Kayaking

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 180-acre reservoir with a roped-off swim area and a gently sloping pebble beach that is one of the easiest free lake days near Austin. Kids love the playground right next to the water and the 3-mile paved loop around the lake is perfect for family bike rides or stroller walks. Kayak and paddleboard rentals are available on site so you can turn a simple swim into a full water adventure. The picnic areas with grills make it easy to stay all day without spending a dime on food.

A charming small state park right in the town of Blanco where the river has been dammed to create a calm swimming area that is ideal for little kids. Families can rent tubes and kayaks right at the park and float a short stretch of the Blanco River. The park is compact enough that parents can see the whole area from a picnic table which makes it much more relaxing than larger parks.

A beautifully renovated 160-acre urban park stretching along Buffalo Bayou with wide paved trails perfect for family biking and an incredible destination playground with climbing nets and hillside slides. Kayak and bike rentals are available on-site and the park runs a popular free bat viewing program at the Waugh Drive bridge where thousands of Mexican free-tailed bats emerge at sunset. The Johnny Steele Dog Park is one of the best in Texas.

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 state park split between bay side and beach side giving families two completely different experiences in one visit. The bay side has kayak trails through coastal wetlands where kids can spot herons and crabs from the observation platform. The beach side offers direct Gulf of Mexico access for swimming and beachcombing. Camping is available on both sides and the bay side sites are particularly scenic at sunset.

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 no-wake reservoir on the Colorado River through downtown Austin where families can rent kayaks and paddleboards to explore miles of calm water surrounded by the city skyline and lush greenery. Kids love spotting turtles sunning on logs and the occasional great blue heron hunting along the banks. The 10-mile hike-and-bike trail around the lake is one of the best urban trails in Texas for families on foot or wheels.

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 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 unique coastal park where Gulf beach meets freshwater marsh creating one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on the Texas coast. The Gambusia Nature Trail is a boardwalk through the marsh where kids can spot alligators and dozens of bird species. The beach side offers open Gulf swimming and the marsh unit has a 4.5-mile paddling trail through channels teeming with wildlife. It is one of the least visited state parks which means you often have the beach to yourself.

A Hill Country park on the spring-fed South Llano River where the water is consistently clear and perfect for tubing and kayaking. The park has over 18 miles of hiking and biking trails and a wildlife blind where families can sit quietly and watch wild turkeys and white-tailed deer come to feed. The river access points have gentle banks that make it easy for kids to wade in and out. Fall turkey viewing here is some of the best in Texas.

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.

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.

Over 2,000 acres of prairies, forests, and wetlands make this one of the best spots in the metroplex for immersing kids in real nature without a long drive. Guided activities rotate through bird walks, campfire programs, kayak tours, and night hikes, and there are kids-only fishing events that always fill up fast. A historic 1869 log house on the property gives kids a tangible piece of Texas frontier history to explore.

Plano’s biggest park sprawls across 800 acres with wide boardwalks that are perfect for strollers and little walkers, plus wilder dirt trails through old-growth forest and blackland prairie. Kids who are ready for a bigger thrill can try the Go Ape treetop adventure course, and the park offers kayak and paddleboard rentals on the creek. Picnic pavilions with grills make it easy to turn a morning hike into an all-day family outing.

The 9.4-mile paved loop around this 1,015-acre lake is one of the most popular family biking routes in Dallas. The trail is wide and flat enough for kids on training wheels, and there are restrooms, water fountains, and picnic spots spaced around the whole loop. Families can rent kayaks and paddleboards right on the water, and the north end has a dog park for four-legged family members. On a clear day the downtown Dallas skyline makes a great backdrop for the ride.

One of the few spots in North Texas where kids can splash in a real sandy-shore lake beach without worrying about boat traffic, since the swim area is fully roped off. Free loaner life jackets are available right on-site, which takes a huge weight off parents’ shoulders. Between the swim area, sand volleyball courts, playgrounds, and kayak rentals, there’s enough to keep the whole crew entertained for a full day.