Take A Beautiful Fall Foliage Road Trip To See Texas Autumn Colors
By Katie Lawrence|Updated on September 17, 2021(Originally published September 16, 2021)
×
Katie Lawrence
Author
Katie Lawrence is a Southeast Texas native who graduated 18th in her high school class with a GPA of 4.25. She attended college in the Houston area and began writing for OnlyInYourState in 2015.
Today, Katie writes, edits, and performs several other tasks for OnlyInYourState and has never been more passionate about a job before. Outside of work, you can likely find her curled up on with a hot cup of coffee, practicing yoga, baking, or exploring the beautiful Lone Star State (in particular, the vast and mystical West Texas desert).
It’s time for another road trip, y’all! This just might be the best one yet, especially in terms of breathtaking scenery. There’s a popular joke that we don’t experience fall in Texas, but one might beg to differ. Temperature isn’t the only indication of season change. Although it remains fairly warm in much of the state until about late December, the trees in Central, West, and East Texas let us know that fall is here, and they tend to show out in an absolutely beautiful way. It is definitely possible to visit the best fall foliage in Texas!
As usual, you can find the Google Map for the trip here. It’s about 11 hours and 700 miles, so we’ll definitely be camping in a few of the parks to give us ample time for exploring during the day. I guarantee you’ll want to travel this route sometime this fall. There’s nothing better than a trip through the Lonestar State to see the fall colors in Texas.
Ready for a road trip route through the best state in the nation? Not that we’re biased or anything… check it out for yourself below!
Our particular road trip is quite long, but make sure that you and your party either expand or contract to meet the needs of your family. Whether you're a lingering family or the kind that really vibes with moving quickly with a sense of purpose, this fall foliage road trip map is completely customizable. Just add a few stops into the directions and get ready for a fantastic experience.
1. Garner State Park (Concan)
Garner State Park, 234 RR 1050, Concan, TX 78838, USA
Our first stop is one of most popular state parks in Texas. Luckily, we can still enjoy the outdoors in the fall since it stays pretty hot outside until about late December. Spend a few hours here swimming, canoeing, kayaking, and hiking through the beautiful fall foliage. Normally I'd encourage you to camp for a night or two to experience the nightly jukebox dance party, but since we're on a road trip and this is only our first destination, we'll keep moving a bit before we call it a night. Learn more about the park by clicking here.
Advertisement
2. Lost Maples State Natural Area (Vanderpool)
Lost Maples State Natural Area, 37221 RM 187, Vanderpool, TX 78885, USA
If you were bummed about not camping at Garner State Park, your mood will do a complete 180 when you arrive at Lost Maples. The leaves are so vibrant and beautiful, you'll have a hard time believing you aren't dreaming. After pinching yourself a few times just to be sure, set off on the 10+ miles of trails of varying difficulty and admire Mother Nature's bounty up close. Here you can find a Fall Foliage Report, updated weekly by the park, so you're guaranteed to see the colors at their brightest whenever you choose to go. We'll go ahead and call it a night here and get a fresh start on the next leg of our trip early in the morning.
We'll get an early start on our journey to one of the most underrated rivers in Texas so we can revel in its tranquility without a bunch of tourists. Nothing like a gaggle of tourists to ruin an experience, right? Right. Here, it's a magical thing to see the trees form a canopy over the water, leaving just enough space for the sun to shine through the branches and glisten on the river's surface. That image alone is picturesque enough, so when fall rolls around and stunning red, orange, and yellow leaves are added to the mix, the Medina's allure is amplified tenfold.
East Texas is absolutely gorgeous in the fall, so that's where we're headed for the remainder of the trip. Cooper Lake is no exception - as you swim, do water sports, hike, picnic, and fish in its waters, the view surrounding you will make you feel like everything is right with the world. This is where you come to stretch your legs and really become one with nature. Texas may not get a gold star from most for its natural beauty, but Cooper Lake State Park provides a perfect outlet for experiential beauty and a whole lot of fun. Learn more about Cooper Lake State Park here.
I love how the trees here are fully red, yellow, orange, or green instead of being a mixture of all four colors. It blends nicely and makes for some of the most beautiful scenery in Texas. Make sure to head to Lake Bob Sandlin State Park in Pittsburg, Texas for stunning views like the one above. Absolutely gorgeous!
Hidden far in the Piney Woods of East Texas, this park is definitely a must-visit in the autumn season. Not only is the foliage beautiful, but there's also a general sense of peace and well-being that's hard to find anywhere else besides the Texas countryside. We'll camp here tonight and really take in those good vibes before finishing off our trip tomorrow. Can you imagine a more magical place to pitch a tent?
Well, folks, our road trip is coming to an end, and we obviously we have to go out with a bang. Our last destination is simply a drive down Loop 7 in Athens. The stunning colors of the trees lining the road will take your breath away and leave a lasting final impression as you head home afterwards, happy and sated by your views of your beautiful home state in the fall.
Wow. It’s hard to believe there’s so much natural beauty in Texas, isn’t it? Some folks tend to think that ours state is all wide-open plains and spaces, but there are endless sights to see and things to do in Texas.
Have you been to any of these places to see the best fall foliage in Texas? Would you take this road trip so you can see them all? Plus, if it stays hot deep into autumn, the hike to this Texas swimming hole will keep you cool.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
More to Explore
Best Fall Foliage In Texas
Meghan Kraft |August 24, 2019
What is the best time to see peak fall foliage in Texas?
The entire month of October is great for spotting the best fall foliage in Texas, but the most vibrant colors tend to be found in mid to late October. Once November rolls around, the leaves begin to lose their luster and fall.
Where are the best places in Texas to see fall foliage?
McKittrick Canyon in the Guadalupe Mountains National Park may be the best spot to see Texas fall foliage, but Winnsboro and the surrounding area is best if you're in East Texas. Lost Maples State Natural Area in Vanderpool is popular, as is Tyler State Park in Tyler, Garner State Park in Concan, and Palo Duro Canyon State Park.
What are the best Texas hikes to take in the fall?
The best fall hikes in Texas tend to be short and sweet, with most averaging a mile or less. Maple Trail in Lost Maples State Natural Area offers incredible views with a distance of only .36 of a mile, and Campos Trail Overlook in Garner State Park is only .68 of a mile but offers an overlook with a panoramic view. Head to Mountain View Trail in Daingerfield State Park for a 1.2 mile trek that shows of a handful of pine-studded bluffs, or head to Dogwood Trail in Lake Bob Sandline State Park for a view of the leaves over the water.
