<>Howdy, y’all! Texas might be known for its BBQ, Rodeos, cowboy boots, and endless skies, but did you know it’s also home to some of the most stunning national parks and protected areas? The Lone Star State has two national parks and 14 protected areas under the National Park Service, which include parks, preserves, monuments, and historic sites. Let’s take a tour through some of the best National Parks in Texas.
What Are the National Parks in Texas?
Guadalupe Mountains National Park and Big Bend National Park are the two National Parks in Texas. The popular protected areas include Amistad Reservoir, Alibates Flint Quarries, Big Thicket, Lyndon B. Johnson, Padre Island, Palo Alto Battlefield, and San Antonio Missions.
Whether you’re a nature lover, a history buff, or someone looking to escape the city, Texas has it all! Here, we are going to discuss the best Seven Texas National Parks in Texas.
Big Bend National Park
Location: 1 Panther Junction, Big Bend National Park, TX 79834
Nearest Town: Terlingua (about 8 miles away (5 minutes)
Weather: Expect it to be hot and dry most of the year, but winter nights can get surprisingly chilly.
Big Bend in West Texas, bordering Mexico, is Texas at its wildest and most rugged, where you can experience rivers, deserts, and mountains. With the majestic Chisos Mountains, the winding Rio Grande, and a desert teeming with life, it’s an adventurer’s paradise. Whether you’re hiking through the canyons, kayaking on the river, or stargazing (this park has some of the darkest skies in the country!), you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into another world.
Camping: Campgrounds with restrooms and other necessities, including a Barbeque grill and picnic tables, are available at Chisos Basin, Rio Grande Village, and Cottonwood. Concession Campground is available at Rio Grande Village RV Park.
If you want a comfortable stay, there’s a lodge at Chisos Basin and a few motels at Terlingua. Other. Some visitors stay at Alpine or Marathon, which is around two hours drive from the park
Things To Do & See
- Scenic drive
- Campgrounds
- Hiking & kayaking
- Flora and fauna
- Bird watching
Nearest Airports
- El Paso International Airport: About 288 miles (4 Hours 30 minutes)
- Midland International Air and Space Port: 195.3 miles ( about 3 Hours)
Pro Tip: Looking for the cheapest airport parking option? Reserve an offsite parking near the airport to get the best rate
Notes
- Bring plenty of gas, food, water, and supplies
- There is no EV charging facility at the park (The closest EV charging station is 130 miles away in Fort Stockton)
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Location: Dell City, TX 79847, USA
Nearest Cities: Dell City (44 miles south), Carlsbad, NM (about 56 miles away), Van Horn (60 miles south), & El Paso: 120 miles west
Weather: It’s mild in spring and fall, but prepare for some wind! Summers can be hot, and winters bring snow to higher elevations.
The park features the four highest peaks in Texas, including Guadalupe Peak, the highest peak in Texas. The views from the top are breathtaking! Located east of El Paso, Texas, it offers a scenic route to mountains and canyons, deserts and dunes, over eighty miles of trails, and beautiful night skies, making it perfect for hikers and climbers.
Pine Springs, Frijole Ranch, McKittrick Canyon, Salt Basin Dunes, Dog Canyon, Williams Ranch, The Guadalupe Mountains Wilderness, and Peaks and Highpoints, including Guadalupe Peak, Bush Mountain, Shumard Peak, Bartlett Peak, Hunter Peak, El Capitan, and the Lost Peak are few interesting places you should visit.
You shouldn’t miss McKittrick Canyon, especially in the fall. With its vibrant foliage, it is one of the most beautiful spots in Texas. The best time to go to the Guadalupe Mountains is in fall and spring.
Things To Do & See
- Scenic drives
- Backpacking in the Guadalupe
- Horseback riding
- Camping
- Flora & fauna
- Bird watching
Nearest Airports
- El Paso International Airport (ELP): 102.9 miles (about 2 hours)
- Midland International Air & Space Port (MAF): 82.3 miles (about 3 hours 20 minutes)
- Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ): 338.5 miles (about 5 hours 30 minutes).
Note
- Parking is limited.
- There is no public transportation or shuttle service available in the park.
- There is no gasoline available in the park – No gas is available for 35 miles from the visitor center
- Campgrounds are both basic and include only restrooms and potable water
Amistad National Recreation Area
Location: 10477 Highway 90 West Del Rio, TX 78840
Nearest City: Del Rio (7 miles west, 160 miles west of San Antonio)
Weather: Hot summers, mild winters, and plenty of sunshine. (varying weather)
If water activities are more your thing, Amistad Reservoir has you covered. It’s a hotspot for boating, fishing, scuba diving, water skiing, and swimming. The clear blue waters are perfect for cooling off on a hot Texas day. Plus, there are some fascinating ancient rock art called pictographs nearby for history enthusiasts. The picturesque landscapes and sparkling water are what interest the photographers who visit this site.
Amistad National Recreation includes Amistad Reservoir, which is located along the Rio Grande, bordering Mexico. It is at the meeting point of three rivers: the Rio Grande, Devils River, and Pecos River.
Things To Do & See
- Flora and fauna
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Camping
- Water sports: paddling, swimming
- Fishing
- Wildlife watching
- Nature photography
Nearby airports
- San Antonio (SAT): 176.6 miles (over 3 hours)
- San Angelo (SJT): 152.1 miles (over 2 hours and 30 minutes)
- Midland (MAF): 232.8 miles (over 4 hours)
- El Paso (ELP): 409.3 miles (over 6 hours and 20 minutes)
Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument
Address: 37084 Alibates Rd. Potter County, TX 79036
Nearest City: Amarillo: 35 miles North of Amarillo
Weather: Warm summers, chilly winters, and often windy.
Alibates is an archeological site where Native Americans once quarried flint for tools and weapons. You can take a guided tour to see the colorful flint and learn about its historical significance. There is a short walking trail leading to the beautiful Canadian River Valley.
Until 2013, it was the first and only national monument in Texas. Later, in 2013, the Military Working Dog Teams National Monument was created.
Things To Do & See
- Hike with a ranger
- Alibates Museum exhibits
- Petroglyphs
- Theater
- 7 themed gardens.
Nearest Airport
Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport (AMA): 35.8 miles (about 40 minutes).
Notes
- Park Hours: 9 am to 4 pm
- Fees: No entrance fees at Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument
- The park can be visited only by a ranger-guided tour (Free)
- Please make your reservations in advance
- Don’t forget to bring your jacket, as Mesa is windy even in the summer.
Big Thicket National Preserve
Address: 6102 FM 420, Kountze, TX 77625, United States
Nearest City: Beaumont (30 miles), Lufkin – 75 miles and Houston – 92 miles
Weather: Humid and warm, with plenty of rain year-round
- Spring: Comfortable weather in March and April
- Summer: High heat, high humidity, and thunderstorms and Hurricane in late summer,
- Fall: Early fall can be hot, while Oct/Nov may be pleasant
- Winter: Mild, chilly weather with occasional cold spells. From December to February, nights can see a dip in the temperature (below freezing).
Big Thicket National Preserve in Southeast Texas covers roughly 114 acres and is home to 1,320 plant species, 300 bird species, over 60 species of mammals, and around 90 reptile and amphibian species. Big Thicket is like the Amazon of Texas, with a mix of swamps, forests, and prairies. This National Preserve is ideal for hiking, kayaking, and birdwatching.
With hiking trails and waterways winding through nine diverse ecosystems, this place is a nature lover’s dream. You can also paddle through the serene bayou, enjoying the enchanting beauty. Keep an eye out for alligators and carnivorous plants!
Things To Do & See
Paddling, hiking, fishing, hunting, and backcountry camping are some of the activities you can enjoy.
Nearest Airports
- Houston Airport (IAH): 86.1 miles (over 1 hour and 30 minutes)
- Dallas/Ft.Worth (DFW): 276.1 miles (about 4 hours and 30 minutes)
- Beaumont/Port Arthur (BPT): 45.4 miles (about 1 hour).
Note
- The park is open 24/7 around the year, and the visitor center is open from 9 am to 5 pm
- Fees: No entry fee
- To camp in the preserve, you must get a camping permit from the visitor center.
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Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park
Address: 100 Ladybird Lane, Johnson City, TX 78636
Nearest City: Johnson City and Stonewall, Texas
Weather: Winters and summers are mild, perfect for visiting all throughout the year
History buffs, this one’s for you. Explore the life of President Lyndon B. Johnson, the country’s 36th president, from his ancestral property at Johnson Settlement to his boyhood home to the famous “Texas White House” and his resting place. The park beautifully blends history with the scenic Texas Hill Country.
Lyndon B. Johnson Park is in Central Texas, approximately 50 miles west of Austin in the Texas Hill Country.
Things To Do & See
- Celebrate Christmas at the Boyhood Home of President Lyndon B. Johnson
- Join the LBJ 100 Bicycle Tour
- Visit Johnson City / Boyhood Home Programs
- LBJ National & State Parks Orientation
- Visit the Johnson Settlement
Nearest Airports
- Austin-Bergstrom International Airport: 64.8 miles (about one hour and 20 minutes)
- San Antonio International Airport (SAT): 60.5 miles (1 hour and 15 minutes).
Note:
- Park Hours: 9 am to 5 pm
- The park is open on all days except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day
- Fees: No entrance fee for visiting Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park or Lyndon B. Johnson State Park and Historic Site
- Driving Permits are required for the LBJ Ranch and are available at LBJ State Park and Historic Site Visitor Center in Stonewall, Texas
- You must get a reservation for a group of 25 or more people to tour the Boyhood Home.
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San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
Address: 6701 San Jose Drive, San Antonio, TX 78214
NearestCity: San Antonio (it’s in the city!)
- Headquarters: 4 miles south of downtown
- Mission Concepción: 3 miles
- Mission San José and the park visitor center: 6 miles south
- Mission San Juan: 3 miles south of San José
- Mission Espada: 4 miles
Weather: Hot in summer, mild and comfortable in winter
This park, under UNESCO World Heritage Site, is known for its four stunning Spanish missions from the 18th century: Concepción, San José, San Juan, and Espada. Combine history with a stroll or bike ride along the scenic Mission Trail. Plus, you’re just a short drive from the iconic Alamo!
Nearest Airports
- San Antonio International Airport (SAT): (7.1 miles away)
- Austin–Bergstrom International Airport (AUS): (73.5 miles).
Notes
- Park grounds are open for the public from sunrise until sunset
- Bring your reusable water bottle. Water filling stations are available at all mission sites throughout the park.
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Final Thoughts
The National Parks in Texas are Chamizal, El Camino Real de los Tejas, Fort Davis, El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro, Lake Meredith, Waco Mammoth and Monument, and the Rio Grande.
From towering peaks to tranquil seashores, Texas national parks have it all. Each park offers something unique, so whether you’re chasing adrenaline or looking for a peaceful escape, you’re bound to find a place that steals your heart.
Pack your boots (and, of course, some sunscreen), and get ready to tame (or get tamed!) the wild beauty of Texas. See y’all out there!
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Commonly Asked Questions
What are the national parks in Texas near Austin?
Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park, San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, Big Bend National Park, Big Thicket National Preserve, Guadalupe Mountains National Park, and Lyndon B. Johnson Historical Park are some of the national parks near Austin, TX.
What is the weather like in Big Bend National Park, Texas?
You can expect hot and dry weather most of the year, but winter nights can get surprisingly chilly.
What is the distance from Amistad National recreational to Big Bend National Park?
The distance between these two national parks is about 230 miles east of Big Bend National Park.
How many national parks are in Texas?
The Lone Star State has two national parks and 14 protected areas, including parks, preserves, historic sites, and monuments, under the National Park Service.
Where is Big Bend National Park in Texas?
Big Bend National Park is in Texas (West), bordering Mexico, and is located in Brewster County, Texas. The address is 1 Panther Junction, Big Bend National Park, TX 79834.
What are the national parks in Texas near San Antonio?
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park is the national park near San Antonio.
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