Texas is one of the best destinations for outdoor enthusiasts, with its vast, wide-open skies, cowboy heritage, and stunning landscapes. From the rolling scenery of Texas Hill Country and the pristine Gulf Coast beaches to the expansive deserts and verdant forests, there is a wealth of natural diversity in the Lone Star State for anyone looking for an outdoor escape to remember.

Texas is a fantastic spot to choose for a backcountry vacation, with something for everyone to enjoy, and it is also a great place to explore before boarding a cruise in Galveston and sailing to Cozumel or the Caribbean. If the idea of discovering this fantastic, independent, and adventurous state appeals, then here are some of the best things to do and places to go!

Hiking in Big Bend National Park Big Bend National Park is one of the finest national parks in the US, a sprawling, remote landscape of deserts, mountains, and river valleys. Covering over 800,000 acres it is quite the wilderness and offers a wonderful variety of hiking trails for enthusiasts of all abilities. The Santa Elena Canyon Trail is a great place to start, an accessible, easy-to-manage trek that nevertheless offers amazing views of the Rio Grande carving its way through the dramatic canyon. For veteran hikers, the South Rim Trail offers a great challenge, a 12-15 mile long hike that rewards anyone who attempts it with wonderful views of the majestic Chisos Mountains and the breathtaking Chihuahuan desert.

CAMPING IN GUADALUPE MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK 

If the idea of a night spent under canvas gazing up at a sky full of stars is appealing, then a camping trip to Guadalupe Mountains National Park might be just the thing. Home to Guadalupe Peak, the highest mountain in Texas, this is a dramatic and impressive landscape that is perfect for backcountry enthusiasts. There are plenty of great campsites in the park, such as Pine Springs Campground, which offers easy access to the trailhead, as well as plenty of spots for wild camping as well.

KAYAKING ON THE TEXAS GULF COAST

Texas has a long stretch of coastline, along the Gulf of Mexico, which is curiously overlooked by many tourists. It is, despite being something of a hidden gem, the perfect spot for a kayaking expedition. With miles and miles of pristine shoreline, interspersed with calm, picturesque bays, it is a wonderful place to get away from it all on a paddling adventure. The Lighthouse Lakes Paddling Trail near Port Aransas is a little slice of paddling paradise, offering a wonderful selection of shallow tidal flats and mangrove-lined channels, with excellent views of the historic

Lydia Ann Lighthouse. More experienced kayakers might want to try their hand at the waters of the Laguna Madre, a hypersaline lagoon famous for its birdwatching and fishing.

EXPLORING HILL COUNTRY STATE NATURAL AREA

Texas Hill Country is one of the state’s most charming regions, a lovely expanse of rolling hills, crystal-clear rivers, and plenty of excellent wineries! There are miles of trails for hikers, bikers, and horseriders, and loads of opportunities for al fresco picnics or wild swimming in lakes and rivers.

The Lone Star State is one of the best places in the US to embrace the outdoors and get up close and personal with nature. From amazing hiking trails and dramatic landscapes to miles of coastline to explore by kayak, Texas is a paradise for lovers of the great outdoors and offers an unforgettable experience for anyone looking to take on the wilderness or bask in its unparalleled natural beauty.