10 Under-Appreciated State Parks In Texas You’re Sure To Love

There's nothing like exploring all of the brilliantly beautiful pockets of nature, especially those that remain hidden gems. With all of the stunning state parks to visit in Texas, it's easy to immerse yourself in nature in just a short drive. We've compiled a list of the 10 most under-appreciated state parks in Texas, each offering up a perfect chance to spend time outdoors. Not only do these Texas state parks provide breathtaking views, but they're also some of the least crowded natural areas in the state either because they're in remote locations or because they have more well-known counterparts.

1. Guadalupe River State Park (Spring Branch)

Many Texans tube the Guadalupe during the summer, but few know about the state park itself. With four miles of river, there's plenty of opportunity for swimming, tubing, kayaking, and fishing.

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2. Village Creek State Park (Lumberton)

This is one park that definitely doesn't get enough credit. Sure, the water isn't the clearest, but it's the closest body of water to Beaumont and provides a relaxing place to cool off during the summer. There's even a 21-mile long trail for kayaking and canoeing!

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3. Bentson-Rio Grande Valley State Park (Mission)

Bird-watchers flock to this park in hoards considering how there are 358 different species in the area. There are also plenty of hiking and biking trails to take in the beauty and tranquility of the remote Rio Grande Valley.

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4. Caddo Lake State Park (Karnack)

Caddo Lake is the only natural lake in Texas, and outdoor lovers come here to paddle and fish in one of the most beautiful settings in East Texas. The bald cypress trees dripping with Spanish moss add enchanting air to the park. You can also hike, picnic, and camp, or even stay in a historic cabin.

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5. Franklin Mountains State Park (El Paso)

With Big Bend not far away, this breathtaking mountain range is often overlooked - but it's actually the largest in the state and has a peak elevation of 7,192 feet. The park features two hiking trails and primitive camping.

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6. Caprock Canyons State Park (Quitaque)

Think of this as the little brother of the Palo Duro Canyon. However, just because it's smaller doesn't mean it's any less worthy of a visit. There are almost 90 miles of trails, a lake to cool off in after your hikes, and even seasonal horse rentals. Plus, it's a lot less crowded than Palo Duro, so you'll feel more at peace and in touch with nature.

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7. Monahans Sandhills State Park (Monahans)

We truly have it all here in Texas, from humid swamps to deserts as dry as a bone. Oh, and did we mention that you can surf down the sand dunes? We can't think of many activities more fun than that. As far as the best state parks to visit in Texas, this one might just top the list.

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8. Lake Mineral Wells State Park (Mineral Wells)

Mineral Wells is best known for the infamous Baker Hotel and the "crazy water" that supposedly has healing powers, but there's a much more innocent attraction in the town. This park has hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails as well as a lake for swimming, boating, and fishing. You can even rock climb! And who knows - maybe you'll emerge from your swim with all of your ailments magically gone.

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9. Longhorn Cavern State Park (Burnet)

Known as one of the most unique caverns in the world due to its history and geological formations, it's a shame how this cavern gets overlooked in favor of the more famous ones such as Natural Bridge and Sonora. Here at Longhorn Caverns, you can take a 1.5-hour walking tour and take a self-guided hike on the trails afterward. It's definitely a must-see!

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10. Colorado Bend State Park (Bend)

Not only is this park home to an over 60-foot tall waterfall, but it also has 32 miles of trails for hiking and biking. You can even go underground on a Wild Cave Tour to see what lies beneath the roaring waters.

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Have you been to any of these state parks? Do you have favorite state parks to visit in Texas? Make sure to sound off in the comments section! Or if you're looking for more exciting things to do outside in Texas, check out this list of the best state parks.