The 10 Best State Parks in Texas

There are so many beautiful places in Texas to hike, camp and spend time outside, and the Texas state park system is one of the best places to look. There are 89 Texas state parks and over 640,000 acres of land owned or leased by the Texas parks department.

One of the best parts about Texas nature is that it’s so diverse. At Texas state parks across the state, you’ll find lakes, rivers, mountains, desert landscapes, natural springs, forests, and more.

I spent 4 years living in Texas and it’s where I really developed my love for the outdoors. I love the variety that the state has to offer, and I always appreciate how well maintained Texas state parks tend to be.

I’ve been to 38 Texas state parks (so far!) and here I’m listing what I think are the 10 best Texas state parks. I’ve chosen them mostly on overall beauty and hiking opportunities, and just my personal opinion. I’ll continue to update this as I visit more parks.

When you’re outside exploring, please make sure to leave no trace. That includes packing out your trash, staying on the trails, never approaching wildlife, following rules for campfires and respecting those around you.

The Best State Parks in Texas

Here is my list of the best Texas state parks, counted down from 10 to 1. It was hard to determine the exact order of each. Really, you can’t go wrong with any! I’ve also listed some honorable mentions at the end.

10. Pedernales Falls State Park

This beautiful Hill Country park is best known for its unique waterfalls and limestone rock formations. It’s a fantastic place for hiking near Austin, camping and swimming.

When you visit, a few of the best things to do in Pedernales include walking on Pedernales Falls, hiking the 5.7 mile loop trail and swimming in the Pedernales River. Walking on the waterfall is especially unique. You can walk out onto limestone ledges and explore freely (and carefully) in the Pedernales Falls Area.

You can also swim in certain areas that you can see via the map. The hiking trails here provide a mix of challenges, and you can enjoy hilltop views and discover secret swimming holes along the way.

Pedernales Falls is located an hour away from Austin and makes for a perfect day trip or a great stop on a Hill Country road trip. It’s a great park to have on your Texas bucket list!

9. Hueco Tanks State Park

Hueco Tanks is a unique and historic state park located right outside of El Paso in West Texas. These mountains collect rainwater and have been used as shelter for early hunter-gatherers for 10,000 years. There are both pictographs and petroglyphs in this park, and it’s a sacred place for the Tigua Indians.

During a visit here, you can enjoy both rock climbing and hiking. To visit, you’ll want to make a reservation for a guided tour, or make a reservation for a self-guided visit. A self-guided visit requires an orientation video. There are no marked trails on the North Mountain, so make sure to pay close attention to which way you’re going. Speaking from experience, it’s very easy to get lost.

I highly recommend including this park on your itinerary if you’re headed to West Texas to visit the Guadalupe Mountains. It’s a unique and special place.

8. Caddo Lake State Park

Visit a mysterious lake in East Texas at Caddo Lake State Park. This park sits on the Louisiana border and is one of the only lakes in Texas that was formed naturally. The lake is home to many cypress trees that are 100s of years old and drip in eerie spanish moss.

There are some hiking trails in the state park, but the best thing to do in Caddo Lake is to get out on the water. You can rent kayaks to explore Mill Pond, or take a guided boat tour around the lake. I recommend exploring in both ways if you can!

This interesting park is located just 3 hours from Dallas, and makes for a perfect weekend getaway.

7. Lost Maples State Natural Area

Lost Maples is easily one of the best Texas state parks to see fall foliage! The park is home to Uvalde bigtooth maple trees and full of beautiful hiking trails that offer fantastic views of Texas Hill Country and the Sabinal River.

If you enjoy hiking, head out on both the East trail and the West Trail. If you only have time for one side of the loop, the East trail provides the best views and has more fall foliage.

This park is beautiful year round, but its extra special to visit in mid-November to see the changing leaves. It’s located less than 2 hours from San Antonio and is not far from Garner State Park.

6. Colorado Bend State Park

Colorado Bend is another Hill Country park that is great for hiking. The park has 35 miles of trails and in addition to hiking, it’s popular for backpacking, swimming, caving and biking.

The most popular spot in Colorado Bend is Gorman Falls, an impressive 70-foot waterfall that is surrounded by greenery. It's a 2.8-mile hike to reach the waterfall. You can’t swim at Gorman Falls, but head over to Spicewood Springs to discover swimming holes.

This remote park is located 2 hours from Austin, making it a fantastic weekend getaway if you want to disconnect and spend time in nature.

5. Enchanted Rock State Park

Enchanted Rock is an incredibly unique and beautiful Texas state park. The focal point of the park is a giant, pink granite domed rock that you can summit. The park offers hiking, rock climbing and camping.

This park is so popular that it often fills to capacity, so be sure to make a reservation in advance. I personally recommend hiking to the summit of Enchanted Rock at sunrise. It’s stunning to watch the light change over the surrounding hills. Plus, you’ll beat the crowds.

I especially love vernal pools on the rock, which are home to fairy shrimp. Please do not step inside these pools even if they’re dry.

Enchanted Rock is located very close to the iconic small town of Fredericksburg, so it’s worth visiting both during a Hill Country road trip.

4. Garner State Park

Garner State Park is one of the most popular Texas state parks for good reason. The park is one of the best places to camp in Texas Hill Country, plus it has some really fun hiking trails. You can even enjoy floating and swimming in the Frio River during the warmer months.

The most famous trail in the park is Mt Baldy. It’s a short yet strenuous climb to the top, but the views of the Frio River and valley below are worth it. It’s also worth hiking to Crystal Cave, which is a pretty large cave that you climb down into.

Another unique part of Garner State Park is that they have a jukebox and a dance hall where they still hold summer dances. It’s a fun park all around.

3. Palo Duro Canyon State Park

Palo Duro Canyon is not only the largest canyon in Texas, but it’s the second largest canyon in the United States. The park offers miles of hiking trails, horseback riding, and is beautiful for a scenic drive. The park even has an outdoor musical during summer evenings, and offers historic cabins on the rim of the canyon.

The most famous trail in the park is the Lighthouse Trail, which is a 5.9-mile hike that will lead you to a huge rock that looks like a lighthouse. Most of the hike is flat, but there’s a steep climb at the end. Make sure to bring plenty of water and sun protection, as there is no shade and this park can be quite warm year round.

Palo Duro Canyon is also not far from Amarillo, which is full of quirky roadside attractions along Route 66.

2. Caprock Canyon State Park

Caprock Canyons is relatively close to Palo Duro (an hour and a half away). Personally, I liked it slightly more than Palo Duro because it’s much less visited and it just felt more wild, remote and untouched.

This park is also very unique due to its wildlife. Bison roam free in this park, and it’s home to many prairie dogs.

Caprock Canyons offers camping, hiking and is a great place for an easy backpacking trip. I recommend hiking to the Haynes Ridge Overlook, but combining it with the North Prong Spur and Upper North Prong Trail to make it a loop. The entire loop is 6.4 miles.

Other great trails in Caprock include the Eagle Point Trail and the Canyon Rim Trail. And if you have a bike, check out the Caprock Canyons Trailway nearby. It’s a 64-mile bike trail on a former railroad route.

1. Big Bend Ranch State Park

Located outside of Big Bend National Park, Big Bend Ranch is a remote park with incredible views along the Rio Grande River. With over 200 miles of trails, it’s the largest state park in Texas.

At Big Bend Ranch you can enjoy hiking, mountain-biking, backpacking, horseback riding, four-wheel drive roads and more. The park is also a designated International Dark Sky Park, so it’s amazing for stargazing.

I recommend hiking the Closed Canyon Trail, which will lead you into an epic slot canyon. It’s also worth hiking the 1.2-mile hoodoo trail.

The beautiful drive through the park, and remote-nature and the hiking trails make this my favorite Texas state park! I highly recommend including it on a trip to Big Bend National Park or on a West Texas road trip.

Honorable Mentions

It was hard to pick a top 10, so here are some of my other favorite Texas state parks.

• Dinosaur Valley
• Brazos Bend
• Guadalupe River
• Franklin Mountains
• Palmetto
• Texas Hill Country Natural Area
• Inks lake
• Longhorn Caverns

Tips for Visiting Texas State Parks

• Make an advanced day use reservation for the popular parks on weekends and holidays. This is especially recommended for Hueco Tanks, Enchanted Rock, Dinosaur Valley, Garner and Lost Maples in the fall.
• If you’re visiting multiple Texas state parks, it might make sense to buy a Texas state park pass. It costs $70 for a year and includes entry for you and anyone in your car. Typically Texas state parks are $4-$8 per person, but it varies from park to park.
• Texas state parks usually have great paper maps that you can pick up when you enter. However, I also recommend downloading the offline version of popular trails on All Trails before heading out.

Final Thoughts

I hope this guide helps you decide which Texas state park to visit next! From a mysterious lake to canyons to mountains, the Texas state park system is full of variety and beauty.

Keep planning your outdoorsy Texas trip with these guides:

• The Ultimate Texas state park travel guide
• The Best Places To Hike in Texas Hill Country
• 40+ Things To Do in Texas Hill Country
• The Ultimate Texas Nature Bucket List
• The Best Hiking Trails near Dallas
• Big Bend and Marfa Road Trip Itinerary
• The Best Outdoor Adventures in Beaumont, Texas
• The Best Outdoor Adventures in The Woodlands
• A Guide to Caddo Lake State Park
• A Guide to Pedernales State Park
• A Guide to Colorado Bend State Park
• A Guide to Enchanted Rock State Park
• A Guide to Garner State Park
• A Guide to Lost Maples State Park
• A Guide to Caprock Canyons State Park

Thanks for Reading!