The Ultimate Bucket List For Anyone In Texas Who Loves The Outdoors
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Katie Lawrence
Author
Texas is so full of beautiful natural wonders that it can be overwhelming to pick just a few. That’s where we step in. We do all the research so you don’t have to. After scouring the internet looking at pictures, reading reviews, and of course, adding some personal opinion, we’ve determined that these 11 spots are some of the best outdoor places to visit in Texas and they really should be on your bucket list.
1. Hamilton Pool (Dripping Springs)
Hamilton Pool, Texas 78620, USA
Of course, this mystical grotto had to make the bucket list. I always feel like I've stepped into "The Little Mermaid" every time I come here. The water is a beautiful blue-green, and the waterfall that trickles down onto a limestone rock below is amazingly picturesque. You don't even have to be super agile to enjoy this gift from nature. There's a short, easy hike to the pool, and after that, you can walk around and explore or just lie on the sand and admire the beauty.
The Hamilton Pool is a fascinating and refreshing spot in Dripping Springs, Texas. Let's go for a dip in this video from Last Camera:
The Hamilton Pool is a fascinating and refreshing spot in Dripping Springs, Texas. Let's go for a dip in this video from Last Camera:
2. Lost Maples State Natural Area (Vanderpool)
Lost Maples State Natural Area, 37221 RM 187, Vanderpool, TX 78885, USA
Lost Maples is an absolute must-visit in the fall. It's pretty much constant gratification rather than, for example, climbing a mountain, when the only excitement is reaching the peak. Throughout the entire hike, you'll see towering, whimsical maple trees with leaves so bright you'd think they were photoshopped.
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3. Big Bend National Park
Big Bend National Park, TX, USA
The Chisos Mountains have a beauty that's almost magical in nature. The feeling when you reach the summit, look out over the horizon, and listen to the deafening sound of silence around you is indescribable. Everyone who loves the outdoors needs to experience this at least once.
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4. Palo Duro Canyon (Canyon)
Palo Duro Canyon State Park, Canyon, TX 79015, USA
You can't call yourself a nature lover if you haven't been to the second largest canyon in the nation. That's right, the Grand Canyon of Texas is second in size only to the real thing in Arizona. Those perfect layers of rock that show millions of years of evolution are absolutely breathtaking to look at.
5. Gorman Falls (Bend)
Gorman Falls, Texas 76853, USA
If you want to step right into a scene from "Tarzan," Gorman Falls is the place for you. It only takes about a 1.5-mile hike before this stunning scene unfolds before your eyes. We guarantee you won't even feel like you're in Texas anymore.
Let's join The Daytripper as he explores the beautiful Gorman Falls in Colorado Bend State Park in this video tour:
Let's join The Daytripper as he explores the beautiful Gorman Falls in Colorado Bend State Park in this video tour:
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6. Tubing on the Guadalupe River (New Braunfels)
Guadalupe River, Texas, USA
Tubing on the Guadalupe River is one of those obligatory Texas activities. If you haven't had the opportunity to leisurely float all day with music blasting, a cold drink in hand, and good company by your side, you haven't lived yet.
7. Guadalupe Mountains (Dell City)
Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Dell City, TX 79847, USA
Contrary to popular belief, there are actually multiple mountain ranges in Texas - not just the Chisos (AKA Big Bend.) The Guadalupe Mountains are another particularly beautiful set of peaks and valleys out West that every outdoorsy person needs to see. The level of serenity you feel when you're thousands of feet in the air, surrounded by miles and miles of untouched desert, is unmatched by any feeling in the world.
8. Caddo Lake (Uncertain)
Caddo Lake, Anthony Dr, Karnack, TX 75661, USA
Caddo Lake is the only natural lake in Texas! Mother Nature herself carved this body of water a very long time ago, and we're fortunate enough to be able to enjoy it. The simplicity of kayaking underneath the wispy trees as they sway in the gentle breeze brings about a peace like no other. And if you're lucky, you might pass by an abandoned speakeasy that rests on pillars somewhere in the lake. I can't speak with certainty to its exact location, but if you find it, I'd love to know!
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9. Blue Lagoon (Huntsville)
The Blue Lagoon, 649 Pinedale Rd, Huntsville, TX 77320, USA
This is definitely a hidden gem - most people have no idea such a gorgeous waterhole exists just outside of Houston. And that reflection of the trees on the surface is just breathtaking.
10. Davis Mountains (Fort Davis)
Davis Mountains, Texas 79734, USA
How relaxing does this road look? Driving with towering mountains rising up on either side of you is one of the most tranquil things you can experience. Not to mention, the Davis Mountains are one of the best for seeing the Milky Way band at night.
11. Santa Elena Canyon (Big Bend National Park)
Santa Elena Canyon, Texas 79852, USA
The Santa Elena Canyon may be part of Big Bend, but it has a beauty all its own. The Rio Grande splits the two massive rocks apart, and families enjoy swimming and paddling through the waters.
Let's hike through the Santa Elena Canyon in this video from Cactus Atlas:
Let's hike through the Santa Elena Canyon in this video from Cactus Atlas:
Have you been to any of these beautiful nature spots in Texas? What would you add to our list of the best outdoor places to visit in Texas? For a more all-encompassing bucket list, check out our ultimate guide to outdoor adventures in Texas. Be sure to load up your hiking trail maps from AllTrails+ so you don’t get lost.
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More to Explore
Outdoor Things To Do In Texas
What are some things to do outside in Texas?
Texas is blessed to be a warm-weather state, so there is plenty to do outside all year long. Here are some of our favorite things to do outside in Texas that you may not have heard about:
- Go to a U-Pick farm: From apples to strawberries and everything in between, Texas has plenty of U-Pick orchards and farms where you can enjoy the outdoors and get rewarded with a tasty treat. A couple of our favorites are Berryland Farms in Winnie where you can find fresh vegetables and Sweet Berry Farm in Marble Falls for big juicy strawberries.
- Go zip-lining: If you are looking for something a little more adventurous, how about zipping down a mountain 100 feet above the treetops? This family-friendly activity at New York, Texas ZipLine Adventures is a whole lot of fun if you don't mind a little speed and a whole lot of heights. The longest run is 900 feet so you can enjoy the incredible sights for a good amount of time before rushing back to the top for another go.
- Go on a fairy hunt: Friendswood's Stevenson Park has a fun and free activity for families with young kids. The one-mile fairy trail is filled with wonder that inspires the imagination to embrace its inner child. Follow the map to find hand-carved fairy homes where, if you are lucky, you might even spot a fairy, gnome, or pixie. If you visit during the holidays, it takes on a Christmas-themed makeover that will fill your heart with holiday magic.
Of course, this is only the beginning of fun outdoor activities in Texas. Check out a few more ideas from tropical rainforests to water parks where you can cool off on a hot summer day.