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Where to Take Your Family in Texas.

These Texas state parks saw thousands of visitors last year. Ten of the busiest, in no particular order: 1. Franklin Mountains State Park 2. Guadalupe Mountains National Park 3. Palo Duro Canyon State Park 4. Big Bend Ranch State Park 5. Caprock Canyons State Park 6. Mustang Island State Park 7. Caddo Lake State Park 8. Government Canyon State Natural Area 9. Lake Whitney State Park 10. Hueco Tanks State Historic Site. The great outdoors are beckoning, and Texans are answering the call.

Published June 25, 2024 at 8:10am by Alexis Simmerman

It's summer, so let's get outside and enjoy nature. Here's a list of Texas' top 10 most-visited state parks in 2023, according to the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD):

Inks Lake State Park: https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/inks-lake – Known as a "Hill Country gem," offering camping, backpacking, waterskiing, and more. Located an hour northwest of Austin. Estimated 228,000 visitors in 2023. Open 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. daily. Fees: $7 for adults, free for children under 12.
Dinosaur Valley State Park: A short drive from Fort Worth, featuring dinosaur footprints from millions of years ago. ~247,000 visitors in 2023. Open 6 a.m. – 10 p.m. Fees: $8 for adults, free for children under 12. Reservations recommended due to high capacity: https://www.tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/dinosaurs valley#
Brazos Bend State Park: A "nature lover's paradise," just 45 minutes from Houston. Offers 37 miles of trails, fishing, camping, and more. Home to the George Observatory. ~254,000 visitors in 2023. Open 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. Fees: $7 for adults, free for children under 12. Reservations encouraged due to high capacity: https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/brazos-bend
Enchanted Rock State Natural Area: A pink granite mountain with Hill Country views, offering hiking, camping, rock climbing, and stargazing. ~295,000 visitors in 2023. Open 6:30 a.m. – 8 p.m. Fees: $8 for adults, free for children under 12. Trail hours vary: https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/enchanted-rock/maps
McKinney Falls State Park: Just 13 miles from Austin, offering "rugged beauty," camping, hiking, fishing, and more. ~310,000 visitors in 2023. Open 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. Fees: $6 for adults, free for children under 12. Reservations encouraged due to high capacity: https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/mckinney-falls
Ray Roberts Lake State Park Isle du Bois: Located in Denton County, offering a lodge, marina, and various activities like hiking, biking, and horseback riding. ~311,000 visitors in 2023. Open 6 a.m. – 10 p.m. daily. Fees: $7 for adults, free for children under 12. Reservations recommended: https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/ray-roberts-lake-isle-du-bois
Cedar Hill State Park: An "urban oasis" near DFW, offering access to Joe Pool Lake and nature activities. ~338,000 visitors in 2023. Open 6 a.m. – 10 p.m. Fees: $7 for adult day-use, $5 for overnight, free for children under 12. Reservations recommended: https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/cedar-hill
Ray Roberts Lake State Park Sanger Unit: Another unit of Ray Roberts Lake State Park, offering a full-service marina and various water activities. ~341,000 visitors in 2023. Open 6 a.m. – 10 p.m. Fees: $7 for adults, free for children under 12. Reservations encouraged: https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/ray-roberts-lake
Palo Duro Canyon State Park: Known as the "Grand Canyon of Texas," offering "glamping," hiking, horseback riding, and more. ~374,000 visitors so far in 2023. Open 7 a.m. – 9 p.m. Fees: $8 for adults, free for children under 12. Reservations recommended during summer: https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/palo-duro-canyon
Garner State Park: Located in Uvalde County, offering 2.9 miles of the Frio River, various water activities, hiking, and camping. Staggering 475,898 visitors in 2023. Open 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. Fees: $8 for adults, free for children under 12. Reservations recommended during summer: https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/garner

Get out there and explore, but remember to respect the natural environment and leave no trace!