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Two Bastrop County state parks are joining a total 20 across Texas in hosting ruck hikes for veterans’ mental health and Suicide Prevention and Awareness Month.
Bastrop State Park and Smithville’s Buecher State Park invite veterans, their families and community members to join a Veteran Mental Health Awareness Ruck Hike running throughout September. Organizers said the events are about connection and honoring those we’ve lost, also looking to raise awareness of mental health struggles faced by military veterans.
Hikers are welcome with or without a ruck, a weighted backpack also called a rucksack, which military members use to carry their gear.
“Being able to bring our community and local organizations together to rally around our veterans and their families means the world to us,” said Nicole Mechler, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department military liaison. “We want to show our support and bring awareness by letting people know that they are not alone in this fight. Nature can be healing and we want to provide that for them.”
TPWD officials recommend participants bring at least two liters of water per person, along with salty snacks. Hikers should wear proper clothing for the weather, sunscreen and comfortable walking or hiking shoes.
Event details and a complete calendar are available through tpwd.texas.gov.
Veterans and active-duty military members can also obtain a parklands passport online, which provides free entry to all Texas state parks. Military visitors can bring documentation and register for a passport at any state park headquarters, but it is recommended to file in advance rather than on the day of the hike.
Multiple parks have assistive chairs that can handle rougher terrain than traditional wheelchairs available for loan.
For more information on TPWD veterans affairs, contact vetcontact@tpwd. texas.gov.
