Ever wondered how many state parks in Texas you'd have to visit to experience them all? The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department currently operates 89 state parks, natural areas, and historic sites across the Lone Star State. In 2023, the state's park system celebrated its 100th anniversary and won the National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management.

While it certainly would take some time to visit every one of them, we can't imagine a better way to see its many natural wonders and settings that are as dramatically beautiful as they are diverse.  To help get you started, we have put together a collection of the best state parks in Texas – at least in terms of popularity and the recognition they have as favorites among hikers, campers, RVers, and hidden-gem hunters.

Most Popular State Parks In Texas

If you can imagine a type of terrain or environment, you'll find it in at least one Texas state park. There are beaches, piney woods, rolling hills, vast lakes, towering dunes, arid deserts, subtropical zones, and even mountains. Short of snow skiing, you'll find just about every type of seasonal activity in Texas, too. There are best spots for all times of the year, from the most refreshing places to cool off in the summer to the best Texas state parks in the fall leaf peeping. It's no wonder many of the best state parks are popular for entirely different reasons. For the sake of this roundup, we went with reported visitor totals for most of this list starting with the top four.

1. Ray Roberts Lake State Park

Location: Pilot Point, TX

Wow Factor: Sunset views, especially high above the water at the Lone Star Lodge

Need To Know: This park has nine units across three counties, each with varying amenities and features, including a couple of marinas, a lodge, boat ramps, and more.

More than 870,000 people annually visit this expansive park just an hour's drive north of Dallas-Fort Worth. Boating, fishing, and swimming in the waters of the 29,000-acre lake tops the list of things to do in Ray Roberts Lake State Park. The Sanger Unit of the park has the full-service Lake Ray Roberts Marina, while a smaller one, Lone Star Lodge & Marina, is across the lake in the Jordan Unit. The park has several campgrounds, including eight equestrian campsites in the Isle du Bois Unit. In the fall, you can hike, bike, or ride horses on the 20-mile Greenbelt Corridor.

2. Garner State Park

Location: Concan, TX

Wow Factor: Huge Jukebox Dances at the concession stand every night of the summer starting Memorial Day weekend

Need To Know: Be mindful of the park's feral hogs that will sneak into your coolers and other food storage if left unattended.

In the summer, this park is famous for its nightly Jukebox Dances, when parking lots often reach capacity. Of course, there are many other things to do in Garner State Park, starting with paddling or floating the 2.9 miles of the beautiful Frio River that runs through the park. You can rent tubes and kayaks there. On land, this Texas Hill Country destination has over 16 miles of hiking trails ranging from easy to challenging. Trail features include overlooks of hills and the Frio Canyon, a rock fence, huge live oak, and the 30-foot-deep Crystal Cave. The park has several campsites, screened shelters, and 17 cabins for overnight stays.

3. Cedar Hill State Park

Location: Cedar Hill, TX

Wow Factor: Seeing what farm life was like in the 1800s touring historic and reconstructed buildings on what was the Penn Farm, settled in 1854

Need To Know: Cedar Hill was named a Texas Bird City in 2023, and you can expect to see any of the documented 200 species of birds at this state park.

People in the Dallas-Fort Worth area are within easy proximity to this park 18 miles southwest of Dallas, making it a popular getaway from the bustle of urban life. While the gravel beach of the 7,500-acre Joe Pool Lake is a popular spot in the summer, the many things to do in Cedar Hill State Park year-round make it one of the best state parks in Texas in winter, too. You can tour the historic Penn Farm, hike or ride miles of excellent mountain biking trails, and fish for bass, crappie, and catfish. The park has 350 campsites across its campgrounds, with 150 of them having full hookups.

4. Palo Duro Canyon State Park

Location: Canyon, TX

Wow Factor: The second-largest canyon in the US

Need To Know: While the park offers several cabin and campsite options, you can also book luxury canyon floor glamping sites separately through Palo Duro Glamping.

Things to do in Palo Duro Canyon State Park – besides taking in the glorious views, of course – include hiking, biking, and horseback riding on the park's 30-plus miles of trails. An all-terrain wheelchair is available to reserve. Tuesday through Sunday in the summer, you can see the TEXAS Outdoor Musical at the Pioneer Pavilion. The park has 97 campsites with electricity, including three certified ADA-accessible sites. There are an additional 19 tent-only campsites with water; 10 equestrian sites; four primitive, hike-in sites; and two group-camp areas. If you prefer a cabin, there are three on the cabin rim and four cow camp cabins on the canyon floor.

Best State Parks In Texas To Camp

There may be no better way to connect with the land of this beautiful state than by staying in the heart of nature's sights and sounds. Some of the best camping in Texas can be found within the state parks. We've rounded up several places that offer sites that appeal to lovers of land and water and range from rugged to remarkably educational.

5. Guadalupe River State Park

Location: Spring Branch, TX

Wow Factor: Guided-tour access to the beautiful Honey Creek State Natural Area adjacent to the park.

Need To Know: You can borrow fishing gear if you get the urge to drop a line in the water.

Things to do in Guadalupe River State Park center on river activities, since there are about four miles of it weaving through the park. You can fish, float in a tube, swim, kayak, and canoe at the natural paradise 38 miles north of San Antonio. On land, there are over 13 miles of trails for hiking and biking. This park has 85 campsites with electricity in two different areas – Turkey Sink and Cedar Sage, plus nine walk-in campsites with water only.

6. Colorado Bend State Park

Location: Bend, TX

Wow Factor: The 70-foot, spring-fed Gorman Falls

Need To Know: You can book a cave tour separately through Nichols Outdoor Adventures.

People who prefer tent camping extra close to nature love this natural getaway that is just a two-hour drive north of Austin. All of its campsites are primitive, with 15 that are drive-up, close to the Colorado River, and even allow self-contained RVs that are 30 feet long or smaller. There are an additional 28 walk-in sites, which are on the river bank. Campers also can choose among eight backcountry hike-in sites or three group camps. Besides enjoying the views after setting up camp, the top things to do in Colorado Bend State Park include hiking or biking over 35 miles of trails, including a three-mile rocky round-trip to the beautiful Gorman Falls and a short hike to the popular Hill Country swimming hole, Spicewood Springs.

7. Dinosaur Valley State Park

Location: Glen Rose, TX

Wow Factor: Dinosaur tracks

Need To Know: Sometimes you can't see the dinosaur tracks, depending on weather conditions and trail closures. Be sure to check ahead of time.

This park is located about 60 miles southwest of Fort Worth and, as you may have guessed by its name, a dinosaur discovery experience is its claim to fame – dinosaur tracks, that is. Set up camp and head straight to the Paluxy River to see the fossilized footprints in the riverbed where dinos once roamed. There are 44 campsites with electricity (no trailers over 35 feet), eight walk-in primitive campsites, and seven hike-in primitive sites. The hike-in sites require you to wade the river, so be sure to check typical water levels in advance before landing on that plan. The park also has two group camps that accommodate 20 or 40 people when reserved ahead of time. Besides scoping out the dino tracks, other things to do in Dinosaur Valley State Park include hiking and mountain biking, geocaching, swimming, paddling, fishing, and horseback riding.

Best State Parks In Texas To RV

While Texas has many excellent destinations for setting up campsites and getting close to the land, some are especially suited to those living the RV lifestyle. Here are a handful of the best state parks in Texas to RV for campgrounds that create a positive buzz as destinations themselves to parks that offer such unusual experiences they merit a stop along a longer journey. Need to borrow a vehicle? Check out the impressive selection from RVShare.com!

8. Brazos Bend State Park

Location: Needville, TX

Wow Factor: Nature watching for alligators, birds, and many other creatures in the park's three ecosystems

Need To Know: Brush up on alligator safety before visiting and always stay on the trails.

Experience the unique natural setting of this park that's just 45 minutes southwest of Houston and about an hour north of the Texas Gulf Coast. Things to do in Brazos Bend State Park focus on exploring nature along 35 miles of trails meandering through moss-cloaked bottomland forests, marshes, prairies, several lakes, and, of course, the Brazos River. Most trails are moderate or easy, like the half-mile, fully paved Creekfield Lake ADA Trail, which has interpretive stations that include touchable bronzes of different native animals. The park has 73 campsites with electricity, 40 of which are premium with 50-amp hookups. All have a picnic table, fire ring, upright grill, and nearby restroom and shower facilities.

9. Inks Lake State Park

Location: Burnet, TX

Wow Factor: Blue water and wildflowers galore

Need To Know: Don't miss taking a dip in Devil's Waterhole, a scenic swimming spot surrounded by rock ledges

This park is just an hour's drive northwest of Austin and a hot destination for year-round fun on land and water. Things to do in Inks Lake State Park include boating of all types, including a no-wake zone for paddle sports. The park rents most types of paddle boats, plus life jackets and paddles. People can also swim, waterski, and scuba dive. Nine miles of hiking trails beckon folks who like to explore on land, and for those who do, get ready for some stunning wildflower views. The park has 117 campsites with electricity and water, nine of which are wheelchair accessible. There are 47 more with water only that allow one RV per site (up to 26 feet long), and four of those spots are wheelchair accessible. There are four additional tent-only sites with electricity and water.

10. Caprock Canyons State Park & Trailway

Location: Quitaque, TX

Wow Factor: The Texas State Bison Herd

Need To Know: You can borrow a fishing pole at the park's headquarters if you'd like to fish.

Settle in comfortably at one of the park's 35 campsites with electricity, 10 with 50 amps, and the remainder with 30 amps. Then set out to explore more than 90 miles of hiking and biking trails and take in the natural beauty of these vibrant canyonlands in the Texas Panhandle. Besides seeing the state bison herd, another of the most popular things to do in Caprock Canyons State Park & Trailway include hiking to Clarity Tunnel, an abandoned railroad tunnel where as many as half a million Mexican free-tailed bats make their home each summer. Head to the 120-acre Lake Theo for cooling off with a paddle, a swim, or relaxing for a few hours while fishing.

11. McKinney Falls State Park

Location: Austin, TX

Wow Factor: Views of the upper and lower falls

Need To Know: This park is located about 13 miles from the state capitol building, making it a favorite spot for campers to enjoy nature with proximity to the urban amenities of the city.

Things to do in McKinney Falls State Park include fishing or taking a dip in Onion and Williamson creeks and just enjoying a natural enclave in one of the state's largest cities. Campers can choose among 81 sites with electricity and water. Favorite sights along the nine miles of hiking trails include the falls, of course, as well as an ancient rock shelter, a massive cypress tree that is over 500 years old, remnants of the McKinney homestead, and numerous outcroppings and rock faces. Road bikes and strollers take well to the 2.8-mile Onion Creek Hike and Bike Trail, which has a flat, hard surface. An all-terrain wheelchair is available for reservation if needed.

Best State Parks In Texas For Hiking

Ready to lace up your hikers, fill up your water bottle, and hit the trails? We've corralled some of the best state parks for hiking in Texas, from the magical scenes of Enchanted Rock to unexpected blazes of fall color to getting lost in the tall pines (just for a while).

12. Enchanted Rock State Natural Area

Location: Fredericksburg, TX

Wow Factor: Stunning views from above and below a massive, pink granite dome

Need To Know: All trails except the Loop Trail close a half hour before sunset.

Tackle over 11 miles of Hill Country hikes at this natural area beloved by many. While hiking and enjoying nature top the list of the best things to do in Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, there are many formations for rock climbers to tackle, stars to be gazed upon, and animals and birds to see. If you want to camp, there are 35 campsites with water, 20 primitive hike-in campsites, and a big, 50-person hike-in group camp called Buzzards Roost.

13. Lost Maples State Natural Area

Location: Vanderpool, TX

Wow Factor: A stand of Uvalde bigtooth maples, which are unusual for this part of the state

Need To Know: All trails are open to biking and hiking for the first mile, after which they become hiking-only.

This beautiful natural area is one of the best state parks in Texas in the fall for its extraordinary foliage. These kinds of colors are unexpected for a region about two miles northwest of San Antonio. Things to do in Lost Maples State Natural Area extend beyond seeing the vibrant hues of its unique stand of Uvalde bigtooth maples. You can fish in the Sabinal River or Can Creek, look for endangered birds like the golden-cheeked warbler, or set up camp at one of the 28 sites that have electricity and water. Backpackers can choose among 50 hike-in primitive sites. The park's five trails cover 10 miles and range from easy to challenging.

14. Davis Mountains State Park

Location: Fort Davis, TX

Wow Factor: A restored frontier fort originally constructed in 1854 on orders from then-US Secretary of War Jefferson Davis, for whom the fort and mountains are named

Need To Know: The historic Indian Lodge closed for renovations until a targeted 2024 reopening and features a restaurant, pool, and meeting spaces

Explore the ridges and valleys of the Davis Mountains by day and spectacular starry night skies as you wind down at a campsite at this historic, West Texas natural retreat. The park has many miles of trails, several constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the early 1930s. One favorite is the five-mile out-and-back Skyline Drive Trail, which leads to a dramatic overlook with a CCC-built structure. Several trails are multi-use for hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders. Other things to do in Davis Mountains State Park include birdwatching, stargazing, geocaching, and camping. The park has 26 full hookup sites, 67 sites with water, and 34 of those also with electricity. There are also several primitive, hike-in sites.

15. Tyler State Park

Location: Tyler, TX

Wow Factor: Hiking and nature-watching among towering, 100-foot-tall pines

Need To Know: You can rent paddle boats and johnboats if you want to explore the lake. While the park allows motors, it has a 5 mph speed limit.

Things to do in Tyler State Park range from fishing from the 64-acre, spring-fed lake to exploring over 13 miles of trails. The star of the trail system is the one-mile Whispering Pines Nature Trail with remnants of a wading pool and a small waterfall, all of which the Civilian Conservation Corps built over 70 years ago. If you want to set up camp and stay a while at this Northeast Texas gem, the park has 57 campsites with full hookups and 42 with water, 12 of which also have electricity. The park also has 29 screened shelters and six cabins.

Little-Known State Parks In Texas

Are you the type who likes a bit more solitude and room to roam when exploring the outdoors? Or perhaps you just like that feeling of discovering and sharing about places other folks haven't yet explored. You'll find some of the most magical and unusual experiences at these little-known state parks in Texas.

16. Hueco Tanks State Park

Location: El Paso, TX

Wow Factor: Pictographs and petroglyph images created by people over 1,500 years ago

Need To Know: Only 70 people at a time are allowed into the self-guided exploration area, with the busiest times being November through March, plus weekends and holidays. To ensure access, consider booking a guided tour by calling the park in advance.

This park in the West Texas town of El Paso is named for the natural basins formed in rocks there, or huecos – pronounced "whey coes," as instructed by the parks service. The tanks in the name is because the basins collect rainwater, which drew people to this arid Chihuahuan Desert site for many thousands of years. Hiking the rocks to see the petroglyphs and pictographs left by some of these early explorers is one of the most popular things to do in Hueco Tanks State Park. The park also offers excellent opportunities for rock climbing, and several guide services offer climbing packages. Campers can choose among 50 campsites, some with electricity and all with water.

17. Big Bend Ranch State Park

Location: Terlingua, TX

Wow Factor: The largest state park in Texas at over 300,000 acres

Need To Know: During warm weather months, temperatures reach 130 degrees. Plan your visit and activities accordingly.

This International Dark Sky Park in far West Texas calls itself "the other side of nowhere" and offers what many say is the best stargazing in the state. Things to do in Big Bend Ranch State Park range from scenic drives, exploring rugged trails in 4x4 vehicles, horseback riding, backpacking, and mountain biking on land. Birding is a draw, too, with over 300 species documented in the park's Chihuahuan Desert diverse habitats. As for water activities, you can raft, paddle, and fish along the Rio Grande/Rio Bravo. The nearby Balmorhea State Park has the largest spring-fed swimming pool in the world.

18. Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park

Location: Mission, TX

Wow Factor: Naturalists have recorded more than 360 species of birds here

Need To Know: No cars are allowed in this park to protect the sensitive natural environment. Exploration is done on foot, bike, and tram tours.

Birdwatching is hands-down the top activity among the many things to do in Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park, which is situated along the beautiful Rio Grande along the US and Mexico border. At this park, you'll see flashy, bold colors of green jays, great kiskadees, and Altimira orioles, as well as thousands of migrating hawks during spring and fall migrations. Bring your binoculars or rent them at the park's store, where you can also rent a bike. The park has seven miles of trails for hiking, and biking is allowed on all but the 1.8-mile, wheelchair-accessible, 1.8-mile Rio Grande Trail.

19. San Angelo State Park

Location: San Angelo, TX

Wow Factor: One of four herds of longhorn cattle which came from a single herd donated to the state in 1941 through a conservation program to preserve the breed

Need To Know: Visitors can reserve an all-terrain wheelchair if needed to explore some of the park's many natural areas and some trails.

Spectacular stargazing, water recreation, and herds of bison and longhorns all converge for a truly Texan experience at this park in the Concho Valley of West Texas. The top things to do in San Angelo State Park include seeing tracks of animals that predate dinosaurs (albeit named the Dinosaur Trail); over 50 miles of trails in total; and fishing, swimming, and boating on the O.C. Fisher Reservoir and Concho River. There are 81 campsites with electricity, 10 of which are for equestrians. The park also has 33 primitive campsites, a log cabin, and a group bunkhouse that may be reserved.

Do you agree these are the best state parks in Texas? It's tough to narrow 89 to just 19, so let us know if you have other favorites you'd include. If you're looking for a starting point for a Texas state parks bucket list, this collection should set you on your way, at least. Plan your routes and gear up to get the most out of your experiences exploring the great Lone Star State.