The southern region of Texas provides tourists with opportunities for hiking in national parks, swimming in the Gulf of Mexico, and entertainment in some of the state's largest cities. This region's warm temperatures make South Texas's attractions accessible throughout most the year, although the temperatures rise considerably in the summer months. South Texas also offers access to Mexico in the border cities of Brownsville, Del Rio and Eagle Pass.
Big Bend National Park is in the heart of the Chihuahua Desert in southwest Texas, approximately 45 minutes south of Marathon, Texas. This park features hiking, horseback riding and bicycling trails; some paths overlook the Rio Grande River. The River provides chances for canoeing activities, and canoe rentals are available at Big Bend River Tours.
Situated in Southeast Texas, Padre National Island Seashore is on the Gulf of Mexico. This seafront park is the longest barrier island in the world that remains undeveloped, according the U.S. National Park Service. Recreation activities include bird watching, RV camping, and windsurfing on the Laguna Madre. The northern end of the park is less than an hour from Corpus Christi.
San Antonio, one of the largest cities in Texas, is in the South Central region of the state. This metropolis is home to the Alamo Mission -- a major battle site during the Texas War of Independence -- and the Riverwalk, a riverfront shopping and entertainment district in downtown San Antonio. The city also hosts the annual King William Fair, a spring festival dedicated to San Antonio's culture and heritage.
The southernmost city in Texas is Brownsville, a metropolis across the border from Mexico. This border city offers attractions including the Palo Alto Battlefield National Historic Site and the Gladys Porter Zoo. Brownsville's downtown entertainment district is home to annual events, including the Latin Jazz Festival in October.
South Padre Island is near the tip of southern Texas, offering chances for swimming and boating activities in the Gulf of Mexico and Laguna Madre Bay. This resort city has lodging options along the Gulf and is a popular vacationing spot for youth during spring break. South Padre Island spring break activities include outdoor beach concerts, horseback riding, and dolphin sighting tours.
Another popular beach spot is Port Aransas, a seafront suburb of Corpus Christi. This resort town offers opportunities for swimming and windsurfing on the Gulf of Mexico and Corpus Christi Bay. Port Aransas is also home to Nueces County Park, a beachfront recreation area with walking paths and picnicking areas. Hotels and restaurants are on the beach and the city's downtown area.
South Central Texas's Choke Canyon Reservoir is less than two hours south of San Antonio. Fishing piers and boat slips on this 26,000-acre body of water are at the lakefront Choke Canyon State Park. This park is split into two sections, Calliham and South Shore; both sections of the park have hiking trails near the lake, RV campgrounds, and a swimming pool. The pool is only open in the summer.
Situated along the United States-Mexico border, the Amistad Reservoir is located less than 20 minutes west of Del Rio. This reservoir has a spread of 89,000 acres, making it one of the largest lakes in South Texas. Fish species in Amistad include catfish and largemouth bass. The lake has over 800 miles of shoreline and provides opportunities for kayaking on the Rio Grande and Devils Rivers as both rivers feed into the reservoir.
