Thinking of making a big move to Texas? This southwestern state is full of beautiful natural landscapes, from the Gulf Coastal Plains and Pine Belt of the southern and eastern regions to the Great Plains of the Panhandle and the mountains of West Texas — and all points in between. With an array of wildlife and natural resources, the Lone Star State is a picturesque and abundant state with more than 80 parks, historical sites, and natural areas.
Texas State Parks
With a diverse landscape ranging from rolling hills to towering mountains, and from expansive deserts to lush forests, Texas boasts a remarkable collection of state parks that offer a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. Join us on an unforgettable journey as we explore some of the most captivating and must-visit state parks in Texas.
1. Lost Maples State Natural Area
- Google Rating: 4.8
To begin your Texas adventures, head to Lost Maples State Natural Area. At a rolling 2,906 acres, this sprawling state park is categorized as a natural area to protect and uphold the area’s natural ecosystem.
Located near Vanderpool, about 90 miles northwest of San Antonio, Lost Maples State Natural Area is known for its magnificent fall colors, but it’s a popular year-round site for nature lovers too.
With a $6 admittance fee, spend the day hiking, taking photos of the lush scenery (and wildlife like armadillos, among many other animals, plants, and insects), and looking for geocaches, or spend the night camping and stargazing.
2. Huntsville State Park
- Google Rating: 4.7
Huntsville State Park is a thickly wooded area filled with the impressive splendor of the East Texas Pineywoods. At just 67 miles north of Houston, this area brims with sights and sounds for day-trippers and overnight campers alike.
Entrance fees run $7 per day, and you can set up your tent at one of the park’s many campsites (there are 160). From there, explore hiking and biking trails; go swimming, paddling, and fishing; or dive into nature studies and geocaching. In addition to camping, Huntsville State Park also provides screened shelters and shelters with amenities.
3. Guadalupe River State Park
- Google Rating: 4.7
Take a quick day trip from San Antonio and visit Guadalupe River State Park, just 29 miles north of the city. Located near Spring Branch on the Guadalupe River, the park is a premier swimming spot for many Texans and travelers.
With picture-perfect scenery plus amazing wildlife, this state park keeps people visiting year after year. For the $7 entrance fee, you can head to the four miles of river frontage for many on-site activities besides swimming.
Paddle, tube, fish, and canoe in the Guadalupe River, plus take in the 13 miles of hiking trails (including some horseback trails), camp at one of the park’s 85 sites, and learn about the area’s natural features at the discovery center.
4. Franklin Mountains State Park
- Google Rating: 4.7
Love urban state parks? Franklin Mountains State Park is just the ticket. Located within El Paso city limits, this park is about 250 miles from Albuquerque, New Mexico, making it a perfect pit stop for road trips.
The Franklin Mountains are, of course, the park’s premier eye-catching feature with scenic trails and photo opportunities at many vistas. The park also offers plenty of recreational options, including hiking, rock climbing, camping, and biking.
5. Government Canyon State Natural Area
- Google Rating: 4.7
For folks living in San Antonio, the city is rich with state parks and natural areas. Government Canyon State Park is a particular jewel located just northwest of the city. Open since 2005, the state park encompasses more than 12,000 acres that are dotted with breathtaking canyons, hills, and Ashe juniper trees.
Even more impressive, the park also protects and surrounds the city’s water supply. Settle in at a campsite, explore more than 40 miles of trails, picnic, geocache, and watch endangered wildlife like golden-cheeked warblers and black-capped vireos. The park is open Friday through Monday, with a $6 entrance fee.
6. Wyler Aerial Tramway State Park
- Google Rating: 4.7
Wyler Aerial Tramway State Park takes visitors back to the stunning beauty of the Franklin Mountains. The tramway itself is closed due to safety concerns, but visitors can still view amazing rock formations, stunning views, and beautiful mountain landscapes during the park’s guided programs.
7. McKinney Falls State Park
- Google Rating: 4.6
Austin city living is not without a serene natural spot, thanks to McKinney Falls State Park. Watch the waters of Onion Creek flow over natural limestone.
Head out on the many hiking trails to get glimpses of the upper and lower falls of Onion Creek. Aside from appreciating the area’s natural beauty, visitors can camp, boulder, geocache, picnic, and swim and fish at the creek.
8. Bastrop State Park
- Google Rating: 4.6
Take a ride 28 miles southeast of Austin to Bastrop Country and explore Bastrop State Park. Rent a historical cabin in the tranquil forested area of the Lost Pines or pitch a tent at the walk-in tent sites or RV hookups for overnight stargazing.
From there, take advantage of the seven miles of hiking trails, bike or drive down scenic state park roads, fish and picnic at Lake Mina, or swim in the pool (open seasonally).
9. Falcon State Park
Google Rating: 4.6
Immerse yourself in wildlife — particularly birding — at Falcon State Park along the Rio Grande. You can stay in a camp, screened shelter, or cabin to soak up every drop of this park’s offerings.
Fish in the 84,000-acre Falcon International Reservoir (largemouth bass and channel catfish are popular catches), swim, water ski, boat, and geocache. There’s also a recreation hall for refreshments, and all of this for only a $3 entrance fee.
10. Mustang Island State Park
- Google Rating: 4.6
Ready to hang by the coast? Add Mustang Island State Park to your must-do list. Enjoy fun-filled days in the warm, glowing sun on this barrier island across the bay from Corpus Christi.
The state park is overflowing with experiences to unlock, including idyllic beach days, camping, picnicking, paddling, and birding. Speaking of bird-watching, visitors can keep an eye out for waterfowl, shorebirds, songbirds, and hawks.
National Parks in Texas
Aside from the list of popular state parks in Texas, the state has two national parks controlled by the U.S. National Park Service. Both of these National parks are located in West Texas, so you’ll need to plan on a road-trip. But they both offer breathtaking views and thrilling hiking trails.
1. Big Bend National Park
- Google Rating: 4.8
Explore southwest Texas with an adventure in Big Bend National Park. Take in impressive river canyons filled with gorgeous natural limestone, breathtaking starry skies, and gorgeous desert landscapes. This exciting wide-open space is famous for its hot springs, camping, hiking, backcountry explorations, rugged trails, and mountain lodges.
2. Guadalupe National Park
- Google Rating: 4.8
Head into the desert of West Texas and experience glorious dunes, enthralling mountains, wow-worthy vista views, and the world’s most extensive Permian fossil reef. A diverse ecosystem gives way to remarkable flora and fauna at the national park, as visitors can hike, backpack the Guadalupe Mountains, take a scenic drive (or bicycle), camp on-site or in the wilderness, go horseback riding, and more.
The Lone Star State
Considering a move to Texas? Check out our other articles on the best places to live and notable safe cities to call your next home. And when you’re ready to find your new home, you can find new listings every day at NewHomeSource.com.
All parks have been ranked based on the criteria of popularity, distance from closest major cities, violent crime, property crime, Google ratings, and the number of Google reviews.
Stephanie Valente is a Content Director and Editor in Brooklyn, NY. She’s previously held writing and social media positions at Barkbox, Men’s Journal, and currently works at a full-service advertising agency. She’s a self-confessed home and design enthusiast. Stephanie is an award-winning poet and fiction writer. When she’s offline, you can find her taking a yoga class, running, hanging out with her rescue dog Pepper. Find her on stephanievalente.com.
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