The 12 Best National Parks And Sites In Texas

Endless adventures are ahead, from mountains to Spanish missions.

Texans are famous for their state pride, and it's easy to see why. Beyond the bustling cities and charming small towns, there's still so much to explore—and endless adventures. Within the expansive state lines, you'll find mountains, canyons, deserts, prairies, islands, hot springs, and storied rivers like the Rio Grande and Guadalupe. While Texas only has two national parks under its belt, there's also an impressive collection of national historical parks, national recreation areas, national monuments, and even a national seashore worth visiting.

Here are 12 noteworthy national parks and sites in Texas to put on your list.

Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Salt Flat, Texas

A West Texas treasure located on the northwestern end of the state near New Mexico, this park is home to the highest peak in Texas, Guadalupe Peak, which tops at over 8,500 feet elevation. Guadalupe Mountains National Park is known for its bright-white Salt Basin Dunes, wildlife-rich grassland, and fossilized mountains. For popular half-day hikes, popular jaunts include the Smith Spring Trail (around two miles round-trip), Devil’s Hall Trail (around 4 miles round-trip), or McKittrick Canyon Trail (between 5 and 7 miles round-trip). You're also able to horseback ride within the park.

The park is located about a two-hour drive from El Paso and around eight hours from both Austin and Dallas. You can also cross state lines into New Mexico to visit the Carlsbad Caverns, roughly 30 miles away.

nps.gov/gumo; 400 Pine Canyon, Salt Flat, TX 79847

Big Bend National Park

Big Bend National Park, Texas

With just over 800,000 acres, Big Bend contains the Chisos Mountains, 2 million acres of the Chihuahuan Desert, and nearly 200 miles of the Rio Grande. Located far out in West Texas on the southernmost edge of Texas near Mexico, it is the eighth-largest national park in the continental U.S., but it sees less than half a million annual visitors, making it one of the most sparsely touristed parks in the system. For easy access, book a stay in either Terlingua, which is located closest to popular Big Bend sight Santa Elena Canyon, or Marathon, which is located near the northern end of the park.

Big Bend National Park is over 400 miles away from Austin or San Antonio, as well as a three-hour drive from the nearest airport in Midland. For those making the trek, expect peace, quiet, and epic stargazing. It's been declared as having some of the darkest skies for gazing at the stars after a long day of exploring. Additionally, you can book various kayaking tours—choose from same-day or multiple days long—with a guide from Big Bend Boating and Hiking.

nps.gov/bibe; Panther Junction Visitor Center, 1 Panther Junction, Big Bend National Park, TX 79834

Plan Your Visit

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

San Antonio, Texas

A UNESCO World Heritage Site (and the only one in Texas), this storied site preserves four of the five Spanish frontier missions in San Antonio. The 475-acre park boundaries are exciting to explore via walking or biking along the city's established Mission Trail. Daily ranger programs occur at Mission San José.

nps.gov/saan; multiple locations; San Antonio, TX 78214

Plan Your Visit

Lake Meredith National Recreation Area

Fritch, Texas

You'll find this area within the dry plains of the Texas Panhandle, located about 30 miles north of Amarillo, Texas. Its main attraction is the 10,000-acre Lake Meredith, which is a reservoir. Visitors enjoy access to the lake either by private boat or by a rental from the park’s vendor.

nps.gov/lamr; 419 E Broadway St, Fritch, TX 79036

Padre Island National Seashore

Corpus Christi, Texas

Located on Padre Island—the barrier between the Gulf of Mexico and Laguna Madre Bay—this national park contains the longest stretch of undeveloped barrier island in the world. Its coastline runs over 60 miles long and shelters the rare Kemp’s Ridley sea turtle and more than 380 bird species.

nps.gov/pais; 20420 Park Road 22, Corpus Christi, TX 78418

Waco Mammoth National Monument

Waco, Texas

This monument sits within 108 acres of wooded parkland that contains fossil specimens that represent the nation’s first and only recorded evidence of a nursery herd of Ice Age Columbian mammoths. Explore the area to see where these animals roamed across what is present-day Texas thousands of years ago. To see the mammoth bones in the Dig Shelter, sign up for a tour at the welcome center.

nps.gov/waco; 6220 Steinbeck Bend Drive, Waco, TX 76708

Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park

Stonewall, Texas

Created in honor of 36th U.S. President, Lyndon B. Johnson, around his hometown of Johnson City in Texas Hill Country, this park is made up of a recreation area that sees wildflowers in spring, as well as Johnson's home, which is known as the "Texas White House." Visitors can tour the ranch at their own pace in their cars and stop at the President's birthplace and Johnson family cemetery as well.

nps.gov/lyjo; 199 State Park Road 52, Stonewall, TX 78671

Plan Your Visit

Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park

Brownsville, Texas

In early May 1846, United States and Mexican troops fought on the prairie of Palo Alto, and the battle marked the first clash in a two-year-long war. This historic spot near Brownsville preserves the site of a notable battle of the U.S.-Mexican War and was officially established in 1992. Start at the visitor center for an exhibit, artifacts, and a 15-minute video.

nps.gov/paal; 7200 Paredes Line Rd, Brownsville, TX 78526

Fort Davis National Historic Site

Fort Davis, Texas

For over 30 years from 1854 to 1891, Fort Davis in West Texas was a strategic post to protect emigrants, freight wagons, and mail coaches on the Trans-Pecos portion of the San Antonio-El Paso Road and on the Chihuahua Trail. Upon arrival, watch a 15-minute video on the history of the fort. Depending on the time of year, volunteers in period dress bring history alive through programs in the furnished buildings.

nps.gov/foda; 1504 State St, Fort Davis, TX 79734

Amistad National Recreation Area

Like an oasis in the desert near the Texas-Mexico border, this park includes the area around the Amistad Reservoir at the confluence of the Rio Grande, the Devils River, and the Pecos River. This Del Rio-area attraction is popular for water-based activities such as swimming and boating.

nps.gov/amis; 10477 Highway 90 West, Del Rio, TX 78840

Plan Your Visit

Big Thicket National Preserve

Kountze, Texas

This national preserve is unique in that it features much diversity of life due to being located where multiple habitats meet in southeast Texas. Explore hiking trails that venture through nine different ecosystems, from cypress-lined bayous to longleaf pine forests. Biking is allowed on some trails, and there are multiple boat launches for paddlers plus guided canoe programs.

nps.gov/bith; 6102 FM 420, Kountze, TX 77625

Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument

Fritch, Texas

Located in the Texas Panhandle, this monument memorializes an area where Native American peoples once derived Alibates flint for tools from the red bluffs of the High Plains. Hike to the quarries through a ranger-led guided tour and learn about this special type of flint. You'll also find petroglyphs near the Antelope Creek Village site.

nps.gov/alfl; 37084 Alibates Road, Fritch, TX 79036

For more Southern Living news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!

Read the original article on Southern Living.