In 2021, Take These 12 Incredible Texas Hikes, One For Each Month Of The Year
If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to spend more time in Texas’ great outdoors, we’ve got you covered! This is the ultimate hiking bucket list for 2021, with one epic trail for each month.
During these uncertain times, please keep safety in mind and consider adding destinations to your bucket list to visit at a later date.
If you enjoy visiting the Palo Duro Canyon during summertime, just wait until you see it blanketed in snow. The start contrast between the red rock landscape and winter wonderland covering it is truly a sight to see. This is the most popular trail in the park, spanning just under six miles and suitable for kids and pets. More information here.
Everyone knows the Hill Country is a scorcher in every season besides winter, so we recommend making the trip in February. The 1.3-mile Summit Trail leads to the top of the iconic natural wonder, showcasing unparalleled views of the surrounding landscape. More information here.
No Texas hiking bucket list would be complete without at least one trail at Big Bend. Lost Mine is always a solid choice - unless, of course, it's summertime and scorching outside. March is an ideal time to embark on this 4.2-mile, 1,000-foot ascent, as the late winter into early spring climate lets you marvel at the sweeping mountain vistas without overheating. More information here.
Spring is bluebonnet season here in Texas, and this 654-acre recreation area is among the best places in the state to frolic through the flowers. There are 9.8 miles of trails to enjoy, and they all feature stunning blooms far as the eye can see. More information here.
Before temperatures really start to soar, we're heading to the highest point in Texas! This nine-mile hike is very strenuous, featuring an elevation gain of nearly 3,000 feet, but the sweeping mountain vistas are worth every drop of sweat. More information here.
Kick off summer with a trip to our very own tropical oasis right here in Texas. Between the lush greenery and majestic, 80-foot waterfall cascading into a crystal-clear pool below, it truly looks like a scene from Tarzan. More information here.
This trail is among the most popular in Austin, and for good reason. It leads to the most beautiful double waterfall you've ever seen, trickling into the creek with a graceful vigor. The best part? You can jump in and cool off before heading back! More information here.
This summer, take a trip to the rainforest without ever leaving Texas. This 3.1-mile loop at Palmetto State Park weaves through thick tropical foliage, taking you back in time to the dinosaur ages. More information here.
Before autumn fully takes hold, we're headed back to Big Bend for the world-famous Santa Elena Canyon Trail. This easy, 1.5-mile hike leads down to a sandy beach and huge canyon split in half by the mighty Rio Grande. Bring a picnic lunch and spend some time by the water - it's a short trip back, after all! More information here.
Why not celebrate spooky season with a haunted hike? This easy trail leads to an abandoned mine, and people have experienced all sorts of unexplained phenomena as they approach the dark, gaping abyss. More information here.
It's a running joke that Texas doesn't have seasons, but certain parts of the state surely do. One such place is Lost Maples State Natural Area in Vanderpool, which erupts in a striking display of fall foliage every year. The colors usually peak in November, and the 4.4-mile East Trail Loop is your best bet for seeing the most vibrant hues. More information here.
Winter tends to be on the milder side across much of Texas, which means leaf-peeping season extends well into December. Another great place to spot brilliant hues is Mount Ol' Baldy Trail at Garner State Park in Concan. This popular warm-weather hike is perhaps even more worth taking in the winter, as crowds are minimal and the leaves are every shade of amber, crimson, and gold imaginable. More information here.
How many of these hikes have you taken? Which one is your favorite? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below, and check out our previous article for more Texas hiking spots that belong on your bucket list.
Address: Santa Elena Canyon Trail, Texas 79852, USA
Address: Palo Duro Canyon State Park, 11450 State Hwy Park Rd 5, Canyon, TX 79015, USA
Address: Lost Mine Trail, Texas 79834, USA
Address: 16710 Ranch Rd 965, Fredericksburg, TX 78624, USA
Address: 2820 Co Rd 414, Spicewood, TX 78669, USA
Address: Salt Flat, TX 79847, USA
Address: Gorman Falls Trail, Texas 76853, USA
Address: 3918 S MoPac Expy, Austin, TX 78746, USA
Address: Lost Maples State Natural Area, 37221 RM 187, Vanderpool, TX 78885, USA
Address: Tom Mays Park Access Rd, El Paso, TX 79930, USA
Address: 78 Park Rd 11 S, Gonzales, TX 78629, USA
Address: Garner State Park, 234 RR 1050, Concan, TX 78838, USA
