Grazing Lease at Palo Duro Canyon State Park for the Upper Mesquite Mesa (1, 523 acres), Lower Mesquite Mesa (523 acres) and Cita Canyon (1, 419 acres) Pastures

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is requesting bids for a grazing lease at Palo Duro Canyon State Park covering approximately 3,465 acres across three pastures in Randall and Armstrong Counties, with bids due October 14, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. Central Time and a pre-bid site visit period from October 5–9, 2026.

The scope covers cattle grazing operations on the Upper Mesquite Mesa (1,523 acres), Lower Mesquite Mesa (523 acres), and Cita Canyon (1,419 acres) pastures, with grazing utilized as a habitat management tool to improve range conditions, promote native plant communities, enhance wildlife habitat, and reduce woody species densities. The lessee must demonstrate experience as a stockman and range resource manager with personal supervision of ranching operations and knowledge of native plant communities. Responsibilities include routine maintenance and repairs of fencing, feeding, and watering improvements; maintaining detailed inventory records; implementing supplemental feeding programs; coordinating grazing schedules with park management; and providing and maintaining two rain gauges on the lease area.

The initial lease term runs from award through September 30, 2031, with the annual grazing period occurring October 1 through April 30 each year. The lease may be renewed for one additional five-year term ending September 30, 2036. Award is based on the highest qualified bid price per Animal Unit Month (AUM), with a minimum stocking rate of 200 AU and a projected 35 grazing months for the initial contract term. Bidders must submit a deposit equal to 10 percent of the total 35-month bid amount as a Certified Check, Bank Money Order, or Cashier's Check payable to "TPWD / Palo Duro Canyon State Park Grazing." The Park Superintendent will establish stocking rates annually based on forage production measured each September, with rates potentially adjusted for drought, forage depletion, or management needs. Questions are due October 9, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Central Time. All permanent improvements become property of TPWD upon lease termination.