There are more beautiful places in Texas than I can count – but few hold a candle to Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge in Marble Falls. This pristine oasis isn’t far from Austin, but it feels like a whole different world thanks to its vast acreage of rolling hills and lush greenery. The landscape here looks as if it was ripped straight from a painting, and it’s an absolutely magical sight to see.

Nestled along the eponymous Edwards Plateau, Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge is a sprawling, 72-square-mile oasis of solitude and beautiful nature.
TripAdvisor M J
Despite being only an hour away from the bustling Austin metro, this serene place is so quiet, you could hear a pin drop (I can personally vouch for that because I've been several times).
TripAdvisor Robbert
The landscape is so still and picture-perfect that it almost looks like a painting.
The refuge was established in 1992 to protect two endangered songbirds: the golden-cheeked warbler and the black-capped vireo.
TripAdvisor M J
Those two birds are far from the only wildlife that call the refuge home, however. Numerous other species (and lots of plants, too) inhabit the area.
TripAdvisor Robbert
In fact, there are over 1,300 different types of plants and animals here!

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Over 10 miles of foot trails meander through the park, varying in length and difficulty to accommodate visitors of most skill levers.
TripAdvisor Waunderlust
There are also several observation decks ideal for both birdwatching and simply admiring the vast, lush Hill Country landscape surrounding the refuge.
TripAdvisor M J
Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge does much more than just help conserve wildlife.
TripAdvisor sjfulton4
It also protects Central Texas' water quality. The refuge is located just north of Lake Travis: the drinking water source for much of the Austin metro area.
For more information about the refuge, visit the Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge website or the Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge Facebook page.
TripAdvisor Robbert

Have you ever visited Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge? What are your favorite beautiful places in Texas to visit? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments section.

Don’t forget to check out our previous article to learn about the Indiangrass Trail in the park. It’s so beautiful and will transport you to another world. You can also get all the details about the trail on AllTrails. Sign up for AllTrails+ for additional perks such as 3D maps and offline map access!

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Featured Addresses
Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge, 24518 Ranch Rd 1431, Marble Falls, TX 78654, USA