Photo: Eric in SF, CC BY-SA 3.0
#1 · Swimming · 41 min west
Hamilton Pool Preserve
A swimming hole under a roughly 50-foot waterfall in a box canyon west of Austin. A short, steep, rocky trail leads down to it.
- 2-3 hrs
- Year-round; swimming only when water tests allow
- Reservation fee per vehicle plus cash entry fee per adult (kids 12 and under free)
Heads-up: Reservations required every day (morning or afternoon slot). Swimming is often closed for bacteria or falling rock, so call the info line before you go. No pets at all, even in cars. No water or food…
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Photo: Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0
#2 · Cave · 1 hr 3 min southwest
Natural Bridge Caverns
Big show cave near New Braunfels named for the natural limestone bridge at its entrance. Two guided cavern tours plus zip lines, a maze and gem mining above ground.
- Half day
- Year-round
- Admission (per tour or activity)
Heads-up: Book online early for discounts. Discovery Tour about 75 minutes, Hidden Wonders about 70 minutes. Check the hours page before you go.
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Photo: Jmbuytaert, CC BY-SA 4.0
#3 · State park · 1 hr 44 min west
Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
A huge 425-foot pink granite dome north of Fredericksburg with about 22 miles of trails, rock climbing and dark night skies. The short, steep Summit Trail gives wide Hill Country views.
- Half day
- Year-round; busy season Sept-May
- Texas State Parks day-use fee (per person; kids 12 and under free)
Heads-up: Reserve a day pass ahead to be sure of getting in. Dogs only in picnic areas, campgrounds and on the Loop Trail. No swimming and no bikes on trails. Little shade on the dome, so bring water.
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#4 · State park · 2 hr 46 min north
Dinosaur Valley State Park
Walk in real dinosaur tracks in the Paluxy River bed near Glen Rose, with about 20 miles of trails for hiking and mountain biking.
- Half day
- Year-round
- Texas State Parks day-use fee (per person; kids 12 and under free)
Heads-up: Tracks are not always visible and trails close when wet, so check the park's trails and tracks update first. The park often fills, so reserve a day pass. Swimming in the river, no lifeguards. Pets on…
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Photo: Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0
#5 · State park · 38 min east
Bastrop State Park
A park in the Lost Pines forest with 1930s Civilian Conservation Corps cabins and buildings. You can see the forest regrowing after recent fires.
- Half day
- Year-round; pool open seasonally
- Texas State Parks day-use fee (per person; kids 12 and under free)
Heads-up: Reservations highly recommended. The seasonal swimming pool needs a separate ticket. All-terrain wheelchair can be reserved by calling the park.
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Photo: Liveon001 ©Travis Witt, CC BY-SA 3.0
#6 · State park · 52 min west
Pedernales Falls State Park
The Pedernales River tumbles over wide limestone ledges near Johnson City. There are hiking, horse and mountain bike trails, plus a separate swimming and tubing area.
- Half day
- Year-round
- Texas State Parks day-use fee (per person; kids 12 and under free)
Heads-up: Often fills up, so reserve a day pass. No swimming or wading at the falls themselves. The river can flash flood in minutes, so leave if it rises or turns muddy. Juniper Ridge bike trail is for…
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Photo: Billy Hathorn, CC BY 3.0
#7 · Cave · 1 hr 7 min northwest
Longhorn Cavern State Park
A cave in Burnet County that the Civilian Conservation Corps cleared out in the 1930s, seen on guided tours. Above ground there are trails, picnic areas and a CCC exhibit.
- 2-3 hrs
- Year-round (closed Dec 25)
- Free park entry; cave tours cost extra
Heads-up: Check tour times and buy tickets on the cavern's tour site. Day use only. Inks Lake State Park is nearby for camping.
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Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Benjaminb~commonswiki assumed (based on…, CC BY-SA 2.5
#8 · Lake · 1 hr 9 min northwest
Inks Lake State Park
A clear blue lake among pink granite outcrops, with swimming, paddling and about 9 miles of trails. Devil's Waterhole is a favorite spot for a swim.
- Half day
- Year-round; swimming best in summer
- Texas State Parks day-use fee (per person; kids 12 and under free)
Heads-up: Reservations recommended for day use. No lifeguards. Park store rents kayaks, canoes and paddleboards. An all-terrain wheelchair can be arranged with the park.
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Official site
Photo: Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0
#9 · Swimming · 1 hr 32 min southwest
Guadalupe River State Park
Four miles of Guadalupe River frontage north of San Antonio for swimming, tubing, fishing and canoeing. About 13 miles of hike and bike trails wind through the hills.
- Half day
- Year-round; busy season March-Nov
- Texas State Parks day-use fee (per person; kids 12 and under free)
Heads-up: Reservations recommended. No glass or foam in the river area. All-terrain wheelchair available. Guided Honey Creek tours (no pets).
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Official site
Photo: Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0
#10 · State park · 2 hr 3 min southwest
Hill Country State Natural Area
Over 5,000 acres of canyons and creek bottoms near Bandera, on a former ranch, shared by hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders.
- Half day
- Year-round; cooler months best
- Texas State Parks day-use fee (per person; kids 12 and under free)
Heads-up: Reserve day passes. Pets on 6-foot leash, strictly enforced. No park store, bring all supplies. Trails close after weather, check status before going.
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Official site
Photo: Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0
#11 · State park · 2 hr 43 min southeast
Brazos Bend State Park
Lakes and moss-draped forest where alligators are common, with 37 miles of hiking and biking trails and the George Observatory.
- Half day
- Year-round
- Texas State Parks day-use fee (per person; kids 12 and under free)
Heads-up: Keep well back from alligators. Pets on a 6-ft leash and must not enter the lakes. The paved 0.5-mile Creekfield Lake Nature Trail is accessible; all-terrain chairs available. Observatory open…
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Photo: John Bonzo, CC BY 3.0
#12 · State park · 2 hr 44 min east
Huntsville State Park
Pine forest park around 210-acre Lake Raven with a swim area, kayak rentals, 21 miles of hiking and biking trails and access to the Lone Star Hiking Trail.
- Half day
- Year-round
- Texas State Parks day-use fee (per person; kids 12 and under free)
Heads-up: Swim area 10 to 8, no lifeguards. Boats at idle speed only. The Lone Star Hiking Trail is hikers only. Often full, so reserve.
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Photo: Billy Hathorn, CC BY-SA 3.0
#13 · Swimming · 2 hr 47 min west
Garner State Park
A favorite summer park on the Frio River in Uvalde County, with 2.9 miles of river for swimming and tubing and 16 miles of trails.
- Full day
- Year-round; busiest in summer
- Texas State Parks day-use fee (per person; kids 12 and under free)
Heads-up: Reserve day passes, summer gates can close early. Jukebox dances on summer evenings. Tube and paddle boat rentals. Feral hogs raid unattended coolers.
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Photo: Michael Barera, CC BY-SA 4.0
#14 · State park · 2 hr 49 min north
Cleburne State Park
Wooded park around spring-fed Cedar Lake with swimming, paddling and a technical 6-mile mountain bike loop among nearly 13 miles of trails.
- Half day
- Year-round
- Texas State Parks day-use fee (per person; kids 12 and under free)
Heads-up: No-wake lake, no jet skis. Self-service kayak rentals at Cedar Lodge (card only). Busy in spring and summer, so reserve. ADA-accessible covered fishing pier. Pets on a 6-ft leash, not in swim areas.
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Official site
Photo: Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0
#15 · State park · 2 hr 53 min north
Cedar Hill State Park
Big park on Joe Pool Lake with a gravel swimming beach, the DORBA mountain bike trail and the historic Penn Farm.
- Half day
- Year-round
- Texas State Parks day-use fee (per person; kids 12 and under free)
Heads-up: Dirt trails close for weather (all dirt trails were closed in early November 2026), so check trail status. Joe Pool Marina is permanently closed. Park often fills; reserve. Assistive chairs…
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