Guadalupe Mountains National Park in West Texas. | Photo by Robert Waltman/Getty Images Guadalupe Mountains National Park in West Texas. | Photo by Robert Waltman/Getty Images
I’m not trying to brag, but Texas is a beautiful place. It’s also so vast that it’s nearly impossible to fully explore, just as your day job won’t allow you to “work” away from van life. please do not worry. We’ve hand-picked the Lone Star State’s most awe-inspiring locations for you. Create an epic bucket list and tick off one by one: wetlands dripping with Spanish moss, fern-covered caves, Cretaceous caves and giant granite domes with the best starry skies.
salt flat
Located between Carlsbad and El Paso, this 135-square-mile park is commonly touted as the “Top of Texas” and is a treasure beloved by hikers. People step into a cavernous paradise and marvel at the mountain’s impressive architecture, which tells the story of the underwater world that once existed there 260 million years ago. You can explore the trails. The park experiences a seasonal surge in visitors in spring and fall (bringing fiery yellow and amber foliage), so be prepared for parking lots to fill up, and the well-maintained campgrounds to accommodate the necessary Please secure your reservation in advance.
sonora state
Just west of the small city of Sonora (about halfway between San Antonio and Big Bend), this massive cave was carved out of Cretaceous limestone an odd number of years ago, between 1.5 and 5 million years ago. This very cool cave contains one of the heaviest collections of calcite crystal formations in the world, especially spiral helictite. Be sure to check out ‘Butterfly’, where two fishtail helictites share the same attachment point, and ‘Snake Pit’, where the formations are very dense. You’ll feel like Indiana Jones coming out of it. Tickets and tours start at $24 and are available seven days a week (sorry, no caving available on Christmas Day). Those looking to continue exploring Texas caving should check out equally eye-catching new caves like Natural Bridge Cave in Braunfels and the unnamed Berns Cave.
Palo Duro Canyon | Robert W. Hensley/Getty
canyon
This tragically underrated canyon, the second largest in the United States, only receives about 400,000 visitors a year (compared to the Grand Canyon’s nearly 5 million visitors). This huge canyon is considered a good place for awe (in nature). Nicknamed the “Grand Canyon of Texas,” the sunken valley of this formidable destination sports a seemingly endless stretch of green and sunset-hued terra cotta that deserves its rightful props. Day passes and camp access can be secured online in advance.
Terlingua
At over 800,000 acres, Big Bend National Park is one of the largest national parks in the United States, but it’s also one of the most rugged, with fewer than 600,000 visitors a year. While you may be tempted to hit the Chimney Trail and Marfo Vega Trail first, you should head to the Santa Elena Canyon Trail, the winding valley that separates the United States and Mexico. Fed by the Rio Grande and topped by 1,000-foot cliffs, the canyon’s water can be as shallow as 2 feet in places, allowing you to hoof or paddle if you like. . Before visiting, visit the park’s website for the latest information on conditions and safety.
fort worth
Botanical gardens remind us that we don’t have to go far from the urban landscape to enjoy the beauty of nature. This 120-acre garden (which we recently named one of the most gorgeous botanical gardens in America, along with the Dallas Arboretum) features everything from a zen Japanese garden and a romantic rose garden to a Texas wilderness boardwalk. There are 22 diverse exhibits and a series of gorgeous exhibits on display. . Visitors can purchase regular admission tickets or get tickets online to skip the line. Prices range from $6 for children to $12 for adults. Those interested in learning more about the science behind his 2,500 species of plants on site can also book a tour via his BRIT campus, a learning center located near the gardens.
Enchanted Rock | Arnab Guha Photography/Getty
texas hill country
The giant pink batholith known as Enchanted Rock, the second largest granite dome in the United States, is one of the best spots to catch the super sexy, big, bright Texas star. The park is located in the state’s only IDA-recognized Dark Sky Park, offering spectacular views of the night sky due to low light pollution. Even cooler, local indigenous tribes believe the rock is haunted and has magical powers, and legend has it that it becomes transparent after an overnight stay. To see for yourself, you’ll have to go camping. Reserve your day pass or campsite in advance online.
Vanderpool
Do you know that coworker who always complains about how the leaves in Texas never change color? Go ahead and tell him he’s wrong. Towering as the only maple forest in Texas, Lost His Maples stretches across more than 2,000 acres of his trees in shades of rust, gold, and green throughout Bandera and Real counties. Pristine hiking trails lined with rugged limestone, sparkling streams, and lush meadows await. After an afternoon of sightseeing, trekkers can relax around a bonfire and eat hearty grass at the park’s campsite near the Sabinal River. This campground has his 30 spacious sites. Go on a mild spring/summer trip or wait for the fall foliage to peak from mid-October to mid-November.
bandera county
We’ve all floated the Guadalupe River, but this less crowded 116-mile river, which begins in northwestern Bandera County and ends just southeast of San Antonio, is just as much fun, if not more so. Lined with cedar trees, live oak trees, and limestone cliffs that mirror the rapids of spring water, it has long been a hotbed for kayakers and rafters. Don’t miss Chamblee Falls in North Prong. A 10-foot waterfall and a smaller 4-foot waterfall offer blissful views. If it’s paddling or tubing season, try renting tubes or kayaks from Medina’s River Company and check river flows before you set out.
Jacob’s Well Natural Area | Courtesy of Hays County Park
Wimberly
Although the thrill of diving into this super sexy artesian spring and its associated 140-foot-deep limestone cave is on hold until it opens (usually in late spring), the surrounding park is open year-round for hiking and viewing. I am. At about a mile long and 140 feet deep, this chartered cave is believed to be the longest underwater cave in Texas, and only experienced cave divers are allowed to dive. Once the well’s annual restoration is complete, others can explore the nature reserve, take guided tours, or book a swim. Check for the latest information on access and safe water levels.
austin
With a name like Mount Bourne, you might imagine this destination to be a tall slab of terrain adorned with rocky slopes and towering trees, but the term “mountain” in this case is a bit misleading. Don’t worry, it’s easy to invite (located in ). Located within Covert Park and approximately 775 feet above sea level, this unassuming hiking trail has been enchanting Austinites with stunning views of the city’s ever-changing skyline since the 1850s. Visitors can trek the path to the top to watch a dazzling sunset or enjoy a hearty picnic with friends. Even better, the summit is located east of lush Lake Austin, providing a great opportunity to view fall foliage. Parking and admission are free. Be sure to check the Austin parks website for more information before you go, and don’t forget your SPF.
texas hill country
I don’t even know why you should visit Colorado State Bend Park without making the 3-mile round trip hike to this hidden treasure. Once you’ve completed the first half of the trek, you’ll be surrounded by a breathtaking 60-foot waterfall that cascades into a fern-covered cave and is shrouded in misty cold. Plus, you’ll get new Instagram followers if you capture it all in an epic reel. Day passes and camping can be reserved in advance online or by calling 512-389-8900.
A great egret hunts fish as it perches on a branch overlooking the water at Caddo Lake, a bald cypress swamp on the Louisiana-Texas border. | Photo credit: Wonderlaster/Getty
karnak
Spanish moss envelops a grove of cypress trees atop a vast labyrinth of bayous and wetlands at Caddo Lake, one of the Lone Star State’s most overlooked gems. It is one of the few naturally formed lakes in Texas, dating back to 1100-1200 A.D. and formed by a huge log jam known as the “Great Raft” that began to impound the Red and Atchafalaya rivers. I did. It remains beautiful all year round, with extensive oak, maple and sweetgum trees that typically take on their autumnal look by mid-November. One of the reasons to book here is the outdoor activities like kayaking and hiking, and the lake is often at capacity, so reservations are highly recommended for both camping and day use. Please reserve your pass online, call the customer service center before your visit, and check the park website for information about upcoming closures.
rio grande
Big Bend National Park in West Texas, as its name suggests, covers more than 1,252 square miles (FYI, that’s larger than the state of Rhode Island). Since there is a very large area to cover, you will have to divide your exploration of the desert oasis into parts. Add this Instagram-worthy waterfall to your hit list. Reaching up to 80 feet tall, this mountain is tucked away off the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive at the base of the Chisos Mountains. Rumor has it that the water flow is more abundant in spring and fall, so why not visit during those times? Check the park website for status and safety updates.
fredericksburg
Bluebonnet season begins in Texas in early April. For an up-close look at the absurdly beautiful, vibrant purple and blue wildflowers in bloom, take this hidden 13-mile scenic drive outside Fredericksburg. For bonus points, stock up on Hill Country wine and cheese and hit the road.
South Padre Island | Olga Melheiser Photo/Getty
corpus christi
Yes, you can find pristine white sand beaches and crystal clear emerald waters in Texas. Just drive to Padre Island. Lone Star’s finest coastline (and the world’s longest barrier island) spans 113 miles and is surrounded by Lake Madre and the Gulf of Mexico. Visit the beaches (and bars) of South Padre Island. One of these is the tranquil Isla Blanca Park on the southern tip of the island. Go bird-watching or visit during the sea turtle hatching and release period from mid-June to August. You can also book a campsite and spend the night on the sand or under the stars.
spice wood
You can avoid the crowded jungle of Barton Springs and move on. At this Hill Country watering hole near Spicewood, you can silently jump off a cliff, step off a rope swing as Tarzan, or lie on a rock like a salamander. This 115-acre, family-owned property features 32 springs on-site, as well as waterfalls, caves, man-made spring-fed pools, and a natural pool that feeds into Lake Travis. It gets crowded during peak season, but beer helps. Day passes are $6 to $10, and overnight camping is $10 to $15.
Mohanan
A Lone Star version of the famous White Sands, Monaghan’s Sandhills is 110 miles long and 20 miles wide, running through monster sporting dunes that reach 70 feet in height. Wind changes the shape of the sand throughout the year, but the dunes manage to remain in place most of the time. The result is an unusual and eye-catching desert oasis (though it’s not technically a desert) that can be explored year-round. Rent a sand disc and surf the dunes, enjoy an epic horseback ride through the mountains and valleys, or even set up camp and watch spectacular sunsets.
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Brooke Viggiano is a Houston-based author whose work has been published on the Internet and in Thrillist, Chron, Houstonia, Houston Press, and 365 Houston. Cool but not too cool Unicorn Patio You don’t have to search every corner of Houston for her bar, you can find her sharing her breakfasts on Instagram @brookiefafa or Twitter @brookeviggiano.
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