park passport from the Texas Trailhead lets you log visits to state parks and natural areas around the Lone Star State.

My copy of the booklet, which has space to record 27 separate visits, arrived this week, compliments of Danny Laurel, founder of the Texas Trailhead.

It’ll come in handy in my mission to explore all 89 state parks. So far I’ve knocked off 43, and favorites include Big Bend Ranch State Park in West Texas, Colorado Bend State Park in the Hill Country, and Martin Dies Jr. State Park in East Texas.

Inside the front and back cover of the park passport you’ll find a list of all the state parks and natural areas, plus two pages to describe what you did at each one and what you liked best about it.

I’ve got a similar passport for national parks. Laurel says he created the state park passport  because he wanted to document those visits, too.

“I don’t just want to collect pins and patches, but memories I can go back and read,” he says, adding that the passport gives people a place to keep track of where they’ve been and jot down the special moments that unfolded there.

There’s space to record visits to 27 parks in the passport. Pam LeBlanc photo

Buy one online

The passport, hand printed by The Workschop, sells for $16.95 at www.thetexastrailhead.com, an Austin-based organization that encourages people to enjoy the physical and mental benefits of outdoor recreation. The website includes a blog and information about places to hike and parks to visit.

Laurel started hiking in 2018 to improve his mental and physical health.

“For me, getting outside is all about seeking adventure and mental clarity,” he says in a note inside the passport. “It’s a way to find mindfulness while also exploring the great places that Texas has to offer.”