A mountain park at 5,000 feet elevation in the Davis Mountains where summer temperatures are 15 to 20 degrees cooler than the rest of Texas. The Skyline Drive Trail climbs to panoramic views and connects to the Fort Davis National Historic Site which adds a history dimension that older kids appreciate. The Indian Lodge on-site is a pueblo-style hotel built by the CCC that offers a unique overnight option. Stargazing here is world-class thanks to the dark skies.
Over six miles of trails and an observation tower with panoramic Hill Country views make this one of the best family hiking parks in San Antonio. The playground near the main entrance keeps younger kids occupied while older siblings hit the trails. Paved paths are suitable for strollers and the pavilions with grills make it easy to turn a hike into a full afternoon with a cookout.
Perched on limestone bluffs above Lake Texoma with some of the most dramatic overlooks of any Texas state park. The trails wind right along the cliff edges with views that make kids gasp and parents grip hands a little tighter. Swimming in the lake is excellent and the campsites range from tent pads to full-hookup RV sites with easy water access.
Austin’s oldest city park sits on a bend of Lake Austin with a designated swimming area that has a gradual sandy entry perfect for small kids. The campground overlooking the lake is one of the few places you can camp within Austin city limits and the road down to the park winds through dramatic limestone canyon walls. Turkey Creek Trail connects to the park and offers a solid hike through Hill Country terrain.
A massive pink granite dome rising 425 feet above the Hill Country that kids can scramble straight up with nothing but their hands and sneakers. The sense of accomplishment when they reach the summit and see the 360-degree views is unforgettable. The park frequently hits capacity on weekends so reservations are essential. Surrounding trails loop through boulder fields and hidden caves that reward curious explorers.
The largest urban park in the nation at over 37,000 acres encompassing an entire Chihuahuan Desert mountain range within El Paso city limits. The Wyler Aerial Tramway carries families to the top of Ranger Peak for panoramic views of two countries. Over 100 miles of trails offer everything from easy desert walks to challenging mountain summit routes. The Aztec Caves Trail leads to two small caves that kids find thrilling to explore.
A 600-acre urban wilderness park with 10 miles of trails through classic Hill Country terrain of live oak and juniper right on the edge of San Antonio. Some trails are paved and wheelchair accessible making them great for strollers while the dirt trails climb to ridgeline views. The park is free and rarely crowded which makes it a peaceful escape from the city that kids and parents both appreciate.
A 26.5-mile trail circling Lake Georgetown that is one of the longest and most scenic hiking trails in Central Texas. Families do not need to tackle the whole loop because several trailheads let you hike shorter sections. The Overlook Trail segment has dramatic canyon views and the Cedar Breaks section runs right along the lakeshore. The terrain is rugged Hill Country limestone so sturdy shoes are a must.
Over 12,000 acres of Hill Country wilderness on the northwest edge of San Antonio with 40 miles of trails ranging from easy interpretive loops to rugged backcountry routes. Dinosaur tracks are embedded in the limestone along one trail which is an instant highlight for kids. The frontcountry trails are well-maintained and the Visitor Center has exhibits about the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone that the park protects.
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.
Four miles of gorgeous Guadalupe River frontage with tall cypress-lined banks and rapids that kids can wade through when the water is low. The park offers guided river paddles and the Honey Creek State Natural Area next door has guided hikes through pristine Hill Country terrain. Tubing is popular in summer and the river section through the park is calm enough for younger floaters.
A forested state park surrounding Lake Raven in the Sam Houston National Forest where families can rent canoes and kayaks right at the park store. The 8-mile trail loop through towering loblolly pines is beautiful for hiking and mountain biking. The lake swim area has a sandy bottom and the campground stays shaded under the pine canopy even in the heat of summer.
One of the best family swimming spots in the Hill Country with a spring-fed lake that stays full even during droughts. The designated swim area has a small sandy beach and the Devil’s Waterhole is a legendary cliff jumping spot that older kids and teens live for. Canoe and kayak rentals are available right at the park and the 7.5-mile trail system offers Hill Country hiking with lake views throughout.
A network of easy lakeside trails on the south side of Grapevine Lake that are perfect for families who want a scenic walk without a difficult workout. The packed dirt paths wind through open meadows and wooded areas with constant lake views. Kids enjoy spotting great blue herons on the shoreline and the trails connect to Oak Grove Park with picnic shelters and a playground.
Over 4,700 acres of pine and hardwood forest with more than 20 miles of trails just 45 minutes from downtown Houston. The park has some of the longest and most varied hiking in the Houston region with trails winding through deep forest along Peach Creek. Equestrian trails are separate from hiking trails so families do not have to worry about surprise horse encounters. Primitive and improved camping options make weekend trips easy to plan.
A state park in two units connected by a 21-mile rail-to-trail that is perfect for family mountain biking and hiking. The Birch Creek Unit has a swim beach on the lake and the Nails Creek Unit has excellent fishing. Kids love spotting the white-tailed deer that are abundant throughout the park. The trail between units passes through rolling post oak savanna and makes a great day ride for families with older kids on bikes.
A family-friendly state park on the eastern shore of Lake Whitney with a roped-off swim area that sits on a long stretch of white limestone shoreline. The Juniper Ridge Trail is easy enough for young hikers and winds through cedar forest with lake glimpses. Camping here is straightforward with both tent and RV options close to the water.
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.
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 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.