Top 10 National Parks in Texas, United States

July 13, 2021 Alida England

Texas has great beaches for bird watching, boating, and fishing. Plus golf courses, cowboy and high art culture, and a rich history. Bask on the beach and bird watch between golf games before, during, or after spring break in Corpus Christi, Port Aransas, Crystal Beach, or South Padre Island. Explore East Texas from Dallas to Tyler, Texarkana, Jefferson, and Nacogdoches. Enjoy golf and big city life in Dallas or Houston. Visit Galveston's coastal Strand. Tour West Texas and Hill Country from San Antonio, New Braunfels, Austin, and Fredericksburg to Amarillo and El Paso.
Restaurants in Texas

1. Angelina National Forest

Lufkin, TX +1 409-639-8620
Excellent
78%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
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5.0 based on 9 reviews

One of the most diverse ecosystems remaining in Texas exists in this forest.

2. Lower Canyons of the Rio Grande

Big Bend National Park, TX
Excellent
100%
Good
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Satisfactory
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

Lower Canyons of the Rio Grande

Section of the Rio Grande which offers whitewater rafting.

3. Padre Island National Seashore

20420 Park Road 22, Corpus Christi, TX 78418-6529 +1 361-949-8068 https://www.nps.gov/pais/index.htm
Excellent
69%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,859 reviews

Padre Island National Seashore

A 15-minute drive from downtown Corpus Christi transports you to this magnificent 70-mile stretch of white sand beach, scenic dunes and warm ocean water, offering ideal conditions for swimming, fishing, beach-combing, windsurfing, camping, bird-watching and viewing wildlife.

Reviewed By M8870IWjasonr

A fantastic national asset. Best enjoyed though with a capable 4x4 vehicle. Tourist crowd the first 5 miles of beach while the real beauty exists South of the 20 mile marker. Ask some locals before taking off down the beach, it does have it's risks. For those adventurous types a trip 60 miles south to the Mansfield jetty is worth the trip.

4. Big Thicket National Preserve

6102 Fm 420 Rd, Kountze, TX 77625-7842 +1 409-951-6700 http://www.nps.gov/bith/index.htm
Excellent
64%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 95 reviews

Big Thicket National Preserve

Big Thicket National Preserve, part of the National Park Service, offers 40 miles of hiking trails. You can go birding in spring or fall. Rent canoes or kayaks to explore the lakes and bayous. Big Thicket has hunting part of the year, off-road biking the rest of the year.

Reviewed By darwinmoore - Spring, United States

The Big Thicket's properties (units as they call them) are scattered all over the place, but they are trying to preserve some unspoiled East Texas territory and charm. The ranger was very helpful in directing us to a variety of trails, which we enjoyed sampling. We hiked along sloughs, creeks, bogs, swamps, thru pine forests, newly planted forests, overgrown thickets, meadows and treed corridors in a day and a half. There's plenty of Texas beauty out there, with Southeast Texas style in this case, you just have to go find it and hike it...or at least turn off the main road and drive through it.

5. Sabine National Forest

TX
Excellent
50%
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50%
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4.5 based on 2 reviews

Sabine National Forest

6. Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site

24300 Park Rd 12, Washington, TX 77880 +1 936-878-2214 [email protected] http://www.thc.texas.gov/historic-sites/washington-brazos-state-historic-site
Excellent
71%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
5%
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4.5 based on 193 reviews

Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site

Washington on the Brazos State Historic Site is the lush, 293 acre park where the Texas Declaration of Independence was signed in 1836, creating a new nation. Independence Hall, a re-creation of the drafty building where the 59 delegates met to hammer out the document, stands on the original cornerstones. The Star of the Republic Museum tells the story of the decade that Texas was a sovereign nation. Barrington Living History Farm includes the homestead of Texas' final president, Anson Jones, and is a working cotton farm. The vistor's center houses a unique gift shop and a Texas History timeline. Picnic areas are available along the Brazos River.

Reviewed By jbwhitehouse - Dallas, United States

The birthplace of Texas in 1836 starts here and is an important place, though cetainly off the beaten road from major cities. There is a lot to see such as the building where the constiution of the Republic of Texas was signed, the displays in the Visitor Center, the Barrington Farm, and the extensive Star of Republuc Museum fun for all ages. Plan 2-3 hours.

7. Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park

Fm 511 North of the intersection of FM 511 and FM 1847, Brownsville, TX 78521 +1 956-541-2785 [email protected] http://www.nps.gov/paal/index.htm
Excellent
61%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
4%
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4.5 based on 170 reviews

Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park

The site of the first battle in the Mexican-American war in 1846.

Reviewed By PrMichaelM - Des Moines, United States

What a nice stop for history buffs or those nearby who would like a little walk. I really enjoyed it! The visitor center is closed (of course...), but park folks are on site to provide guidance and literature. The layout is simple and convenient and the story is balanced and told very well. On a beautiful day, it is a peaceful walk from display to display as you learn not only about the battle that took place here and the political context, but the flora and fauna.

8. Amistad National Recreation Area

Hwy 90 West, Del Rio, TX +1 830-775-7491 http://www.nps.gov/amis/index.htm
Excellent
57%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
2%
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4.5 based on 151 reviews

Amistad National Recreation Area

A lake bordered by Texas on one side and Mexico on the other with 1,000 miles of shoreline - an excellent venue for fishing and boating.

Reviewed By 901rickb - Round Rock, United States

This is an International Reservoir and a huge one. There are several access points to the lake. We went in at Governor's Landing to see the sunrise and then later in the day at Box Canyon. Governor's Landing had clean modern restrooms. At Box Canyon was a composting type restroom. What is amazing about Amistad Reservoir is the blueness of the water contrasting with the whiteness of the rock. Absolutely beautiful. I understand that it is a boaters paradise and a fisherman's dream but since I hate to fish and don't have a boat well can't elaborate on either although if I lived in the area a boat would be my first purchase. Sadly the level of this lake continues to fall as the cities around it grown (on both sides of the border) and the drought continues.

9. Arbor Hills Nature Preserve

6701 West Parker Road, Plano, TX 75093 +1 972-941-7250 http://www.plano.gov/facilities/facility/details/Arbor-Hills-Nature-Preserve-20
Excellent
65%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 562 reviews

Arbor Hills Nature Preserve

Reviewed By PoohBear1004 - Dallas, United States

Finally found a decent park in Plano. This place almost has it all. Just missing a pond/lake, but has a creek running through it along with trails to explore the wooded area. Also has paved trails, lookout tower, and picnic pavilion. Great place to walk and enjoy nature! We visited on a Sunday and it was fairly quiet and less crowded than we expected! Even saw some wildlife roaming the wooded areas! We’ll return and hopefully it won’t be crowded then too!

10. Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park

100 E Ladybird Ln, Johnson City, TX 78636 +1 830-868-7128 http://www.nps.gov/lyjo/index.htm
Excellent
71%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
4%
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4.5 based on 683 reviews

Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park

Reviewed By elizarenn - Chattanooga, United States

Be sure to stop at the park office to get your free permit before you begin the driving tour of the ranch. They will also give you a map. The driving tour takes you through beautiful fields of cattle, past historic residences and the cemetery, all the way to the Texas White House, including the hangar and garages. There’s a parking area so you can get out and walk around the yard / look at the vehicles more closely. There are a couple of exhibits with pictures that are also of interest. The gift shop has local crafts and foods, some from the working farm a few hundred feet away. Lovely, historic drive!

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