Ruck hike for veteran suicide awareness at Inks Lake State Park
Inks Lake State Park hosts its second annual Veteran Suicide Awareness Ruck Hike on Sept. 27, 2025. The hike takes place on Devil’s Waterhole Trail. Staff photo by Jennifer Greenwell
The second annual Veteran Suicide Awareness Ruck Hike at Inks Lake State Park is Saturday, Sept. 27. The march is co-hosted by the park and the Highland Lakes Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6974 in Burnet.
The fun, non-competitive hike will be along a “fairly easy trail” at various lengths, depending on the participant, according to the Inks Lake State Park event page.
The Burnet VFW will be giving out a limited number of commemorative ruck coins to participants.
While veterans are especially encouraged to take part, the hike is open to everyone. Hikers should be ready to go at 9 a.m. at the Devil’s Waterhole Trailhead at the park, 3480 Park Road 4 West near Burnet. No registration is necessary.
Veterans and active-duty U.S. military members get free park admission with a Texas Parklands Passport, available at Inks Lake headquarters. Day-use entry for everyone else is $7 for ages 13 and older and free for children 12 and younger.
ADA accommodations are available, an all-terrain wheelchair will be on hand, and lunch will be provided by the Burnet VFW. Veteran Suicide Awareness Ruck Hike participants also get free kayak and fishing equipment rentals for the day.
Contact Inks Lake State Park’s Nathaniel Nouri at 830-798-7632 or nathaniel.nouri@tpwd.texas.gov for more information.
SUICIDE PREVENTION
September is suicide prevention month.
The veteran-led awareness organization Stop Soldier Suicide shows some startling statistics on suicide and U.S. veterans:
- Veterans are at a 58 percent higher risk of suicide than non-veterans.
- In 2022, 6,407 veterans committed suicide, which comes out to just over 17 per day.
- Over 140,000 veterans have died by suicide since 2001.
- Suicide is the second-leading cause of death for veterans under the age of 45.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has online resources for veterans for suicide prevention, coping, and support.
Those in need of help may also call or text the Suicide and Crisis Hotline at 988.