A small gem of a park built around an 80-acre lake that is widely considered one of the most beautiful spots in East Texas especially in fall when the sweetgums and oaks blaze with color. Kids can swim at the sandy beach or rent paddleboats to explore the lake. The 2.5-mile trail circling the lake is easy enough for young hikers and the CCC-era stone dam is an impressive piece of history.
Home to Guadalupe Peak at 8,751 feet which is the highest point in Texas and a bucket-list summit for adventurous families with older kids. The trail to the top is 8.4 miles round trip and strenuous but the views from the summit are extraordinary. For younger families the McKittrick Canyon trail in fall is one of the most beautiful hikes in the state when the bigtooth maples turn brilliant orange and red. The park is remote and uncrowded which adds to the sense of real adventure.
A rare stand of bigtooth maple trees that put on a spectacular fall color show in late October and November that rivals anything you would see in New England. The 10-mile trail system follows the Sabinal River through steep limestone canyons with dramatic overlooks. During non-fall months the park is much less crowded and the swimming holes along the river are a well-kept secret.
A peaceful East Texas park centered around a replica of the first Spanish mission in the region giving kids a tangible connection to early Texas history. The trails wind through towering hardwood forest and the CCC-built log cabin serves as a fascinating visitor center. Fall color in the surrounding Davy Crockett National Forest is some of the best in Texas. It is small and uncrowded which makes it perfect for families who want a quiet weekend in the woods.