PARKS WITH HEAVENLY HIKES There’s nothing better than a brisk walk through the trees or in the mountains — or anywhere outdoors, really. It’s just you and nature (and plenty of drinking water). My favorite hike has to be climbing to that iconic rock formation at the end of the Lighthouse Trail at Palo Duro Canyon. But that’s only one of many memorable state park hikes. By Dale Blasingame
� PHOTO BY CHASE FOUNTAIN / TPWD PHOTO BY CHASE FOUNTAIN PHOTOBY CHASE TPWD /
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PARKS WITH HEAVENLY HIKES Map and directions
The Upper Canyon Trail is one of my P.O. Box 204 favorites, but be ready for people asking for Quitaque, TX 79255 guidance because of the rugged terrain. Stop at Fern Cave on the way up for a breather Latitude: 34.439742 before the final steep ascent. Longitude: -101.051622
Online reservations
(830) 232-6132
Entrance Fees Adult Day Use: $4 Daily Child 12 and Under: Free
Visit park website Read more about this park PHOTO BY TPWD
Online reservations 628-3240 (325) FeesEntrance website park Visit Map and directions 118 Box P.O. 76824 TX Bend, 31.022965 Latitude: -98.442401 Longitude: Adult Day Use:Adult $5 Daily Child 12 and Under: Free
PARKS WITH HEAVENLY HIKES HEAVENLY WITH PARKS
COLORADO BEND STATE PARK STATE BEND COLORADO waterfalls and pools. a Hill Country gem, taking hikers along waterfall. The Spicewood Springs Trail iswaterfall. The Spicewood Springs Trail drop-off right before the 60-foot travertine (1.1 miles), but it’s challenging, with a steep The rocky hike to Gorman Falls isn’t long PHOTO © DIANA OST
Longitude: -98.819844 Longitude: Online reservations 685-3636 (830) FeesEntrance website park Visit Map and directions 965 Ranch Rd. 16710 TX Fredericksburg, 78624 Latitude: 30.505381 Latitude: Adult Day Use:Adult $7 Daily Child 12 and Under: Free
PARKS WITH HEAVENLY HIKES HEAVENLY WITH PARKS
ENCHANTED ROCK STATE NATURAL AREA NATURAL STATE ROCK ENCHANTED famed pink granite dome. different, picturesque perspectives of the the steep ascent. Seven other trails offer long, but it’s a lung-pumper because of Trail to Enchanted Rock is less than a mile The quintessential Texas trek up the Summit PHOTO BY CHASE FOUNTAIN / TPWD
Online reservations 566-6441 (915) FeesEntrance website park Visit Map and directions CanyonRd McKelligon 1331 El Paso, TX 79930 TX El Paso, 31.842388 Latitude: -106.486444 Longitude: Adult Day Use:Adult $5 Daily Child 12 and Under: Free
PARKS WITH HEAVENLY HIKES HEAVENLY WITH PARKS
FRANKLIN MOUNTAINS STATE PARK STATE MOUNTAINS FRANKLIN Read more about Read morethis park about Chihuahuan Desert. with spectacular views of El Paso and the a ridgeline of the Franklins, a difficult hike city limits. Try the Ron Coleman Trail along can be found at this park within El Paso’s One hundred miles of rugged desert trails PHOTO © ERIC W POHL
Online reservations 232-6132 (830) FeesEntrance website park Visit Map and directions RR 1050 234 78838 TX Concan, 29.590745 Latitude: -99.739754 Longitude: Adult Day Use:Adult $7 Daily Child 12 and Under: Free
PARKS WITH HEAVENLY HIKES HEAVENLY WITH PARKS
GARNER STATE PARK STATE GARNER descend. climb; jump in the chilly water after you view of the Frio River is worth the steep Baldy Trail and the Crystal Cave Trail. The two of Texas’ most popular hikes – the Oldtwo of Texas’ most popular hikes – the One of Texas’ most popular parks contains PHOTO © KATHY ADAMS CLARK
Huntsville, TX 77342 TX Huntsville, Online reservations 295-5644 (936) FeesEntrance website park Visit Map and directions 508 Box P.O. Latitude: 30.628404 Latitude: Longitude: -95.525921 Longitude: Adult Day Use:Adult $5 Daily Child 12 and Under: Free
PARKS WITH HEAVENLY HIKES HEAVENLY WITH PARKS
HUNTSVILLE STATE PARK STATE HUNTSVILLE
dogs on leashes and mountain bikers. the water. Hikers share the hilly trail with lake, offering occasional spectacular views oflake, offering occasional spectacular views East Texas pines shade the trails around theEast Texas pines shade the trails around A short drive north of Houston, towering PHOTO © ROLF NUSSBAUMER / ROLFNP.COM
Vanderpool, TX 78885 TX Vanderpool, Child 12 and Under: Free Online reservations 966-3413 (830) FeesEntrance website park Visit Map and directions 187 F.M. 37221 29.826021 Latitude: -99.586952 Longitude: Adult Day Use:Adult $6 Daily
PARKS WITH HEAVENLY HIKES HEAVENLY WITH PARKS
LOST MAPLES STATE NATURAL AREA NATURAL STATE MAPLES LOST
Watch out on the steep hike down. look like spilled red and orange cotton balls. on the East Trail. From there, the treetops Country’s fall foliage than from atop the cliffCountry’s fall foliage than from atop the There’s no better place to marvel at the HillThere’s no better place to marvel at the PHOTO © AARON BATES PHOTOGRAPHY
Online reservations 292-4464 (432) FeesEntrance website park Visit Map and directions 820 Box P.O. 78837 TX Comstock, 29.7001 Latitude: -101.313058 Longitude: Adult Day Use:Adult $3 Daily Child 12 and Under: Free
PARKS WITH HEAVENLY HIKES HEAVENLY WITH PARKS
SEMINOLE CANYON STATE PARK & SHS & PARK STATE CANYON SEMINOLE out to ancient rock art sites. Grande; frequent guided hiking tours take youGrande; frequent guided hiking tours take stunning views of the canyon and the Rio and guided hiking. Miles of trails offer Seminole Canyon offers fantastic independent Halfway between San Antonio and Big Bend, PHOTO BY CHASE FOUNTAIN / TPWD
Child 12 and Under: Free Online reservations 597-5338 (903) FeesEntrance website park Visit Map and directions 16 Road Park 789 Tyler, TX 75706 TX Tyler, 32.482180 Latitude: -95.283396 Longitude: Adult Day Use:Adult $6 Daily
PARKS WITH HEAVENLY HIKES HEAVENLY WITH PARKS
TYLER STATE PARK STATE TYLER
trees, beautiful bridges and (small) waterfalls. trip, but you get a taste of everything — pinetrip, but you get a taste of everything — Pines Nature Trail. It’s only .67 miles round- trail in Texas, I’d nominate Tyler’s Whispering If asked for the least challenging yet prettiest WANT MORE STATE PARKS? DOWNLOAD OUR APP!
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