Truth be told, there’s never a wrong time to camp here in Texas. Camping might not be accessible all year long for other states, but in Texas, it’s a welcomed pastime for many. There’s nothing like the crisp nighttime air, a pitched tent, and falling asleep under the stars. Sounds pretty dreamy, right? These 11 state parks to visit in Texas are equally gorgeous all year long and see much less tourist traffic, especially during the chillier months. So get ready to get outdoors and enjoy some true southern adventures in some of the best state parks in Texas.
- Palo Duro Canyon State Park (Canyon)
Flickr/sarowen Only second in size to the Grand Canyon itself, this incredible natural wonder has more than 30 miles of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Plenty of campsites, both primitive and with water + electricity, are available for one per night fee. Click here for more information. Palo Duro Canyon State Park, 11450 State Hwy Park Rd 5, Canyon, TX 79015, USA
- Enchanted Rock State Natural Area (Fredericksburg)
Flickr/joncutrer Easily one of the Hill Country’s most famed attractions, Enchanted Rock has been drawing crowds for thousands of years. In fact, you’ll find extremely well-preserved pictographs suggesting Native Americans once lived in the area. More than 50 campsites sleep between four and eight people. Click here for more information. Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, 16710 Ranch Rd 965, Fredericksburg, TX 78624, USA
- Guadalupe Mountains National Park (Salt Flat)
Flickr/kittell Home to the highest peak in Texas, Guadalupe Mountains National Park provides unbeatable panoramic views of the surrounding desert landscape. Test your agility and hike to the summit for an experience you’ll never forget. Plenty of camping is available at two different sites. Click here for more information. Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Salt Flat, TX 79847, USA
- Pedernales Falls State Park (Johnson City)
Flickr/travelista Pedernales Falls almost resembles a prehistoric landscape, what with its craggy limestone and towering, cave-filled limestone canyons. Whether you want to go climbing down by the river or hike one of several trails, there are plenty of adventures to choose from. Primitive, equipped, and equestrian campsites are available. Click here for more information. Pedernales Falls State Park, 2585 Park Rd 6026, Johnson City, TX 78636, USA
- Bentsen Rio Grande Valley State Park (Mission)
Flickr/vsmithuk An often overlooked state park, this unique place is absolutely blooming with life during wintertime. It’s a world-class birding destination, with more than 350 species making their homes amid the subtropical surroundings. Ten campsites each sleep four people. Click here for more information. Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park, 2800 S Bentsen Palm Dr, Mission, TX 78572, USA
- Colorado Bend State Park (Bend)
Flickr/jrandallc Hiding within Colorado Bend State Park is Gorman Falls, a 60-foot tall waterfall surrounded by lush greenery reminiscent of a tropical jungle. There are also several trails and tours of an underground cave. Primitive, equipped, and group campsites sleep between four and 48 people. Click here for more information. Colorado Bend State Park, 2236 Park Hill Dr, Bend, TX 76824, USA
- Franklin Mountains State Park (El Paso)
Flickr/tamasrepus Way out in West Texas are the Franklin Mountains, the largest sustained range in the state. Two trails run through the park, and more than 20 campsites sleep between eight and 24 for one low nightly rate. Click here for more information. Franklin Mountains State Park, Tom Mays Park Access Rd, El Paso, TX 79930, USA
- Caprock Canyons State Park (Quitaque)
Flickr/matthigh Caprock Canyons is a smaller, less frequented version of Palo Duro. It features almost 90 miles of trails in addition to a large lake and seasonal horse rentals. More than 100 primitive, equipped, and overflow campsites are available. Click here for more information. Caprock Canyons State Park, 1000 Caprock Canyons Park Rd, Quitaque, TX 79255, USA
- Garner State Park (Concan)
Flickr/matthigh Though it’s most popular during summer and fall, there’s plenty to do at Garner State Park all year long. Hike or bike 11 miles of trails, jump into the Frio River, fish, play mini-golf, or picnic. Full hookup, premium, and water-only campsites all sleep up to eight. Click here for more information. Garner State Park, 234 RR 1050, Concan, TX 78838, USA
- Davis Mountains State Park (Fort Davis)
Flickr/cvreeland A historical site and natural wonder combined, the Davis Mountains are located right near a former military fort. In addition to hiking, this area is one of the darkest spots in Texas. A variety of different campsites sleep four to eight people. Click here for more information. Davis Mountains State Park, Park Rd 3, Fort Davis, TX 79734, USA
- Big Bend National Park
Flickr/photo_art A list of Texas state parks wouldn’t be complete without the granddaddy of them all: Big Bend. There’s simply no comparable view in Texas — and very few in the whole country. Given the park’s size and popularity, all different types of campsites are virtually always available. Click here for more information. Big Bend National Park, TX 79834, USA
Have you ever camped at any of these parks? Did we leave off your favorite? Let us know your thoughts!
Flickr/sarowen
Only second in size to the Grand Canyon itself, this incredible natural wonder has more than 30 miles of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Plenty of campsites, both primitive and with water + electricity, are available for one per night fee. Click here for more information.
Palo Duro Canyon State Park, 11450 State Hwy Park Rd 5, Canyon, TX 79015, USA
Flickr/joncutrer
Easily one of the Hill Country’s most famed attractions, Enchanted Rock has been drawing crowds for thousands of years. In fact, you’ll find extremely well-preserved pictographs suggesting Native Americans once lived in the area. More than 50 campsites sleep between four and eight people. Click here for more information.
Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, 16710 Ranch Rd 965, Fredericksburg, TX 78624, USA
Flickr/kittell
Home to the highest peak in Texas, Guadalupe Mountains National Park provides unbeatable panoramic views of the surrounding desert landscape. Test your agility and hike to the summit for an experience you’ll never forget. Plenty of camping is available at two different sites. Click here for more information.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Salt Flat, TX 79847, USA
Flickr/travelista
Pedernales Falls almost resembles a prehistoric landscape, what with its craggy limestone and towering, cave-filled limestone canyons. Whether you want to go climbing down by the river or hike one of several trails, there are plenty of adventures to choose from. Primitive, equipped, and equestrian campsites are available. Click here for more information.
Pedernales Falls State Park, 2585 Park Rd 6026, Johnson City, TX 78636, USA
Flickr/vsmithuk
An often overlooked state park, this unique place is absolutely blooming with life during wintertime. It’s a world-class birding destination, with more than 350 species making their homes amid the subtropical surroundings. Ten campsites each sleep four people. Click here for more information.
Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park, 2800 S Bentsen Palm Dr, Mission, TX 78572, USA
Flickr/jrandallc
Hiding within Colorado Bend State Park is Gorman Falls, a 60-foot tall waterfall surrounded by lush greenery reminiscent of a tropical jungle. There are also several trails and tours of an underground cave. Primitive, equipped, and group campsites sleep between four and 48 people. Click here for more information.
Colorado Bend State Park, 2236 Park Hill Dr, Bend, TX 76824, USA
Flickr/tamasrepus
Way out in West Texas are the Franklin Mountains, the largest sustained range in the state. Two trails run through the park, and more than 20 campsites sleep between eight and 24 for one low nightly rate. Click here for more information.
Franklin Mountains State Park, Tom Mays Park Access Rd, El Paso, TX 79930, USA
Flickr/matthigh
Caprock Canyons is a smaller, less frequented version of Palo Duro. It features almost 90 miles of trails in addition to a large lake and seasonal horse rentals. More than 100 primitive, equipped, and overflow campsites are available. Click here for more information.
Caprock Canyons State Park, 1000 Caprock Canyons Park Rd, Quitaque, TX 79255, USA
Though it’s most popular during summer and fall, there’s plenty to do at Garner State Park all year long. Hike or bike 11 miles of trails, jump into the Frio River, fish, play mini-golf, or picnic. Full hookup, premium, and water-only campsites all sleep up to eight. Click here for more information.
Garner State Park, 234 RR 1050, Concan, TX 78838, USA
Flickr/cvreeland
A historical site and natural wonder combined, the Davis Mountains are located right near a former military fort. In addition to hiking, this area is one of the darkest spots in Texas. A variety of different campsites sleep four to eight people. Click here for more information.
Davis Mountains State Park, Park Rd 3, Fort Davis, TX 79734, USA
Flickr/photo_art
A list of Texas state parks wouldn’t be complete without the granddaddy of them all: Big Bend. There’s simply no comparable view in Texas — and very few in the whole country. Given the park’s size and popularity, all different types of campsites are virtually always available. Click here for more information.
Big Bend National Park, TX 79834, USA
For more of the. best state parks in Texas, check out 13 Lesser-Known State Parks In Texas That Will Absolutely Amaze You.
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The OIYS Visitor Center
State Parks To Visit In Texas January 24, 2022 Marisa Roman What’s the most beautiful state park in Texas? Does anyone else love a good underrated state park in Texas? You know the ones we mean - maybe a hidden gem, or one off-the-beaten-path. When you think about the best parks in Texas, does Hueco Tanks near El Paso come to mind? Because some might consider this one to be one of the most beautiful state parks in all of Texas. As far as things to do outside in Texas, this park has it all from hiking, picnicking, stargazing, and rock climbing, to name a few. Bird watching is also huge here, with over 200 different species residing within the state park. What is the oldest state park in Texas? Sometimes the best state parks in Texas have the most history within. For example, if you’ve never been to Mother Neff State Park in Texas, then it’s about high time you made the trip. This park was the very first established state park in Texas, opening to the public officially in 1937. Nature lovers unite in this park to picnic, hike, geocache, and of course camp. Plus, one of the best features of the whole park is the cave that was used two centuries ago by the Tonkawa Indian tribe. What are the most beautiful hikes in Texas? If there is one thing we’re certainly not lacking in the Lone Star State it’s different places to hike. Hiking trails in Texas are in abundance and we have some of the best you can find in one list. The ultimate bucket list for Texans obsessed with hiking includes some real gems. We’re talking about hiking through the Guadalupe Mountains National Park on the Texas Highpoint Trail as well as the Lost Mine Trail in Big Bend National Park.
The OIYS Visitor Center
State Parks To Visit In Texas
January 24, 2022
Marisa Roman
What’s the most beautiful state park in Texas? Does anyone else love a good underrated state park in Texas? You know the ones we mean - maybe a hidden gem, or one off-the-beaten-path. When you think about the best parks in Texas, does Hueco Tanks near El Paso come to mind? Because some might consider this one to be one of the most beautiful state parks in all of Texas. As far as things to do outside in Texas, this park has it all from hiking, picnicking, stargazing, and rock climbing, to name a few. Bird watching is also huge here, with over 200 different species residing within the state park. What is the oldest state park in Texas? Sometimes the best state parks in Texas have the most history within. For example, if you’ve never been to Mother Neff State Park in Texas, then it’s about high time you made the trip. This park was the very first established state park in Texas, opening to the public officially in 1937. Nature lovers unite in this park to picnic, hike, geocache, and of course camp. Plus, one of the best features of the whole park is the cave that was used two centuries ago by the Tonkawa Indian tribe. What are the most beautiful hikes in Texas? If there is one thing we’re certainly not lacking in the Lone Star State it’s different places to hike. Hiking trails in Texas are in abundance and we have some of the best you can find in one list. The ultimate bucket list for Texans obsessed with hiking includes some real gems. We’re talking about hiking through the Guadalupe Mountains National Park on the Texas Highpoint Trail as well as the Lost Mine Trail in Big Bend National Park.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Does anyone else love a good underrated state park in Texas? You know the ones we mean - maybe a hidden gem, or one off-the-beaten-path. When you think about the best parks in Texas, does Hueco Tanks near El Paso come to mind? Because some might consider this one to be one of the most beautiful state parks in all of Texas. As far as things to do outside in Texas, this park has it all from hiking, picnicking, stargazing, and rock climbing, to name a few. Bird watching is also huge here, with over 200 different species residing within the state park.
What is the oldest state park in Texas?
Sometimes the best state parks in Texas have the most history within. For example, if you’ve never been to Mother Neff State Park in Texas, then it’s about high time you made the trip. This park was the very first established state park in Texas, opening to the public officially in 1937. Nature lovers unite in this park to picnic, hike, geocache, and of course camp. Plus, one of the best features of the whole park is the cave that was used two centuries ago by the Tonkawa Indian tribe.
What are the most beautiful hikes in Texas?
If there is one thing we’re certainly not lacking in the Lone Star State it’s different places to hike. Hiking trails in Texas are in abundance and we have some of the best you can find in one list. The ultimate bucket list for Texans obsessed with hiking includes some real gems. We’re talking about hiking through the Guadalupe Mountains National Park on the Texas Highpoint Trail as well as the Lost Mine Trail in Big Bend National Park.
