These are some of Texas’s most spectacular hiking trails where fall colors are more prevalent.
Although the fall season in Texas is short, hiking in the fall is the best time of year, and we almost guarantee fall foliage on your journey. And if you’re coupling camping, you may want to read our fall camping checklist and tips. Here is a list of the best fall foliage hikes in Texas.
Most people who have never been to Texas might think we don’t have a fall season, or they don’t know the towns where to see fall foliage in Texas. Well, we do. Texas also has fabulous Texas Fall Festivals for the whole family to enjoy.
In some regions of Texas, you will see vibrant colors of yellow, orange, and red in the trees and the ground—more so in specific places. Think state parks, canyons, and lakes …and, of course, on hiking trails.
Do the leaves change color in Texas?
Yes, yes, and yes. It’s not like the northeastern part of the USA, but we see orange, yellow, red, and lots of brown!
Autumn Hikes In Texas
Autumn in Texas comes late, like in November, but we have seen signs of it in mid-October. Although the Lone Star State is not top-ranked in alluring foliage, visitors heading to the state to visit relatives for Thanksgiving will be rewarded with spectacular fall colors in certain areas. That said, outdoor activities are best here in the fall—not hot, not cold—just right! Here are 15 unforgettable hiking trails where you can see fall foliage in Texas.
Best Fall Foliage Hikes In Texas
FYI: Fall festivals, live music, and special events at several Texas parks, like Garner State Park and a Fall Forest Fest at Stephen F. Austin State Park, create a festive atmosphere to celebrate the changing seasons. Several state parks in Texas have family events all through the year.
Lake Bob Sandlin State Park (East Texas)
Dogwood Loop Trail/Alltrails 4.4 Stars
According to Texas State Parks, Lake Bob Sandlin State Park will show off its fall glory around mid-October. Dogwood Loop Trail is an easy hike that will keep the kids busy.
| Park Entrance Fee: | Adults: $5; Children 12/under are free |
| About the Trail: | 2 miles/42 minutes to 1 hour to complete/easy to hike |
| Points of Interest: | Beautiful oak trees surround Trout Pond. Varieties of oak, hickory, pine, dogwood, redbud, and maple produce spectacular fall colors. Bring your fishing pole and hike through the forest to the pond. |
| Overnight Lodging: | Campsites & screen shelters |
| Dog-Friendly: | Yes, leashed only |
East Texas Arboretum, Athens, Texas
Carl D. Frentress Hickory/AllTrails 4.5 Stars/Easy
No, not Athens, Greece, nor Athens, Georgia, but Athens, Texas. But more so, East Texas Arboretum is where it’s at in the fall. The Carl D. Frentress Hickory Loop Trail is only 1 mile, and it can take under 20-25 minutes to walk the loop.
| Entrance Fee: | $4-$5 |
| About the Trail: | One mile/20-25 minutes to complete the loop Rugged nature trails, paved, partially landscaped |
| Points of Interest: | There are lots of birds on the trail; bring binoculars for the best viewing |
| Overnight Lodging: | None here |
| Dog-Friendly: | Yes, leashed only |
McKinney Falls State Park (Austin)
Homestead Trail Loop/AllTrails 4.5 Stars/Easy
McKinney Falls State Park is a beautiful state park in Austin. The Homestead Trail Loop is open year-round and popular for hiking, mountain biking, and running.
| Park Entrance Fee: | $6 |
| About the Trail: | 3.4 miles/1 hour to complete. The trail is easy to hike and primarily flat and shaded. When water is low, it impacts the waterfall. |
| Points of Interest: | The waterfalls are beautiful when they have had lots of rain. |
| Overnight Lodging: | There are cabins available in the park |
| Dog-Friendly: | Yes, leashed only |
Daingerfield State Park (East Texas)
Rustling Leaves Trail/AllTrails 4.6 Stars/Moderate
If I can suggest any park in Texas where you can see the best fall foliage, Daingerfield State Park would be the place. The Rustling Leaves Trail takes about an hour to complete, and you’ll see birds along the route and many fall colors, too. Take advantage of this trail and the Mountain View Trail (a shorter one).
| Park Entrance Fee: | $4 |
| About the Trail: | 2.8 miles/1 hour to complete/Loop. The trail can get muddy after rainfall. Lots of benches to rest along the trail. |
| Points of Interest: | Tall pine trees, a lake, and many fall colors in late October/November. |
| Overnight Lodging: | Cabins available in the park |
| Dog-Friendly: | Yes, leashed only |
Lost Maples State Natural Area (near Bandera)
Lost Maples East Trail/AllTrails 4.7 Stars/Moderate
There are seven trails in Lost Maples State Natural Area, and AllTrails named Lost Maples East Trail Loop as #1. If you want to hike more, I would explore them all as some or longer. One is shorter, and one is more challenging. So take your pick because the fall colors are everywhere in this park.
| Park Entrance Fee: | $6 |
| About the Trail: | 5.2-mile-loop/3-3.5 hrs to complete. Beginner hikers may find this trail a bit more challenging. This well-marked trail is also great for road biking and runners and has a few scrambles and shady spots—restrooms on the trail. |
| Points of Interest: | To see the best fall foliage go in late November. |
| Overnight Lodging: | Campsites with electricity and hike-in campsites |
| Dog-Friendly: | Yes, leashed only |
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
McKittrick Canyon Trail/AllTrails 4.7 Stars/Moderate
If traveling to West Texas, this is a must-stop for hiking in the fall. The autumn colors are amazing (according to AllTrails subscribers), and the weather is nice then. McKittrick Canyon Trail to Hunter Line Shack is one of the popular ones for seeing fall foliage, and it’s recommended to go in the middle of November to see it at its best. Guadalupe Mountains National Park is in the Mountain Time Zone.
| Park Entrance Fee: | $10 (buy at park or online) |
| About the Trail: | 7 miles/2.5 hours/easy to follow trail. Maple leaf fall foliage, Junipers, Texas Madrones, yucca, agave, and historic structures are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. |
| Points of Interest: | The Grotto. Be sure to hike to it to see the views above the canyon. |
| Overnight Lodging: | There are grounds for tent and RV camping but no cabins or lodges. |
| Dog-Friendly: | No dogs |
Enchanted Rock State National Area
Enchanted Rock Summit Trail/AllTrails 4.7 Stars/Moderate
Enchanted Rock State Natural Area has 11 miles of trails to see fall color on your way to the top of the pink granite dome. There are five hiking trails at the Enchanted Rock State National Area, but everyone wants to do the Enchanted Rock Summit Trail—the one I could not do. Never mind, it was almost 100 degrees when I tried, but it was too much for me. The rest of us, besides one other, made it up to the summit and back down with no problem. They were younger than I!
| Park Entrance Fee: | $8 |
| About the Trail: | 1.3 miles/under an hour to complete. |
| Points of Interest: | There is a visitor center in the park. The park closes at 8 pm, except for campers. |
| Overnight Lodging: | 51 sites for camping, no cabins |
| Dog-Friendly: | No dogs on the trail |
Dinosaur Valley State Park
Puluxy River Trail/AllTrails 4.4 Stars/Easy
Even though it was number four on the AllTrails list, I chose to describe the Puluxy River Trail because you’ll hike by a river and you may see historic dinosaur tracks, along with colors of yellow, orange, and red leaves on trees and the ground. Dinosaur Valley State Park is one of my favorites, and it’s not far from downtown Fort Worth.
| Park Entrance Fee: | $8 |
| About the Trail: | 4.1 miles/over an hour to complete. The trail is well-maintained, but due to its visibility, it may be hard to stay on it. It also gets muddy after it rains. |
| Points of Interest: | It will take 4.1 miles/over an hour to complete. The trail is well-maintained, but due to its visibility, it may be hard to stay on it. |
| Overnight Lodging: | Varies kinds of campsites available |
| Dog-Friendly: | Yes, leashed only |
We will add more hikes in Texas to see fall foliage soon!
Leave a Reply