Burnet, TX
Inks Lake State Park
Spring-fed lake swimming and cliff jumping at Devil's Waterhole. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. A half-day trip. Dogs welcome.
- Swimming
- Ages 3+
- ~4h
- Paid
Paddling Adventures with Kids in Texas
We pulled these 29 paddling trips out of our full catalog of kid-friendly spots in Texas. Every listing has the ages it suits, what it costs, how long to budget, parking notes, and what to pack.
29 adventures found
Little Elm, TX
Little Elm Beach
Sandy lake beach on Lewisville Lake with roped swim area and free life jacket loans. Free. Best from about age 3. A half-day trip.
- Swimming
- Ages 3+
- ~4h
- Free
Arlington, TX
River Legacy Parks
1,300-acre park with paved trails and mountain biking along the Trinity River. Free. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip.
- Hiking
- Ages 2+
- ~3h
- Free
Arlington, TX
Viridian Sailing Center
A community sailing center on a small sheltered lake in Arlington where boats stay in sight of the dock. Annual passes and camps.
- Sailing
- Ages 5+
- ~4h
- Paid
Austin, TX
Lady Bird Lake
Kayaking and paddleboarding on calm water through downtown Austin. Paid entry. Best from about age 4. About two hours. Easy going.
- Kayaking
- Ages 4+
- ~2h
- Paid
Blanco, TX
Blanco State Park
Small-town river swimming and tubing perfect for young children. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip. Stroller-friendly.
- Swimming
- Ages 2+
- ~3h
- Paid
Burnet, TX
Inks Lake State Park Camping and Cabins
Waterfront campsites and small cabins on a constant-level lake with pink granite shoreline and the Devils Waterhole swimming cove
- Camping
- Ages 2+
- Overnight
- Paid
Burnet, TX
Reveille Peak Ranch
Granite bouldering and mountain biking near Burnet. Paid entry. Best from about age 5. Easily a full day. Moderate effort.
- Rock Climbing
- Ages 5+
- ~5h
- Paid
Cedar Hill, TX
Cedar Hill State Park
Family-friendly state park on Joe Pool Lake just 20 minutes from Dallas - swimming, hiking, camping, and mountain biking for all ages
- Hiking
- Ages 3+
- ~4h
- Paid
Cleburne, TX
Cleburne State Park
No-wake lake for safe paddling and swimming near Fort Worth. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. A half-day trip. Dogs welcome.
- Camping
- Ages 3+
- ~4h
- Paid
Daingerfield, TX
Daingerfield State Park
Stunning fall foliage and family lake swimming at a hidden East Texas gem - camping, fishing, paddleboats, and easy trails through hardwood forests
- Camping
- Ages 2+
- ~3h
- Paid
Dallas, TX
White Rock Lake
9.4-mile paved biking loop around a scenic Dallas lake. Free. Works from toddler age. About two hours. Stroller-friendly.
- Biking
- Ages 2+
- ~2h
- Free
Eustace, TX
Purtis Creek State Park
Stocked catch-and-release lake where kids always catch fish. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. A half-day trip. Dogs welcome.
- Fishing
- Ages 3+
- ~4h
- Paid
Galveston, TX
Galveston Island State Park
Beach camping and bay-side kayaking at Galveston Island State Park - coastal wetlands, birding trails, and family-friendly camping steps from the Gulf
- Camping
- Ages 2+
- ~4h
- Paid
Galveston, TX
Sea Star Base Galveston
A nonprofit maritime base on Offatts Bayou with a 39-boat fleet, week-long summer camps and a Saturday learn-to-sail track.
- Sailing
- Ages 8+
- ~6h
- Paid
Houston, TX
Buffalo Bayou Park
Paved bayou trails with destination playground and bat colony viewing. Free. Works from toddler age. About two hours. Stroller-friendly.
- Biking
- Ages 2+
- ~2h
- Free
Humble, TX
Jesse H. Jones Park & Nature Center
Boardwalk trails through cypress swamp with free guided canoe trips. Free. Works from toddler age. About two hours. Stroller-friendly.
- Nature
- Ages 2+
- ~2h
- Free
Huntsville, TX
Huntsville State Park
Pine forest camping with lake paddling and a sandy swim area. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. A half-day trip. Dogs welcome.
- Camping
- Ages 3+
- ~4h
- Paid
Junction, TX
South Llano River State Park
Crystal-clear spring-fed river for family swimming and tubing near Junction TX - camping under pecan groves with excellent wildlife viewing
- Camping
- Ages 3+
- ~4h
- Paid
Karnack, TX
Caddo Lake State Park
Kayaking through a moss-draped cypress swamp on Texas' only natural lake. Paid entry. Best from about age 4. A half-day trip.
- Kayaking
- Ages 4+
- ~4h
- Paid
Kountze, TX
Big Thicket National Preserve
UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with nine converging ecosystems. Free. Best from about age 4. A half-day trip. Moderate effort.
- Hiking
- Ages 4+
- ~3h
- Free
Lewisville, TX
Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area
2,000 acres of prairies and wetlands with guided nature programs. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. About two hours. Easy going.
- Nature
- Ages 3+
- ~2h
- Paid
Lumberton, TX
Village Creek State Park
Tannin-clear creek paddling through Big Thicket sandbars. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. A half-day trip. Dogs welcome.
- Kayaking
- Ages 3+
- ~4h
- Paid
Pflugerville, TX
Lake Pflugerville Park
Free lake beach with swim area and 3-mile paved loop. Free. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip. Stroller-friendly. Dogs welcome.
- Swimming
- Ages 2+
- ~3h
- Free
Plano, TX
Oak Point Park & Nature Preserve
800-acre park with boardwalks and kayaking in Plano. Free. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip. Stroller-friendly. Dogs welcome.
- Hiking
- Ages 2+
- ~3h
- Free
Port Aransas, TX
Mustang Island State Park
Beachfront camping and bay kayak trail with dolphin sightings. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. Easily a full day. Dogs welcome.
- Camping
- Ages 2+
- ~5h
- Paid
Sabine Pass, TX
Sea Rim State Park
Gulf beach meets freshwater marsh with paddling trails and boardwalks. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. A half-day trip.
- Kayaking
- Ages 3+
- ~3h
- Paid
Tatum, TX
Martin Creek Lake State Park
Year-round warm-water fishing with unique island campsites in East Texas - a hidden gem for family fishing trips and peaceful lake paddling
- Fishing
- Ages 3+
- ~4h
- Paid
Tyler, TX
Tyler State Park
Spring-fed lake swimming with a sandy beach, paddleboat rentals, and 13 miles of piney-woods trails at CCC-era Tyler State Park in East Texas
- Swimming
- Ages 2+
- ~4h
- Paid