Best Outdoor Destinations in Texas

As the second largest state in the United States, Texas covers about seven percent of all land and water bodies in the country. As you can imagine, not all of that land is covered by cities, making Texas the perfect destination for outdoor enthusiasts. From national parks with fantastic hiking to activities on various bodies of water, we have your guide to the top outdoor destinations in the Lone Star State.

Big Bend National Park covers the entire Chisos mountain range in Southwest Texas and offers a stellar outdoor experience. Hike popular trails like the South Rim Trail or go river rafting in the Santa Elena Canyon. In addition to hot springs you can swim in and Native American indigenous pictographs along trails, Big Bend National Park is one of the darkest places in the U.S., offering great views of the stars from their campsites.

River tubing is a favorite Texas past time and you can't visit Texas without tubing down the Guadalupe River. One of the most popular entry points in the Guadalupe River is near Canyon Lake, Texas. There are plenty of companies that rent inner tubes and pick you up after a day full of floating. If tubing isn't for you, there's always whitewater rafting on the Guadalupe River in Big Bend National Park or kayaking and canoeing opportunities.

Caddo Lake State Park is an East Texas treasure that covers parts of Texas and Louisiana. Filled with cypress trees and Spanish moss, this lake is a maze of bayous full of fish, alligators and other wildlife you can enjoy by kayaks, boats and canoes. There are also a few hiking trails around the lake.

Palo Duro Canyon is located in in the North Texas Panhandle, about 30 minutes from Amarillo. This state park is the second largest canyon in the United States, after the Grand Canyon, of course, and has spectacular rock formations and plenty of trails for hikers. With plenty of wildlife and gorgeous views, it's the perfect outdoorsy escape, though one that can get pretty hot during the summer.

Texas has plenty of natural pools, but the Hamilton Pool Preserve is by far the most popular. Located not too far from Austin, this natural pool draws people for a day of swimming (when there aren't high levels of bacteria). The pool is so popular that you'll need to book a reservation slot before visiting.

Enchanted Rock State Natural Area is said to be a magical place that has drawn people for centuries for romantic folkloric stories and an interest in how local Native American tribes revered the geological structure. The massive pink granite dome has 11 miles of hiking trails and is a beloved destination for rock climbers.

The beaches of South Padre Island are a big hit with Texans and out-of-state visitors. Home to sea turtles and water activities like surfing, scuba, snorkeling, fishing, kite surfing and dolphin tours, South Padre Island offers an all-around outdoor beach getaway in south Texas. Hikers can also find trails at the South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center.

Hueco Tanks State Park is a rock climber's dream near El Paso. The name "huecos" comes from the natural rock basins of the park that people hike and climb throughout the year, marveling at pictographs left behind by Native Americans. It's a great place for wildlife viewing, hiking and stargazing at night.

Texas is home to the largest commercial caverns in the United States, the Natural Bridge Caverns. The caverns, just north of San Antonio, get its name from the 60-foot natural limestone slab bridge found near the entrance. There are two cave systems you can explore on foot and be amazed by natural underground wonders.

Lakes are an essential part of a Texas outdoors experience and while we'd love to feature them all, we just had to highlight Possum Kingdom Lake. The lake draws people from all over the state during the summer for fishing, boating and water skiing, and was even the site of Red Bull Cliff Diving competitions. Surprising enough, it's also a beloved scuba diving spot in Texas that has underwater attractions like boats, cars, fiberglass domes and a drive-through restaurant's burger sign.