Outbound Collective logo

Texas

Whether you're looking for adventure near a city like Austin, Houston, or Dallas, or headed into the remote and beautiful Big Bend National Park, we've got you covered with Texas sized adventures.

Top Spots in and near Texas

  • Dripping Springs, Texas

    Swim at Hamilton Pool Preserve

    4.1
    0.46 mi / 26 ft gain
    Hamilton Pool Preserve, about a 45 minute drive from Austin, TX, is one of the most beautiful places to spend a hot, Texas afternoon. A short hike from the parking lot through a wooded forest opens up onto a scenic, natural pool. The small beach to one side is usually dotted with sunbathers and p...
    Read more
  • Austin, Texas

    Sculpture Falls

    4.1
    2.23 mi / 577 ft gain
    Sculpture Falls is a hidden gem that is part of the 7.9 mile long Barton Creek Greenbelt in Austin. It's considered an urban oasis and is part of the Edwards Aquifer making the water temperatures in the summer about 70 degrees, and is a perfect way to cool off in the Texas heat! To find the trai...
    Read more
  • Fredericksburg, Texas

    Enchanted Rock Loop

    4.9
    5.13 mi / 344 ft gain
    Once inside the park, you can't miss either parking lots that are surrounded by picnic tables and well marked signs pointing towards the trails. There are also some public restrooms and a truck with some snacks. Once geared up, head straight towards the Summit Trail and begin your adventure! The...
    Read more
  • Lometa, Texas

    Gorman Falls

    4.0
    3.23 mi / 427 ft gain
    Gorman Falls is truly a gem of the Texas Hill Country. This waterfall is situated in Colorado Bend State Park, one of the most diverse state parks in the area, and is what is considered a "living" waterfall. While most waterfalls will get smaller over time, Gorman Falls gets bigger. This is due t...
    Read more
  • Johnson City, Texas

    Explore Pedernales Falls

    4.8
    0.6 mi / 104 ft gain
    Pedernales Falls drops 50 feet in elevation over 3,000 feet of titled, layered steps of limestone along the Pedernales River in Blanco County. In order to reach the falls you must enter Pedernales Falls State Park and follow the park road until the very end. There you'll find a parking lot and it...
    Read more
  • Wimberley, Texas

    Cliff Jump at Jacob's Well

    5.0
    Jacob's well is a 12 foot opening that goes 23 feet deep in a riverbed in central Texas and makes for an awesome spot to escape the summer heat. Once you reach the parking lot there are signs that direct you on the very shot walk to the riverbed. The underwater cave is situated below a rock face ...
    Read more
  • Hubbard, Texas

    Stargaze at Hubbard City Lakes Park

    4.5
    Hubbard City Lakes Park is located about two miles south of the town center of Hubbard off of Highway 31. If you're heading south on 31 you'll make a right on to Country Road 3360 (and if you're heading north you'll make a left). It will be a dirt road, but I took my VW wagon on it so most cars ...
    Read more
  • Mineral Wells, Texas

    Penitentiary Hollow via Red Waterfront Trail

    4.9
    1.44 mi / 249 ft gain
    Lake Mineral Wells is one of the closest state parks in the area located less than an hour and a half from Dallas and only 45 minutes from Fort Worth. It sits in the heart of cattle country and offers several outdoor adventures. The trail starts from the Eastern parking lot and heads straight to...
    Read more
  • Austin, Texas

    Mount Bonnell Loop

    3.6
    0.46 mi / 59 ft gain
    The trail up is a combination of manmade and natural stairs that take you up to the top. At the summit, you will find beautiful views of the area, and a pavilion where you can have a picnic lunch. To head back down by a different route, continue on the northern trail, which will take you past mo...
    Read more
  • Austin, Texas

    Relax at McKinney Falls

    4.0
    McKinney Falls is separated into the Upper and Lower Falls along Onion Creek just 15 miles outside of Austin. The pin I dropped on the map gets you to the parking lot at the Upper Falls. From there it is a very short walk past the Smith Visitor Center to the falls. The upper falls offers some sha...
    Read more
  • Burnet, Texas

    Camp at Inks Lake's Pecan Flats

    5.0
    2 mi
    Inks Lake is located northwest of Austin and is home to about 200 campsites. For a more unique experience and to be set away from the parks many visitors, choose the Pecan Flats Trail Primitive Camp which is about a mile hike from the Pecan Flats trailhead.Once you enter the park, the Pecan Flats...
    Read more
  • Austin, Texas

    Swim in Barton Springs Pool

    4.8
    Barton Springs Pool is a historical staple in the city of Austin. Located within Zilker Park, the location is easy to find and even has easy accessible parking. Now with that being said, it is recommended to arrive somewhat early in the day if you don't want to be resorted to fishing for a parkin...
    Read more
  • Austin, Texas

    St. Edwards Park Yellow & Blue Trails

    4.7
    1.24 mi
    St. Edwards Park offers 2 main trails taking you along a creek, up hill trails with gorgeous views from atop a bluff, through exposed meadows filled with prairie grasses and cacti, and to a small swimming hole with a rope swing. The Creek Trail is a much easier, family friendly hike compared to ...
    Read more
  • Spicewood, Texas

    Camp at Pace Bend Park

    4.4
    Pace Bend is a favorite camping and day use destination near Austin, Texas. The park is approximately 45 minutes West of Austin located off of Hwy 71 and offers visitors a wide range of recreational activities. There is an entrance fee of $10 per vehicle for Day Use only and $15 per vehicle for p...
    Read more
  • Canyon, Texas

    Lighthouse in Palo Duro Canyon

    4.5
    5.88 mi / 492 ft gain
    Palo Duro Canyon is considered the Grand Canyon of Texas and the Lighthouse is one of the most unique geological formations found there. In order to reach it you must enter the Palo Duro Canyon State Park and drive down Park Road 5 until you reach the Lighthouse Trailhead parking lot on the right...
    Read more
  • Leander, Texas

    Explore Dinosaur Tracks in Leander

    4.1
    1 mi
    About a half mile west from the Hwy 183 bridge that crosses the South Fork of the San Gabriel River lies approximately 12 dinosaur footprints embedded in the river bed. Not many people know about the dinosaur tracks just northwest of Austin in Leander, Texas. This is not a marked trail, there ar...
    Read more

Camping and Lodging in Texas

Rusk KOA Holiday
Rusk, Texas

Rusk KOA Holiday

Lakeland Pavilion
Farmersville, Texas

Lakeland Pavilion

East Fork (Tx)
Wylie, Texas

East Fork (Tx)

Midway
Waco, Texas

Midway

Jim Hogg Park
Georgetown, Texas

Jim Hogg Park

Brookeland / Lake Sam Rayburn KOA Holiday
Brookeland, Texas

Brookeland / Lake Sam Rayburn KOA Holiday

Guides, Insights and Stories from Texas

The 10 Best Adventures In Texas

The 10 Best Adventures In Texas

Sarah Vaughn

72 Hours of Adventure in Dallas, Texas

72 Hours of Adventure in Dallas, Texas

Korey Taylor

5 Must-Do Adventures Near Houston, Texas

5 Must-Do Adventures Near Houston, Texas

Sarah Vaughn

The Top 8 adventures in Big Bend National Park

The Top 8 adventures in Big Bend National Park

Korey Taylor

5 Can't-miss national parks in the Southern US

5 Can't-miss national parks in the Southern US

The Outbound Collective

Top 20 hikes near Austin, Texas

Top 20 hikes near Austin, Texas

Aurora Slaughter