Here in Texas, you don’t have to be an advanced hiker to go on a real adventure. All throughout the state, even in parks known for their strenuous, all-day treks, you’ll find gorgeous trails that don’t take more than a couple of hours to complete, and they’re just as stunning as all the longer hikes in the Lone Star State. Listed below are 11 amazing trails that are less than three miles long. They’re also some of the best hikes in Texas.

  1. Rimrock Trail at Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge - Marble Falls

Flickr/matthigh Incredible panoramic views of the Hill Country await you at the summit of this vigorous, yet rewarding, 2.2-mile hike. It’s definitely the most strenuous hike in the park, but the promise of lush greenery as far as the eye can see makes it all worth it. Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge, 24518 Ranch Rd 1431, Marble Falls, TX 78654, USA

  1. Santa Elena Canyon Trail - Big Bend National Park

Alltrails/Darcy Wheeler Clocking in at a mere 1.7 miles round trip, this trail begins where the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive ends. You’ll climb a set of paved steps to a breathtaking vista before returning down to the water’s edge and continuing into the canyon. Standing at the base of these towering rock walls is a truly humbling experience. Santa Elena Canyon Trail, Texas 79852, USA

  1. The Lighthouse Trail at Palo Duro Canyon State Park - Canyon

Flickr/royluck The park’s most popular trail is 2.72 miles long and moderately intense. It leads to the iconic rock formation nicknamed “Lighthouse” for its uncanny resemblance to its namesake. If you visit during the summer, make sure to bring lots of water and snacks. Even though it’s a short hike, the intense heat can really take a toll on your body. Palo Duro Canyon State Park, 11450 State Hwy Park Rd 5, Canyon, TX 79015, USA

  1. McKittrick Canyon Nature Trail at Guadalupe Mountains National Park - Salt Flat

Flickr/cwsteeds One of the shortest hikes on the list, this brief trail is a mere .9 miles round trip. It features unique plant life and geology, as well as breathtaking views of the mountains. Because it’s short, it should take less than an hour to complete. It’s a win-win situation to us! Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Salt Flat, TX 79847, USA

  1. Gorman Falls Trail at Colorado Bend State Park - Bend

Flickr/jrandallc A distance of 1.5 miles is all that stands between you and one of the most amazing hidden gems in Texas. Gorman Falls is a waterfall that’s more than 80 feet tall. It cascades down several rock ledges before spilling into the pool below. Coupled with all the surrounding greenery, it’s safe to say this is a fair payoff for your efforts. Gorman Falls Trail, Texas 76853, USA

  1. Summit Trail at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area - Fredericksburg

Flickr/leftymgp This .67-mile hike takes you straight to the top of the iconic pink monolith, providing absolutely jaw-dropping Hill Country views. There are even little pools filled with tiny fairy shrimp to marvel at while you’re up there. Just be sure to not disturb them. Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, 16710 Ranch Rd 965, Fredericksburg, TX 78624, USA

  1. Aztec Cave Trail at Franklin Mountains State Park - El Paso

Alltrails/Lawrence Tafoya At 1.2 miles out and back, the Aztec Cave Trail is the perfect way to experience all that Franklin Mountains State Park has to offer without spending an entire day sweating to death. It gets a little steep near the top, but the amazing views and pieces of history you’ll see along the way make the short stretch of difficulty absolutely worth it. Aztec Cave Trail, El Paso, TX, USA

  1. Twin Falls Nature Trail at Pedernales Falls State Park - Johnson City

Alltrails/Melissa Althen Be sure to set aside 30 minutes of your time here at Pedernales Falls State Park to hike this .5-mile, rugged and moderately intense trail that leads you to one of the most beautiful spots in the park. It’s short and sweet, and you definitely won’t regret it! Pedernales Falls State Park, 2585 Park Rd 6026, Johnson City, TX 78636, USA

  1. Kirby Nature Trail at Big Thicket National Preserve - Kountze

Alltrails/Crystal Talley This trail in one of the most diverse ecosystems in the country has three options ranging from 1.5 to 2.5 miles. You’ll pass through several different communities of plant life before intersecting with two other trails that you can embark on if you wish to extend your hike. Big Thicket National Preserve, FM 420, Kountze, TX 77625, USA

  1. East Trail at Lost Maples State Natural Area - Vanderpool

Flickr/gold41 At exactly three miles long, this challenging trek leads through bigtooth maples, bald cypress, and sycamore trees. We suggest taking this hike during the fall season because you’ll be rewarded with incredible views of the foliage when you reach the top of the rocky slopes. Lost Maples State Natural Area, 37221 RM 187, Vanderpool, TX 78885, USA

  1. Old Baldy Trail at Garner State Park - Concan

Flickr/kalebdf Although only .5 miles long, this trail is rather steep and challenging because it takes you up rocky hillsides for an incredible bird’s-eye view of the Frio River and surrounding greenery. The most difficult journeys tend to be the most rewarding, and the Old Baldy Trail is definitely no exception. Garner State Park, 234 RR 1050, Concan, TX 78838, USA

Have you been on any of these hikes? Are there any other short and sweet trails in Texas that are worth exploring? What are your picks for the best hikes in Texas? Let us know in the comments below!

Flickr/matthigh

Incredible panoramic views of the Hill Country await you at the summit of this vigorous, yet rewarding, 2.2-mile hike. It’s definitely the most strenuous hike in the park, but the promise of lush greenery as far as the eye can see makes it all worth it.

Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge, 24518 Ranch Rd 1431, Marble Falls, TX 78654, USA

Alltrails/Darcy Wheeler

Clocking in at a mere 1.7 miles round trip, this trail begins where the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive ends. You’ll climb a set of paved steps to a breathtaking vista before returning down to the water’s edge and continuing into the canyon. Standing at the base of these towering rock walls is a truly humbling experience.

Santa Elena Canyon Trail, Texas 79852, USA

Flickr/royluck

The park’s most popular trail is 2.72 miles long and moderately intense. It leads to the iconic rock formation nicknamed “Lighthouse” for its uncanny resemblance to its namesake. If you visit during the summer, make sure to bring lots of water and snacks. Even though it’s a short hike, the intense heat can really take a toll on your body.

Palo Duro Canyon State Park, 11450 State Hwy Park Rd 5, Canyon, TX 79015, USA

Flickr/cwsteeds

One of the shortest hikes on the list, this brief trail is a mere .9 miles round trip. It features unique plant life and geology, as well as breathtaking views of the mountains. Because it’s short, it should take less than an hour to complete. It’s a win-win situation to us!

Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Salt Flat, TX 79847, USA

Flickr/jrandallc

A distance of 1.5 miles is all that stands between you and one of the most amazing hidden gems in Texas. Gorman Falls is a waterfall that’s more than 80 feet tall. It cascades down several rock ledges before spilling into the pool below. Coupled with all the surrounding greenery, it’s safe to say this is a fair payoff for your efforts.

Gorman Falls Trail, Texas 76853, USA

Flickr/leftymgp

This .67-mile hike takes you straight to the top of the iconic pink monolith, providing absolutely jaw-dropping Hill Country views. There are even little pools filled with tiny fairy shrimp to marvel at while you’re up there. Just be sure to not disturb them.

Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, 16710 Ranch Rd 965, Fredericksburg, TX 78624, USA

Alltrails/Lawrence Tafoya

At 1.2 miles out and back, the Aztec Cave Trail is the perfect way to experience all that Franklin Mountains State Park has to offer without spending an entire day sweating to death. It gets a little steep near the top, but the amazing views and pieces of history you’ll see along the way make the short stretch of difficulty absolutely worth it.

Aztec Cave Trail, El Paso, TX, USA

Alltrails/Melissa Althen

Be sure to set aside 30 minutes of your time here at Pedernales Falls State Park to hike this .5-mile, rugged and moderately intense trail that leads you to one of the most beautiful spots in the park. It’s short and sweet, and you definitely won’t regret it!

Pedernales Falls State Park, 2585 Park Rd 6026, Johnson City, TX 78636, USA

Alltrails/Crystal Talley

This trail in one of the most diverse ecosystems in the country has three options ranging from 1.5 to 2.5 miles. You’ll pass through several different communities of plant life before intersecting with two other trails that you can embark on if you wish to extend your hike.

Big Thicket National Preserve, FM 420, Kountze, TX 77625, USA

Flickr/gold41

At exactly three miles long, this challenging trek leads through bigtooth maples, bald cypress, and sycamore trees. We suggest taking this hike during the fall season because you’ll be rewarded with incredible views of the foliage when you reach the top of the rocky slopes.

Lost Maples State Natural Area, 37221 RM 187, Vanderpool, TX 78885, USA

Flickr/kalebdf

Although only .5 miles long, this trail is rather steep and challenging because it takes you up rocky hillsides for an incredible bird’s-eye view of the Frio River and surrounding greenery. The most difficult journeys tend to be the most rewarding, and the Old Baldy Trail is definitely no exception.

Garner State Park, 234 RR 1050, Concan, TX 78838, USA

For more of the best hikes in Texas, be sure to take a look at our previous article: 11 Easy Hikes To Add To Your Outdoor Bucket List In Texas.

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The OIYS Visitor Center

best hikes in texas March 31, 2022 Jennifer Young What are three of the best kid-friendly trails in Texas? There are many kid-friendly hikes around Texas that are perfect for the entire family to experience. Three of our favorites are listed below, which are also some of the most easy hikes in Texas. You’ll want to experience them all!

  1. Santa Elena Canyon Trail Texas’ Santa Elena Canyon Trail, which is located inside Big Bend National Park, is a 1.4-mile, out-and-back trail that many people choose to use whenever they’re in the mood for hiking, running, or walking. The best time to explore this short and scenic trail is September through May.
  2. Balanced Rock via Grapevine Hills Trail Also located inside Big Bend National Park is Texas’ Balanced Rock via Grapevine Hills Trail. This 2-mile, out-and-back trail is a great spot to hike at any time of the year.
  3. Arbor Hills Nature Preserve Outer Loop Texas’ Arbor Hills Nature Preserve Outer Loop, which is located within Arbor Hills Nature Preserve, is a 2.4-mile loop trail that’s perfect for exploring year round. Many people love using this trail for hiking, running, and taking afternoon strolls. What’s one of the most scenic trails in Texas? There are plenty of scenic hikes in Texas, including the Caprock Canyons Trailway near Estelline. The Caprock Canyons Trailway is a 64-mile trail system that crosses 46 bridges, rolls over farms, and also passes through Clarity Tunnel, an abandoned railroad tunnel that was built in the late 1920s. While hiking in this area, you’ll encounter lots of beautiful scenery and get to see herds of bison roam. For more information about the Caprock Canyons Trailway, be sure to take a look at its webpage.

The OIYS Visitor Center

best hikes in texas

March 31, 2022

Jennifer Young

What are three of the best kid-friendly trails in Texas? There are many kid-friendly hikes around Texas that are perfect for the entire family to experience. Three of our favorites are listed below, which are also some of the most easy hikes in Texas. You’ll want to experience them all!

  1. Santa Elena Canyon Trail Texas’ Santa Elena Canyon Trail, which is located inside Big Bend National Park, is a 1.4-mile, out-and-back trail that many people choose to use whenever they’re in the mood for hiking, running, or walking. The best time to explore this short and scenic trail is September through May.
  2. Balanced Rock via Grapevine Hills Trail Also located inside Big Bend National Park is Texas’ Balanced Rock via Grapevine Hills Trail. This 2-mile, out-and-back trail is a great spot to hike at any time of the year.
  3. Arbor Hills Nature Preserve Outer Loop Texas’ Arbor Hills Nature Preserve Outer Loop, which is located within Arbor Hills Nature Preserve, is a 2.4-mile loop trail that’s perfect for exploring year round. Many people love using this trail for hiking, running, and taking afternoon strolls. What’s one of the most scenic trails in Texas? There are plenty of scenic hikes in Texas, including the Caprock Canyons Trailway near Estelline. The Caprock Canyons Trailway is a 64-mile trail system that crosses 46 bridges, rolls over farms, and also passes through Clarity Tunnel, an abandoned railroad tunnel that was built in the late 1920s. While hiking in this area, you’ll encounter lots of beautiful scenery and get to see herds of bison roam. For more information about the Caprock Canyons Trailway, be sure to take a look at its webpage.

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

There are many kid-friendly hikes around Texas that are perfect for the entire family to experience. Three of our favorites are listed below, which are also some of the most easy hikes in Texas. You’ll want to experience them all!

  1. Santa Elena Canyon Trail

Texas’ Santa Elena Canyon Trail, which is located inside Big Bend National Park, is a 1.4-mile, out-and-back trail that many people choose to use whenever they’re in the mood for hiking, running, or walking. The best time to explore this short and scenic trail is September through May.

  1. Balanced Rock via Grapevine Hills Trail

Also located inside Big Bend National Park is Texas’ Balanced Rock via Grapevine Hills Trail. This 2-mile, out-and-back trail is a great spot to hike at any time of the year.

  1. Arbor Hills Nature Preserve Outer Loop

Texas’ Arbor Hills Nature Preserve Outer Loop, which is located within Arbor Hills Nature Preserve, is a 2.4-mile loop trail that’s perfect for exploring year round. Many people love using this trail for hiking, running, and taking afternoon strolls.

What’s one of the most scenic trails in Texas?

There are plenty of scenic hikes in Texas, including the Caprock Canyons Trailway near Estelline. The Caprock Canyons Trailway is a 64-mile trail system that crosses 46 bridges, rolls over farms, and also passes through Clarity Tunnel, an abandoned railroad tunnel that was built in the late 1920s. While hiking in this area, you’ll encounter lots of beautiful scenery and get to see herds of bison roam. For more information about the Caprock Canyons Trailway, be sure to take a look at its webpage.