United States Texas Texas Guide Things To Do Essentials Where to Stay Getaways All Texas 10 Best State Parks in Texas By Danno Wise Danno Wise Facebook Instagram Danno Wise has lived on the Texas Gulf Coast his entire life, and has been writing about Texas travel, fishing, and the outdoors since 1994. TripSavvy's editorial guidelines Updated on 08/20/19 Fact checked by Erin Medlicott Fact checked by Erin Medlicott LinkedIn Twitter New York University Rutgers University Erin Medlicott is a fact checker and researcher with a background in lifestyle and finance. Prior to her work at TripSavvy, she did financial research for the American Express Departures Magazine as well as the Wall Street Journal. She earned a TripSavvy's fact-checking Share Pin Email Texas is a large state with a wide variety of geographical features, ecosystems, and wildlife. Texas is also home to one of the nation's best state park systems, which offers wonderful public access to these natural resources. 01 of 10 Enchanted Rock State Natural Area Witold Skrypczak/Getty Images Located just north of Fredericksburg in the Texas Hill Country, Enchanted Rock is one of the largest natural rock formations in the United States, with a dome that rises 425 feet above the ground (1,825 feet above sea level). Designated as a National Natural Landmark in 1970, Enchanted Rock is also part of the Texas State Parks System and attracts thousands of visitors annually. 02 of 10 Lost Maples State Natural Area Danita Delimont/Getty Images Most people relate fall foliage and the changing of the leaves to the eastern portion of the United States. However, portions of Texas actually see dramatic changes in foliage coloration as fall draws near. Lost Maples State Natural Area in the Texas Hill Country has the most vivid fall leaf coloration in the state. 03 of 10 Palo Duro Canyon State Park Robert W. Hensley/Getty Images Known as the "Grand Canyon of Texas," Palo Duro Canyon is 120 miles long, 20 miles wide, and 800 feet deep. Palo Duro is one of the most popular mountain biking destinations in the country. Horseback riding, mountain climbing, camping, and hiking are also popular activities. 04 of 10 Garner State Park Donovan Reese/Getty Images Located on the Frio River in Concan, Garner State Park is one of Texas' most popular summer getaways. Whether it's swimming, fishing, paddling, or tubing, most visitors to Garner find a way to get on or in the water. However, there are also "dry" activities such as miniature golf, birding, nature trails, hiking, and more. Continue to 5 of 10 below. 05 of 10 Mustang Island State Park Witold Skrypczak/Getty Images Mustang Island State Park includes five miles of beachfront and offers visitors fishing, camping, beachcombing, swimming, surfing, birding, and other outdoor recreation options. Mustang Island State Park is also located just a short drive from the city of Corpus Christi. 06 of 10 Longhorn Caverns State Park Amy the Nurse/Flickr/CC BY-ND 2.0 Longhorn Caverns are a Hill Country wonder that housed Comanche Indians, Confederate Soldiers and, perhaps, and outlaw or two. Today the site is a state park, offering a number of tours and educational programs. Visiting this underground attraction is a great way to beat the heat during the summer months in Texas. 07 of 10 Guadalupe River State Park Adam Baker / Getty Images Located in Comal County in the Texas Hill Country, Guadalupe River State Park encompasses a nine-mile stretch of the Guadalupe River, offering park visitors plenty of swimming and tubing opportunities. 08 of 10 Hueco Tanks State Historic Site Buyenlarge / Contributor / Getty Images Hueco Tanks offers a variety of outdoor activities, most notably camping and rock climbing. However, one of the biggest draws to this historic site are the prehistoric pictographs that dot the cave walls there. The other major draw is rock climbing, as Hueco Tanks is widely recognized as one of the top rock climbing sites in Texas. Continue to 9 of 10 below. 09 of 10 Devil's River State Natural Area Oldrich Jindra / EyeEm / Getty Images Located just north of Del Rio on Texas' famed Devil's River, the Devil's River State Natural Area offers a variety of outdoor activities in a remote setting. Canoeing, kayaking, mountain biking, hiking, fishing, and swimming are just a few of the many activities available. 10 of 10 Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site Bill Staney/Flickr/CC BY-ND 2.0 Washington-on-the-Brazos is the location where the Convention of 1836 signed Texas' Declaration of Independence from Mexico. The site also served as the Texas Capitol off and on through the early years of the Republic of Texas. Washinton-on-the-Brazos is a great place to visit in order to get a true feel for how Texas began. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Share Pin Email Tell us why! Submit