State Parks in Texas

Texas has 89 state parks covering over 640,000 acres — one of the larger state park systems in the country. From Gulf Coast beaches to Panhandle canyons to desert mountains, the parks span a remarkable range of landscapes.

Palo Duro Canyon State Park near Amarillo is the jewel of the Texas state park system. The canyon is 120 miles long, up to 20 miles wide, and 800 feet deep — carved by the Prairie Dog Town Fork of the Red River through billions of years of rock. Trails wind through brilliant red and orange canyon walls; the Pioneer Amphitheater hosts an outdoor musical drama every summer.

Garner State Park on the Frio River in the Hill Country is one of the most beloved swimming destinations in Texas. The cold, clear Frio River draws families for tubing and swimming, and the jukebox dances that happen on summer evenings have been a Hill Country tradition for decades.

Enchanted Rock State Natural Area near Fredericksburg is centered on a massive pink granite dome that rises 425 feet above the surrounding terrain. A 1,825-acre park protects the dome and surrounding wilderness. Rock climbers, hikers, and stargazers all find what they're looking for here.

Pedernales Falls State Park in the Hill Country features the Pedernales River cascading over stepped limestone ledges — one of the most distinctive waterfall landscapes in Texas. The park also has good wildlife watching, with white-tailed deer and golden-cheeked warblers.

Big Bend Ranch State Park is the largest state park in Texas at 300,000 acres. It borders Big Bend National Park to the west and is far more remote and far less visited. The backcountry here is genuine wilderness — river canyons, desert mountains, and almost no development.

Balmorhea State Park in West Texas has a spring-fed swimming pool that is technically the world's largest spring-fed swimming pool — fed by the San Solomon Springs at 26 million gallons per day, maintaining a temperature of 72–76°F year-round.