11 Best State Parks in Texas That’ll Make You Want to Get Outside Right Now

Best State Parks in Texas

Texas has amazing outdoor places from tall mountains to sunny beaches. With 89 parks covering 600,000 acres of land, you’ll find endless adventures like climbing, biking, paddling, and sleeping under the stars.

While there are many great parks to choose from, these 11 are top of the list.

Palo Duro Canyon

Address: 11450 Park Road 5, Canyon, TX 79015

People call this the “Grand Canyon of Texas” because of its deep, colorful walls that go down 800 feet. Over millions of years, nature carved out these orange and purple rock layers, creating a stunning sight.

You can ride horses, bike on trails, or camp at the bottom of the canyon. During summer nights, you can watch the “TEXAS” outdoor show while deer, roadrunners, and wild turkeys roam nearby.

From the visitor center, built long ago by the CCC, you’ll get amazing views of the whole canyon. Consider renting e-bikes to explore the park’s trails more easily.

Garner State Park

Address: 234 RR 1050, Concan, TX 78838

The cool, clear Frio River makes this Hill Country park a favorite swimming spot. Every summer since 1941, people have gathered here to dance under the stars to jukebox music cause it’s a Texas tradition.

You can stay in one of 37 cozy cabins or pitch your tent under tall cypress trees. When you’re not swimming, take a hike on the trails to see beautiful views from above. In busy times, you can rent boats and tubes to float down the river.

Volunteers play a crucial role in maintaining the park, offering opportunities for trail maintenance, habitat restoration, and educational programs.

Big Bend Ranch

Address: 23642 FM 170, Terlingua, TX 79852

This is Texas’s biggest state park, where wild desert land stretches as far as you can see.

Old volcanoes shaped this land, leaving behind rocky trails perfect for hiking and biking. People lived here 12,000 years ago, leaving behind rock art you can still see today. At night, the sky is so dark you can see millions of stars.

Old mines from the 1900s tell stories of people who once looked for valuable minerals here. What’s up? Rio Grande offers more opportunities for canoeing and kayaking, with expanded rental services to help visitors navigate the river’s rugged beauty.

Enchanted Rock

Address: 16710 Ranch Road 965, Fredericksburg, TX 78624

This huge pink rock dome is made from granite that’s about 1.1 billion years old. It stands 425 feet high, like a giant smooth hill rising from the ground. Rock climbers love the many routes to the top, but you can also take an easier walking path.

On clear nights, you can see thousands of stars and even the Milky Way. Native Americans thought this rock was magical, and when you visit, you might understand why.

This year additional loops and connecting trails will be open, allowing visitors to explore more of the surrounding Hill Country landscape.

Lost Maples

Address: 37221 F.M. 187, Vanderpool, TX 78885

This park is famous for its Uvalde bigtooth maples that have lived here since the Ice Age, found only in central and southwestern parts of Texas. These trees grow in deep canyons where the climate is just right for them.

In early November, the leaves turn bright red, orange, and gold, like a little piece of New England in Texas. The trails here are challenging but worth it, taking you up 230 feet for amazing views.

Watch out for the annual fall foliage festival starting in 2025, which will include live music, artisan markets, and nature walks.

Pedernales Falls

Address: 2585 Park Road 6026, Johnson City, TX 78636

Just a short drive from Austin, you’ll find water flowing over giant steps of limestone rock. The river drops 50 feet as it tumbles over rocks that formed 300 million years ago.

You can swim in special areas and walk on 20 miles of trails through juniper and oak trees. Based on reports, the park will add new river access points for visitors to explore other parts of the Pedernales River, offering opportunities for kayaking, canoeing, and additional swimming areas.

If you use a wheelchair, there’s even a special trail that lets you see the beautiful falls easily.

Guadalupe River

Address: 3350 Park Road 31, Spring Branch, TX 78070

Cool cypress trees (about 200 years old) line this popular river park. The clean, spring-fed water flows all year, making it perfect for swimming and tubing.

While you’re here, watch for colorful birds like the golden-cheeked warbler. The Discovery Center helps kids learn about the 160 different kinds of birds that live here, including the golden-cheeked warbler.

Try the Guadalupe River State Park Paddling Trail, a new 5-mile route that’s brimming with scenic views and opportunities to observe the river’s ecosystem up close. 

Colorado Bend

Address: 2236 County Road 4460, Bend, TX 76824

A beautiful 65-foot travertine waterfall and hundreds of caves make this park special. Called Gorman Falls, has delicate formations built up over thousands of years. The park offers excellent birdwatching opportunities, with over 150 species of birds.

Colorado Bend State Park features a variety of geological formations, including limestone cliffs, sandstone formations, and in spring, white bass swim upstream, making it a hotspot for anglers.  

Dinosaur Valley

Address: 1629 Park Road 59, Glen Rose, TX 76043

Walk where dinosaurs ruled the planet 113 million years ago. Their footprints are still in the Paluxy River bed, some as big as three feet across.

At the entrance, you’ll see life-sized dinosaur models that were made for the Texas Centennial Exposition in Dallas back in 1936. Dinosaur Valley will unveil new fossil exhibits in 2025, offering more information about the types of dinosaurs that lived in the area.

Right now, the park’s tracks are attributed to two main species: Sauroposeidon proteles (a sauropod) and Acrocanthosaurus (a theropod), preserved in the Lower Cretaceous Glen Rose Formation. 

Caddo Lake

Address: 245 Park Road 2, Karnack, TX 75661

This is Texas’s only natural lake, full of winding water paths and trees draped with Spanish moss. Some of the cypress trees here are over 400 years old.

Inhabited by humans for about 12,000 years, the Caddo Nation was the prime settlement, however, they relocated in the 19th century. Today, you can paddle through 50 miles of marked water trails or fish for crappie, black bass, and catfish from the pier.

The park is also home to other wildlife, including 216 kinds of birds, 47 types of mammals, and even alligators.

Galveston Island

Address: 14901 FM 3005, Galveston, TX 77554

Where the grassland meets the ocean, this park protects 2,000 acres of coastal habitat. You can swim, look for shells, or paddle through quiet waters watching for pink spoonbill birds.

The park is home to over 300 bird species, including wading and shore birds, and supports a variety of wildlife like raccoons, armadillos, and marsh rabbits.  The park’s nature center offers educational programs and exhibits about the local ecosystem, including dunes and sea turtles.

If you want to stay overnight, camp near the beach or the bay in spots with electricity and shade.

Planning Your Visit

These state parks showcase Texas’s incredible landscapes, from sea level to Guadalupe Peak at 8,749 feet. Book day passes 30 days in advance and campsites up to 5 months early.

Bring plenty of water (especially for desert parks), and check out ranger-led activities like birdwatching and outdoor cooking lessons.