Texas is the second-largest U.S. state and has an abundance of museums, zoos, theme parks and other interesting places for residents and visitors to enjoy. For those who prefer outdoor attractions, the state has more than 130 state parks that offer a variety of activities on land and water including fishing, boating, swimming, hiking and mountain biking. Visitors can also enjoy watching birds and wildlife and other natural features such as waterfalls. Four state parks in Texas have waterfalls.
Big Bend Ranch State Park is the biggest state park in Texas and is on the west side of Big Bend National Park. Part of the park includes nearly 300,000 acres of the Chihuahuan Desert on the Rio Grande River. The park has four waterfalls: Ojito Adentro Waterfall, Rancherias Spring Falls, Mexicano Falls and Madrid Falls, the second-highest falls in the state. Park activities include hiking and biking on 66 miles of trails, horseback riding, fishing, rafting and canoeing. The park also includes two mountain ranges, extinct volcanoes and canyons.
Big Bend Ranch State Park
P.O. Box 2319
Presidio, TX 79845
432-358-444
tpwd.state.tx.us
Colorado Bend State Park is on the Colorado River and located in both Lampasas and San Saba Counties. The park includes the 60-foot Gorman Falls, which has lush vegetation and formations made of travertine limestone. Visitors to the waterfall are not allowed to fish, swim, wade or climb in the area because the formations and wildlife and marine habits are fragile. Guided tours of the falls are available. Other Colorado Bend State Park attractions include guided crawling cave tours, camping, hiking, biking, bird watching, wildlife viewing, fishing and swimming.
Colorado Bend State Park
P.O. Box 118
Bend, TX 76824
325-628-3240
tpwd.state.tx.us
Pedernales Falls State Park is just east of Johnson City in Blanco County. The Perdernales River runs through the park and is ideal for fishing, swimming and tubing. The main attraction of the park is Pedernales Falls, formed by water cascading over layered limestones in the river. The falls flow 3,000 feet over the stair-step limestone formations. Other activities available in the park include hiking, biking, camping and watching wildlife. Park visitors are advised to keep an eye on the river, which can rise rapidly and cause flash flooding within minutes.
Pedernales Falls State Park
2585 Park Road 6026
Johnson City, TX 78636
830-868-7304
tpwd.state.tx.us
Mckinney Falls State Park is in Austin and includes Onion Creek. Visitors can enjoy upper and lower waterfalls. Pools formed by the lower waterfalls are popular with swimmers. Other park activities include camping, hiking, mountain and road biking, wildlife observation, fishing and picnicking. Guided park tours, including floating and riding, are available.
McKinney Falls State Park
5808 McKinney Falls Parkway
Austin, TX 78744
512-243-1643
tpwd.state.tx.us
