Texas doesn’t have a reputation for colorful fall foliage, but that doesn’t mean you need to fly out of state to see autumnal hues.

Many Texas parks, including some near San Antonio, put on a fall show each year. Whether you want to make a short jaunt to the Hill Country or have a more distant location in mind, these Texas parks are all worthy destinations for an autumnal road trip.

Garner State Park 234 RR 1050, Concan, (830) 232-6132, tpwd.texas.gov Garner is popular during summer for a reason — have you ever floated the Frio River? Even beyond summer, Garner is a must-see during fall. The foliage here actually changes, and with cooler fall weather and the silhouette of limestone mountain, Old Baldy, overlooking the park, it’s easy to forget you’re still in Texas! Credit: Shutterstock / Richard A McMillin
Pedernales Falls State Park 2585 Park Road 6026, Johnson City, (830) 868-7304, tpwd.texas.gov Right in the heart of Central Texas, Pedernales Falls offers plenty of ways to experience the beauty of nature — especially in the fall. In addition to camping, picnicking, geocaching, bird-watching and riding horses, there’s also plenty of fun to be had hiking the park’s trails. Credit: Shutterstock / Silvio Ligutti
Lost Maples State Natural Area 37221 FM 187, Vanderpool, (830) 966-3413, tpwd.texas.gov If you’re a sucker for fall foliage, Lost Maples is a must-visit — especially if you don’t want to go too far from home. True to its name, this park is filled with bigtooth maples that flash their reddish orange leaves every fall. This natural area is perfect for hiking, so grab your camera and let the views here take your breath away. Credit: Shutterstock / Silvio Ligutti
Martin Dies, Jr. State Park 634 Park Road 4a8 South, Jasper, (409) 384-5231, tpwd.texas.gov This 705-acre recreation area is complete with nature spots where you can simply get lost in all the beauty of the park. The park offers a number of campsite options including a cozy cabin, making it a great spot for telling scary late-night campfire stories surrounded by lush towering trees. Credit: Shutterstock / Silvio Ligutti
Credit: Shutterstock / Richard A McMillin
Big Bend National Park Big Bend National Park, (432) 477-2251, nps.gov You can’t list gorgeous places to visit in Texas and leave out Big Bend National Park, which is one of the state’s most beautiful parks at all times of year. Those seeking fall splendor should hike out to Cattail Falls at this time of year. Credit: Shutterstock / Paul A Smith
Lake Mineral Wells State Park & Trailway 100 Park Road 71, Mineral Wells, (940) 328-1171, tpwd.texas.gov Did you know that Lake Mineral Wells is the only state park in Texas that protects part of the Western Cross Timbers and Mineral Wells Trailway? Well, now you do. The park is also complete with an area for rock climbing, so you can reach new heights and take in the amazing scenery here. Credit: Shutterstock / Daniel Koglin
Credit: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Daingerfield State Park 455 Park Road 17, Daingerfield, (903) 645-2921, tpwd.texas.gov You’ll be up for quite a road trip if you head out to Daingerfield. This state park is located southwest of Texarkana, which is quite a drive, but provides top-notch views. With a range of fall colors found in the foliage, you’ll be enamored by the scenery here. Credit: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Credit: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Credit: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Credit: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Dinosaur Valley State Park 1629 Park Road 59, Glen Rose, (254) 897-4588, tpwd.texas.gov Even on top of having a cool name, Dinosaur Valley State Park has a lot to offer. Aside from being able to catch some spectacular fall colors, visitors can check out the footprints of dinosaurs who left their tracks in the bed of the Paluxy River! Aside from that, there’s also hiking, biking, camping, and horse-riding. Credit: Shutterstock / Stanley Ford
Tyler State Park 789 Park Road 16, Tyler, (903) 597-5338, tpwd.texas.gov There may be a lot of things to do within this state park, but the scenery alone is reason enough to make the trip up north. A 64-acre spring-fed lake, 100-foot-tall trees and historic structures can all be found here, and you’ll have a blast roaming around and taking it all in. Credit: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
McKinney Falls State Park 5808 McKinney Falls Pkwy, Austin, (512) 243-1643, tpwd.texas.gov McKinney Falls is a short drive north, located within Austin’s city limits at the confluence of Onion Creek and Williamson Creek. This spot is truly an escape from city life without being out in the sticks. There’s a hard-surface trail that’s perfect for wheels, or you can opt for a traditional, rugged hike. Though you likely won’t want to go for a swim, the beauty of the waterfalls are worth checking out, too. Credit: Shutterstock / Kushal Bose
Lake Bob Sandlin State Park 341 State Park Road 2117, Pittsburg, (903) 572-5531, tpwd.texas.gov Within this park, where two ecoregions meet, you’ll be amazed by lots of different natural wonders. From massive trees and tall grasses to a variety of plants and animals, there’s a lot to take in here. You can find a variety of trees here that provide lush fall color, including oak, hickory, pine, dogwood, redbud and maple. Credit: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Guadalupe Mountains National Park 400 Pine Canyon, Salt Flat, (915) 828-3251, nps.gov Go almost as far as New Mexico and you’ll find yourself in this national park where lots of adventures await you. Consider it a bucket list item at any point of the year, but especially in the fall. The change in leaf colors will definitely be worth the trip. If you’re looking for something extra to really make your trip worthwhile, be sure to hit up the sand dunes. Credit: Shutterstock / G B Hart
Credit: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Enchanted Rock State Natural Area 16710 Ranch Road 965, Fredericksburg, (830) 685-3636, tpwd.texas.gov If you can’t go far from home, Enchanted Rock is a more than sufficient option for appreciating the beauty of Texas’ natural wonders. While the giant pink rock is usually the draw here, fall provides an extra bit of scenery here as much of the foliage changes colors. All in all, you’re in for a gorgeous landscape at Enchanted Rock. Credit: Photo via Instagram / marcusc_photo
Palo Duro Canyon State Park 11450 State Hwy Park Rd 5, Canyon, tpwd.texas.gov Need an excuse to go on a road trip? Let Palo Duro be reason enough for you. Located in the Panhandle, this state park is home to the second-largest canyon in the U.S. The canyon’s cottonwood trees turn yellow in the fall, competing in brilliance with the reddish rock of the canyon. Credit: Earl Nottingham
Ray Roberts Lake State Park 100 P W 4137, Pilot Point, (940) 686-2148, tpwd.texas.gov Surrounding this impressive lake are wooded equestrian and hiking trails. Sunsets are always breathtaking in Texas, but nothing beats the mesmerizing effect of watching a sunset over a lake, surrounded by several species of trees that close the fall season with a colorful bang. Credit: Photo via Instagram / kimdewolff
Davis Mountains State Park TX-118, Fort Davis, (432) 426-3337, tpwd.texas.gov Nestled over 2,709 acres, this state park offers a different type of view. Just as unbeatable as the fall sunset is the fall night sky. Up in the mountains you’ll be able to isolate yourself from the unnatural lights out in the world and take in the night sky. If you aren’t a night owl, equally impressive are this park’s yellow-leaved cottonwood trees. Credit: Photo via Instagram / wanderbekah
Caprock Canyons 850 Caprock Canyon Park Road, Quitaque, (806) 455-1492, tpwd.texas.gov Venture up to the Panhandle and you’ll be able to explore Caprock Canyons — where there’s miles and miles of open land. You won’t run out of things to do here, as you can camp and watch bison roam free. Yes, really. There are still splashes of fall color across this open landscape, though, thanks to the local population of cottonwood trees. Credit: Photo via Instagram / texanflower
Credit: Photo via Instagram / texas_through_my_lens
Blanco State Park 101 Park Rd 23, Blanco, (830) 833-4333, tpwd.texas.gov A wildlife viewing station — which is exactly what it sounds like — can be found at this Central Texas park, along with cedar and pecan trees along the hills. If that sounds picturesque, that’s because it is. Bring a camera to take lots of photographs of this beautiful space. Credit: Photo via Instagram / wilddancerphotos

Additional Slideshows