Family

You don’t need to spend money to give your kids an awesome outdoor adventure in Texas. From 100-mile urban trail networks to lakeside nature preserves and wildlife refuges, some of the best family experiences in the state are completely free. Here are our top picks. Urban Trails and Parks Trinity Trails - Fort Worth Trinity Trails is a 100+ mile paved trail network running along the Trinity River through Fort Worth. It’s flat, wide, and perfect for kids on bikes, scooters, or on foot. The trail connects to the Fort Worth Zoo, the Botanic Garden, and several playgrounds and splash pads along the way. Start at Trinity Park for the most family-friendly section. ...

The Texas Hill Country is the ultimate family road trip destination - spring-fed swimming holes, limestone caves, wildflower-covered meadows, and state parks that rank among the best in the country. It’s all within a 1-2 hour drive from Austin or San Antonio, making it perfect for a long weekend or even a packed day trip. Here’s how to plan a family weekend in the Hill Country that your kids will talk about for months. ...

Texas heat is no joke, but the state’s spring-fed swimming holes are the perfect antidote. Crystal-clear water, shady cypress trees, and natural limestone pools - these spots have been keeping Texas families cool for generations. Here are the best swimming holes for families, from iconic destinations to hidden gems. Jacob’s Well Natural Area - Wimberley Jacob’s Well Natural Area is one of the most visually striking swimming holes in Texas. Water flows up from an artesian spring through a 12-foot-wide opening in a limestone bed, creating a perpetual pool of impossibly clear water. The spring maintains a constant 68°F year-round. ...

Your family’s first camping trip doesn’t need to be an epic backcountry expedition. In fact, the best first trips are short, close to home, and simple. Here’s everything you need to know to make your first family camping trip a success - from choosing the right campground to what to actually bring. Choose the Right Campground The campground you pick makes or breaks a first camping trip. Here’s what to look for: ...

A flat 2-mile loop through a gorgeous loblolly pine forest inside Beavers Bend State Park. The trail is wide and shaded making it one of the best family hikes in the area. Kids love spotting wildlife and the forested scenery keeps them engaged without any steep sections to slow things down. It is a great way to stretch your legs after the drive in and takes about an hour at a relaxed family pace.

A gem mining sluice and dinosaur-themed mini golf spot in Hochatown that kids absolutely love. Sift through the 66-foot sluice to find gemstones like emeralds and garnets plus arrowheads and fossils. The bigger mining bags are worth the upgrade because kids treat the rocks they find like trophies for the entire trip. Combine it with a round of dino mini golf and you have the perfect low-key first activity on arrival day or a fun break between bigger outdoor adventures.

A two-for-one family stop in the heart of Beavers Bend State Park offering both a replica 1/3 scale train ride through towering Ouachita pines and guided horseback trail rides along peaceful forest paths. The train leaves every 30 minutes and is a huge hit with younger kids while horseback rides depart hourly and welcome riders as young as 3. Pairing the train with a short horseback ride makes for a perfect morning that covers both the little ones and older kids.

Rent a pontoon boat and cruise Broken Bow Lake with the whole family. The lake is known for scuba-clear water and the Ouachita Mountain scenery is stunning from every angle. Pontoon boats are steady and spacious making them perfect for groups with small kids. You can swim off the back, fish, or just cruise the coves looking for wildlife. Half-day rentals are the best value and give you plenty of time to find a quiet cove and jump in. The marina also rents jet skis and tubes for older kids who want more speed.

A 90-acre drive-through and walk-through safari with over 350 animals from 55 species right near Hochatown. The drive-through section lets you see exotic animals from your car and the walk-around area brings you face to face with kangaroos and sloths. The Ultimate Safari Adventure package includes up-close rhino and kangaroo feeding that kids go absolutely wild for. This place consistently surprises families who do not expect a legitimate safari experience in southeastern Oklahoma.

One of Oklahoma’s most visited state parks spanning over 3400 acres of Ouachita Mountain forest along the Mountain Fork River. Kids can hike miles of shaded trails, fish in the river, paddle on Broken Bow Lake, or explore the nature center. The miniature train ride is a huge hit with little ones and the seasonal pool near the lodge is perfect for cooling off. Between the towering pines and crystal-clear water, it feels a world away from the flatlands most families drive in from.

Family campgrounds nestled among towering pines along the Mountain Fork River inside Beavers Bend State Park. Sites range from primitive tent spots to full RV hookups and many sit right on the riverbank. Kids fall asleep to the sound of running water and wake up ready to explore trails that start right from camp. The campgrounds connect to the full park trail system so you can hike straight from your tent. Book well in advance during peak season because these sites fill up months out.

A 14000-acre reservoir in the Ouachita Mountains famous for crystal-clear water that rivals any lake in the region. With 180 miles of shoreline families can find calm shallow coves perfect for little swimmers. Pack a picnic and set up camp on a rocky shore while the kids splash for hours. On warm days the water practically glows turquoise and the mountain backdrop makes it feel like a destination lake out west rather than southeastern Oklahoma.

Stand-up paddleboarding on Broken Bow Lake is a must-try for families with older kids. The water is so clear you can see the bottom in many spots and the calm coves are perfect for beginners learning to balance. PaddleSUP is the premier local outfitter with board rentals and lessons right on the lake. Kids pick it up fast and love the independence of cruising around on their own board. On a calm morning the lake surface looks like glass and you can paddle to a nearby island in about 15 minutes for a fun destination goal.

One of the most popular fishing spots on the Mountain Fork River known for excellent bass, catfish, and rainbow trout. The accessible pier makes it easy for kids to cast a line without scrambling over rocks and the river section here runs clear and calm. Catching something is a real possibility even for total beginners. If the kids reel in a keeper take it back to the cabin and grill it for dinner. Early morning before other anglers show up is the best window.

The newest trail addition to Beavers Bend State Park and already one of the most popular with families. This 1.5-mile loop is rated 4.8 stars for good reason. The highlight is a small waterfall along the Mountain Fork River that kids go crazy for. The trail is well maintained and manageable for younger hikers while still feeling like a genuine woods adventure. If you only have time for one trail during your trip this is the one to pick.

A rescue center and petting zoo where kids can interact with goats, rabbits, ducks, donkeys, hedgehogs, and even some exotic animals like coatimundis and bearded dragons. About 95% of the animals are rescued or rehabilitated which gives the visit an extra layer of meaning for older kids who appreciate the mission. The animals are used to little hands which makes the experience comfortable even for toddlers. It only takes about an hour but for kids under 6 it is often the highlight of the whole trip.

Paddle the clear waters of the Mountain Fork River by kayak or canoe with several local outfitters offering hourly and half-day rentals near Beavers Bend State Park. The river is calm enough for beginners and tandem kayaks let a parent pair up with a younger child. The route passes through towering pine forest and rocky bluffs and you can see fish in the water below thanks to the incredible clarity. It is one of the best ways to experience the Broken Bow area from a completely different angle.

A gentle float down the Mountain Fork River is one of the classic Broken Bow family experiences. Several outfitters near Beavers Bend rent tubes and provide shuttle service so you can drift downstream without worrying about logistics. The river is calm and shallow in most sections and the spring-fed water feels incredible on a hot summer day. Kids spot turtles and herons from their tubes while parents just lean back and float. It is one of those rare activities where everyone in the family is genuinely relaxed at the same time.

Rent a side-by-side UTV and hit over 75 miles of guided mountain trails through the Ouachita forest with no trailer needed. The well-maintained UTVs make it accessible for families and kids ride as passengers loving every bump and splash through creek crossings. The scenery along the routes is stunning with mountain views and dense forest around every turn. Two UTVs let families ride together but in their own vehicles which turns it into a friendly competition. This is the kind of adrenaline-fueled adventure kids talk about for the rest of the year.

Guided horseback rides through the Ouachita Mountains overlooking the Glover River with options ranging from one to two hours. The trail horses are calm and well-suited for beginners and the guides match riders to horses based on experience and age. Kids who have never ridden before come back beaming. The scenery along the mountain trails is gorgeous with views down into the river valley. They also offer wagon rides and bluff rappelling for families wanting even more adventure.