The 6 Best Outdoorsy Towns to Explore in Texas

If you're someone who loves spending time in the great outdoors, then you probably love finding brand-new places where you can immerse yourself in nature. Luckily for us, Texas is full of beautiful natural areas! There's so much in the Lone Star State to see and do when it comes to hiking, biking, camping, boating, fishing, hunting, and wildlife watching.

Here, we've put together a list for you of outdoorsy towns in Texas, and anyone looking for a small town to use as a home base to take a deep dive into some of the state's open spaces will love it. Each and every one of these towns is surrounded by exceptional beauty that will take your breath away. Read on to learn more about them — and get ready to start planning your next adventure.

1. Tyler

Tyler isn't really a town - it's a city! This metropolitan area, halfway between Dallas and the Louisiana border, has a population of 250,000 people. It may not seem "outdoorsy" at first glance, but there are lots of wonderful things to do in nature nearby. Lake Tyler, pictured above, is a huge reservoir built in 1949. It covers 4,500 acres and is the area's premier destination for boating, fishing, and water sports. People also love camping, hiking, and biking on its shores.

Beyond that, the Tyler area also offers Tyler State Park, which has 13 miles of trails and a 64-acre spring-fed lake; Mineola Nature Preserve, covering 2,900 acres of wetlands and forests; and the 4.2-mile, paved Rose Rudman Recreational Trail that passes through the city center. You'll love getting outdoors in Tyler.

2. Marble Falls

Marble Falls, in the heart of Texas Hill Country, is quite a bit smaller than Tyler, with a population of around 10,000. It has a walkable main street area packed with historic buildings, epic restaurants, friendly locals, and a vibrant music scene after dark. It's a lovely place to visit even if you're not into exploring the great outdoors, but you'll find plenty of outdoor beauty and recreation near Marble Falls, too.

In fact, Marble Falls offers easy access to a vast number of parks and recreational areas. Some of the most popular include Longhorn Cavern State Park, Inks Lake State Park, Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge, and Turkey Bend Recreation Area. All of these places are full of trails and wildlife, and even if you stay all year, you'll never see every bit of all of them.

3. New Braunfels

New Braunfels is another laid-back yet vibrant town in Texas Hill Country. The town itself has German roots that are strong to this day, along with a history and energy focused on live music and dancing. You'll love its shops, restaurants, bars, galleries, and overall vibe.

This town is well-known for being along the banks of two rivers — the Guadalupe and the Comal — and people come from all over to relax in inner tubes while floating down them in the summertime in Guadalupe River State Park and beyond. Furthermore, this town offers easy access to natural places such as Canyon Lake Gorge, Natural Bridge Caverns, Landa Park, and others. New Braunfels is a great place to immerse yourself in the beauty of Texas at any time of the year.

4. Rockport

Anyone who loves spending time on or near the coast will love visiting Rockport. This coastal community has about 10,000 residents. It's quiet and full of retirees, and it's also known for its thriving arts community and world-class fishing. Residents and visitors alike enjoy its historic homes and epic fresh seafood restaurants.

Rockport is also a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. It's well-known for being one of the best places for bird watching in the state, and you're sure to see abundant wildlife at the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, in Goose Island State Park, and at the Connie Hagar Wildlife Sanctuary. Aransas Pathways are a network of birding sites and kayaking trails that are sure to keep you busy for hours, if not days or weeks.

5. Fredericksburg

Like Marble Falls and New Braunfels, Fredericksburg is a gem of Texas Hill Country. This town of around 12,000 residents is one that is known for wineries, upscale dining, live music, and history, first and foremost, but it's also a great place to spend some time outdoors.

Near Fredericksburg, nature lovers can check out the massive, 425-foot pink granite dome at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area and can try to climb it if they'd like; you might also enjoy marveling at the beautiful trees along the Live Oak Wilderness Trail in Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park. The Fredericksburg Nature Center has much to offer citizen scientists, and people flock to Old Tunnel State Park at dusk during the summer to watch the bats emerge for the night. There's such a variety of adventures for visitors to Fredericksburg.

6. Port Aransas

The smallest town on our list is Port Aransas, which has only 3,000 year-round residents, although that number grows a lot during the summer tourist season. This town is located on a barrier island off the Texas coast, just north of Corpus Christi.

People love visiting this area because it is surrounded by nature. Mustang Island State Park is full of dunes, campgrounds, and kayak trails. Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center is known for its 14-foot alligator, Boots, and its safely elevated boardwalk, which is perfect for bird watching. Port Aransas is a wonderful place for beach lovers, and you'll love beachcombing and watching for distant dolphins while you listen to the waves lap against the shore.

There are so many amazing places to see and so many exceptional things to do in nature in Texas! Across this great state, outdoor enthusiasts will find plenty of memorable things to keep them busy all year - and then some. Plan a visit to one or more of the towns mentioned above this year and marvel at all they have to offer. You'll always be glad when you visit somewhere you've not yet been before. Happy trails to you!