• Updated with new information since originally published.
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  • Our editors recommend these diverse local experiences.

1. Guadalupe Mountains National Park ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Category: Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Oleg Kovtun/stock.adobe.com

2. Big Bend National Park ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Category: Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Alizada Studios/stock.adobe.com

3. Caddo Lake State Park

Category: Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© DIIMSA.com/stock.adobe.com

4. Cedar Hill State Park

Category: Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© aphotostory/stock.adobe.com

5. Daingerfield State Park

Category: Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© kitty45/stock.adobe.com

6. Fort Boggy State Park

Category: Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Sweetheart/stock.adobe.com

7. Lake Mineral Wells State Park & Trailway

Category: Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Brandon/stock.adobe.com

8. Lake Somerville State Park & Trailway

Category: Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© kitty45/stock.adobe.com

9. Lockhart State Park

Category: Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Hundley Photography/stock.adobe.com

10. Meridian State Park

Category: Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Thomas/stock.adobe.com

11. Mother Neff State Park

Category: Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© William C. Bunce/stock.adobe.com

12. Mustang Island State Park

Category: Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Terry Walsh Photo/stock.adobe.com

13. Alibates Flint Quarries

© exelentz/stock.adobe.com

14. Amistad National Recreation Area

Category: Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© st_matty/stock.adobe.com

15. Bastrop State Park

Category: Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© lekcha/stock.adobe.com

16. Big Thicket

© Zack Frank/stock.adobe.com

17. Chamizal

© NPS Photo

18. Fort Davis

Category: Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© Zack Frank/stock.adobe.com

19. Atlanta State Park

Category: Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© zephyr_p/stock.adobe.com

20. Lake Meredith

Category: Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© javarman/stock.adobe.com

21. Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park

Category: Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© NPS Photo

22. Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park

Category: Weekend Activities & Fun Outdoors
© James/stock.adobe.com

23. Padre Island National Seashore

Romantic Islands
© st_matty/stock.adobe.com

24. San Antonio Missions

© cuttsnaturephoto/stock.adobe.com

25. Waco Mammoth

© NPS Photo

Summary and Frequenly Asked Questions:

Texas is full of parks, ranging from state and national parks to recreation areas to historic sites. Both visitors and local residents alike can find an urban oasis, forests, historical parks, expansive desert, and even the state’s very own “Grand Canyon.” These parks are full of a wide variety of outdoor recreational activities and adventures, as well as beautiful natural wonders.

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