Paddling Adventures with Kids in Texas

We pulled these 27 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.

27 adventures found

River Legacy Parks

Arlington, TX

Hiking
Ages 2–18+ Free

1,300-acre park with paved trails and mountain biking along the Trinity River. Free. Works from …

Lady Bird Lake

Austin, TX

Kayaking
Ages 4–18+ Paid

Kayaking and paddleboarding on calm water through downtown Austin. Paid entry. Best from about age …

Blanco State Park

Blanco, TX

Swimming
Ages 2–18+ Paid

Small-town river swimming and tubing perfect for young children. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. …

Reveille Peak Ranch

Burnet, TX

Rock-Climbing
Ages 5–18+ Paid

Granite bouldering and mountain biking near Burnet. Paid entry. Best from about age 5. Easily a full …

Cedar Hill State Park

Cedar Hill, TX

Hiking
Ages 3–18+ Paid

Family-friendly state park on Joe Pool Lake just 20 minutes from Dallas - swimming, hiking, camping, …

Cleburne State Park

Cleburne, TX

Camping
Ages 3–18+ Paid

No-wake lake for safe paddling and swimming near Fort Worth. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. A …

Daingerfield State Park

Daingerfield, TX

Camping
Ages 2–18+ Paid

Stunning fall foliage and family lake swimming at a hidden East Texas gem - camping, fishing, …

Purtis Creek State Park

Eustace, TX

Fishing
Ages 3–18+ Paid

Stocked catch-and-release lake where kids always catch fish. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. A …

Galveston Island State Park

Galveston, TX

Camping
Ages 2–18+ Paid

Beach camping and bay-side kayaking at Galveston Island State Park - coastal wetlands, birding …

Buffalo Bayou Park

Houston, TX

Biking
Ages 2–18+ Free

Paved bayou trails with destination playground and bat colony viewing. Free. Works from toddler age. …

Jesse H. Jones Park & Nature Center

Humble, TX

Nature
Ages 2–18+ Free

Boardwalk trails through cypress swamp with free guided canoe trips. Free. Works from toddler age. …

Huntsville State Park

Huntsville, TX

Camping
Ages 3–18+ Paid

Pine forest camping with lake paddling and a sandy swim area. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. A …

South Llano River State Park

Junction, TX

Camping
Ages 3–18+ Paid

Crystal-clear spring-fed river for family swimming and tubing near Junction TX - camping under pecan …

Caddo Lake State Park

Karnack, TX

Kayaking
Ages 4–18+ Paid

Kayaking through a moss-draped cypress swamp on Texas' only natural lake. Paid entry. Best from …

Big Thicket National Preserve

Kountze, TX

Hiking
Ages 4–18+ Free

UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with nine converging ecosystems. Free. Best from about age 4. A half-day …

Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area

Lewisville, TX

Nature
Ages 3–18+ Paid

2,000 acres of prairies and wetlands with guided nature programs. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. …

Village Creek State Park

Lumberton, TX

Kayaking
Ages 3–18+ Paid

Tannin-clear creek paddling through Big Thicket sandbars. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. A …

Lake Pflugerville Park

Pflugerville, TX

Swimming
Ages 2–18+ Free

Free lake beach with swim area and 3-mile paved loop. Free. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip. …

Oak Point Park & Nature Preserve

Plano, TX

Hiking
Ages 2–18+ Free

800-acre park with boardwalks and kayaking in Plano. Free. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip. …

Mustang Island State Park

Port Aransas, TX

Camping
Ages 2–18+ Paid

Beachfront camping and bay kayak trail with dolphin sightings. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. …

Sea Rim State Park

Sabine Pass, TX

Kayaking
Ages 3–18+ Paid

Gulf beach meets freshwater marsh with paddling trails and boardwalks. Paid entry. Best from about …

Martin Creek Lake State Park

Tatum, TX

Fishing
Ages 3–18+ Paid

Year-round warm-water fishing with unique island campsites in East Texas - a hidden gem for family …

Tyler State Park

Tyler, TX

Swimming
Ages 2–18+ Paid

Spring-fed lake swimming with a sandy beach, paddleboat rentals, and 13 miles of piney-woods trails …