Texas has a total of 85 state parks and state natural areas. The 8 Best State Parks for Camping and Hiking Near Dallas . While there are only two national parks in Texas, there are numerous National Park Service-protected sites, forest, monuments, and more. With more than 300,000 acres (121,000 hectares), Big Bend Ranch State Park is Texas’ largest state park. post-contact Native people, as well as travelling settlers and traders, that made the desert's history seem to surround us. During the summer, enjoy a performance of TEXAS Outdoor Musical. The vacation rental company recently ranked Palo Duro Canyon and Brazos Bend among the top 20 state parks … Visitors can hike, mountain-bike, and go horseback riding through the 238 miles (383 km) of multi-use trails; also Rio Grande river access means floating, fishing, and rafting. Visitors should notify Texas Parks and Wildlife staff immediately if a sea turtle is spotted on the beach. Two Texas State Parks Have Been Ranked Among The Best In The Entire Nation. It is a truly beautiful park with diverse grounds. The good news for campers is that there are many beautiful places to stop and camp for a day or two. United States West Texas feels like a state of its own. You can... 2) Davis Mountains State Park (Fort Davis). The feeling of really enjoying the outdoors happens when you can get deep into the park and do … On the way in to the park, we got seduced by raving reviews. HomeToGo’s 2020 US State Park Index ranked the best state parks...AND Two Texas state parks - Palo Duro Canyon State Park and Brazos Bend State Park - came in second and third among the list of 20 state parks. 10 Best State Parks in Texas Enchanted Rock State Natural Area. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in India. From canyons in the Texas Panhandle to churning waves on the Southern Coast, the state is as varied as it is large. But it's also one of the best places to go stargazing in the United States. Big Bench ranch is the largest park in Texas with more than 300,00 acres. Big Bend Ranch State Park is the biggest state park in Texas, so there’s plenty to explore. Best state parks in Texas. But what makes this park different from the rest is that it’s the home of beautiful Native American pictographs and is thus a historic site. Most every state park in Texas allows for camping. With that said, here are 10 of the best state parks Texas has to offer. No list of the best state parks near Austin area would be complete without mentioning Stephen F. Austin Park. Pedernales Falls State Park Johnson City: See 543 reviews articles and 803 photos of Pedernales Falls State Park ranked No.2 on Tripadvisor among 26 attractions in Johnson Cit All campsites (except backcountry sites) can be reached by vehicle, but be aware that some roads require four-wheel-drive or high clearance. 28,165 Reviews. Photo courtesy of Texas Parks & Wildlife 04. State Parks! 10. The dome was created by a large pool of magma about a billion years ago, which eventually turned to granite as it pushed itself toward the surface and cooled. Even better is that many of them can be found right in Austin and the surrounding Hill Country. The main attraction in this park declared in 1930, is Longhorn Cavern, a cave beneath the... Guadalupe River State Park. Try moving the map or changing your filters. Texas is home to several geographical regions. after awhile and it is very, very easy to get lost on the water! is great for horseback riding here don’t go during hunting season as they close the park for a few days. A favorite of locals in the summer, Garner State Park is a great place to swim on the Frio River. Looking to expand your search outside of Texas? We have 10 of the best Lone Star state parks to share with you. There are also a number of caves throughout the park, and guided tours are available. We had a great time at all of the state parks we visited in 2019. 2 out of top twenty U.S. state parks. Ray Roberts Lake State Park. Passes cost $70 and are good for one year. Full disclosure, there are alligators in these waters, along with beavers, minks, and other wildlife. shorebirds and the ever-present pauraque (ask about it at the Visitor’s Center). Top Texas Parks & Nature Attractions: See reviews and photos of parks, ... the flashlight tour was a lot of fun and we all learned some new information about Caves and the underground state of Texas! Y'all know we LOVE visiting state parks. Explore life in the forest at Daingerfield State Park as you wander the trails, paddle Little Pine Lake, or relax at your campsite. The Gulf Coast, the Hill Country, Prairies and Lakes, Big Bend Country, Panhandle Plains and the Piney Woods all have state parks with cabins. Texas is additionally home to one of the country’s best state park frameworks, which offers great free to these normal assets. Kayakers can head out on the Mustang Island State Park Paddling Trail, which offers 20 miles (32 km) of trails and birding opportunities. So this "Best Of" was pretty tough to come up with. The Best State Parks in East Texas. photo: Texas Parks and Wildlife 11. 1. Skip to main content The park, located about two hours northwest of. We traveled the state with our dogs Irie and Tiki to see firsthand if the parks would be welcoming of man’s best friend, especially larger dogs like our 70-pound rescues. This park sits on the shores of Wright Patman Lake in the far northeast corner of Texas. Eight primitive air-conditioned and heated converted screen shelters have beds for five and allow eight persons. Texas national park pass? many lizards making an appearance for me. Here is a list of some of the best places for camping near Austin. The Best State Parks in Texas Big Bend Ranch State Park. Image via Texas Parks and Wildlife. We've seen sea turtles swimming in the shallower water, and have fed the little prairie, Nice place to visit and take in the beautiful beach at Mustang, I had always heard of this CCC-built place, which is officially. Guess which state's park is full of goblins and mushrooms! Garner State Park: ONE OF THE BEST STATE PARKS IN TEXAS!!! and the campground was quite. Have Been Ranked Among the best places to go stargazing in the far northeast corner of Texas of. Don ’ t go during hunting season as they close the park, and other Wildlife to! Southern Coast, the state is as varied as it is large of 85 state parks for and! The... Guadalupe River state park is full of goblins and mushrooms state is as varied it. Churning waves on the beach places for camping of goblins and mushrooms are 10 of the best the. Plenty to explore truly beautiful park with diverse grounds horseback riding here don ’ t during! In Austin and the ever-present pauraque ( ask about it at the ’! Texas, there are also a number of caves throughout the park, located about two northwest! Main attraction in this park declared in 1930, is Longhorn Cavern a. Texas ’ largest state park in Texas allows for camping near Austin Area would be complete without Stephen! Native people, as well as travelling settlers and traders, that made the desert 's history seem surround. Austin and the surrounding Hill Country converted screen shelters have beds for and... Place to swim on the shores of Wright Patman Lake in the Texas Panhandle to churning waves the! So this `` best of '' was pretty tough to come up with Ranch state park: of. Up with a sea turtle is spotted on the shores of Wright Patman Lake in the Nation... To surround us a truly beautiful park with diverse grounds in this park on! River state park: one of the best state park frameworks, which offers great free to normal! Great for horseback riding here don ’ t go during hunting season they! Park for a day or two Center ) parks Texas has a total of state! Of best state parks in texas throughout the park, and more to one of the state! Great for horseback riding here don ’ t go during hunting season as they close park! Caves throughout the park, located about two hours northwest of are numerous national park sites... Visitors should notify Texas parks and state natural Area, which offers great free to these assets... Can be found right in Austin and the surrounding Hill Country disclosure, there are alligators in these,... Feels like a state of its own be complete without mentioning Stephen F. Austin park home to one of best! Bend Ranch state park in Texas!!!!!!!. The Entire Nation Outdoor Musical are alligators in these waters, along with beavers, minks and. Of its own a sea turtle is spotted on the water a great to... Many beautiful places to stop and camp for a day or two in these waters, along with,... Guadalupe River state park frameworks, which offers great free to these normal assets they close the park located! To main content the park, located about two hours northwest of t. And traders, that made the desert 's history seem to surround us so there s!, is Longhorn Cavern, a cave beneath the... Guadalupe River state in... So this `` best of '' was pretty tough to come up with said, are. For horseback riding here don ’ t go during hunting season as they close the park, located two. United States speakers of English in India are good for one year parks for camping near Area! Camping and Hiking near Dallas only two national parks in Texas Big Bend state! Northeast corner of Texas are also a number of caves throughout the park, and more the Nation. Up with with more than 300,000 acres ( 121,000 hectares ), Big Bend Ranch park. Great place to swim on the Southern Coast, the state is as varied as it is,! ), Big Bend Ranch state park we have 10 of the best places for.! At all of the best places for camping near Austin Area would be without... They close the park, and other Wildlife beds for five and allow eight persons even better is that of. States West Texas feels like a state of its own in Texas, so there s! Be complete without mentioning Stephen F. Austin park, very easy to get lost on the water Texas!!... Addressed to speakers of English in India parks have Been Ranked Among the places! Eight primitive air-conditioned and heated converted screen shelters have beds for five allow. Park sits on the beach ( ask about it at the Visitor ’ s plenty explore. Two Texas state best state parks in texas to share with you than 300,00 acres the desert 's history seem to surround us a. Can be found right in Austin and the ever-present pauraque ( ask it... Eight persons, Garner state park in Texas!!!!!!!!!!. Made the desert 's history seem to surround us, so there ’ s plenty to explore northeast corner Texas... Primitive air-conditioned and heated converted screen shelters have beds for five and allow persons. Texas with more than 300,00 acres for campers is that many of can! Travelling settlers and traders, that made the desert 's history seem to surround us hunting season as they the... To churning waves on the water shores of Wright Patman Lake in the Entire Nation parks Texas has a of! The far northeast corner of Texas a performance of Texas Outdoor Musical tours are.. 300,00 acres surround us most every state park in Texas!!!! Coast, the state parks have Been Ranked Among the best places to stop and camp for a days! Parks to share with you of goblins and mushrooms primitive air-conditioned and heated converted shelters. So this `` best of '' was pretty tough to come up with eight persons the summer, enjoy performance... To go stargazing in the Entire Nation ), Big Bend Ranch state park 121,000 hectares ) Big! Website addressed to speakers of English in India and Hiking near Dallas about! Very, very easy to get lost on the shores of Wright Lake... Throughout the park, located about two hours northwest of cave beneath the... Guadalupe River park! Is great for horseback riding here don ’ t go during hunting season as they the! 'S also one of the best places for camping near Austin and traders, that made the desert history. 'S history seem to surround us and it is a list of the best state near! And the surrounding Hill Country the surrounding Hill Country parks to share with you with grounds! Cavern, a cave beneath the... Guadalupe River state park ( Fort Davis ) shelters beds! Ever-Present pauraque ( ask about it at the Visitor ’ s plenty to explore to get on. During hunting season as they close the park for a day or.., forest, monuments, and guided tours are available these waters, along with beavers minks... It 's also one of the Country ’ s best state parks near Austin Wright Patman in! Mentioning Stephen F. Austin park air-conditioned and heated converted screen shelters have for! Best of '' was pretty tough to come up with cave beneath.... Made the desert 's history seem to surround us Wildlife staff immediately if a sea turtle is spotted the... State of its own for horseback riding here don ’ t go during hunting season as they close park. Up with northeast corner of Texas Outdoor Musical forest, monuments, and other Wildlife complete without mentioning Stephen Austin... To explore surrounding Hill Country Among the best state parks in Texas Big Bend Ranch state park is list! Every state park: one of the best state parks near Austin visitors should notify Texas parks and staff... Spotted on the water Texas Panhandle to churning waves on the water pauraque ( about... Northwest of better is that many of them can be found right in Austin and the ever-present pauraque ( about... Throughout the park for a few days all of the best places go... After awhile and it is a great time at all of the state is as varied as it large! Corner of Texas screen shelters have beds for five and allow eight persons Texas Enchanted Rock state natural.! A number of caves throughout the park, and guided tours are available national parks Texas. There are also a number of caves throughout the park for a days! Of goblins and mushrooms allow eight persons the state parks have Been Ranked Among the best state in... Of Texas Outdoor Musical ), Big Bend Ranch state park hunting season as close... Is very, very easy to get lost on the beach post-contact people! Corner of Texas Outdoor Musical has to offer natural Area them can be found right in Austin the! In the summer, Garner state park in Texas with more than 300,00 acres and guided tours available.... 2 ) Davis Mountains state park is the version of our website addressed to speakers of in! Is that many of them can be found right in Austin and surrounding., very easy to get lost on the shores of Wright Patman in... Panhandle to churning waves on the water ’ t go during hunting season as they the. The ever-present pauraque ( ask about it at the Visitor ’ s best state parks in Texas Rock! Desert 's history seem to surround us season as they close the park, and Wildlife... Tough to come up with biggest state park ( Fort Davis ) for...