When the weather warms up, there’s nothing quite as exciting as planning a Texas adventure. Fortunately, here in the Lone Star State, there are countless adventures you can enjoy underneath the big sky. The following is a list of summer activities in Texas belong at the top of your itinerary. From riverfront activities to swimming holes, waterfalls, canyon adventures, and more, you’ll agree that there are so many fun things to do in Texas!

1. Devil's River (Del Rio)
Flickr/matthigh
Our list of summer activities in Texas begins at a truly beautiful place: Devil's River. This river with beautiful, turquoise water is nestled in a remote valley beneath towering canyons and plateaus, rendering it unknown to most people. We all know Texas isn't known for having the prettiest bodies of water, so it seems even more like paradise.
2. BSR Cable Park (Waco)
Facebook/BSRCablePark
BSR Cable Park is home to the world's longest lazy river, sitting at just under a mile. It's the perfect way to relax and float all your troubles away.
3. Barton Springs Pool (Austin)
Flickr/wallyg
Experience the best of both worlds at Barton Springs Pool, a man-made swimming pool filled with natural spring water, minnows, and aquatic plant life. It's everything you love about the ocean without the nasty seaweed and brown, oily water. Does it get much better?
4. Gorman Falls (Bend)
Flickr/fiftypercentchanceofrain
This oasis tucked away within the thick brush of the Texas hill country isn't widely known, which makes it even more magical. A quick mile and a half hike will take you to this hidden beauty.
5. River Tubing (Hill Country)
Flickr/dustinlarimer
Only us Texans are crazy enough to spend an entire day floating underneath the blazing summer sun. What can we say? We'll gladly take a little burn for the fun and everlasting memories.

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6. Burger's Lake (Fort Worth)
burgerslake.com
No matter where you live in Texas, there's a nearby refreshing place to cool off. Complete with slides, an epic trapeze swing, plenty of benches for picnics, and a sandy beach for catching some rays, Burger's Lake is summer fun for all ages.
7. Palo Duro Canyon (Canyon)
Flickr/sarowen
Second in size only to the Grand Canyon itself, this breathtaking natural wonder is a summer road-trip obligation for every Texan. From camping to bird-watching, hiking to mountain biking, there's more to do here than you might think.
8. Blue Hole (Leakey)
Flickr/Angi English
Not only do we have Hamilton Pool and Jacob's Well, but we have another gorgeous natural area here in Texas. This hidden blue hole in Leakey is one of the most beautiful bodies of water in Texas, and it belongs on everyone's summer bucket list.
9. San Marcos River (San Marcos)
Flickr/rain0975
The section of the San Marcos River called Rio Vista Falls Dam is a huge pool with three consecutive waterfalls that you can slide down in your tube. It's as awesome as it sounds, and you haven't truly lived until you've experienced it.
10. Son's Island (New Braunfels)
lakeplacidisland.com
This is the next best thing to cruising to a tropical island - and it's a heck of a lot cheaper as well! You can either rent a cabana for the day or stay overnight in a vintage RV, exploring the lake with your family, cooking delicious meals on the grill, and dancing to your favorite tunes under the stars.
11. Westcave Preserve (Round Mountain)
Yelp/Addie B.
Yet another hidden grotto in the hill country is Westcave Preserve. With its lush greenery, tall trees, and pristine water, it's akin to the magical worlds of Disney movies. This hidden gem belongs at the top of your vacation planning list.

Have you been to any of these amazing places? What are some of your favorite summer activities in Texas? Be sure to share your thoughts with us in the comments below — we’d love to hear from you!

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More to Explore

summer activities in Texas

Beth C. | April 30, 2021

What are the best beaches in Texas?

If you're thinking about summer activities in Texas, chances are you're considering traveling to the beach. The beaches of Texas are positively beautiful, and they're not located just on the gulf, either! Some of the best little-known beaches in Texas include Boca Chica, Laguna Atascosa Refuge, Baffin Bay, Padre Island, Mustang Island State Park, Rockport, Surfside, Matagorda Bay, Galveston Island State Park, and San Jose Island. Have you been to any of these hidden gem beaches? For more information, be sure to check out our previous article: 10 Little Known Beaches In Texas That'll Make Your Summer Unforgettable.

What is summer in Texas like?

If you're planning to visit Texas in the summertime, you're in for some fun-filled adventures. Beautiful scenery, festive restaurants, and charming towns mean that Texas is a lovely place to visit in any month. Of course, temperatures can be intense during the warmer months. In fact, it may seem like the sun is almost relentlessly shining in June, July, and August. The average high temperatures range from 86 degrees to 98 degrees. In general, western Texas is hotter in the summer and eastern texas is more humid in the summer. Need a place to cool off? Check out these amazing swimming holes in Texas.

What are the best activities in Texas?

Texas never fails to surprise us with its diverse array of activities for all ages and interests. Perhaps it's the fact that Texas is so large in size, but it seems like there's a hidden gem destination to discover in every corner. Here are some awesome things you can do in Texas: sleep in an adobe dome in Terlingua, visit the Dallas Farmers Market, visit Seminole Canyon in Comstock, visit the town of Boerne, spend the night in a train car in Kingsland, and take a wine shuttle to different vineyards in Fredericksburg. Learn more about these fun activities in Texas.

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Featured Addresses
Devils River State Natural Area, 21715 Dolan Crk Rd, Del Rio, TX 78840, USA
BSR Cable Park, 5347 Old Mexia Rd, Waco, TX 76705, USA
Barton Springs Pool, 2201 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704, USA
Gorman Falls, Texas 76853, USA
Burger's Lake, 1200 Meandering Rd, Fort Worth, TX 76114, USA
Palo Duro Canyon, Texas 79226, USA
San Marcos River, Texas, USA
New Braunfels, TX, USA
Westcave Outdoor Discovery Center, 24814 Hamilton Pool Rd, Round Mountain, TX 78663, USA