Over 20,000 acres of rolling prairie and oak savanna just north of the DFW metroplex managed by the US Forest Service. The TADRA Point trail system has excellent mountain biking for older kids and the Black Creek Lake area offers primitive camping where families can really get away from it all. Wildflower season in spring is spectacular across the open grasslands.
Martin Creek Lake State Park is one of Texas’s best-kept secrets for family fishing. The lake receives warm-water discharge from a nearby power plant, which keeps water temperatures mild year-round and creates exceptional fishing conditions - largemouth bass, crappie, catfish, and channel catfish are all reliably active even in winter when other lakes go quiet. Fishing: This is the main draw and it’s outstanding. Kids can fish from the shoreline, the fishing pier, or from a canoe or kayak on the lake. The warm water means fish are active and biting year-round, which is perfect for keeping kids engaged. Largemouth bass up to 10+ pounds have been caught here. The park has a fish-cleaning station and a boat ramp for those bringing their own watercraft. ...
A state park inside Austin city limits where Onion Creek tumbles over two distinct limestone waterfalls that kids can wade right up to and explore. The Upper Falls have shallow pools perfect for younger kids and the Lower Falls drop into a bigger swimming hole. The Homestead Trail passes the ruins of an 1850s homestead which adds a history lesson to the hike. Camping here means you can explore Austin by day and sleep under the stars at night.
A charming CCC-era park with a small lake surrounded by limestone bluffs and juniper forest. Kids can fish from the shore or rent paddleboats and the Bosque Trail loops through varied terrain with creek crossings that are fun to navigate. The screened shelters are a comfortable camping option for families not ready for full tent camping. Birders come here specifically for the endangered golden-cheeked warbler in spring.
The first official Texas state park with a beautifully renovated campground and trails that wind through the Leon River bottomland. The Wash Pond Trail leads to a natural limestone sinkhole pool that kids find fascinating. CCC-era stone structures throughout the park give it a historic atmosphere. It is a compact and manageable park that works well for families with younger kids on their first camping trip.
Five miles of Gulf beach frontage where families can camp right on the sand and fall asleep to the sound of waves. The Mustang Island Paddling Trail winds through the bay side marshes and is outstanding for spotting dolphins and redfish from a kayak. Beach driving is permitted which means you can set up camp in a more secluded spot away from the crowds. The Junior Ranger program keeps kids learning while they play.
A Travis County park on a peninsula jutting into Lake Travis with miles of rocky limestone shoreline where families can find their own private cove to swim and explore. Kids love climbing the layered limestone ledges and jumping into the deep clear water below. The camping is first-come first-served and the sites along the water are spectacular. When the lake level is up this is one of the best swimming spots in Central Texas.
The longest undeveloped barrier island in the world stretches 70 miles along the Texas Gulf Coast and feels like the edge of civilization. Kids can hunt for seashells on miles of empty beach and during summer the Kemp’s ridley sea turtle releases at the Hatchling Release Program are a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The Malaquite Beach has a visitor center with showers and the campground sits right on the sand.
The second-largest canyon in the United States after the Grand Canyon and one of the most visually stunning landscapes in all of Texas. The Lighthouse Trail is the signature hike leading to an iconic 310-foot rock spire that makes for an incredible family photo. The drive down into the canyon itself is thrilling for kids as the walls rise hundreds of feet on either side. Summer brings the outdoor musical drama TEXAS performed in the canyon amphitheater.
Built on the dramatic cliffs above the clear blue waters of Possum Kingdom Lake in the Palo Pinto Mountains. The water here is unusually clear for Texas and kids can snorkel and spot fish in the shallows. The park has a swim area with a rocky beach and the Longhorn Trail offers moderate hiking with canyon views.
A catch-and-release lake stocked so well that kids are practically guaranteed to reel something in on every visit. The 355-acre lake has a no-wake rule so it stays peaceful for bank fishing and kayaking. Easy trails loop through the pine and hardwood forest around the lake and the screened shelters offer a bug-free camping experience.
A 7,677-acre park on the shores of O.C. Fisher Reservoir with over 50 miles of trails through mesquite grassland and rocky terrain. The park maintains a small herd of Texas longhorn cattle that kids love seeing up close. An official state longhorn herd interpretive trail educates families about the breed’s history. Mountain biking is popular on the rugged trails and the park offers equestrian camping for horse-owning families.
South Llano River State Park is a Hill Country treasure built around a crystal-clear, spring-fed stretch of the Llano River near Junction. The water is clean, shallow, and gentle enough for kids to float, swim, and explore safely - making it one of the best river parks in Texas for families. River fun: The South Llano River is the star of this park. The water is clear enough to see the bottom in most places, stays refreshingly cool in summer, and moves at a lazy pace perfect for tubing, wading, and splashing. Kids love exploring the rocky riverbed, catching crawdads, and floating in the gentle current. Bring your own tubes or inflatable rafts - there’s no rental available at the park. ...
A beautifully maintained CCC-era state park with a spring-fed lake surrounded by towering pines and hardwoods. The swim area has a sandy beach and the park rents paddleboats and kayaks. Over 13 miles of trails loop through East Texas piney woods and the mountain bike trails are well-regarded. The historic stone and timber structures built by the Civilian Conservation Corps give the park a timeless character.
A beautiful park on Village Creek in the Big Thicket region where the tannin-stained water runs clear through white sandbars under a canopy of hardwoods and pines. Kayaking and canoeing down the creek is the signature experience and the gentle current makes it accessible for families with older kids. The campground is right on the creek and the sandbar beaches are perfect for setting up camp chairs and watching the kids wade.
Cedar Hill State Park sits right on Joe Pool Lake barely 20 minutes from downtown Dallas, and it feels way more remote than it actually is. With over 1,800 acres of rolling tallgrass prairie and lakeshore, this is the go-to park for DFW families who want a real outdoor experience without the long drive. Swimming and lake activities: The park’s swim beach is the main draw for families with younger kids. The shallow, sandy entry makes it easy for toddlers and beginners. Fishing from the shore is popular - Joe Pool Lake is stocked with largemouth bass, catfish, and crappie. You can also rent kayaks and canoes from the park store during peak season. ...
Sitting on the northern edge of the Hill Country just 30 minutes southwest of Fort Worth, this park feels like an escape without the long road trip. The spring-fed lake is no-wake, so kids can swim, kayak, and canoe without dodging powerboats. Nearly 13 miles of trails wind through rolling terrain, and every campsite has electric hookups, which makes family camping significantly more comfortable. A small park store sells firewood, ice, and basic supplies.
This is the place where your kids can literally stand in real dinosaur footprints preserved in a shallow riverbed. The Paluxy River tracks are jaw-dropping for kids of all ages, and during warmer months the river itself is shallow enough for wading and splashing. Over 20 miles of trails wind through limestone bluffs and cedar forests, and the Junior Ranger Explorer Packs give younger kids a scavenger hunt to keep them engaged the whole visit.
A 212-acre park with 10 miles of well-maintained mountain bike trails that are ideal for kids learning to ride dirt for the first time. The progressive skills course lets them build confidence at their own pace before hitting the real trails. Twelve primitive campsites are scattered through the woods for families wanting a low-key overnight experience, and there is a playground and pond near the parking area for younger siblings who just want to run around.
One of the only spots in North Texas where families can try real rock climbing on natural sandstone formations at Penitentiary Hollow. The cliffs range from 20 to 40 feet and draw climbers of all skill levels. Beyond the climbing, there is a 646-acre lake for swimming and fishing, a 20-mile rail trail perfect for family biking, and solid campgrounds for an overnight stay. The Junior Ranger and wilderness survival programs give kids something extra to work toward.