State & National Parks in Texas for Outdoor Lovers

Despite being one of the country's largest and most beautiful national parks, Big Bend National Park is also one of the least visited. It encompasses more than 1200 square miles and stretches across a wide variety of terrain, including the Chisos mountain range, part of the Chihuahuan Desert, and the watery Rio Grande.

Most areas of the park can only be accessed on foot. There are more than 150 miles of hiking trails to choose from, ranging in difficulty from easy to very strenuous. Because of the park's isolated location and large size, visitors are advised to spend at least one night in the area.

If you are interested in wildlife, watch this video about bear cubs in Big Bend.

Located in the Chihuahuan Desert, Guadalupe Mountains National Park holds the honor of being home to the four tallest mountains in Texas, including the famous Guadalupe Peak.

Hiking Guadalupe Peak is the most popular activity with visitors; the hike takes between six and eight hours round-trip, and there are excellent views of the park to be had from the top of the mountain.

Other popular activities in the park include camping, bird watching, and visiting the beautiful McKittrick Canyon.

The park is best explored on foot or by horseback, although there are some roads that are accessible by four-wheel-drive vehicles.

Tucked away in a remote area of the Texas Panhandle, the Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument was formerly an important source of flint for the indigenous population. The monument itself can only be viewed as part of a ranger-led guided tour; the tour takes approximately hours, and it involves a moderately difficult one-mile hike with a large number of stairs.

Tours only take place during the summer months, and reservations are advised.

However, the park's Visitor Center is open year-round, and it offers museum visits, flintknapping presentations, and a short film about the monument's history.

Cas Johnson Rd, Fritch, TX 79036, Phone: 806-857-6680

Encompassing a beautiful swathe of land around the Amistad Reservoir, a dam on the Rio Grande, Amistad National Recreation Area is an excellent destination for outdoor recreation no matter what the time of year.

The park is best-known as a water sports destination; the reservoir is perfect for boating, swimming, and fishing, and it's also home to an extensive system of underwater caves that can be explored by experienced scuba divers. Unlike many other national parks, the park also offers the opportunity to hunt during certain times of the year. There are also five campgrounds in the park, all of which are open year-round.

Amistad National Recreation Area, 4121 Veterans Blvd, Del Rio, TX 78840, Phone: 830-775-7491

Also a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Big Thicket National Preserve was created to help protect the incredible biodiversity of southeastern Texas. The park consists of fifteen separate units, and it's notable for encompassing nine distinct ecosystems, including peaceful pine forests, blackwater swamps, and watery bayous. There are approximately 40 miles of hiking trails for visitors to enjoy; these trails range in length from a third of a mile to eighteen miles, and some are handicap accessible. Other popular activities in the park include canoeing and kayaking down the many creeks and rivers, backcountry camping, and hunting and trapping.

Big Thicket National Preserve, FM 420, Kountze, TX 77625, Phone: 409-951-6800

Situated right next to the border between the United States and Mexico, Chamizal National Memorial was established in honor of a 1963 treaty that served as the resolution to a border dispute between the two countries. An on-site museum has displays about the treaty and about other important historical aspects of U.S.-Mexico relations, and free ranger-led walking tours of the grounds are offered on a regular basis. Other amenities in the park include walking trails, picnic areas with tables, a gift shop, an art gallery, and a theater that often hosts live music performances and cultural events.

Chamizal National Memorial, 800 S San Marcial St, El Paso, TX 79905, Phone: 915-532-7273

Formerly an important 18th-century thoroughfare created by the Spanish colonists, El Camino Real de los Tejas is a National Historic Trail that stretches across Texas for 2,580 miles from the Mexican border all the way into Louisiana. There are plenty of fascinating things to see and do along the trail, many of which can be reached by car. Highlights include a Spanish mission offering interpretive tours, a former Governor's Palace, and a scenic lookout point. Hours of operation vary from site to site. No admission fee is charged to explore the sale, but some individual attractions require payment. Map

Fort Davis NHS was previously one of the most important military posts in western Texas, and now it's a fascinating reminder of the key role the military played in the settlement of the West. There are several buildings for visitors to explore, including a a barracks, a hospital, and a commissary, and there is also a short but steep trail that leads to a lookout point over the entire complex. A special ranger's program is offered for children between the ages of 4 and 14; the program takes between 90 minutes and 2 hours to complete, and adult supervision is required.

Fort Davis, TX 79734, Phone: 432-426-3835, Video, Map

Centered around a 10,000-acre man-made reservoir, Lake Meredith National Rec Area is a popular destination for boating, fishing, and water sports like wake boarding and water skiing. Boats are available for rent in the park if needed, and there are several boat ramps for visitors to use free of charge. There are also a handful of hiking trails, some of which boast stunning views of the lake and the surrounding area. Camping is allowed anywhere in the park for up to fourteen consecutive days, but fires are only permitted at the park's designated campgrounds.

Lake Meredith National Rec Area, 419 E Broadway St, Fritch, TX 79036, Phone: 806-857-3151

Created in honor of the 36th President of the United States, Lyndon B Johnson NHP offers some fascinating insight into the life of one of the country's most important historical figures. Visitors can explore the property in their own cars; a driving permit can be obtained from the Visitor Center free of charge. A highlight of the experience is stopping at the Texas White House for a special ranger-led tour, but other features of the property include the former president's boyhood home, a settlement that was established by his grandfather and great-uncle, and the Johnson family cemetery.

Lyndon B Johnson NHP, 199 Park Road 52, Stonewall, TX 78671, Phone: 830-644-2252