Texas Vacation Ideas
Most of us think of Texas and visualize tall grass, cattle, horses, and rolling hills.
Although that is a part of Texas there is much more to this country size state.
Along 600 miles of Texas beaches, warm Gulf of Mexico waters making Texas beaches among the most calming and beautiful in the nation. Many in Texas like to call this stretch the "Third Coast."
Now lets not forget about the more than 130 parks that highlight the expansive beauty of the Panhandle. This is the heart of Texas cowboy country. Here, camping facilities range from primitive tent camping and RV sites to luxurious cabins with full kitchens.
Palo Duro Canyon
One of the state's largest state parks, the scenic landscape of Palo Duro Canyon stretches for 18,483 acres.
A branch of the Red River has carved the incredible spires and pinnacles of Palo Duro. Walls plunge almost a thousand feet to the canyon floor, exposing brilliant multicolored strata.
Camping, picnicking, horseback riding, and hiking trails located on or near the canyon rim provide a place for your scenic adventure.
Davis Mountains State Park
1,869 acres of a sloping basin among scenic Davis Mountains hosts more than 155,000 visitors annually.
Bird observation window, wildlife watering station, camping, hiking, picnicking, dining room, trailer facilities and rest rooms are available.
Canyon Lake
One of most scenic in Texas this 8,240-acre lake has 80 miles of shoreline. It is spread among steep-shouldered, evergreen hills and its public parks along the shore offer camping/trailer areas, picnicking, and boat ramps.
Two yacht clubs, two marinas, a ski club, and fishing groups schedule a host of activities. the lake fishing is excellent.
The beauty and tranquility of Canyon Lake is supplied by the cool, refreshing waters of the Guadalupe River. Enjoy the magnificent view while walking across Canyon Lake Dam that is .9 miles long.
Kayaking
Steams and rivers meander through 191,000 miles of Texas landscape. That water flows into seven major estuaries, supports over 212 reservoirs, countless riparian habitats, wetlands, and terrestrial areas. Bottom line, there are lots of places to river kayak and enjoy the scenery, and camaraderie. Kayak fishing is growing leaps and bounds and Texas rivers have some fish just waiting for you, so give it a try.
Canyon of the Eagles
A 900-acre nature park features miles of sandy beaches and hiking trails, including the "Bird and Butterfly Trail."
Eagle Eye Observatory, designed and built in cooperation with the Austin Astronomical Society, is one of few public access observatories in the country.
Facilities include several large 22-inch telescopes, as well as pedestals and decks for public's use in setting up own scopes; offers star parties and programs.
Camping facilities include 25 sites with full RV hook-ups, 25 drive-in sites, 14 drive-to and walk-in overnight campsites, and 20 primitive overnight sites.
Rock Climbing
Texas is home to some big rock climbing. With some of the best walls, canyons, ciffs, bouldering problems, and indoor gyms to climb at, you'll definitely be content here. There's so much to climb you willhave a hard time deciding where to go. Here are some must does... check out Hueco Tanks, Enchanted Rock, or Reimer's Ranch.
Padre Island
Padre Island offers 110-miles of one of the last natural seashores in the nation. Each end of the narrow sand island is developed with parks and resorts. But in between, the National Seashore preserves an unblemished 80-mile stretch.
Swimming beaches and extensive primitive beach-camping areas and nature trails, bathhouse, and picnic area are available.
Beachcombers may collect seashells, driftwood, perhaps prized glass floats from Portugal or the Orient, and other items washed in by tides.
South Padre Island
This small resort town is on southern tip of Padre Island just across Laguna Madre, the bay separating the island from mainland.
Visitors find a wide range of accommodations from campgrounds and family motels to high-rise luxury hotels and condo rentals, marinas and seaside cottages. Restaurants feature fresh seafood harvested daily from the Gulf.
South Padre is known for its water sports, including bay, surf, and deep-sea fishing, jet skiing, parasailing, sailing, and windsurfing.
Other island activities include bicycling, tennis, shelling, and horseback riding on the beach. The popular Laguna Madre Nature Trail for nature enthusiasts and bird-watchers is north of the city next to the convention center.
Pedernalas Falls State Park
Picturesque waterfalls, abundant animal and bird life, fishing, swimming, camping, picnicking and hiking are among the activities you can do on the 5,200 acres of this State Park.
Corpus Christi
This major deep-water port is one of Texas' most popular seacoast cities. There are miles of beaches for fishing, boating and floating. Art festivals and sporting events that continue all year round.
Located on the Gulf of Mexico, about halfway between Houston and the U.S. Mexico border, Corpus Christi is nestled on a bay and surrounded by islands and hundreds of miles of beaches.
Corpus Christi is a popular spot for family vacations and provides endless recreational opportunities.
Fishing & Hunting
Fish the surf, bays or piers or head out to deep-water into the Gulf. South Texas also produce great hunting excursions with native game birds, deer and more.
Over 500 species of birds have been documented in Corpus Christi, including Brown Pelicans, rare Masked Duck, endangered Whooping Cranes and raptors.
Piney Woods
The Piney Woods region contains thousands of acres of pine and pine-hardwood forests. A variety of loblolly, shortleaf and some pockets of longleaf pine, as well as magnolia, elm, oak, ash, cypress and other trees cover the area.
Located primarily in East Texas, this area boasts the state's four national forests and five state forests. For outdoors enthusiasts, this region is also home to many state parks and bodies of water that offer water sports fun and more.
Majestic, towering trees and expansive landscapes can be seen year-round. In fall this area is dominated by breathtaking colors as the sassafras, persimmon, maples, sweetgums, dogwoods, elms, and oaks offer up hues of golden brown, yellow, orange, red and even reddish purple.
In the southern portion of the region, the towering pine trees give way to mammoth bald cypress trees and lush swampland, found in Big Thicket National Preserve.
The awe-inspiring ecosystem is amazingly diverse, it is one of the few places where you can find cactus, ferns and orchids, as well as pine and oak trees.
Bentsen-Rio Grand Valley State Park
This 600-acre area has been set aside to preserve native flora and fauna of lower Rio Grande Valley.
On banks of Rio Grande, the park offers picnicking, rest rooms, bird-watching, new nature trails, boardwalks and a Hawk Preservation Tower.
Caving
Guess What... Texas is full of big caves. Places like Natural Bridge, Cascade and Wonder World you will have plenty to see and do while you are here. Just remember any caving you do on your own should be done with respect and safety.
Birding
Texas has the most incredible bird diversity in the nation. With over 625 species of birds documented, you could say that Texas is the birding capital of America.
A confluence of three major migratory paths and an amazing diversity of habitat-types makes Texas the perfect place for bird watchers.
There are plenty more places in this super-size state, I am sure you wont regret a trip to the Lone Star State. Enjoy your Texas Vacation!