The best parks in Texas
Now that summer is starting to cool off (maybe? A little?) now is a great time to get out and visit some of the amazing wilderness that Texas has to offer. Here are our top three picks for the best parks in Texas.
Big Bend National Park/Big Bend State Park
These adjoining parks together encompass an area of protected wilderness larger than the state of Rhode Island, spanning the Rio Grande river, a huge portion of the Chihuahuan Desert, and over 200 miles of hiking and biking trails through the rugged terrain.
Hueco Tanks state historical site
History and rock climbing buffs will love Hueco Tanks, a world-class rock climbing destination thanks to its many natural hand-holds along the cliff faces (called “tanks”). In fact, people have been climbing these rocks for millions of years, as witnessed by the ancient pictograms carved into the cliff face.
Called “the Grand Canyon of Texas,” Palo Duro Canyon is 60 miles long, 20 miles wide in spots, and about 800 feet deep. This spectacular canyon is a particular draw for equestrians, with 1,500 acres set aside as equestrian-only trails. Don’t worry if you don’t have a horse, though – there are also 17,000 acres with paths for hiking and mountain biking.
Image courtesy Flickr/Charles Henry