Now celebrating 100 years, Texas State Parks offer so much to the community, including hiking, stargazing, camping, swimming, fishing, and much more. There are more than 100 seasonal activities just for the holidays this year, and you can check those out and get more info here.
Wondering which park to visit? We’re sharing some of our favorites below.
McKinney Falls; photo by Heidi Okla
— McKinney Falls State Park
5808 McKinney Falls Pkwy
Located just 13 miles from the Capitol, McKinney Falls State Park can seem worlds away from the hustle and bustle of our growing city. This State Park offers camping, hiking, mountain and road biking, geocaching, bouldering, fishing, swimming and picnicking. Onion Creek forms most of the northern boundary of the park and spills over limestone rocks at the Lower Falls into a popular swimming hole. McKinney Falls is particularly beautiful during spring wildflower season when bluebonnets greet you from the roadside and in the fall when the foliage is bursting with shades of orange and yellow. Read all about our visit to McKinney Falls.
Pedernales Falls State Park; photo by Heidi Okla
— Pedernales Falls State Park
2585 Park Rd 6026, Johnson City
Beautiful views, sandy shores, miles of hiking and horse-riding trails, perfect camping spots — Pedernales Falls State Park has it all! Only about an hour’s drive from Austin to Johnson City, Pedernales Falls is a local favorite because it offers endless ways to enjoy the great outdoors. Plan for a day trip or overnight camping excursion to enjoy geocaching, bird watching, swimming, kayaking, fishing, mountain biking, and much more. Read all about our visit to Pedernales Falls.
Inks Lake State Park; photo by Heidi Okla
— Inks Lake State Park
3630 Park Rd 4 W, Burnet
Located about 50 miles northwest of Austin in Burnet, Texas, Inks Lake State Park is a gorgeous Hill Country gem known for camping, hiking, fishing, kayaking, picturesque sunsets, and of course jumping off rocks into the cool waters of the Devil’s Waterhole. Because the water in this lake comes from the Colorado River and usually stays consistent, you can enjoy it year-round and go for a swim on any day the weather is warm enough for a dip. Read all about our visit to Inks Lake.
Enchanted Rock; photo by Heidi Okla
— Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
16710 Ranch Rd 965, Fredericksburg
It’s no surprise that Enchanted Rock is one of the most visited parks in the Texas state park system. Located just north of Fredericksburg, Texas, the park features a giant pink granite dome rising 425 feet above the ground. Enchanted Rock is a favorite destination for camping, hiking, day trips, rock climbing, and stargazing. Note that reservations fill quickly for this spot. Read all about our visit to Enchanted Rock.
Blanco State Park; photo by Heidi Okla
— Blanco State Park
101 Park Rd 23, Blanco
Blanco State Park, about an hour west of Austin, is one of the smaller of the Texas State Parks in the area, making it very easy to navigate once you arrive. There are no giant maps to follow, no huge list of amenities, and honestly, we loved how uncomplicated it was to visit. We simply had to pick a good spot along the one-mile stretch of the Blanco River and set up for a fun day along the water. You can swim, paddle, fish, or float. On land, you can picnic, geocache, or simply sit back and relax under a huge cypress tree to enjoy the scenery. Read all about our visit to Blanco State Park.
View of Garner State Park; photo by Heidi Okla
— Garner State Park
234 RR 1050, Concan
Just over a three-hour drive from Austin, Garner State Park is one of the most popular state parks for a good reason! It features 1,774 acres of beautiful land with 2.9 miles of the Frio River winding through it. This area offers a gorgeous natural setting for hiking in the scenic Hill Country terrain, camping, stargazing, bird watching, and of course enjoying a swim in the clear waters of the Frio. Read all about our visit to Garner State Park.
More to Explore:
