Where Are You Headed to Experience the Texan Fall?
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While Texas is abundant with natural beauty, witnessing trees change color during fall is somewhat of a rare occurrence. More often than not, trees in Texas are lush for the most part of the year, and then there is a blink-and-miss it dropping of leaves before the real winter hits.
Several factors are in play before a tree turns colors and sheds its leaves including typical temperatures, moisture, light and the species. Different kinds of trees will exhibit different behavior during fall, not all perform resplendently! From those that do, Oaks usually appear brown; so do Chinese pistache, Bigtooth maples turn a bright red, Elms go yellow, and Dogwoods and Sumacs can, under the right conditions, showcase purple hues!
While the Lone Star State is not at the forefront of people’s minds to visit for fall foliage primarily due to our intense and dry summers and wet autumns, there are still some great places to find fall colors in Texas. Yellows, reds, and oranges paint the landscape of these areas, giving you a picturesque location to soak up the crisp cool air while surrounded by the most beautiful faces of nature.
Knowing where to visit in Texas is crucial to finding nature’s shades in their prime. These Autumnal hues illuminate parks and natural spaces as fireworks light up the night sky.
To ensure you get the best out of your trips, TexasRealFood narrows down the precise spots to see fall foliage in Texas. With our Fall colors guide, you can take the guesswork out of figuring out where to go and how to experience Texan autumn.
Texas Foliage Peak Dates for 2021
The Texas Fall season starts late October in most of the northern part and then moves south across the state. Early to mid-November is the best time to experience fall color in Texas. However, the abundance of fall is contingent on weather conditions.
Best Locations to Experience Texas Fall Colors
Lost Maples State Natural Area, Vanderpool
This pristine area on the River Sabinal, west of San Antonio, is among Texas’ best regions to witness fall colors. Hardscrabble limestone bluffs and canyons, grasslands, and deep woodlands can be explored throughout the year, but the changing bigtooth maples, which turn brilliant shades of crimson and orange, are what draw crowds to the state park during peak season. A trip scheduled for late October or early November is ideal since you will catch the trees transitioning then. Keep an eye on the Lost Maples fall foliage report to know about the latest updates. With almost 10 miles of hiking trails and literally no bad vantage point, this Natural Area sees a throng of tourists during fall, so make sure to go early and make a reservation before you arrive.
At the Lost Maples, you can fish without a license off the Sabinal or the Can Creek. There are about 30 campsites with electricity and water, so camping is an idyllic activity here. Lost Maples is known for its dark night skies, perfect for stargazing. Backroads vacation home rentals offer various vacation cabins near the natural area to ensure a wonderful stay for visitors.
Garner State Park, Concan
Be ready to be awed as oak, cypress, persimmon, and mesquite trees shed their identities to give us breathtaking views of fall at the Garner State Park. For jaw-dropping views, head to the Overlook, where you can observe the vast tree-covered countryside and the Frio River. Some of the marked features of Garner State Park are Mount Old Baldy, an 1890-foot-high mountain that you can scale, the White Rock Cave and the Crystal Cave, glittering caverns that will leave you amazed.
If you are into geocaching, Garner State Park is home to a good number of geocaches, so look out for those! You can also try your hand at the mini-golf course and catch freshly made burgers at the Garner Grill.
For water lovers, the Frio River offers designated areas for swimming, fishing, kayaking, and tubing.
Location: 234 RR 1050, Concan, Texas 78838
For reservations, call: 830-389-8900
Guadalupe River State Park, Spring Branch
If you want the fall experience without having to travel too far, plan on visiting Guadalupe River State Park, which features mesmerizing leaf color changes. It is mostly from the big tooth maple that grows in the park, although there are lovely evergreens and Texas madrones with lovely red berries, too. It shouldn’t be hard to notice the yellow cottonwoods, bright red sumacs, and orange sycamore and cypress trees.
Forty miles north of San Antonio, these 1938 acres of rolling green hills couldn’t be more inviting. Four miles of the clear Guadalupe River takes center stage at this tranquil location, flowing between rugged cliffs and cypress trees.
Even the journey to Guadalupe River State Park will reward you with great views of fall foliage. Once inside the park, however, explore the area through the 13 miles of hiking and biking trails.
Location: 3350 Park Rd 31, Spring Branch, TX 78070,
For reservations, call: 830-438-2656
Dinosaur Valley State Park, Glen Rose
Although famous for the massive footprints left by our extinct friends several millennia ago, Dinosaur Valley State Park is also known for the spectacular shades of fall that it exhibits each season. Visit Dinosaur Valley State Park any time during late October to early November and treat your senses to an awe-inspiring ocean of colors from the fall-color wheel. The foliage is mainly from a variety of Cedar Elm, Hackberry, Sumac, Sycamore, and Texas Red Oak. There are hiking trails, fishing spots, geocaching opportunities, and lots of wildlife to explore. Click here to take a virtual tour of the Dinosaur Valley State Park.
Location: 1629 Park Rd 59, Glen Rose, TX 76043
For reservations, call: 254-897-4588
Davis Mountain State Park, Fort Davis
In the Panhandle plains and high in the mountains of West Texas that seems like a world away, the cottonwoods turn bright gold, illuminating the landscape at Davis Mountains State Park. It is located southeast of El Paso, just outside of Fort Davis. It is a historic park that has miles of trails for hiking during the day. At night, the skies come alive and make Davis Mountain State Park one of the best places in Texas to stargaze. In addition to the fall foliage viewing, the Davis Mountains are a great place to bird watch.
You can stay at one of the park’s campsites or at the celebrated Indian Lodge, which has a restaurant, swimming pool, and more.
Location: TX-118 N., Park Rd. 3 Fort Davis, TX 79734
For reservations, call: (432) 426-3337
Tyler State Park, Tyler
A majestic forest of 100-foot-tall trees encases a quaint 64-acre spring-fed lake, creating a glorious East Texas retreat. Each fall, Tyler State Park, located just north of the city of Tyler, is a classic display of all seasonal tones, from the sweetgums, maples, dogwoods, hickory and sassafras, that adopt a bewildering assortment of yellows, browns, and oranges. While there, explore the Lakeshore Trail for serene views of the lake and trees, then navigate the Whispering Pines Trail that leads you to a rock waterfall. Another fun way to experience the foliage is by renting a canoe or kayak and paddling to the center of the lake.
If you want to catch peak fall foliage at Tyler State Park, head over during late November or early December. The park has over 100 campsites and 29 screen shelters with restrooms and showers.
Location: 789 Park Road 16, Tyler
For reservations, call: 903-597-5338
CDC Guidelines for Travel in Texas
The National Park Service works with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as well as state, tribal, and local public health authorities and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to ensure the safety of park visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners. – taken from NPS website.
They recommend all individuals wear a mask while indoors and in crowded outdoor spaces, irrespective of vaccination status.
Tips to Enjoy Responsibly in National Parks of Texas
Parks are wide open spaces, but please remember to recreate responsibly. Please follow the guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and stick to the Leave No Trace principles when you visit. It is also helpful to remember the following pointers.
Know Before You Go
Check out NPS.gov/findapark for park conditions and availability of facilities.
Keep Your Distance
Maintain at least six feet distance from others and keep a mask on when you are near others while outdoors, or indoors, inside park buildings.
Take What You Got
If you bring anything, take it with you. Minimize leaving trash behind you when you visit.
Be Inclusive
Be an active agent of making the nation’s parks and public lands safe and welcoming for all identities and abilities.
Where are you planning to travel to witness glorious Texas colors? Drop a comment and let us know!
