23 gorgeous state parks within driving distance of San Antonio

McKinney Falls State Park
5808 McKinney Falls Pkwy., Austin, (512) 243-1643, tpwd.texas.gov
Located at the confluence of Onion Creek and Williamson Creek, this Austin spot is truly an escape from city life without being out in the sticks. The park offers a variety of activities, including camping, hiking, mountain biking, road biking, bouldering and geocaching, plus swimming and fishing at Onion Creek.

Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
16710 Ranch Road 965, Fredericksburg, (830) 685-3636, tpwd.texas.gov
Climbing the pink granite dome of Enchanted Rock is a local right of passage for local outdoors enthusiasts. Beyond its namesake, this park also offers camping, hiking, rock climbing and amazing stargazing views.

Colorado Bend State Park
2236 Park Hill Dr., Bend, (325) 628-3240, tpwd.texas.gov
Located about three or four hours northwest of Austin, Colorado Bend gives visitors access to “unspoiled wilderness” that is worth setting aside a weekend to explore. The main attraction here is Gorman Falls, a 70-foot spring-fed waterfall that is accessible via a three-mile round trip hike that includes rocky terrain.

Dinosaur Valley State Park
1629 Park Road 59, Glen Rose, (254) 897-4588, tpwd.texas.gov
Dinosaur Valley State Park more than lives up to its name. Visitors can check out the footprints of dinosaurs who left their tracks in the bed of the Paluxy River and participate in a variety of ranger programs from informative sessions on the local dino tracks to guided hikes. Aside from that, there’s also biking, camping and horseback riding.

Brazos Bend State Park
21901 FM 762 Road, Needville, (979) 553-5101, tpwd.texas.gov
South of Houston is Brazos Bend, which prides itself in offering a “wild” experience. A pair of binoculars and a camera are a must for those wanting to enjoy the park's abundant wildlife and beautiful landscapes. Visitors are also welcome to hike, bike, fish and ride horses. With the “wild” experience in mind, make sure to read their alligator safety tips before heading out to explore.

Caddo Lake State Park
245 Park Road 2, Karnack, (903) 679-3351, tpwd.texas.gov
Located in the East Texas piney woods, Caddo Lake is all about wildlife and its namesake lake. Camp, fish, paddle, hike and go boating here — whatever you may wish. All activities aside, the serene beauty of Caddo Lake is reason enough to travel to this park.

Mustang Island State Park
9394 TX-361, Corpus Christi, (361) 749-5246, tpwd.texas.gov
Located near Corpus Christi, Mustang Island has five miles of coastline to explore. Beachgoers can spend time swimming, surfing, kayaking and having seaside fun like building sandcastles. Further inland there’s space to camp, hike and more.

Guadalupe River State Park
3350 Park Road 31, Spring Branch, (830) 438-2656, tpwd.texas.gov
Located just north of San Antonio, Guadalupe River State Park is perfect for an outdoorsy day trip. Certain sections of the park's 13 miles of trails even allow horseback riding! Experienced hikers seeking rougher terrain can also try the lesser-traveled Bauer Unit.

Palmetto State Park
78 Park Road 11 South, Gonzales, (830) 672-3266, tpwd.texas.gov
Just an hour away is the oasis of Palmetto State Park, named after the dwarf palmettos that grow in abundance here. With multiple water sources, including the San Marcos River, the park is home to a variety of animals and plants. In addition to hiking, visitors can also go swimming and tubing, or explore the park by canoe.

Pedernales Falls State Park
2585 Park Road 6026, Johnson City, (830) 868-7304. tpwd.texas.gov
Not too far from Johnson City are the tranquil, though sometimes turbulent, waters at Pedernales Falls. This park should be visited by folks who thrive in natural scenery as it offers camping, hiking, biking, bird-watching and horseback riding, as well as a butterfly garden. Certain areas are available to swim in, but there’s also chances for tubing, canoeing and kayaking down the river.

Hill Country State Natural Area
10600 Bandera Creek Road, Bandera, (830) 796-4413, tpwd.texas.gov
Hill Country State Natural Area's rugged terrain is perfect for those looking to rough it. It offers primitive camping — as in without plumbing — as well as horseback trails. The 5,000-acre area has beautiful landscape, including grasslands, canyons and seasonal springs.

Blanco State Park
101 Park Road 23, Blanco, tpwd.texas.gov
Sitting along a mile of the Blanco River, this park offers camping, picnicking, nature trails and even a wildlife viewing station. Guests can enjoy all that the spring-fed Blanco River can provide, from swimming and paddling to fishing for largemouth bass, catfish, sunfish and rainbow trout.

Choke Canyon State Park
700 Texas 72, Three Rivers, (361) 786-3868, tpwd.texas.gov
The Choke Canyon Reservoir is the big attraction here, since it offers first-class fishing with plenty of largemouth bass and catfish available to catch — either from the shore or a boat. For birdwatchers, the park also known as a stopover for migrating flocks. Looking for something more active? Visitors can swim, camp and hike here as well.

Lost Maples State Natural Area
37221 F.M. 187, Vanderpool, (830) 966-3413, tpwd.texas.gov
The two-hour drive to Lost Maples is totally worth it. The park features more than 10 miles of trails, including one loop that offers a breathtaking view from the top of a 2,200-foot cliff. The park is worth a visit at all times of year, but Lost Maples is especially renowned for its Uvalde bigtooth maples, which burst into vibrant colors in the fall.

South Llano River State Park
1927 Park Road 73, Junction, (325) 446-3994, tpwd.texas.gov
Visitors to South Llano State Park can take their pick between swimming, floating the river, paddling and fishing — or stay dry by camping, hiking or biking. Astronomy-lovers should reserve time for some stargazing, as SLRSP is an International Dark Sky Park.

Bastrop State Park
100 Park Road 1A, Bastrop, (512) 321-2101, tpwd.texas.gov
West of Austin, Bastrop State Park is a great spot to take the family. Camping, picnicking, biking and hiking — it’s all here. And there's plenty of wildlife to check out as well. In recent years, the park has faced forest fires and floods, and now the trees and wildlife are in a state of rebirth and renewal that is worth the trip to admire.

Garner State Park
234 R.R. 1050, Concan, (830) 232-6132, tpwd.texas.gov
Around two hours west of San Antonio, Garner State Park lies in the small burg of Concan. Part of the beauty of Garner is its distance from large cities. Campers can relish in the lessened light pollution, perfect for stargazing. Stay into the evenings and join fellow campers for a summer jukebox dance by the park’s concession building.

Goose Island State Park
202 S. Palmetto St., Rockport, (361) 729-2858, tpwd.texas.gov
Goose Island State Park is a great choice for nature lovers who want to hit up the coast. Fishing enthusiasts in particular can enjoy the 1,620-foot-long pier.

Martin Dies, Jr. State Park
634 Park Road 48 South, Jasper, (409) 384-5231, tpwd.texas.gov
This 705-acre recreation area is complete with nature spots where visitors can get lost in 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.

Inks Lake State Park
3630 Park Road 4 West, Burnet, (512) 793-2223, tpwd.texas.gov
North of Austin, Inks Lake is a prime spot to appreciate nature. With a variety of trees and plants — cedar, live oak, prickly pear cacti and yucca — the landscape is absolutely gorgeous. Park-goers can enjoy camping, backpacking, picnicking and hiking. Just make it a point to swing by the Devil’s Waterhole for some scenic waterfall views.