Texas is among the famous travel destination and must be on the bucket list of every true traveler. The people of Texas are amiable; it feels like a second home while in Texas.
The state is a complete package as it offers many things, such as natural wonders, mountains, historical museums, and giant malls, where you can have an endless shopping experience.
You can enjoy ongoing activities here, such as enjoying the beautiful scenery of nature while hiking through the path waved in the mountains and eating mouthwatering BBQ every alternate day.
Then, if you are a nature lover, we made it easier for you with details of the 12 best natural places in Texas that you need to visit. Enjoy reading them ahead of your wonderful trip full of fun and excitement.
Hamilton Pool Nature Preserve
The Hamilton Pool Nature Preserve is the best place for nature lovers who want to experience nature in the Austin area. It is a gorgeous pool located in the Texas Hill Country and was created by nature thousands of years ago.
You need to hike to visit this pool, and it takes around 30 minutes to hike from the parking lot to the pool and back. Pets are prohibited due to keeping the Hamilton Pool area clean. Currently, no swimming is allowed due to falling rocks around the pool. Most importantly, a reservation is required to visit Hamilton Pool Preserve.
Hamilton Pool is a famous tourist destination and is visited by thousands of travelers each year. It is a good place to get out and explore nature in Texas with your friends and family.
Big Ben National Park
The Big Ben National Park isn’t a famous tourist destination in Texas, but it is among the hidden gems of Texas. The park is the perfect spot for you if you spend time in nature with fewer people.
Big Ben is famous for recreational opportunities. You can do many nature activities here, such as hiking through the vast area and enjoying the incredible wonders of nature or just walking around the park to explore the mountains and the fantastic landscapes. You can also go boating and paddling in the river.
There aren’t great accommodation options here as the area is a bit remote and you can go camping in the park.
Gorman Falls
Another must-visit nature place in Texas is Gorman Falls, one of the most stunning waterfalls in Texas, reaching almost 70 feet. The Gorman Falls is located in the heart of nature among the lush green forests and vegetation. This heaven is located in the Colorado Bend State Park, a famous tourist destination.
You can’t swim at Gorman Falls, but hiking Gorman Falls is also an exciting activity to do. You can go to these beautiful falls through a 3-mile hiking trail.
Along the hike, you can enjoy the most breathtaking views of nature. The best time to visit this wonder of nature is spring when it flows to its maximum extent.
Padre Island National Seashore
Padre Island National Seashore is a small island that stretches from Corpus Christi to the Mexican border. It consists of many beaches, and there are a lot of fun activities you can do here.
While on one of the beaches you can go swimming, boating, and kayaking. The highlight of the Padre Island National Seashore is the Laguna Madre, which is among the few hypersaline lagoons in the world.
Laguna Madre is not a famous tourist destination, and you can expect few people here. You can expect the activities like boating and bird viewing. Besides all these activities you can go camping as there have campgrounds.
The weather at Padre Island varies significantly from very hot to rainy days within the same season. So we suggest you pack your bags according to the weather forecast to avoid any problems.
Caddo Lake
Caddo Lake is also among the places you shouldn’t miss when visiting Texas if you love nature. The Caddo Lake is the only natural lake in the lone star state, and it is simply a heaven for nature lovers.
From the morning to evening time, you can go kayaking through the lake, and at night you can relax at some of the cabins that Caddo Lake offers. The cabins are well furnished with all the facilities. This place is heaven for anglers as there are great fishing opportunities.
There are over 80 types of species present in the lake, and you can get to catch at least 3 to 4 different styles for a mouthwatering dinner. The best time to visit this lake is during the spring and fall seasons.
Devil River State Natural Area
Photo Source: Nicolas Henderson (Flickr)
On the west side of Texas lies the Devil River State Natural Area. The Devil River State Natural Area lies the Devil river, situated in the heart of vegetation and ridges. It offers a remote experience, so pack everything to avoid inconvenience.
There are a lot of activities to do on the river and land. You can go swimming, fishing, and paddling in the river but be sure to follow all the protocols while swimming in the river.
The Devil River can be accessed by hiking through the trail of 1 mile. Besides all these water activities you can explore the land by walking and camp at the campsites.
Campsites have no electricity and water, and to access them, you need to go to the visitor center. The walk around the area allows you to know about the history of this region.
Enchanted Rock
Enchanted Rock is a beautiful place to visit in Texas and is located in the Texas Hill Country. The place is mainly famous for the pink granite dome, the largest pink granite dome in the whole united states.
The Enhanced Rock was inhibited by humans 12,000 years ago and was considered a spiritual place by the local people. The best time to visit is springtime as the place gets extra hot in summer and extra cold in summer, making hiking difficult.
Hiking is the main activity to do here, and while hiking, you can enjoy the mesmerizing scenic views.
It is a famous tourist spot and visited by thousands of people each year; If you want to see the Enchanted Rock in peak time, we suggest you book the entry ticket in advance as they sell out real quick.
Apart from hiking in the daytime, you can go camping at night to enjoy the magical stargazing.
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Big Thicket National Preserve
Photo Source: William L. Farr (Wikimedia Common)
Big Thicket National Preserve is the place where all types of life are found and where you can have some soothing experience; it is a significant habitat for several plants and animal species.
The favorite activities to do here are to explore the different species by hiking through the trail and boating in the waterways.
This place is a perfect spot to spend some real-time in nature. Different events happen at the Big thicket, and you can be a part of these events if you’re registering for the event.
The event includes camping, canoeing, and a nature walk. There are places to go while here, such as the visitor center and unit of the national reserve.
Rockport Beach
Rockport Beach is located on South Padre Island and is among the beautiful beaches of Texas. It is surrounded by golden sand and blue crystal clear water. Rockport Beach is perfect to be visited along with the family to enjoy picnics and explore the area.
You can do many activities apart from enjoying a picnic such as fishing and enjoying the exciting swings. Plus, this place is the perfect spot for a wedding.
If you’re thinking of camping at Rockport Beach, it isn’t possible because overnight camping isn’t allowed at the beach, but you can still spend a whole day here full of activities.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Guadalupe Mountains National Park stretches the west Texas and south part of America. Guadalupe mountains national park is the most extensive Permian fossil reed, and there is a diverse range of species of plants and animals; you can get a chance to explore them all during the hike.
The park was not used to be as crowded as it is today, and since the pandemic, the number of visitors has surged. The best time to visit is during the spring and fall, and the parking spots fill up quickly at that time, so be sure to arrive at the park on time.
There are many activities, such as hiking through the trails, exploring the wilderness, and camping in the campsites in the heart of the wilderness.
It is a fantastic park for doing some hiking activities.
Monahans Sandhills State Park
Till now, we have suggested all the natural. Places full of mountains, but if you want to have a different experience after visiting the mountainous area, we recommend visiting the Monahans Sandhills State Park. The park is located in the west of Texas, and you get the chance to. Explore the dessert full of golden dunes.
You can have many fun activities here after you are tired of hiking through the mountains in other natural wonders of Texas. You can enjoy your day by having a picnic, exploring the area on foot horseback, or renting a disc at the visitors center for sand surfing!
Besides, you can also go camping at standard campsites where water and electricity are available. There are 26 campsites in this ocean of sand, and you can reserve one according to your choice. You are free to roam the vast stretches of dune and explore different creatures that live in these harsh conditions.
If you are interested in knowing the history and culture of the area, we suggest you visit the Dunagan Visitor Center. You can learn about the history of humans in these dunes and know about the animals and plants thriving in these conditions.
Longhorn Cavern State Park
The last but not the most miniature park to visit in Texas is Longhorn Cavern State Park, located a 1.5 hour’s drive away from Austin. It is the place where you can enjoy the real natural beauty and learn about the history and rich geology of the area.
The cave has been used for providing shelters since the 19th century, and it has great historical importance as it was used for the manufacture of gunpowder for the civil war.
There are many different and unique activities to do here, such as a cavern walking tour, a wild cave tour, and exploring the walk along with the guide, which can tell you about the history of the Longhorn Cavern State Park.
So that’s all about the 12 nature places in Texas to visit. The list of places where you can explore the natural wonders goes on.
You can explore the giant mountains where you can hike and camp, visit the desserts, feel lost in the vast stretches of dunes, and enjoy the water activities in the lakes and beaches as Texas is home to some of the finest beaches and lakes the United States.
So what you’re looking for? Just pack your bags and get immersed in the beauty of Texas.
