Fall is a beautiful time of year in Texas because the late afternoon sun illuminates the state’s countryside like a postcard.
If you want to experience Texas in its most spectacular condition, the fall is the best time to go because the weather is cooler and you can spend more time outside.
The fall season in Texas is when nature-loving visitors and residents alike go to the state’s parks to see the changing colors.
Are you planning a trip to Texas to see the breathtaking fall colors? Start planning your trip with this list of the top sites in Texas to see the fall colors.
Fall in Texas: 10 Beautiful Places to Visit
In no particular order, here are some ideal destinations in Texas to enjoy a magnificent fall. Enjoy!
Daingerfield State Park
Daingerfield State Park is in Morris County, Texas, on the outskirts of the town of Daingerfield.
The park, which spans 507 acres, is home to pine trees, oaks, maples, and sassafras. Daingerfield State Park is especially beautiful in the fall because of the deciduous trees.
From October through mid-November, the Park transforms into a vibrant palette of burnt orange, bright yellow, and scarlet red.
Aside from the fall joys, the 80-acre Pine Lake in Daingerfield State Park is a great place to kayak, swim, or fish.
Hiking along the two easy routes, birding, picnicking, geocaching, and camping are among the land activities. On weekends, the park hosts jukebox, karaoke, or live music nights, as well as ranger programs for children.
When it comes to fall colors in Texas, Daingerfield State Park is the crown gem, offering breathtaking views. On the route, you can also stop by the Los Pinos Ranch Vineyard.
Lost Maples State Natural Area
The Lost Maples State Park, located on the Sabinal River’s banks, is one of the most attractive state parks near San Antonio, Texas. The Natural Area protects a specific species of Bigtooth maple, whose fall color is pure eye candy, making it one of the top spots in Texas to see the fall foliage.
Aside from the fall foliage, it’s a fantastic time to enjoy the Lost Maples State Natural Area’s outdoor recreational activities, which include hiking, mountain climbing, fishing, camping, birdwatching, and stargazing.
The greatest time to visit the Lost Maples State Natural Area to see the fall colors is from late October to mid-November.
The Lost Maples State Natural Area’s hiking routes lead visitors through steep valleys and meadows filled by wild cats, pigs, and foxes. Keep an eye out for the administrators’ annual fall foliage report to find out how the season is going.
Tyler State Park
Tyler State Park is located 11 miles north of Tyler and is centered on a lake with 100-foot-tall trees. The fall season in Texas lasts from October through November, but the foliage in this park lasts a little longer, from late November to early December.
Colorful maples, oaks, dogwoods, and sweetgums can be seen in Tyler State Park.
The park, notably the Lakeshore route and Whispering Pines trail, are two of the best spots in Texas to see fall foliage, with blazing red and orange tones.
Boating, fishing, birdwatching, mountain biking, hiking, lake swimming, picnics, and camping are all available at Tyler State Park.
Tyler State Park has camping and cabins available for a day trip or a weekend stay. The park also contains the Schofield Covered Bridge, which is accessible via a short hike. The bridge is stunning, especially when viewed against the backdrop of autumn’s vibrant colors.
Garner State Park
Garner State Park is located in Concan, Texas, about a 2-hour drive from San Antonio, making it an excellent day excursion. The plethora of cypress, junipers, oaks, mesquite, and persimmon trees erupt in warm fall hues in autumn, putting on a brilliant show for the tourists on the approximately 1700 acres of the stunning landscape. As a result, it is the best site in Texas to see the fall leaves.
The Frio River, which is regarded as one of the most translucent and pristine water bodies in the United States, is another feature in Garner State Park. During the fall, the Frio River reflects the bronze color of the cypress trees that line its banks.
Before heading to the pavilion for the jukebox dance, you can go swimming, canoeing, kayaking, or trekking through the fall scenery.
During the fall, Garner State Park is extremely busy, with a daily visitor limit. As a result, buying tickets ahead of time is strongly advised.
Guadalupe River State Park
Guadalupe River State Park is located in the center of a 9-mile length of the Guadalupe River frontage and is the most popular place to see fall in Texas.
Cottonwood trees, sycamore trees, oak trees, and cypress trees all change color nicely in the fall at this state park. As the fall months approach, the trees at Guadalupe River State Park begin to display some of the nicest fall colors in Texas.
Guadalupe River State Park includes 13 miles of hiking paths where tourists may view the fall foliage hues against the turquoise water of the Guadalupe River.
Trails in the Bauer Unit of the Park lead to the Bauer House, which was built in 1878 and still boasts a running windmill and a well.
Fishing, swimming, canoeing, and tubing are all available at the park’s riverfront areas.
Parts of the river are so shallow that they resemble a pebble beach, where children can play unsupervised.
Picnicking, camping, birdwatching, mountain biking, geocaching, and horseback riding are some of the other leisure activities available.
Colorado Bend State Park
Colorado Bend State Park, 2 hours northwest of Austin, is a hiker’s paradise and a terrific day excursion from the city. Water fans will like the park as well, as it is home to one of Texas’ largest waterfalls, Gorman Falls, as well as the Colorado River.
You can hike miles of trails, rent a kayak and paddle the Colorado River, fish or swim, camp alongside the river, or simply find a shady area to observe the magnificent fall colors in Texas. However, there’s more to the park in the fall than meets the eye.
The topography of Colorado Bend State Park is diverse, including steep canyons, underground caverns, and travertine formations.
Apart from treks and aquatic activities, you may also take a wild cave tour and relax in the tranquil waters of Spicewood Springs.
The 70-foot towering, spring-fed Gormon Falls, however, will always be the most breathtaking sight at this state park near Austin. Visiting the falls during the fall foliage season in Texas adds a new dimension to the experience.
Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
The Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, 18 miles north of Fredericksburg, is home to a large granite dome encircled by paths that provide spectacular views of the fall colors.
In October, the oak, forest, and mesquite trees that surround the dome turn a gorgeous red, orange, and yellow color. The golden hour brings these bright colors to life.
People visit this gem in the Texas Hill Country all year to go hiking, but they don’t aware that it also has some of Texas’ outstanding fall colors.
Caving, hiking, camping, rock climbing, geocaching, stargazing, and picnics are just a few of the activities available at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area.
One of the best sites to watch the sunset is on the Summit Trail, which offers a panoramic view of the surrounding fall foliage colors.
After hiking the Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, drive down to Luckenbach, where people play the guitar and you may relax in the shade of the colorful fall trees while listening to country music and hearing local stories.
Pedernales Falls State Park
Pedernales Falls State Park, located 20 minutes east of Johnson City and an hour from Austin, is a haven for visitors looking to experience the fall foliage in Texas.
The terrain of this state park is enhanced by rocky slopes, distinctive limestone formations, and picturesque canyons, which provide a stunning backdrop to the fall leaf hues of cedar elms and other trees.
The Pedernales River meanders through Pedernales Falls State Park for about 8 miles, providing an abundance of hiking routes along the water’s edge.
The hiking paths range in difficulty from basic to difficult, with the Twin Falls Nature Trail and Wolf Mountain Trail being the greatest places to see fall in Texas. Separate equestrian trails are also available.
You can have a relaxing picnic by the river in the shade of the cypress trees or engage in adventurous activities such as kayaking, mountain biking, bird watching, fishing, swimming, tubing, and geocaching.
Austin and Surrounding Area
While Austin may not be the first place that comes to mind when thinking of fall foliage in Texas, the city is ablaze with autumn hues. The state capital of Texas has a spectacular display of fall foliage.
During the fall months, Austin’s trails and parks become a whirlwind of colorful explosions of orange, red, and yellow.
In Austin’s city parks, such as Mayfield Park, St. Edward’s Park, Redbud Isle, Zilker Botanical Gardens, Lady Bird Lake, and others, look for fall foliage.
In addition to visiting these parks and taking in the magnificent fall colors, Austin offers a variety of other fall activities, such as pumpkin picking, shopping for Halloween costumes, and taking long walks along the beautiful walkways.
Fall in Texas also means the Dios de Los Muertos Festival in Austin, where you can enjoy local arts, live music, and costume contests.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Guadalupe Mountains National Park is located east of El Paso, Texas, in the Guadalupe Mountain Range.
It’s a 45-minute journey from Carlsbad, making it a one-of-a-kind Texas road adventure. In the fall, the park’s Bigtooth maples, pines, mesquites, junipers, and firs display magnificent leaf color changes.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park may not be the first spot that comes to mind when looking for the best fall colors in Texas, but it has a lot to offer.
By watching the instructive video inside the visitor’s center, you can learn about the history of the Guadalupe Mountains National Park.
This Texas national park is home to four of the state’s tallest peaks, one of which is named Guadalupe Peak.
The McKittrick Canyon route is the most popular during the fall season, with approximately 86 miles of trails.
You can spend some time before returning on the trail, which leads to a 100-year-old Pratt cabin. The park also offers birdwatching, astronomy, and wildlife viewing in addition to hiking.
Final Thoughts
Fall in Texas can be a lot of fun if you know where to look. Late October to early December is the greatest time to see the sights named above in all of their beauty.
Keep your camera with you at all times and dress in layers because the weather might change dramatically during the autumn season.
