23 National Parks in TEXAS (Exciting, Fun, & Inspiring)

National Parks are some of the most beautiful places on the planet, with views that will take your breath away.

You can see extremely rare plants and animals as well as natural wonders that you wouldn’t otherwise have the chance to see.

However, National Parks can also be a ton of fun, and depending on where you go, there are several activities you can engage in.

You can engage in activities like boating, canoeing, bird-watching, camping, lodging, swimming caving, and sandboarding with little environmental effects.

Read more to find out what National Parks you should add to your bucket list!

And by the way, you may also want to check out the best State Parks in Texas.

National Parks in Austin, Texas

1. Zilker Metropolitan Park (Recreation Oasis)

Zilker Metropolitan Park is known as “Austin’s most-loved space.”

The Park is home to different recreational options, amenities, and special events for the enjoyment of your family and friends.

Picnic areas, concession stands, historical markers, cross-country courses, lawns, and sports fields are among the park’s numerous public features.

You can easily spend your day at the park with several activities available, including swimming, paddling, and fossil-digging at the Austin Nature and Science Center’s Dino Pit.

Zilker Park also holds significant events every year because of its amenities and spacious areas.

The best example of this is the Austin City Limits Music Festival, which is held in the Park over two weekends each fall.

If you are planning a family vacation down south, make sure to visit the Park to enjoy the music event.

Address: 2100 Barton Springs Rd. Austin, TX 78704

2. Lady Bird Lake Hike-and-Bike Trail (Scenic Exercise)

Do you like cycling and running?

Then you should probably add the Lady Bird Lake Hike and Bike Trail to your list of places to visit.

This National Park will satisfy your craving if you enjoy taking cautious rides or strolls.

You will be compelled to move in order to connect with nature as a result of the numerous paths on the Hike and Bike Trail.

The low grade, simplicity of access, safety features, and facilities of this trail make it ideal for you and your family to spend days together there.

While taking in stunning lakeside views of the city’s downtown, if you really want to feel linked to the community, a stroll around Lady Bird Lake will allow you to soak up Austin’s positive energy.

If you are just trying to clear your brain or work on some athletic goals, the trail is a great place for the body and brain!

Address: 2 Robert T Martinez Jr St, Austin, TX 78702

3. River Place Nature Trail (Challenging Hikes)

Are you searching for a challenging workout when hiking in Austin?

Your best option right now may be the stunning River Place Nature Trail.

You may get a rare sight of the golf course during some of the hikes, whose trailhead is surrounded by beautiful homes and the River Place Country Club.

Hiking along the River Place Nature Trail lives up to expectations, and be prepared for your thighs to burn when you’re done!

You will, without a doubt, accept that this trail is among the most beautiful ones in Austin after experiencing it.

Regularly, the stairs on the River Place Nature Trail involve a rise and a descent; for instance, you might ascend 30 steps before quickly descending 20 steps.

You should be aware that there is a $10 hike charge per person on Saturdays and Sundays during “peak usage hours” if you decide to go.

Address: 14050 Summit Dr., Suite 103 Austin TX 78728

Also see our article on Trampoline Parks in Texas.

National Parks in El Paso, Texas

1. Chamizal National Memorial (Cultural Celebration)

Chamizal National Memorial has all of these and more, from an art gallery to a theater all the way up to an amphitheater!

Countless opportunities to comprehend not only other civilizations but also their own cultural origins are offered by the Park!

The celebration of frontier cultures aims to advance the regard for one another that played a part in the peaceful rectification of the global conflict.

You can view the original markers that marked the border between the two nations on the north side of the tourist center and parking lot.

The visitors center and galleries in the park open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; the park grounds open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and the administration office opens from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Entry and parking at the site are free!

Address: 800 S San Marcial St, El Paso, TX 79905

2. El Paso Municipal Rose Garden (Breathtaking Roses)

The El Paso Municipal Rose Garden has a clear layout, is multi-leveled, is surrounded by fencing, Cyprus trees, and shrubbery, and it has waterfalls and root canopies as well.

This particular setting gives the impression that El Paso is on another planet, as it is perfect for getting away from the congestion of the city or taking ideal pictures of significant events.

You will see more than 500 different types of roses, as well as more than 2,000 rose bushes, if you choose to tour this lovely garden.

The amazing authenticity, quietness, and gorgeous roses are some of the many public attractions in this garden.

According to the city, more than 1,000 rose bushes representing more than 400 distinct rose varieties can be found in the four-acre garden.

The outdoor facility also has benches, a Koi fishpond, walking pathways, and roses, according to the Park and Recreation Department.

Entry to the garden is free!

Address: 3418 Aurora Ave, El Paso, TX 79930

3. Keystone Heritage Park and Botanical Gardens (Botanical Delight)

One of the best ways to pass your day is to have a carefree and wonderful time in a botanical garden.

Facilities in the Park include a beautiful desert botanical garden, wetlands, a tiny historic site, and so on!

The local fauna and flora in the garden are genuinely unique, as there is a wide variety of plants grown in the botanical gardens and there are many moving birds in the area.

Keystone Heritage Park is maintained and developed by a voluntary board of directors, is city-owned, and was established by the Corps of Engineers in the late 1970s while building flood control dams.

The many amenities in the garden, which include the moonlight garden, kids’ garden, ethnobotanical garden, amphitheater, and more, offer places for your friends and family to enjoy themselves.

Address: 4200 Doniphan Dr, El Paso, TX 79912

4. Ascarate Park (Outdoor Recreation)

Ascarate Park, the biggest open-air recreation area in El Paso County, is devoted to sports, picnics, fishing, and other leisure pursuits.

Picnic areas, a 48-acre surface lake, a boardwalk along the lake, an aquatic facility with all the necessary amenities, playgrounds, a golf course, and the recently built Healing Garden are all included in the park.

The lake at Ascarate Park enfolds 48 surface acres, explorers can bring in their own kayaks and boats and all residents must wear a life vest at all times while in the water.

Ascarate Park offers a shining and secure setting for your pleasure demands.

Other activities in the park include using the Park kiosk and boating.

Do you know the best part?

No gate fee is required!

However, special events may trigger a gate fee.

Address: 6900 Delta, El Paso, TX, 79905

Also see our article on Amusement Parks in Texas.

National Parks in Houston, Texas

1. Hermann Park (Historical Gem)

Hermann Park, which George Hermann donated to the City of Houston in 1914, is the most important Public Park in terms of Houston’s history.

The Houston Zoo, the Hermann Park Golf Course, the Japanese Garden, the Miller Outdoor Theatre, the Houston Museum of Natural Science, the Rose Garden, and the Park’s importance as an entertainment location have all grown over time.

Hermann Park, a cultural and recreational center just minutes from downtown Houston, is surrounded by the Texas Medical Center, Rice University, the Museum District, and several residential areas.

One of Houston’s originating fathers, General Sam Houston, is memorialized in a statue in Hermann Park that welcomes visitors and points them in the right direction for the Park’s many facilities.

The activities and facilities available in the Park for your enjoyment include fishing, boating, golf, a Japanese garden, the Houston Zoo, and hiking and biking paths.

Address: 6001 Fannin St, Houston, Texas

2. Eleanor Tinsley Park (Urban Relaxation)

The relief you need after a stressful week may be a small and simple day of relaxation.

You don’t need to travel far or invest a lot of money to have fun with your friends and family.

At Eleanor Tinsley Park, you, your family, and your friends can all relax and have a nice time!

The open-air Nau Family Casino, the Bud Light Auditorium Lawn, and a lane leading directly to Sabine Avenue are all situated in the Park.

There are several additional places of interest in the Park, which include Eleanor Tinsley Garden, Jane Gregory Garden, the Sand Volleyball Court, and many more!

Eleanor Tinsley Park also hosts the Free Press Summer Vest annual music festival, the Houston Art Car Parade, and the Freedom over Texas annual July 4 celebration.

In the past, the Park organized the Bob Marley Carnival!

Address: 500 Allen Parkway Houston, TX 77002 

3. Buffalo Bayou Park (Urban Oasis)

Having a composed and wonderful time at a National Park is the best way to enjoy your day!

The 160-acre Park known as Buffalo Bayou Park is situated just west of Houston’s center.

Harris County Flood Control District, the Kinder Foundation, the City of Houston’s Houston Parks & Recreation Department, and BBP united to upgrade the Park.

The attributes of the Park include public art, two visitor centers, a dog park, paddle boat and bike rentals, beautiful gardens and natural cultivation, a unique nature play area, hiking and biking lanes, and gathering areas for you and your friends to picnic, chill out, and enjoy outdoor exploits.

Buffalo Bayou Park is one of the best spots you should go to if you want to have a pleasant time with your family and friends, and it has been in Texas for decades.

Address: 1019 commerce street, Suite 200 Houston, TX 77002

4. Gerald D. Hines Water wall Park (Houstonian Attraction)

Gerald D. Hines Water Wall Park, which is excellently located in the center of the city, is one of Houston’s most common and well-liked fascinations.

It is an adored local milestone and a central axis for tourists of all kinds.

The water wall is made up of a nicely curved wall, which is framed by three bridges, with water flowing down the front.

From the smooth, green lawn that leads up to the bridge, you can enter the Park through the bridge.

You will hear the thunder of the water as it crashes to the ground and feel the cool steam from the downpour once you are inside the enclosure.

If you want to have a wonderful exposure that is truly Houstonian, then this popular landmark is a must-see!

Address: 18750 Interstate 45N. Spring, Houston TX 77373

Also see our article on Indoor Water Parks in Texas.

National Parks in San Antonio, Texas

1 San Antonio Missions National Historical Park (Historical Nature)

If you’re looking for a place that will help you reunify with nature and is full of history, then take notice of San Antonio Missions National Historical Park and add it to your list!

Different individuals have roamed the Park’s forest for several years.

Early businessmen and farmers looking for new opportunities to make a living have all been there!

Four of the five Spanish Frontier Missions in San Antonio, Texas, in the United States, are maintained in the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, a National Historical Park that is also an element of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Alamo, San Antonio’s fifth and most well-known mission, is not a feature of the Park.

It is located in downtown San Antonio, upstream from Mission Concepción, and it is held by the State of Texas.

Address: 6701 San Jose Dr, San Antonio, TX 78214

2. Japanese Tea Gardens (Cultural Jewel)

The Japanese Tea Garden is now a cherished jewel in San Antonio’s cultural environment, despite the fact that it was once a pit due to its years as a limestone quarry and cement factory.

This distinctive garden underwent thorough structure redevelopment from the San Antonio Parks Foundation, which included pond sealing, wall repairs, piping, filtration, and new walkways.

Shaded walkways, a 60-foot waterfall, a lush year-round floral show, stone bridges, and koi-filled ponds are all part of the features of the reconstructed garden.

The Japanese Tea Garden, which is cherished by locals and tourists like you, is still going strong after 100 years, and it is also one of San Antonio’s most popular photo locations.

So many inspiring things await you in the Japanese Tea Gardens!

Address: 3853 N St Mary’s St, San Antonio, TX 78212

3. Natural Bridge Caverns (Affordable Adventure)

Sometimes, you just need a good, old-fashioned stroll in the park to dispel your worries.

But doing so can sometimes be expensive.

Don’t fret; Natural Bridge Caverns provides fairly priced tickets so you can take advantage of all their tours.

Their one-day pass, which ranges in price from $29.50 to $38.50, allows you to swap between tours!

Being one of Texas’s top tourist destinations, Natural Bridge Caverns is also the largest cavern in the San Antonio region and the biggest cavern in the state of Texas.

Excursions and visits to places like Animal World, McAllister Park, Bracken Cave Reserve, Wildlife Ranch, Twisted Trails, and Morgan’s Wonderland are offered by the Cavern!

So many fantastic places await you in Natural Bridge Caverns!

Address:  26495 Natural Bridge Caverns Rd, San Antonio, TX 78266

4. San Antonio River (River Walk Delight)

The San Antonio River is one of the most dazzling tourist destinations in the whole state of Texas, contributing nearly $800 million a year to the local economy.

It is a unique and lovely place available for you to tour, but it wasn’t always like that.

The waterway was initially used by Spanish explorers to provide water for their exploration.

It is an entertaining place for tourists and locals, in addition to serving as an effective waterway that transports water through central San Antonio, the southern portions of the city, and South Texas.

The River Walk offers festive river parades, art and artisan markets, top-notch amusement, a wide variety of cuisines, and outdoor leisure; it is the perfect place for you to spend 2023.

Address: 100 E. Guenther San Antonio, Texas 78204

Also see our article on Museums in Texas.

National Parks in Fort Worth, Texas

1. Fort Worth Water Gardens (Immersive Experience)

If you ever go to Water Gardens, bring extra clothes and towels because you will be up for a splashy experience!

You effectively kill two birds with one stone when you visit water gardens: not only do you gain substantial ideas about marine life, but you can also set out on a journey thanks to other amenities in the garden like park lighting and indoor skydiving!

A trinity park, zoo, bass performance hall, contemporary art museum, the Kimbell art museum, and more are all close to the garden.

Motor Speedway, Gateway Park, Sea Quest, the Cowgirl Museum, the Botanical Research Institute, the Stockyards Museum—you name it, the Garden has it!

Best part?

Entry to the garden is free!

No tickets are required.

Address: 1502 Commerce Street Fort Worth, TX 76102

2. Trinity Park (River Trails Haven)

The Trinity River walking and biking route that links the Park to other Parks and open sectors along the river has been a success for the Park!

You can walk or ride a bike to Dallas along the over 100 miles of paved Trinity River Trails that link Fort Worth to many other adjacent towns with only a few short passages onto public roads.

A fascinating playground in Trinity Park invites exploitation, discovery, and fun!

Several waterbird species, such as wood duck, American pintail, Northern shoveler, and lesser scaup, frequent the waterbody in the winter.

Most of the Park’s soils are from the Frio Series, which is not unexpected given its terrestrial topography.

These soils are calcareous, dusty, and clayey and are found in coastal plain alluvium.

Address: 2401 University Drive, Fort Worth 76107  

3. Fort Worth Botanical Garden (Botanical Diversity)

The Fort Worth Botanical Garden is a Botanical Park with an agriculture motif that has many attractive gardens and rides for children.

What draws people to this botanical garden is the desire to educate the public about the multiplicity of plant species found throughout the universe, as well as the commitment of capital to the study and preservation of plants.

The necessities of people are also met by this garden, which also fosters well-being.

However, the main attraction to this garden is the diversity of trees, flowers, water elements, and rock formations.

The Fort Worth Botanical Garden not only provides a historical view of the city but also provides outstanding education about Texas plants, as many of the gardens were established over the course of the previous century at various stages.

You can shop in one or both of the gardens’ gift shops, where you will find uncommon products that appeal to your eyes and your gardening interests, and also enjoy a meal in the gardens restaurant.

Address: 3220 Botanic Garden Blvd, Fort Worth, TX 76107, United States

4. Eagle Mountain Park (Nature’s Diversity)

You are encouraged to study and enjoy the diversity and beauty of the view in Eagle Mountain Park.

Explore the 400 acres of distinctive Texas land, which is home to a variety of animals, birds, and flowers.

It is available every day of the week from sunrise to thirty minutes after sunset.

This Park has some of the finest hiking routes in all of North Texas if you enjoy hiking and attractive views.

Hiking paths, benches, two casinos, and picnic tables are among the amenities available at the Park for your enjoyment.

Eagle Mountain Park will amaze hikers, runners, and nature lovers with its 400 acres of sparkling, undeveloped land and different grasslands and animals.

Joggers and walkers can get around because bicycling is not allowed.

The Park is available every day from sunrise to sunset at no cost.

Address: 11601 Morris Dido Newark Rd, Fort Worth, TX 76179

Also see our article on Water Parks in Texas.

National Parks in Dallas, Texas

1. Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden (Educational Haven)

The 66-acre Dallas Arboretum and Flower Garden is located on the southeast side of White Rock Lake in East Dallas, Texas, at 8525 Garland Road.

You can visit this garden to enjoy its abundant business events and private venues for weddings that help you rediscover beauty, as well as its outstanding seasonal celebrations and exhibitions.

If you’re interested in improving your culinary abilities through professional training on how to make gourmet dishes, then the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden is the best place to learn!

The garden also organizes summer camps for your kids that will give them daily firsthand research and garden explorations that will drive their interest in STEM and nature.

All camps are intended for students starting grades 1-6 in the fall of 2023 and are organized Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Education Classrooms of the Main Garden.

These camps help kids develop a sense of exploration and exploit and embody critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Address: 8525 Garland Road, Dallas, Texas 75218

2. Dallas World Aquarium (Conservation Hub)

There is a for-profit aquarium and exhibition called the Dallas World Aquarium in Dallas’ West End Historic Region.

It has been an authorized member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and a member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums since 1997.

Housing many animals that are frightened or endangered as part of a cooperative rearing initiative with other zoos around the world gives rise to preservation and education.

The three-leveled jungle is your first stop when you enter the aquarium.

You will see birds wheeling freely, sloths dozing off, and Tamarin and Saki monkeys on the canopy level, which is also the third floor.

Daily opening hours are 8:30 a.m., and entry to the Dallas World Aquarium is $18.95 for kids under 12 and $26.95 for adults.

Thanks to its appropriate position, finding the aquarium in Downtown Dallas is easy!

Address: 1807 Ross Avenue, Suite 450 | Dallas, Texas 75201

3. Klyde Warren Park (Features Public Spaces)

The Park is built over a segment of the Woodall Rodgers Freeway that is below grade, and it spans three blocks between Pearl Street and St. Paul Street.

It operates as a central public gathering place for Dallas occupants and visitors to appreciate and combine the Dallas Arts District with other districts.

Dog parks, children’s parks, game areas, reading areas, and fountains are all part of the Park’s busy and unassertive areas.

Thomas Phifer and Partners’ 6,000-square-foot (560-square-meter) restaurant and exhibition platform is situated in the middle of the Park.

Klyde Warren Park is supervised and organized by the Woodall Rodgers Park Foundation, which raises capital from individual donors to support the Park’s activities, programming, and 1,300 annual programs on a personal basis.

The foundation is still seeking contributions to pay for operations, programming, and the establishment of new amenities at the Park.

Address: 2012 Woodall Rodgers Fwy, Dallas, TX 75201

4. White Rock Lake Park (Natural Recreation)

White Rock Lake, which is one of the Dallas Park System’s most regularly visited Parks, is the site of several special events and races.

The Park provides a variety of active and passive activity choices for you and your family to enjoy, and it is one of the best places to experience natural areas and wildlife in an urban environment.

Kayak concessions, wetland areas, pavilions, a dog park, boat ramps, and picnic areas are all part of the many activities you can enjoy in the Park.

The Park, which provides you and your family with a multiplicity of active and passive activity choices, is one of the best places to experience natural habitat and wildlife in an urban setting.

Different relaxation opportunities available in the Park are made available to Dallas residents and visitors!

Address: 1152 N. Buckner Blvd, Suite #124 Dallas, TX 75218

If you liked this article, you may also like to read about the best Aquariums, Zoos, and Alpaca Farms in Texas.

Looking beyond Texas? Check out our article on the best National Parks in New York and Florida.