Texas is a wide-open state, with plenty of wide-open spaces to accommodate any outdoor activity.
Texas is a big state, with plenty of room to roam. Due to its varied terrain and wide-open expanses, Texas offers visitors a tremendous variety of outdoor recreational opportunities.
Texas offers visitors a variety of ways to spend time outdoors. For those visitors who never want to be indoors, Texas has a number of excellent spot to pitch a tent and spend the night under the stars.
Texas is known for a lot of things. However, Texas' many excellent beaches are often overlooked. Don't miss your chance to grab a stretch of Texas sand while on vacation in the Lone Star State.
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.
Texas is a state of diverse natural resources. Luckily, Texas is also a state with a strong state park system and numerous federal lands as well. In fact, whether they prefer mountains, woods or sandy beaches, visitors to Texas have their choice of National Wildlife Refuges and Preserves on which to view nature.
Texas offers visitors and residents plenty of summer recreational activities. Those wishing to spend time outdoors have plenty of options, including dozens of state parks which offer visitors an opportunity to do everything from swimming to scuba diving, water skiing to mountain biking.
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.
Located along the Texas/Mexico border, Falcon State Park sits on the shores of Falcon Lake and offers fishermen, nature lovers, and campers a unique outdoor experience.
Located in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, Blanco State Park is one of the smaller state parks in Texas. However, what Blanco SP lacks in acreage, it makes up for in charm and user-friendly ammenities.
Mustang Island State Park includes five miles of beachfront and offers visitors fishing, camping, beachcombing, swimming, surfing, birding, and other outdoor recreation options.
Located right in the center of Laredo, one of Texas’ most impressive border cities, Lake Casa Blanca International State Park offers a wide array of outdoor activities for visitors and residents alike. The park offers a variety of both land-based and watersport activities, with the central attraction being the 1,650-acre Lake Casa Blanca.
Many visitors know about the desolate stretches of beach available along the Padre Island National Seashore near Corpus Christi. And, thousands of tourists flock to the sandy shores of South Padre Island each year. However, few people realize there is a beach which combines the qualities of these two popular Texas beaches - Boca Chica Beach, Texas' southernmost stretch of sand.
Covering nearly 100,000 acres, Big Thicket National Preserve was the first such preserve in the United States. The Big Thicket NP is home to a diverse group of plants and animals and plays host to thousands of nature enthusiasts annually.
Designated as an International Biosphere Reserve, Big Bend offers a variety of outdoor recreational activities in a primitive setting. Backpacking, mountain biking, fishing, boating, hiking, nature watching, camping - you name it, if it can be done outdoors, it can be done in Big Bend.
Located just a few miles outside of San Antonio, Lake Braunig has become a popular location for Alamo City residents and visitors interested in water sports, fishing and nature watching. As one of only three lakes in Texas that is home to freshwater redfish, Braunig has a solid following among fishermen. And, since it is devoid of shoreline development as well, it is a favorite for bird watchers.
Photo gallery of Texas' most beloved reptile - the Texas Horned Lizard.
Located on the Texas/Mexico border, just outside Zapata, Texas, Falcon Lake has long been a favorite destination for fishermen, birders and watersport enthusiasts. The 60-mile Falcon Dam, which terminates in Guerrero, Mexico, was dedicated in 1953. From that point until present day, Falcon Lake has been one of the most popular inland bodies of water in the Lone Star State.
Located on the western shore of the Lower Laguna Madre in Deep South Texas, the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge is a popular stop for birders and nature lovers. Home to ocelot, horned lizards, chachalaca and other native South Texas species, Laguna Atascosa offers visitors a variety of driving and walking trails, as well as several lookout points to view wildlife from.
Twice a year, the Texas General Land Office stages a statewide beach cleanup effort known as "Adopt-A-Beach." Since the program began in 1988, nearly 330,000 volunteers have removed over 6,200 tons of trash from Texas beaches.
After lingering along South Texas beaches for nearly two months, the pesky algae bloom known as "red tide" has finally waned to the point of not being noticeable to beachgoers. This is good news for visitors who have been patiently waiting for another opportunity to head to the beach before the cooler weather of winter sets in.
Held on Galveston's Stewart Beach, the Fall Classic is the last beach volleyball tournament of the season for the Gulf Coast Volleyball Association. Categories include men's, women's, junior and co-ed divisions.
Texas is filled with state parks maintained by Texas Parks and Wildlife. These state parks vary in location and amenities offered, but each has a unique charm and is worth the visit for outdoor lovers.
Texas Parks and Wildlife oversees Texas' natural resources. This duty includes managing state parks, setting bag and length limits, managing wildlife stocks, educating the public and enforcing game laws.
Biking through the Texas Hill Country offers an upclose view of wildlife, wildflowers, and historic Hill Country towns.
Located in Glen Rose, the park features models of a 70-foot Apatosaurus and a 45-foot Tyrannosaurus Rex, as well as the Paluxy River, preserved dinosaur tracks and more.
This 1,700-acre wildlife center, located in Glen Rose, is dedicated to preserving and protecting endangered and threatened species. Visitors can view over 1,000 animals from their own car or on guided tours.
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.
Held annually to benefit the Food Bank of Abilene, the Tour de Gap is a 100k bike ride sponsored by the Abilene Bike Club. Fun rides of 10, 25 and 40 miles are also offered for less serious riders.
Attracting over 1,500 riders each year, Cleburne's Goatneck 100K Bike Race has been named as one of the 100 best bike races in America. The event also ofers rides of 10 and 25 miles for those not quite ready for the full course.
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 few of the many activities available.
The clear, deep waters of Lake Whitney in north central Texas are as inviting as they are scenic. Swimming, fishing, boating, water skiing and scuba diving are among the most popular recreational activites at Lake Whitney State Park.
The 2,000 acre Galveston Island State Park features beach and bay access, nature and hiking trails, a boat ramp, campsites with water and electricity and more.
