17 Must-See Texas Nature Destinations (2024)

Yeehaw, Texans (and visitors!)

While Texas might be most known for its BBQ and rodeos, these Texas natural wonders are some of the most beautiful in all of the US.

As one of the largest states, Texas has an abundance of space, and with that comes some seriously stunning Texas scenery.

I love Texas, and visit often as we have friends who live there, so over the years I’ve put together this list of the most beautiful natural wonders in Texas if you’re feeling like you need a dose of the great outdoors.

Many are national parks, but I’ve also included some lakes if you prefer water-based activities and also some canyons because Texas actually has some of the largest canyons in the US (who knew?).

1. Big Bend National Park

There’s nothing better than Big Bend National Park, which is why it made the top of this list.

It’s sometimes referred to as “Texas’ Gift to the Nation” and the entire park has over 800,000 acres of land. Within Big Bend you’ll find everything from Boquillas Canyon to the Rio Grande (one of the most famous rivers in the world) to the Chisos Mountains.

If you’d prefer to see Big Bend by car, enjoy the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive that takes you on paved routes throughout the park, past old ranch buildings and geographical formations.

One of the best desert trails is called Grapevine Hills Trail, at about 2 miles, so make sure to bring plenty of water and hike in the cooler parts of the day, but most people can enjoy the hike together if in good health.

Local note: Big Bend is becoming increasingly popular, with 50% more visitors since 2016. The busiest season is October through April, so make sure to plan ahead and get there early for the best parking (and if you want to camp, you need to reserve online up to six months in advance – you won’t get a space if you do it last minute!)

2. Guadalupe Mountains National Park

One of the most beautiful natural wonders in Texas is the Guadalupe Mountains, where you’ll find 8 out of the 10 highest peaks in Texas.

The hikes are incredibly scenic, particularly the climb to the top of Guadalupe Peak which is about 8 and a half miles round trip from the parking lot.

We like to go in late December in Texas for good weather for hiking and lots of open space as the trails aren’t very busy at that time of year.

If you want a shorter hike, try the McKittrick Canyon Trail which heads out to the historic Pratt Cabin, or go for the Devil’s Hall Trail which passes by lots of interesting desert plants.

It’s really known as a “hiker’s park” and plenty of people do multiple hikes in one day.

Keep in mind that the visitor center’s do not stay open all day, typically closing around 4pm, but even if you have just a short amount of time, this is a great place to see some beautiful Texas nature if you have just a day or two.

3. Palo Duro Canyon

Head to the “panhandle” of Texas near Amarillo for Palo Duro Canyon, one of the most spectacular Texas natural wonders.

The hiking is great, of course – every turn is different and there are plenty of trails for everyone from the kids to the experienced hikers.

It’s an incredibly remote park, which makes it quite the journey to get to, but you can drive into the canyon and don’t have to hike if you don’t want to – in fact, it is too hot to hike in many of the warmer months.

Locals come to this park often and consider it their “playground,” while visitors fall in love with the incredible camping facilities and gorgeous juniper and wildflowers that cover the area between Spring and Fall.

Make sure to come prepared with plenty of sunscreen and enough water, and you should know that your dog needs to be leashed and also prepared for the hot ground temperatures in the summer.

The trading post has a small restaurant if you’re looking for something to eat.

Oh, and if you’re traveling solo like I often do, consider doing the lighthouse trail, which is easy to follow and well marked.  

4. Enchanted Rock

Just about an hour and a half away from Austin, Enchanted Rock is a wonderful state park with hiking opportunities for everyone.

There’s the Summit hike, which takes you up to the top of the “ancient dome” for some stunning views of Texas, or you can do the Loop trail around the park’s circumference which has a sandy path that’s easy for hiking or running.

One thing this park has that some others don’t is plenty of bathrooms along the trail so it’s a great place to take the kids, and many families enjoy hiking here together.

Grab a map from the welcome center and enjoy the picnic tables and camping spots if you’re looking to stay here overnight.

It’s also a “Dark Sky” designated area, meaning that the views of the stars at night are out-of-this-world beautiful.  

5. Hamilton Pool Preserve

Hamilton Pool Preserve, a natural swimming hole with a waterfall, is one of the coolest natural wonders in Texas if you want to experience the beauty of Hamilton Creek.

It’s a historic Texas natural landmark where Hamilton Creek actually spills out over limestone to create a waterfall, and the water in the pool stays constant despite periods of drought.

Currently, swimming is not allowed due to falling rocks, but there are trails you can enjoy that take you around the preserve so you can do some bird spotting for the Golden-Cheeked Warbler as well as enjoy the diverse range of plantlife here including oak savannah and rare plant species that occur in the canyon areas.  

6. Caddo Lake

Caddo State Park is a stunning part of Texas nature where you can easily lose yourself in the beauty of it all for a couple of hours.

It’s smaller than some of the other state parks, but it’s such a different atmosphere from many other Texas environments with a swampy bayou to explore, which is why I love it.

Enjoy some kayaking or canoe rentals, or camp overnight and enjoy the sounds of the frogs and barred owls.

Families will enjoy the short trails with lots of shade and stairs (essential in the Texas heat), and the Park Rangers here are particularly wonderful with plenty of information about the park.  

7. McKittrick Canyon

Part of the Guadalupe Mountains, McKittrick Canyon is a gorgeous trail and fairly easy hike that you can do in a day.

This place particularly shines in the fall, when the leaves are changing and the canyon is dotted with beautiful colors.

As you make your way through the trails, you’ll head from desert area to more lush areas filled with deciduous trees.

There’s also a small stream, as well as deer and other wildlife.

Plan to have a picnic when you get to the Pratt cabin (an abandoned cabin that you can peek into), and bring plenty of water and comfortable shoes for your day out experiencing this Texas natural scenery.   

8. Caprock Canyons State Park

There’s something special about Caprock Canyons State Park, one of the best places to experience wildlife in Texas if you’re interested in bison herd!

But the real start of the show is the wild terrain, once you travel beyond the Honey Flats.

Suddenly, the scenery becomes wild and untamed, interesting in all of the ways it sort of juts up into the atmosphere and back down again.

The sky here is beautifully clear, and it’s a great place if you want to experience a bit more of a “wild” Texas than the more manicured state parks.

Hike, mountain bike, or camp and if you want some stunning views in East Texas, the view from the top of the South Prong Trail is something I highly recommend to new visitors.

9. Davis Mountains

Want a remote option for exploring the outdoors in West Texas?

The Davis Mountains are like, “hello! Over here! Pick me!”.

It’s got some really wonderful bird watching opportunities from enclosed viewing stations, as well as plenty of options for backpacking, mountain biking, or horseback riding if you have your own and want to check out the 11 miles of trails.

If you prefer to stay in your car, there’s a 4.5 mile Skyline Drive Trail that takes you up and around mountain ridges and valleys that is well worth doing, and if you have some extra time, stay overnight at Indian Lodge, which has a restaurant and swimming pool to unwind in after a day of adventure.

10. Devil’s Sinkhole

This natural bat habitat, located near the city of Rocksprings, is such a unique natural beauty in Texas.

It’s designated as a National Natural landmark and houses one of the largest colonies of Mexican free-tailed bats in Texas (they come out at sunset from April to October).

The site itself was caused by water erosion over a long period of time, and it’s a pretty hidden spot that many people don’t know about.

Top tip: you have to have a reservation with a tour guide to go in, and the tours start at the Visitor Center on Main and Sweeten Street.

You cannot go in without a tour, so don’t forget to plan ahead and make sure they’re offering tours during your visit.  

11. Monahans Sandhills State Park

Experience the magic of the Texas sandhills here, with vast sand dunes that create a really peaceful atmosphere that will give you the most enchanting night under the stars.

Sandy trails are dotted around the state park so you can enjoy walking or jogging, and you can even rent sleds from the visitor center for using on the dunes.

Sunrises and sunsets here are some of the best in Texas, and it’s just a short distance off of I-20, so while it feels entirely remote, it’s not far off the interstate if you’re on a Texas road trip or want to escape without going too far from civilization.

Because of the heat, I’d recommend visiting in the winter months to make the most of your time there.  

12. Balmorhea State Park

Described by visitors as “heaven on earth,” Balmorhea State Park has crystal clear water for swimming in the large, spring fed swimming pool, as well as an abundance of wildlife like minnows, catfish, and turtles just hanging out with you while you explore.

It’s a real oasis in the desert and has lots of trees for shade as you experience the natural springs.

The temperature in the Springs stays roughly the same year-round, and if you want to experience what it’s like under the water, bring a snorkel or do some diving as it looks just like a pool from the top, but when you get under, it’s like exploring an ocean reef there are so many fish.

The park is incredibly well maintained and while it is less “wild” than other options, the springs are natural and it’s a fun way to spend the day with the family.  

13. Lost Maples State Natural Area

Hiking Lost Maples is a wonderful way to see some legendary foliage colors, typically from October to the end of November.

You need to make sure you make reservations for camping in advance, as it fills up quickly and is a gorgeous park all year round.

You’ll find Lost Maples in the Hill Country, which also means plenty of abundant wildflowers, gorgeous canyons, and at night, meteor showers if you’re lucky.

Go at sunrise for incredible views and wear your hiking shoes to manage the rugged terrain.

14. Lake Travis

Lake Travis is one of the most popular places in Texas, with plenty of activities including boating, tubing, and swimming.  

This beautiful clear water lake is not entirely natural – it’s manmade, but it’s still a great place for scenery in Texas and offers thrilling activities like boating so it’s great for people with teenagers or adults who want some thrills.

If you want to chill out more, enjoy fly fishing or just sitting around the picnic areas.

15. Pedernales Falls State Park

Head to Johnson City, just outside of Austin, for this dog-friendly state park with large camp sites and plenty of hiking trails (as well as biking – this is a great place to bring that mountain bike!).

The pools of water are perhaps some of the most gorgeous in Texas with crystal clear water and small caves to check out, as well as lots of birds and butterflies.

Sunset at Pedernales Falls is a truly magical experience and because of the river bed erosion, the terrain is some of the most interesting of the Texas state parks.

Be prepared for water crossings along many of the trails, so bring extra socks, towels, and proper boots.  

16. Cascade Caverns

Take a break from the sun and heat and go underground at Cascade Caverns in Boerne, an incredible limestone cave with so many different rock formations to explore.

The floor is wet, as you would expect in a cave, so make sure to wear shoes with traction, and enjoy your guided tour through the natural beauty of this attraction.

Visitors love how “natural” the cave feels – it’s not overly touristy or overdone, and the bats and salamanders hanging out make it even more fun.

This is a true Texas natural hidden gem, one of the best places to visit in Texas, and they offer a variety of cave tours depending on how long you have or how adventurous you want to be.

17. Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge

Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge, nestled in the picturesque Texas Hill Country, is a haven for both wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.

Established in 1992 to protect the endangered golden-cheeked warbler and black-capped vireo, this refuge spans over 23,000 acres of rugged terrain, showcasing the region’s unique biodiversity.

The refuge is characterized by its dramatic limestone canyons, lush valleys, and diverse ecosystems, providing a habitat for a wide array of plant and animal species.

Visitors to Balcones Canyonlands can explore the scenic trails that wind through oak and Ashe juniper woodlands, offering breathtaking vistas of the surrounding landscape.

These trails provide an opportunity for birdwatching, as the refuge is home to over 245 bird species, making it a birding paradise.