Where to See Texas Fall Foliage

Where to see Texas fall foliage: Eight fabulous choices

I don’t know about you, but I love the explosion of color around me when summer turns to fall. The trees burst with pops of color of yellow, red, and orange when the Texas air begins to cool. I understand that Texas probably doesn’t top most people’s lists when it comes to seeing fall colors, but I am here to change your mind! There are great places throughout the Lone Star State to see Texas fall foliage, and this article will show you where! Get set; let’s see Texas fall foliage!

Related: 12 Best RV Campgrounds In East Texas

 

The Best Places To See Fall Foliage in Texas

Depending on the region, Texas is a vast state with diverse landscapes and climates. This means you can have a different experience in our state by driving just a few hours in any direction. That means Texas is great for road trips.

One of my favorite road trips in Texas is a fall foliage trip! So, grab your sweetie and some road trip snacks, and head out to see the fall foliage in Texas! (Follow this guide as not all parts of Texas have fall foliage.)

Related: North Texas State Parks To Visit

1. Lost Maples State Natural Area

San Antonio

Lost Maples State Park is one of Texas’s best areas to see fall foliage! As the name suggests, this area is home to loads of beautiful maple trees (one of the most colorful trees in the fall).

As the summer heat dies down and the crisp autumn season makes its way into Texas, the Maple trees at Lost Maples State Natural Area begin their transition. The leaves change from a vibrant green to beautiful shades of yellow, crimson red, and fiery orange.

Wandering through the hiking trails of Lost Maples State Natural Area allows you to surround yourself with the beautiful fall foliage of this state park.

Of course, if you want to make a weekend getaway out of visiting Lost Maples, you can also enjoy camping in the state park. Lost Maples State Natural Area is my favorite place to see fall colors in Texas!

2. Tyler State Park

East Texas

East Texas fall foliage is beautiful every year, and one of the best places to see the fall foliage in this area is Tyler State Park. Located about 11 miles north of the small town of Tyler, Texas, Tyler State Park is full of colorful dogwoods, red maple trees, and Texas red oak trees.

It is important to note that the Texas fall colors appear later in this area of Texas than in North Texas. While the fall season and fall colors generally appear from mid-October to mid-November, the stunning fall foliage at Tyler State Park typically peaks out in late November and early December.

Two of our favorite walks in Tyler State Park to visit during the Texas fall season are the Whispering Pines Trail and the Lakeshore Trail. These trails wind through the state park and are the perfect hiking and biking trails to see fall colors.

Like most other Texas state parks, there are numerous recreational activities to enjoy as well. Visitors can enjoy mountain biking, bird watching, fishing, hiking, camping, and more.

One of the highlights of the park is the 170-foot-long Schofield Covered Bridge. People flock to this bridge to take pictures surrounded by the gorgeous Texas fall foliage.

3. Garner State Park

South Texas

Garner State Park is another of the state parks in Texas that is perfect for viewing fall foliage. While Garner State Park is a popular state park for tubing in Texas (thanks to the fabulous Frio River), I would advise you also to plan a trip from late October to early November as this is the perfect time to find fall foliage.

In the Texas Hill Country, Garner State Park contains over 1,700 acres of land to explore. When the fall months roll in, the Texas fall colors show off in this park, thanks to the wide variety of trees. The trees here range from beautiful cypress trees to amazing persimmon trees.

In addition to having some of the best fall foliage, Garner State Park also boasts hiking trails and areas for swimming, kayaking, and canoeing.

Just be sure to make a reservation in advance at Garner State Park as it’s a popular destination year-round, but especially in the fall.

4. Guadalupe Mountains National Park

East of El Paso

Head to West Texas to find a tremendous national park in Texas, the Guadalupe Mountains National Park. The Guadalupe Mountains National Park is fabulous to visit any time of year, but if you want to see the Texas fall foliage, head to this area from late October to early November.

The gorgeous fall foliage looks fantastic with the mountains of Guadalupe Mountains National Park in the backdrop. The maple trees come alive and are a magnificent addition to your hike.

5. Guadalupe River State Park

Texas Hill Country

Another fabulous state park to visit to see the fall colors in Texas is Guadalupe River State Park. Hugging the Guadalupe River, the gorgeous cypress trees lining the river bank change colors at the first sign of cooler weather in Texas. This generally occurs in mid-October through mid-November, but some years peak fall foliage has also been found here in late November.

In addition to cypress trees, visitors will also find beautiful fall colors, thanks to this area’s sycamore, oak, and cottonwood trees.

During your visit, you can also enjoy all of the amenities the Guadalupe River State Park offers. These amenities include areas for fishing, swimming, kayaking, and canoeing. Of course, bird watching, mountain biking, and geocaching are popular activities to enjoy here.

6. Colorado Bend State Park

San Saba

Home to one of the best waterfalls in Texas, Gorman Falls, Colorado Bend State Park is a great place to visit any time of year. In the Texas Hill Country, Colorado Bend comes alive with Texas fall foliage in late October and early November.

We love the variety of landscapes available to explore at this state park. You can enjoy hiking through the rugged Texas terrain before heading down to Gorman Falls, where you feel you have been transported to Costa Rica.

Fall foliage in Texas shines at this state park, so consider planning a weekend camping trip to Colorado Bend. The state park offers primitive camping spots, including bathhouses for their guests.

7. Daingerfield State Park

East Texas

Daingerfield State Park, located in East Texas, mesmerizes visitors with Texas fall colors during the fall months. A visit here finds you surrounded by cypress trees, towering oak trees, and big, beautiful pine trees. This wide variety of trees means you can see fall foliage at its best. We are talking vibrant yellows, bright red, and incredible oranges that dot the countryside.

8. Fort Worth Botanic Garden

North Texas

If you find yourself in North Texas during the fall months, pay a visit to the Fort Worth Botanic Garden to enjoy fall foliage in the park. I love visiting the Japanese Garden inside the Fort Worth Botanic Garden this time of year. The Fort Worth Japanese Society hosts a yearly fall festival, and it is fabulous. Not only do you get to see the beautiful fall foliage inside the Japanese Garden, but they also have numerous special events and activities.

If there’s anywhere to see Texas fall foliage, it’s here at these places!

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