Visiting all the beautiful Texas Hill Country State Parks is a must!
Texas Hill Country State Parks are no stranger to tourism. With its scenic views, waterfalls, clear waters, and beautiful landscapes, it’s a hot spot for those looking to see Texas’ natural beauty. The Texas Hill Country itself offers outdoor attractions throughout the history of the land. State parks in the Hill Country of Texas are by far the most scenic parks we have. You’ll never want to leave!
Breathtaking Texas Hill Country State Parks
Have you heard the news? Texas State Parks turns 100 in 2023. Many Texas Hill Country parks have celebrated with events of all kinds. You can catch a few more events before the year’s end. Some parks offer free admission on certain days. There are 89 Texas state parks and 17 in the hill country.
Please Note: Entry to a park is free on the day it hosts an official 100-year celebration event (applies to day passes only), but you must reserve your spot online.
Also, according to Travel + Leisure, these state parks in the hill country listed here made the Top 16 Most Beautiful State Parks in Texas.
- Garner State Park
- Inks Lake
- Longhorn Cavern
- Lost Maples
- Pedernales Falls
- Enchanted Rock
- Colorado Bend
Beautiful Blanco State Park
Blanco State Park
Explore an array of interactive activities and information stations throughout the park. We will celebrate the historical, cultural, and natural heritage of Blanco State Park and the surrounding area.
Who would have thought something so beautiful would be tucked away in the small town of Blanco? This park is gorgeous. That’s not all – you can swim here too!
Colorado Bend State Park
A Day in the Life of a Cedar Chopper. The title is good enough for me! Take a tour of what tent life might have been like for the hard-working Cedar Choppers. Take time to enjoy some good Dutch oven recipes. YUM!
Devils Sinkhole State Natural Area
Devils Sinkhole. Surround yourself with hikes, bats, and stars. Take a hiking tour with a Master Naturalist, experience the incredible bat flight out of the sinkhole, and then have a stargazing party in some of the darkest night skies! It must be at night, but it doesn’t give the time.
Year 2023
Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
While Texas State Parks turn 100, Enchanted Rock State Natural Area turns 45 and wants you to spend both celebrations right here – outdoors!
Garner State Park
Second to Big Ben National Park, Garner State Park is the most beautiful state park in Texas, according to the popular magazine I mentioned above. I’ve heard this before, yet I’ve never been, but I have been to the Frio River, and man, oh man, that is a gorgeous place, so I can see why this state park is on that list.
Government Canyon State Natural Area
A great day at this state park with a geocache challenge, native plant talk, a hike to the dinosaur tracks, and our past, present & future. All activities start early and throughout the morning at this state park.
Guadalupe River State Park
Pollinators And Parks! Join the state park as it celebrates the Monarchs returning from Mexico. Monarchs, along with other pollinators, are an integral part of the amazing interactions in nature and symbolize the importance of increased awareness of our smallest creatures and their relationships, says the park.
Another FREE Day at this state park because it’s their birthday! Join in celebrating 100 years of Texas State Parks and Guadalupe River State Park’s 40th!
100 Years of Camping in Style! Camp and learn how RV and tent camping have changed over time.
Hill Country State Natural Area
Ranching Heritage Day at the state park. Experience the ranching life with exhibitors, making crafts, playing games, and viewing demonstrations.
Inks Lake State Park
A fun-filled and all-inclusive day at this state park with water recreation, fishing, interpretive programs, and archery. It will be modified for accessibility needs.
100-Year Boat-A-Thon. And another FREE day at the park. Bring your non-motorized watercraft (canoes, kayaks, paddleboards), or borrow one of theirs for a celebration at the lake.
Kickapoo Cavern State Park
Welcome to the Dark Side of State Parks at Kickapoo Cavern. Cavern tour, eclipse viewing, bat flight, and stargazing- experience darkness like never before.
Lake Brownwood State Park
Lake Brownwood Bash! Explore the state park and learn about the history, nature, and recreation of the park. Activities include archery, catch-and-release fishing, wildlife, and more!
Longhorn Cavern State Park
The natural cave of Texas is what it’s called. My son and I loved our visit to the cave, but I remember crouching over like a duck a few times going through the cave. Yes, you’ll have to too!
Lyndon B. Johnson State Park & Historic Site
Seed Stomp. Plant wildflower seeds for future generations! This state park is always free, and no reservations are needed.
Texas Hill Country has close ties to President Lyndon B. Johnson. Stonewall is his birthplace, and Johnson City is his home and final resting place. Take a self-guided tour of the LBJ Ranch, with views of the Pedernales River, LBJ’s birthplace, the one-room school he attended in 1912, the Johnson family cemetery where he is buried, and the Texas White House.
McKinney Falls State Park
McKinney Falls Fest is Celebrating 100 Years of Texas State Parks with a fun day full of guided hikes, guided fishing, live music, food trucks, activity booths, vendors, and more!
Old Tunnel State Park
Celebrate Bats, Trains, & Astronomy. Enjoy booths with activities related to bats, the railroad, and dark skies/astronomy.
Pedernales Falls State Park
Celebrate Under the Stars at Pedernales Falls State Park. Get excited about stargazing with constellations, deep sky objects, planets, and nighttime activities like a camping demo, a nocturnal wildlife table, and a sensory testing station. Night sky-friendly lighting will also be advertised and demonstrated. Oh, how I wished I lived nearby!
The 5,200-acre park has trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding, campsites, scenic views, waterfalls, and areas to swim or fish. Bring a picnic lunch on the limestone slab.
Regular day passes are $6 per person 13 and older. Be sure to make your reservations online – this is a popular park, and it can get filled up with visitors, especially on the weekends.
South Llano State Park
Junction, Texas, has something to boast about by having South Llano State Park. Visitors can swim, float, paddle, and fish in the river. Camp, hike or bike, geocache, spot turkeys and other wildlife, and marvel at the stars are more things to do.
Which Texas Hill Country State Parks have you been to? Check it all out at Texas State Parks Celebrate 100 Years. H-E-B is the sponsor!
Get to know these RV Parks in the Texas Hill Country, too!
PIN IT!
