Texas

The Monahans Sandhills are a surprise. They aren't as big as Great Sand Dunes National Park, but they are still fun for an afternoon or weekend adventure.  The State Park entrance fee is $4 per adult daily. There are sand toboggan/ disks rentals at the park's headquarters. If you are looking to s...

Outside of the fantastic job market, one of the most magical things about Austin is how quickly you can go from city life to being immersed in nature. Nearly every day, I take a quick jaunt down to the Barton Creek Greenbelt with my trusty companion, Sage the Chocolate Lab. We live within walking...

Head to the location pin and you will find free parking. Get out and head north on S Rock Street and you will come across a wide sidewalk that runs parallel with the South Fork San Gabriel River. Look East and you will see the Blue Hole about 600ft away. The waterfall has 3 levels. The first leve...

Big Bend Ranch State Park is certainly one of Texas most beautiful "hidden" gems. Boasting over 300,000 acres of wild, rugged high desert terrain, this park is an explorers paradise. Bordering the Rio Grande, the line between the US and Mexico quickly blurs by through mesas and desert peaks. Sta...

With a small group of people, canoes and kayaks, and one vehicle the boomerang trip (paddling against the current, then floating back downstream) up Santa Elena Canyon is the best option for floating the prettiest section of the Rio Grande while simultaneously avoiding pesky outfitters and the he...

Hueco Tanks is comprised of 3 mountains and 1 spur (a lateral offshoot of a mountain). North Mountain has the most dense bouldering but access requires a reservation. East and West Mountain also offer amazing climbing, but you are required to have a guide to gain entrance to those mountains. The ...

Set your directions for Overlook Park. A short trail will guide you down the rocky slopes to get to the main beach. A slight trail to the left will take you along the shoreline to a more secluded spot. It's a bit rocky, so either bring a chair or a cushion to sit on. Floaties are a nice addition,...

Park in the dirt lot off of Hunter Road (see map) to access the trail. Trail is open year round and is dog-friendly. 

Texas has a wonderful state park system, and Balmorhea State Park in West Texas is no exception. Located a few hours southeast of El Paso, Balmorhea boasts a large natural spring with views of the Davis Mountains. Stay in the cabins or camp on location. This is a great place for year round scuba ...

The route to the summit of El Capitan starts from the Guadalupe Peak trail some 300ft below the summit where you can first see the full vista of El Capitan stretching out before you. There is no trail to the peak, so you will have to navigate and find the best route possible. There are four prom...

There isn't an official trail to Turkey Peak, but it is one of the best views in the park. This is no easy climb, so be prepared to be sweating! From the parking lot head towards the Gazebo. From there begins the Summit Trail that leads to the top of Enchanted Rock, but you want to stay right, t...

NOTICE:For this activity it is necessary to have someone with lead climbing and belaying expertise. There is a wide range of difficulties on the routes. A guide that has climbed at this wall before is recommended. GETTING THERE:You can enter Gus Fruh from a couple of different points starting in ...

The Arboretum is a 155 acre nature sanctuary located within Memorial Park, about 6 miles from downtown Houston. The trails alternate between gravel, dirt, and wooden walkways and wind through a variety of Houston habitats: everything from bayou, to pond, wetland, meadow and prairie with virtually...

Start at the day use overflow parking lot, there is a picnic area and a paved road will lead you to the trailhead for the  East and West Trail Loops. Continue along, following the signs to the West Trail Loop. You'll come across little river crossings, but much of the trail is rocky with a nice g...

Lake Somerville State Park has two portions you can visit, Nails Creek on the South side of the lake, and Birch Creek located on the North side of the lake. Both offer a variety of activities including camping, swimming, fishing, hiking, and horseback riding.Within the Nails Creek Unit you can se...

Located just north of Fort Worth, Eagle Mountain Park offers about ten miles of trails (roundtrip, two different loops) with great views of the beautiful Eagle Mountain Lake, and serene walks through cross timber forest. There are two main loops. The northern loop is about 3.5 miles round trip. T...