Texas Parks & Wildlife Department's Great Outdoor Scavenger Hunt Underway Again

AUSTIN – Summer is going by fast but there’s still time to jump in the car for an unforgettable road trip, near home or across the state.

The Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine’s Great Outdoor Scavenger Hunt (GOSH) returns for a third year of carefree fun across Texas. Travel to various locations on the magazine’s list, take a selfie and post it with the hashtag #GOSH2022. Discover history, wildlife, parks, waterways and quirky attractions — plus some classic eateries to visit and an iconic Texas soundtrack on Spotify and Apple Music as a “bonus” to enjoy along the way.

The GOSH 2022 challenge ends at midnight on Labor Day, Sept. 5.

Select from seven regions: Dallas, Central Texas, Houston, East Texas, Panhandle, South Texas and West Texas. Register on the Texas Parks and Wildlife magazine website or the contest page,  then find the spot, take a smiling selfie and tag it on Twitter or Instagram with #GOSH2022. Participants can also post and tag it on the magazine’s Facebook page. Complete one or all GOSH activities.

"We are so ready to hit the road for some fun," says Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine editor Russell Roe. "GOSH inspires those day trips that make lifelong memories. Pack the ice chest and your swimsuits and hit the road for a summer of fun. Share selfies everywhere you go, and you’ll have bragging rights for being great Texas adventurers."

East Texas road trippers can celebrate the “birthplace of boogie woogie” by taking a selfie at the Ginocchio Hotel’s commemorative marker in Marshall, then head over to the Children’s Wading Pool at Tyler State Park for a cool-off. Fill up on your favorite smoked meat at Stanley’s, then walk it off on shady trails at Mission Tejas State Park, Lake o’ the Pines or Atlanta State Park. All the details can be found at GOSH 22 East Texas Region.

In the Dallas area, take selfies on the terraced steps at the Fort Worth Water Gardens and in front of the family’s 1876 farmhouse at Penn Farm at Cedar Hill State Park. Stop in at Babe’s Chicken Dinner House to see the electro-magnetic wave contraption and go take a gander at the quirky Chairy Orchard in Denton. Explore the post hospital at Fort Richardson State Park and Historic Site. Check out more locations for the Dallas area at GOSH 2022 Dallas Region.

In Central Texas, learn about the Great Western Cattle Drive at Western Trail Heritage Park in Bandera. Take a refreshing break in the pool at Lockhart State Park and find Bear Creek Falls at Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve. Search for mermaid statues all around San Marcos and the Willie Nelson statue in Austin. Step under the huge cherry pie slice sculpture over the door to indulge yourself at the Texas Pie Company in Kyle. Visit GOSH 2022 Central Texas Region for more information.

In the Houston area, head to the five miles of coastline at Sea Rim State Park and snap your selfie on the nature boardwalk. Enjoy a musical interlude with Janis Joplin’s Porsche replica in Port Arthur and follow the Father of Texas to Stephen F. Austin State Park in San Felipe. Have some Blue Bell from the factory in Brenham while you enjoy the world’s longest car wash at Buc-ee’s in Katy. GOSH 2022 Houston Area has more details.

In the Panhandle, check out the Texas State Longhorn Herd, then snap a selfie under the “Texas” archway at the Pioneer Amphitheater at Palo Duro Canyon State Park. Spend a day in nearby Canyon exploring the exhibits at Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum. At Lake Fryer, or camp out and enjoy the fishing. Movie buffs will enjoy seeing the Tower Station in Shamrock for a glimpse at the inspiration for a location in Pixar’s Cars. For more information about GOSH 22 locations in the Panhandle, check out GOSH 2022 Panhandle Region.

In South Texas, wildlife abounds, so follow the birds to Quinta Mazatlan, one of nine World Birding Center spots in the region and snap a selfie by the ornately carved door. Sea Turtle Inc. on South Padre Island is a must-see for up-close experiences, then head over to the Laguna Madre Nature Trail’s boardwalk to walk among roseate spoonbills and herons. Snap a selfie at world’s largest killer bee statue in Hidalgo. Visit GOSH 2022 South Texas Region for more information.

In West Texas, Balmorhea is back after repairs, so it’s time to swim with the fish in the state park’s incredible spring-fed pool. The Barton Warnock Visitor Center,at the eastern entrance of Big Bend Ranch State Park, is newly renovated or find the “best little bird blind in Texas” at Davis Mountains State Park. Turn the camera around to place yourself among your musical heroes at the Printco Building mural in Alpine. Visit GOSH 2022 West Texas for more information.

See how to enter, rules, where to upload your selfies and more information on challenge locations regionally or statewide at TPWD GOSH 2022.

Complete all the activities in a region and you’ll get a handsome, downloadable certificate commemorating your achievement, along with a shout-out in a future issue of Texas Parks & Wildlife magazine, in which we’ll salute our GOSH participants. Statewide completers win a chance at other prizes.