You’ll Never Forget Where These 6 Road Trips In Texas Will Take You

Alright, y'all; we've done the seemingly impossible task of putting together a list of the best road trips in Texas that cover nearly every region of the entire state. No matter where in Texas you call home, these should have you covered. Families and friends around the state want to start planning some fun trips, so hopefully, these will give you some great ideas for stops you can make along the way. So, with this list in mind, all you have to do now is pack up your bags, grab your family and friends, and hit the road! Are you ready to explore these best road trips in Texas?

1) Take a drive way out west and venture to...

...Seminole Canyon State Park to see ancient pictographs, hike through the canyons, and learn the history of the people who settled there...

...spend a day (or a few) hiking, camping, and connecting with nature in the breathtaking Big Bend National Park...

...cool off from all that hiking in the world's largest spring-fed swimming pool at Balmorhea State Park...

...drive or hike through the Franklin Mountains in El Paso...

...and then surf the sand dunes at Monahans Sandhills State Park.

2) Venture up into the Panhandle Plains and go to classic places like...

Palo Duro Canyon State Park (the Lighthouse Trail is a must; just bring plenty of water!)...

...then drive an hour and a half to Caprock Canyons State Park to take in the red bluffs and see free-roaming bison...

...stop and see the iconic Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo...

...drive along the famous Route 66 to see old ghost towns, service stations, museums, and restaurants from a simpler time...

...and make sure to stop in at The Big Texan Steak Ranch to try the 72 ounce steak challenge for yourself.

3) Explore the hill country and do awesome things like...

...tube one of the beautiful rivers in the area (this one is the Guadalupe)...

...spend the day splashing and sliding around at Schlitterbahn New Braunfels (best waterpark EVER)...

...climb the massive rocks and cool off the in river at Pedernales Falls State Park...

...sample some BBQ done right in Luling...

...definitely stop in Austin to see the bats at the Congress Ave bridge, do a bar crawl on the famous (or infamous) Sixth Street, eat some of the best food in the state (whether you're vegan or carnivore), and enjoy live music and pretty much everything else about this iconic city. You either love it or hate it, but you have to at least try it...

...climb up the 1800 mass of molten magma called Enchanted Rock...

...dive into the cool waters of the Hamilton Pool Nature Preserve in Dripping Springs...

...go hiking and take in the view of Gorman Falls in Colorado Bend State Park...

...go underground and see the spectacular caverns of the hill country (pictured above is the Longhorn Caverns in Burnet).

4) Travel through the South Texas Plains and make sure to...

...immerse yourself in the culture and history of San Antonio...

...drive down to the Gulf Coast and bask in the sun at Mustang Island or South Padre Island...

...head down into Brownsville and explore the tropical environment at the Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park.

5) Take on the vast prairies and lakes region of Texas and do things like...

...head into Dallas for a day or two and explore the museums, botanical gardens, and the AT&T Stadium, home to the Dallas Cowboys..

..spend the day riding awesome, heart-pounding rollercoasters at Six Flags in Arlington..

...visit Dinosaur Valley State Park in Glen Rose to see old dinosaur tracks...

...go fishing, swimming, hiking, or boating at one of the many lakes in the area (this one is Lake Mineral Wells west of Fort Worth)...

...take a drive down into Brenham to see the gorgeous bluebonnets and other wildflowers, plus tour the Blue Bell Creamery.

6) If you're in East Texas, you will definitely want to stop at places like...

...the Big Thicket National Preserve, one of the most ecologically diverse areas in the state...

...Caddo Lake State Park to see the only natural lake in Texas...

...spend a day with friends and family out on a boat at Lake Sam Rayburn near Jasper...

...visit the historic town of Jefferson and stay at the hotel (if you dare)...

...stop in at one of the small-town cafes for some delicious southern comfort food...

...then, hop back in the car and take in the beautiful scenery of the towering pine trees of East Texas. Whether you complete one of these trips or all six, you'll agree that these are some of the best road trips in Texas.

Texas is unmatched when it comes to road trips you can take without even crossing the border. In truth, our state is positively massive! It would take a full year or two to see everything here, but these just cover some of the highlights about our beautiful state. Did we miss anything? Be sure to share your thoughts with us below -- we'd love to hear from you!