River

A 525-acre gem along the South San Gabriel River with well-marked trails ranging from flat strolls to more challenging inclines through classic Hill Country terrain. Catch-and-release fishing ponds give kids a patient and rewarding activity that does not require any experience. A splash pad and modern playground anchor the central area for younger children and the expansive picnic grounds under old trees make this an ideal all-day outing. The on-site dog park is a bonus for families bringing four-legged members along.

One of the most beloved free family parks in the Austin metro sitting where the two forks of the San Gabriel River meet beneath 200-year-old live oak trees. The creative wooden playscape has been recognized as one of the best in the state and kids can spend an entire afternoon climbing the multi-level structure and racing down slides. The 1.6-mile crushed-granite loop trail is flat and wide enough for strollers and bikes side by side with evening lighting for later visits. Fishing along the river adds an easy low-key activity for kids who want something quieter after burning energy on the playground.

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.

The shortest river in Texas at just 2.5 miles but one of the most popular tubing destinations in the state. The spring-fed water stays a constant 72 degrees and the gentle current makes it safe for older kids to float independently. The tube chute near Prince Solms Park adds a splash of excitement. Multiple outfitters in town rent tubes and provide shuttle service making logistics easy for families.

Generations of Texas families have been coming to Garner to float and swim in the cold clear Frio River and the tradition shows no sign of slowing down. Kids spend entire days wading through shallow riffles and jumping off low rocks into deeper pools. The park runs summer dances on the concrete slab that are a uniquely Texas family experience. Campsites along the river are some of the most coveted in the state park system.

A natural horseshoe-shaped waterfall on the Guadalupe River near the charming Hill Country town of Comfort where kids can play in the shallow rapids above the falls and wade in the calm pool below. The spot is accessible from a roadside pull-off and local families have been coming here for generations. There are no facilities so pack what you need but the natural beauty more than makes up for the lack of amenities. The town of Comfort itself has great food and antique shops for a post-swim stop.

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 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.

Over 1,100 acres of diverse terrain along the Colorado River managed by the Lower Colorado River Authority with 18 miles of trails through pine forests and river bottoms. The park offers guided horseback rides that kids love and the riverside trails have several spots where families can wade into the Colorado. Regular nature programs include nighttime owl prowls and survival skills workshops that older kids find genuinely engaging.

The first official Texas state park with a beautifully renovated campground and trails that wind through the Leon River bottomland. The Wash Pond Trail leads to a natural limestone sinkhole pool that kids find fascinating. CCC-era stone structures throughout the park give it a historic atmosphere. It is a compact and manageable park that works well for families with younger kids on their first camping trip.

Named for the tropical dwarf palmetto palms that give this park an unexpected jungle-like atmosphere along the San Marcos River. The warm artesian springs create a microclimate that supports lush vegetation you would not expect to find in central Texas. Kids love the novelty of hiking through what feels like a tropical forest and the river access is great for wading and tubing. The CCC-era stone buildings add historic charm.

The tilted limestone slabs of the Pedernales River falls create a landscape that looks like another planet and kids are mesmerized by the rushing water carving through layered rock. A designated swimming area downstream offers safe wading and splashing when water levels cooperate. Over 10 miles of trails wind through Hill Country terrain and the bird creek trail is excellent for wildlife viewing.

A lesser-known section of Pedernales Falls State Park where families can wade across the river at a historic low-water crossing and explore rocky pools on the other side. The crossing itself is fun for kids who love getting their feet wet and the flat limestone river bottom creates natural wading pools. This area is much less crowded than the main falls overlook and gives families room to spread out and enjoy the river at their own pace.

A LCRA park along a beautiful stretch of the Pedernales River with swimming access, picnic areas, and a nature trail through riparian woodland. The shallow limestone pools along the riverbank are perfect for kids to wade and splash. It is a much less crowded alternative to Pedernales Falls State Park just downstream. Disc golf and volleyball courts round out the options for families who want variety.

The crystal-clear San Marcos River flows through this park with three small drops known as Rio Vista Falls that kids treat like a natural water park. The river is spring-fed and stays a refreshing 72 degrees year-round. Families can tube from City Park upstream and float down to Rio Vista in about an hour. The park is free and has restrooms and easy river access from grassy banks.

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.

Over 100 miles of paved trails following the Trinity River and its forks through Fort Worth make this one of the longest urban trail networks in the country. Kids on bikes or scooters can ride for miles along flat smooth pavement with water fountains and playgrounds at regular intervals. The stretch through Trinity Park near the zoo is especially popular with families and connects to the Fort Worth Botanic Garden.

This is the place where your kids can literally stand in real dinosaur footprints preserved in a shallow riverbed. The Paluxy River tracks are jaw-dropping for kids of all ages, and during warmer months the river itself is shallow enough for wading and splashing. Over 20 miles of trails wind through limestone bluffs and cedar forests, and the Junior Ranger Explorer Packs give younger kids a scavenger hunt to keep them engaged the whole visit.