As temperatures (lastly) cool, the Lone Star State is getting into its peak season for mountain climbing and different out of doors actions.
Positioned on the sting of the Texas Hill Nation, San Antonio is fortunate to have a plethora of beautiful state parks close by. And because of current expansions and acquisitions, locals have much more choices to get some recent air. Certainly, Texas has added greater than 6,800 acres of latest parkland since January.
Along with mountain climbing and biking trails, many of those parks additionally provide alternatives for tenting, picnics, horseback using, bird-watching, and different actions for outdoorsy kinds of each persuasion.
Time to cease doom-scrolling, go outdoors and “contact grass.”
Bear Creek State ParkThe latest addition to this listing is Bear Creek State Park, a 1,720-acre acquisition introduced by Texas Parks and Wildlife in August 2025. Positioned lower than a mile from Garner State Park, Bear Creek joins 3,120- acre Put up Oak Ridge State Park close to Colorado Bend and the three,703-acre addition at Enchanted Rock State Pure Space. Birdwatchers have the prospect to view endangered species such because the Golden Cheeked Warbler whereas canyons and rivers provide a picturesque backdrop for hikes. This new acquisition has but to be open to the general public whereas biologists conduct useful resource surveys and park planners develop administration plans and interpretive reveals for future guests, which Texas Parks and Wildlife offiicials say may take “many months.” However relaxation assured, the Present will announce when it’s open to exploration. Credit score: Texas Parks and Wildlife Pedernales Falls State Park2585 Park Highway 6026, Johnson Metropolis, (830) 868-7304. tpwd.texas.govNot too removed from Johnson Metropolis are the tranquil, although typically turbulent, waters at Pedernales Falls. This park needs to be visited by of us who thrive in pure surroundings because it gives tenting, mountain climbing, biking, bird-watching and horseback using in addition to a butterfly backyard. Sure areas can be found to swim in, and there’s tubing, canoeing and kayaking down the river. Credit score: Picture through Shutterstock / Daniel Mullins Enchanted Rock State Pure Area16710 Ranch Highway 965, Fredericksburg, (830) 685-3636, tpwd.texas.govClimbing the pink granite dome of Enchanted Rock is an area proper of passage for native open air fanatics. Past its namesake, this park additionally gives tenting, mountain climbing, mountaineering and wonderful stargazing views. The park has now doubled in dimension due to a land buy by Texas Parks and Wildlife, promising to supply much more to discover sooner or later. Credit score: Shutterstock / Daniel Mullins Garner State Park234 R.R. 1050, Concan, (830) 232-6132, tpwd.texas.govAround two hours west of San Antonio, Garner State Park lies within the small burg of Concan. A part of the great thing about Garner is its distance from massive cities. Campers can relish within the lessened gentle air pollution, good for stargazing. Keep into the evenings and be a part of fellow campers for a summer season jukebox dance by the park’s concession constructing. Credit score: Leroy Williamson, © Texas Parks and Wildlife Division Bastrop State Park100 Park Highway 1A, Bastrop, (512) 321-2101, tpwd.texas.govWest of Austin, Bastrop State Park is a good spot to take the household. Tenting, picnicking, biking and mountain climbing — it’s all right here. And there’s loads of wildlife to take a look at as nicely. In recent times, the park has confronted forest fires and floods, and now the bushes and wildlife are in a state of rebirth and renewal that’s well worth the journey to admire. Credit score: Shutterstock / MMMendez McKinney Falls State Park5808 McKinney Falls Pkwy., Austin, (512) 243-1643, tpwd.texas.govLocated on the confluence of Onion Creek and Williamson Creek, this Austin spot is actually an escape from metropolis life with out being out within the sticks. The park gives a wide range of actions, together with tenting, mountain climbing, mountain biking, highway biking, bouldering and geocaching, plus swimming and fishing at Onion Creek. Credit score: Shutterstock / Silvio Ligutti Blanco State Park101 Park Highway 23, Blanco, tpwd.texas.govSitting alongside a mile of the Blanco River, this park gives tenting, picnicking, nature trails and even a wildlife viewing station. Friends can get pleasure from all that the spring-fed Blanco River can present, from swimming and paddling to fishing for largemouth bass, catfish, sunfish and rainbow trout. Credit score: Shutterstock / BJ Ray Choke Canyon State Park700 Texas 72, Three Rivers, (361) 786-3868, tpwd.texas.govThe Choke Canyon Reservoir is the large attraction right here, because it gives first-class fishing with loads of largemouth bass and catfish accessible to catch — both from the shore or a ship. For birdwatchers, the park often known as a stopover for migrating flocks. In search of one thing extra energetic? Guests can swim, camp and hike right here as nicely. Credit score: Shutterstock / Danita Delimont Palmetto State Park78 Park Highway 11 South, Gonzales, (830) 672-3266, tpwd.texas.govJust an hour away is the oasis of Palmetto State Park, named after the dwarf palmettos that develop in abundance right here. With a number of water sources, together with the San Marcos River, the park is house to a wide range of animals and crops. Along with mountain climbing, guests can even go swimming and tubing, or discover the park by canoe. Credit score: Shutterstock / Tricia Daniel Hill Nation State Pure Area10600 Bandera Creek Highway, Bandera, (830) 796-4413, tpwd.texas.govHill Nation State Pure Space’s rugged terrain is ideal for these trying to tough it. It gives primitive tenting — as in with out plumbing — in addition to horseback trails. The 5,000-acre space has lovely panorama, together with grasslands, canyons and seasonal springs. Credit score: © Texas Parks and Wildlife Division Authorities Canyon State Pure Area12861 Galm Highway, (210) 688-9055, tpwd.texas.govGovernment Canyon State Pure Space covers a gargantuan 12,000 acres and has a whopping 40 miles of trails. Positioned not too far outdoors Loop 1604, Authorities Canyon is a good possibility for a day journey. And for the paleontology-lovers on the market, there are even dinosaur tracks to take a look at. Credit score: Shutterstock / DJ Malec Misplaced Maples State Pure Area37221 F.M. 187, Vanderpool, (830) 966-3413, tpwd.texas.govThe two-hour drive to Misplaced Maples is completely value it. The park options greater than 10 miles of trails, together with one loop that provides a wide ranging view from the highest of a 2,200-foot cliff. The park is value a go to always of yr, however Misplaced Maples is very famend for its Uvalde bigtooth maples, which burst into vibrant colours within the fall. Credit score: Shutterstock / Richard A McMillin Colorado Bend State Park2236 Park Hill Dr., Bend, (325) 628-3240, tpwd.texas.govLocated about three or 4 hours northwest of Austin, Colorado Bend offers guests entry to “unspoiled wilderness” that’s value setting apart a weekend to discover. The principle attraction right here is Gorman Falls, a 70-foot spring-fed waterfall that’s accessible through a three-mile spherical journey hike that features rocky terrain. Credit score: Shutterstock / JB Manning Inks Lake State Park3630 Park Highway 4 West, Burnet, (512) 793-2223, tpwd.texas.govNorth of Austin, Inks Lake is a major spot to understand nature. With a wide range of bushes and crops — cedar, stay oak, prickly pear cacti and yucca — the panorama is totally beautiful. Park-goers can get pleasure from tenting, backpacking, picnicking and mountain climbing. Simply make it some extent to swing by the Satan’s Waterhole for some scenic waterfall views. Credit score: Shutterstock / Silvio Ligutti Buescher State Park100 Park Highway 1-C, Smithville, (512) 237-2241, tpwd.texas.govLocated not too removed from Bastrop State Park, Buescher has surroundings that’s well worth the drive to go to. Whereas mountain climbing is certainly an possibility right here, those that favor wheels will certainly need to hit up eight miles devoted to mountain bikers. And for many who need to go two-for-two, the scenic drive to Bastrop State Park is an expertise to get pleasure from, too. Credit score: Rob McCorkle, © Texas Parks and Wildlife Division South Llano River State Park1927 Park Highway 73, Junction, (325) 446-3994, tpwd.texas.govVisitors to South Llano State Park can take their decide between swimming, floating the river, paddling and fishing — or keep dry by tenting, mountain climbing or biking. Astronomy-lovers ought to reserve time for some stargazing, as SLRSP is an Worldwide Darkish Sky Park. Credit score: Shutterstock / Diana Borden Mustang Island State Park9394 TX-361, Corpus Christi, (361) 749-5246, tpwd.texas.govLocated close to Corpus Christi, Mustang Island has 5 miles of shoreline to discover. Beachgoers can spend time swimming, browsing, kayaking and having seaside enjoyable like constructing sandcastles. Additional inland there’s house to camp, hike and extra. Credit score: Earl Nottingham, © Texas Parks and Wildlife Division Goose Island State Park202 S. Palmetto St., Rockport, (361) 729-2858, tpwd.texas.govGoose Island State Park is a good alternative for nature lovers who need to hit up the coast. Fishing fanatics particularly can benefit from the 1,620-foot-long pier. Credit score: Shutterstock / Bayoutlaw75 Brazos Bend State Park21901 FM 762 Highway, Needville, (979) 553-5101, tpwd.texas.govSouth of Houston is Brazos Bend, which prides itself in providing a “wild” expertise. A pair of binoculars and a digital camera are a should for these desirous to benefit from the park’s ample wildlife and exquisite landscapes. Guests are additionally welcome to hike, bike, fish and experience horses. With the “wild” expertise in thoughts, make certain to learn their alligator security suggestions earlier than heading out to discover. Credit score: Shutterstock / Richard A McMillin Caddo Lake State Park245 Park Highway 2, Karnack, (903) 679-3351, tpwd.texas.govLocated within the East Texas piney woods, Caddo Lake is all about wildlife and its namesake lake. Camp, fish, paddle, hike and go boating right here — no matter you might want. All actions apart, the serene great thing about Caddo Lake is motive sufficient to journey to this park. Credit score: Shutterstock / Martina Birnbaum Guadalupe River State Park3350 Park Highway 31, Spring Department, (830) 438-2656, tpwd.texas.govLocated simply north of San Antonio, Guadalupe River State Park is ideal for an outdoorsy day journey. Sure sections of the park’s 13 miles of trails even permit horseback using! Skilled hikers searching for rougher terrain can even strive the lesser-traveled Bauer Unit. Credit score: Shutterstock / Thomas Males Martin Dies Jr. State Park634 Park Highway 48 South, Jasper, (409) 384-5231, tpwd.texas.govThis 705-acre recreation space is full with nature spots the place guests can get misplaced in the great thing about the park. The park gives a lot of campsite choices together with a comfy cabin, making it an excellent spot for telling scary late-night campfire tales surrounded by lush towering bushes. Credit score: Shutterstock / Silvio Ligutti Dinosaur Valley State Park1629 Park Highway 59, Glen Rose, (254) 897-4588, tpwd.texas.govDinosaur Valley State Park greater than lives as much as its identify. Guests can take a look at the footprints of dinosaurs who left their tracks within the mattress of the Paluxy River and take part in a wide range of ranger packages from informative periods on the native dino tracks to guided hikes. Other than that, there’s additionally biking, tenting and horseback using. Credit score: Shutterstock / arnon wilson Lockhart State Park2012 State Park Highway, (512) 398-3479, tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/lockhartA day journey from both Austin or San Antonio, a singular characteristic of this park is its historic 9 gap golf course. The pure space has the opposite basic facilities, too, together with fishing, summer season swimming and tenting. Credit score: Shutterstock / Hundley Pictures Kickapoo Cavern State Park20939 RR 674Brackettville, TX 78832, (830) 563-2342, tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/kickapoo-cavernTexas Parks & Wildlife advises that you simply “convey a spirit of journey” for this calmly developed park to the West of San Antonio. Not solely does it have a reputation that’s enjoyable to say — it additionally options trails, caves and (in fact) bats. Credit score: Texas Parks and Wildlife Subscribe to SA Present newsletters.
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The fund opens a brand new period of public land acquisition and park improvement for Texas, which ranks thirty fifth nationally in state park acreage per capita.
The state is spending $43 million from its Centennial Parks Conservation Fund to bolster the pure space.
