June 9, 2026 –The Brazos River Authority is launching a 30-day public comment period from June 9 to July 8, 2026, to receive community feedback regarding a proposed day-use admission fee for DeCordova Bend Park on Lake Granbury. The pilot program is being considered to help better manage park overcrowding, safety, and overall user experience while providing funding for maintenance and potential park improvements.
Conveniently located in Hood County just southwest of Fort Worth, Lake Granbury is one of three BRA water supply reservoirs and a vital source of water for much of Hood and Johnson counties, as well as the Comanche Peak Nuclear Power Plant. While its main purpose is water supply, it’s also a popular recreational location. The BRA operates five parks along the reservoir’s 121-mile shoreline, offering areas for picnicking, fishing, camping, boating, and more.
BRA parks at Lake Granbury have historically been free to the public, which has oftentimes resulted in overcrowding on summer weekends and holidays. The BRA is considering a $5 per-vehicle fee utilizing a kiosk-based system that accepts debit or credit card payments at DeCordova Bend Park. Users would receive a receipt to place on their dashboards as proof of payment.
The dollar amount of the proposed fee is similar to other parks throughout the state, said Randall McCartney, BRA regional lake operations manager. For example, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department charges $7 per adult to enter its parks and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers charges a $5 per vehicle fee, which averages to about $8 for the Granbury area. The payment system would also be similar to the kiosks used by the Corps of Engineers park systems.
Beyond funding improvements, a pay station would offer other benefits, McCartney said. A kiosk can help manage traffic better, making the park safer and more enjoyable for everyone. It also reduces drive-thru traffic and makes it harder for people to misuse dumpsters for household or construction trash. It could also help to track how long campers stay, since they can use BRA parks for up to 10 consecutive days per month.
Although the BRA is a political subdivision of the state, it does not levy or collect taxes and does not receive subsidies from the state or the counties it serves to help manage the maintenance costs of lakeside parks. Except for occasional government grants to cover the costs of specific projects, the BRA is funded entirely through the sale of water and the management of water and wastewater services.
The BRA isn’t the only one with parks on the lake. The city of Granbury has two free boat ramps on the reservoir and its own park, called City Beach, which includes kayak rentals, picnic pavilions, a splash park, and is within walking distance to the historic downtown square, according to the city’s website.
You can share your comments on this pilot program by emailing information@brazos.org . The last day to share your thoughts is July 8, 2026.