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.
South Llano River State Park is a Hill Country treasure built around a crystal-clear, spring-fed stretch of the Llano River near Junction. The water is clean, shallow, and gentle enough for kids to float, swim, and explore safely - making it one of the best river parks in Texas for families. River fun: The South Llano River is the star of this park. The water is clear enough to see the bottom in most places, stays refreshingly cool in summer, and moves at a lazy pace perfect for tubing, wading, and splashing. Kids love exploring the rocky riverbed, catching crawdads, and floating in the gentle current. Bring your own tubes or inflatable rafts - there’s no rental available at the park. ...
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.