Canoeing

A 1,300-acre Hill Country playground about an hour from Austin where kids can try granite bouldering and rock scrambling on terrain that is genuinely different from the limestone found everywhere else in the region. The mountain bike trails range from a flat family loop around the private lake to more technical routes over the granite formations. Canoeing and fishing on the lake round out the options and the combination of activities makes it easy to fill an entire day without anyone getting bored. Open Wednesday through Sunday so check the schedule before heading out.

A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve where nine different ecosystems converge creating one of the most biologically diverse areas in North America. The Kirby Nature Trail is a 2.4-mile loop through old-growth forest with massive beech and magnolia trees that give kids a sense of how Texas looked before settlement. Guided canoe trips on Village Creek pass through stunning scenery. The preserve is spread across multiple units so check the visitor center for the best current trails.

The only natural lake in Texas surrounded by one of the largest cypress swamps in the world with moss-draped trees rising from dark tannic water that feels straight out of a storybook. Kayaking and canoeing through the maze of bayous and sloughs is an unforgettable family adventure. The CCC-built cabins are among the most charming in the state park system. Kids are mesmerized by the otherworldly atmosphere and the abundance of turtles and wading birds.

A 312-acre park along Spring Creek where families can hike boardwalk trails through bottomland forest and swamp habitat without driving far from Houston. The nature center has live animal exhibits featuring local species and the staff runs free guided canoe trips and nature programs year-round. The Redbud Trail boardwalk through the cypress swamp is magical and kids are fascinated by the knobby cypress knees poking up from the water.

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.

A 1,300-acre urban oasis along the Trinity River with over eight miles of paved hike-and-bike trails shaded by towering pecans and oaks. Kids love the custom-built playgrounds, and older kids can tackle the 10 miles of off-road mountain bike trails. A canoe launch gives families easy access to the river, and the adjacent River Legacy Living Science Center has indoor nature exhibits with live animals that younger kids find fascinating.