by Kyle Whitecotton
The summer months are just around the corner, and the calendar on the wall is begging for a long weekend trip with friends or a family getaway to fill those empty dates. Rather than booking an expensive flight to some faraway location, pack up the car and head out on a not-too-distant tour through your very own backyard.
Camping, hiking, boating, fishing, and a host of other Texas-style adventures await at any one of our spectacular nature reserves and out-of-the-way retreats. But why settle for just one? This month's getaway is a whirlwind tour through 10 of the best Texas state parks. Each offers a distinctive perspective on this vast landscape while reminding us that there's no need to wander too far from home. This great state has it all.
Palo Duro Canyon, Canyon
At 120 miles long and 20 miles wide, Palo Duro Canyon is the second largest canyon in the United States, plummeting 800 feet below the high plains of the Texas panhandle. Spanish explorers noted the abundance of spruce and mesquite trees in the area and named the canyon Palo Duro, meaning "hard wood" in their native tongue.
The canyon is rich with sacred history, dating as far back as the nomadic tribes who shared the land with the mammoth and bison they hunted. Comanche and Apache tribes inhabited the canyon country until the Red River Wars of 1874 brought about John Adair and Charles Goodnight's expansive J.A. Ranch, which included much of the canyon. Now the canyon is reserved for mule deer, Barbary sheep, wild turkey and a host of other animals that hop, scurry and slither throughout this rustic landscape.
The Palo Duro Canyon experience is best devoured beyond the confines of your automobile, like nature intended. Miles of rugged hiking and mountain biking trails cover the canyon from top to bottom, skirting the area's most spectacular vistas and allowing visitors an up-close and personal encounter. The park also offers a vast network of equestrian trails; in fact, 1,500 acres of the park are designated for equestrian use only. Step back in time with a wagon ride and a campfire breakfast inside the park, compliments of Old West Stables.
A variety of camping options appeal to every kind of visitor, including the rugged backcountry trekkers, drive-up campers and RVers. Take advantage of a rental cabin inside the park.
Save time to visit nearby Caprock Canyons State Park for more of the Panhandle's rugged canyon wilderness.
Galveston Island
State Park, Galveston
In the upper Gulf Coast, southeast of the busy streets of Houston and tucked away amid heavily developed landscapes, lies a 2,000-acre oasis known as Galveston Island State Park. From the sandy beaches and dunes to the woody plants and coastal scrub of the grasslands with a number of freshwater habitats and low-lying salt marshes throughout, Galveston Island State Park is the kind of wilderness sanctuary virtually nonexistent in the upper Gulf Coast region. This is the Texas coastline Spanish explorers encountered way back in the early 16th century.
Spotted seatrout, redfish and black drum are just a few of the fish species caught along the shoreline of the park. Fish from the sand or wade in and cast your line a little further. But if the fish aren't biting, toss the rod and reel back on shore and dive in for a swim or take to open waters of Galveston Bay in a kayak. Land lovers will stay dry exploring the various hiking trails throughout the park and encountering the area's wildlife. The island's population of feathered inhabitants is another exploit available throughout the park's various ecosystems.
Though the Galveston area is loaded with lodging options, don't miss out on the limited tent and RV campsites available on both sides of the island.
Galveston was once a bustling city with high aspirations; in fact, it was the state's largest port before a massive hurricane leveled the entire city in 1900, so when you visit the park, explore some of the surrounding historic sites for an appreciation of the area's storied past.
Davis Mountains State Park
Fort Davis
While a rugged mountain landscape may not be the first image that comes to mind when you think of Texas state parks, the western region of the state boasts some pretty spectacular peaks worthy of a visit. And while the skiing here is severely limited, the Davis Mountains, Texas" largest mountain range, are guaranteed to take your breath away.
Located midway between Guadalupe Mountains National Park to the north and Big Bend National Park to the south and surrounded by the Chihuahuan Desert, Davis Mountains State Park is truly in the middle of it all. A wide assortment of trees and desert plants augment this untouched wilderness while deer, fox, black bear and mountain lions take it over the top. Towering elevations reaching as high as 8,000 feet above sea level make for a unique perspective over it all.
You could drive through the park and watch this rugged wilderness pass you by, but you'd barely get a taste of all that is available here. Leave the confines of your automobile and set out along one of the park's many hiking trails that cut deep into the wilderness. The park has 12 miles of trails that lead to areas completely inaccessible by vehicles. The activities don't cease after sunset; stay late and take part in some unforgettable stargazing from within the mountaintop.
Seven miles of trails and six campsites within the park are available for equestrian use, so hitch up the trailer and bring your horses. Other campsite options range from hike-in tent sites to fully accessible RV sites. Or sleep in style at the adobe Indian Lodge within the park.
Other sites in the Davis Mountains region include McDonald Observatory and Fort Davis National Historic Site.
Big Bend Ranch State Park, Presidio
At 300,000 acres (more than 450 square miles), Big Bend Ranch State Park is Texas" largest state park. Considering the expansive and untouched scenery, it may just be the most beautiful. Here the rugged Chihuahuan Desert joins with two mountain ranges, the mighty Rio Grande, waterfalls, canyons and exotic volcanic features to create a southwest-styled playground of endless exploration and overwhelming splendor.
While F.M. 170 does cut across the park from west to east, making a scenic drive-through possible, hiking, mountain biking and equestrian expeditions are the preeminent tactics for taking on this mighty wilderness. A widespread system of trails, ranging from an easy stroll to a rugged backcountry trek, brings the historic and scenic aspects of the park to life. However, the park has designated about 70 miles of backcountry roadways for 4x4 use.
Local outfitters lead daily rafting excursions down the Class II and III rapids of Colorado Canyon, following the Rio Grande's great bend that lends the park its name. Drift in a canoe down the more peaceful sections of the river while casting a line for trout, scoping out the shoreline for birds and wildlife, or just capturing the scenery from the perspective of your camera.
No matter the activity, you're certain to encounter a host of wildlife while visiting the area; Big Bend Ranch State Park boasts more than 300 species of birds, 16 species of bats, twice as many snake species and a whole textbook of mammals, including black bears, mountain lions and mule deer.
The park offers both backcountry and drive-up tent-camping sites in addition to lodging in the historic Sauceda Ranch House and Sauceda Lodge Bunkhouse.
If Big Bend Ranch State Park isn't enough, head next door and encounter the National Park Service's version of this unforgettable country.
Mustang Island State Park
Port Aransas
Beachgoers look no further than Texas" very own tropical getaway: Mustang Island State Park is located on a coastal barrier island between Port Aransas to the north and Padre Island National Seashore to the south. The park occupies nearly 4,000 acres of sandy beach, rolling dunes and wide-reaching Gulf Coast panoramas. Whether you're looking for the perfect place to spread a blanket and kick back or searching out the perfect wave to hang ten, there's no need to cross the state line for a family-friendly beach vacation.
Five sandy miles of Mustang Island beach make for great seaside strolls, sandcastles and sightseeing. Leave the shoreline and soar over the waves as you åçtry your hand at windsurfing. Then head out on the Mustang Island Paddling Trail in a kayak built for two.
This meandering trail system follows a 20-mile route of shoreline and island wilderness through some of Corpus Christi Bay's finest shallow-water fishing areas. Bird watching is another popular pastime in the park as the beaches and the tidal flats on the backside of the island draw an abundance of shorebird species.
No matter what adventures you choose, forgo the hotel reservation when you visit the island. Trade the bothersome noise of the city for the soothing whispers of waves rolling in throughout the seaside night. Park your RV or, better yet, claim your spot on the 1.5-mile stretch of beach designated just for tent campers.
Before heading too far inland toward home, make your way to nearby Lake Corpus Christi State Park.
Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
Fredericksburg
The 425-foot dome that gives Enchanted Rock State Natural Area its name is a geologic feature known as a batholith. The rock was formed deep underground and exposed by a long process of erosion over time. The result is 640 acres of pink granite rising high into the Texas sky and overlooking an undeveloped wilderness below. Whether you believe the local legends of ghost fires and woven spells that give the rock its rich and storied history, Enchanted Rock makes for a perfect Texas getaway.
Make your way through woodland areas and mesquite grasslands as you hike the granite rock toward the summit and past some of the state's most unusual scenery. Along the way, take note of the vernal pools near the top. These features have formed over long periods of time and offer a glimpse of a rare and threatened ecosystem within the park.
Don't be surprised if you see a number of park-goers dangling from the side of Enchanted Rock. Rock climbing is a popular activity within the park. In fact, the large number of commercial guides operating in the area serves to prove that rock-climbing is Enchanted Rock's main attraction. Join up with outfitters like Mountain Madness for an experienced and safe introduction to the sport.
If you're more inclined to view the rock from its base, there are plenty of trails to follow. The park's 1,600 acres of wilderness are well covered by extensive trail systems, campsites and picnic area perfect for a less pendulous perspective.
Several, equally enticing, sites and state parks accompany Enchanted Rock, including Guadalupe River State Park, Pedernales Falls State Park, Inks Lake State Park and Longhorn Caverns State Park.
