Best Places to See Beautiful Fall Foliage in Texas
Where to see fall foliage in Texas? If that’s your question, you’re in the right place! Fall in Texas is a special time of year when beautiful fall colors turn the landscape into a picture perfect postcard.
This is the best time of year to visit Texas! During the fall months, nature lovers and locals flock to the many state parks to see the best fall foliage around. If you’re planning a trip to see the beautiful fall colors, don’t miss my list of the best places to see fall foliage in Texas. This list will help you decide where to see fall foliage in the lone star state!
Best Time To Visit for Beautiful Fall Colors
Fall might begin at the end of September, but fall foliage in Texas doesn’t reach its peak until late in the season. If you wait to see the colors later in the season, you’ll be rewarded with vibrant reds, buttery yellows, and deep oranges all through the state.
The best time to visit Texas for fall foliage is late October and November. This is when peak fall season occurs in Texas and you’ll find the best fall foliage around.
Where to See the Best Fall Foliage in Texas
There are so many amazing places to see fall foliage in Texas! If you’re looking for a great place to visit in late October or early November, consider a road trip through some of my favorite places to see colorful tall trees. You’ll love all the beautiful scenery and peak fall foliage in these beautiful places!
Hermann Park
Who would have thought that some of the most beautiful places to see fall foliage in Texas was right here in Houston?
If you go for a hike in Hermann Park during late Autumn, you’ll be surrounded by the most beautiful colors. It’s definitely a gorgeous sight to see.
Big Bend National Park
Most people associate Big Bend National Park with spring because of the gorgeous wildflowers. However, Big Bend looks amazing during cooler months as well. On a fall trip to this park, you’ll be rewarded with the most dramatic fall foliage in Texas against the Chisos mountains.
Most of this national park is desert, but that only makes the remaining trees more vibrant against the landscape. After a visit to this national park, you’ll be rewarded with the perfect place for fall photos!
Caddo Lake State Park
It’s the perfect time of year to get outside and explore Caddo Lake! Whether you enjoy hiking, biking, or paddling, Caddo Lake State Park in eastern Texas is a great place to do it. The beautiful bald cypress trees throughout Big Cypress Bayou are definitely a sight you don’t want to miss!
Kayaking on Caddo Lake is the very best way to see the beautiful fall colors as the trees change. Early September is the best time to visit this fall foliage spot.
Colorado Bend State Park
Colorado Bend State Park is home to one of the biggest waterfalls in the state of Texas! Gorman Falls is 70 feet high and it’s definitely a don’t miss sight. In fact, there’s a lot to see at this state park including rugged canyons, caves, and travertine formations.
Visitors can hike, kayak, fish, swim, or camp by the Colorado River to admire the brilliant fall foliage in Texas. Hiking to Gorman Falls in the fall months makes the experience even more special as the contrasting fall colors and dramatic falls meet in a riot of color.
Daingerfield State Park
This state park is located in the Piney Woods region of Texas and the landscape includes pines, oaks, and cypress trees. Fall colors are reflected on the lake and you can hike through beautiful fall foliage to see the trees up close.
November is the best time to visit Daingerfield State Park where you can get a rustic cabin in Piney Woods and enjoy kayaking on the lake or hiking through forests filled with some of the best fall foliage in Texas.
Dinosaur Valley State Park
Fall is certainly beautiful in Texas, but it’s often still humid. Dinosaur Valley State Park offers an escape from the heat as you wade in the river bed to see real dinosaur footprints. The trees here are a bit different from the ones you’ll see at Colorado Bend or Big Bend.
However, a peaceful hike down the Limestone Ledge Trail in early November will reward you with some of the area’s best fall colors. Plus, you’ll be able to enjoy the view from the trail’s nearby overlook.
The Best Fall Foliage Spots In Texas
As you can tell, Fall foliage is abundant in Texas. Keep reading to discover the best spots where to see Fall Foliage in Texas.
Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
Enchanted Rock State Natural Area is a great spot to see autumn colors this fall. Don’t miss the chance to drive to this area and visit the yellow and red fall foliage. Hiking the trail will give you the opportunity to see the best fall foliage in Texas spread out before you.
Garner State Park
In Uvalde County of Texas Hill Country, you’ll find Garner State Park, one of the best places to camp and one of the best places to see fall foliage in Texas. Several acres along the Frio River filled with cypress, oaks, mesquite trees, and persimmon trees change color in late October.
Fantastic limestone bluffs along the riverbanks combine with a reflection on the water that’s absolutely stunning. Garner State Park’s natural beauty is one of the very best places to see red, orange, and yellow fall foliage in Texas.
Guadalupe Moutains National Park
It might not be the first place you think of when you think about fall foliage, but Guadalupe Mountains National Park features quite a lot to do and some beautiful fall colors too.
Visitors can learn more about the park’s history with a movie featured in the visitor’s center. Then, view one of the highest peaks in the state, the Guadalupe Peak. It’s one of the four highest peaks all located in the national park.
This national park features more than 80 miles of trails to enjoy. During the fall season, the McKittrick Canyon trail is the favorite because it features the Pratt cabin which is more than one hundred years old.
Guadalupe River State Park
Guadalupe River State Park spans 9 miles along the Guadalupe River in Texas. The park features spectacular fall foliage formed by cottonwood trees, sycamore, oak, and cypress. As fall begins, the trees start to change and colors sprinkle across the landscape.
You’ll find 13 miles of hiking trails to help you explore the contrasting fall colors. The mix of beautiful fall colors agains the turquoise water of the Guadalupe River is truly mesmerizing. The park also offers fishing, swimming, canoeing, and tubing.
Children will enjoy seeing the Bauer windmill, picnics, and playing on the pebble beaches. Visitors can also try their hand at mountain biking, horseback riding, and geocaching while they enjoy the fall foliage at Guadalupe River State Park.
Houston Botannic Gardens
If you’re looking for the best fall foliage in the Houston area, don’t forget to visit the Houston Botannic Gardens. You’ll find the gardens in Downtown Houston where they offer more than 130 acres for visitors to explore year round. The park’s Botanic Lane is lined with Live Oaks featuring some of the best fall foliage in Texas.
The garden includes a variety of domestic and exotic trees each offering unique landscapes. Don’t forget to pack a picnic and spend the afternoon enjoying the best fall foliage in Texas at The Picnic Grove.
Lost Maples State Natural Area
A visit to Lost Maples State Natural Area will surprise you with deep orange Big Tooth Maple trees. Located along the Sabinal River, this park is the perfect spot for your fall foliage photos.
November is the best time to visit Lost Maples Park to witness the beautiful fall colors. Visitors will find hiking trails through rugged canyons, as well as grasslands that are home to pigs and foxes. The park’s administrators publish a fall foliage report each year that will definitely help when planning your visit.
McKinney Falls State Park
McKinney Falls State Park is a fantastic place to see fall foliage in the Lone Star State. The park can be found at the meeting place of Onion Creek and Williamson Creek. Oak trees and Cypress trees grow along both creeks, erupting in color during early November. Visitors can even hike to the beautiful Lower McKinney Falls waterfall for more natural beauty this fall.
Tyler State Park
In the Piney Woods region of East Texas, you’ll find a great place for scenic fall drives. Driving into Tyler State Park is gorgeous! You’ll see splashes of red, orange, and yellow fall foliage all along the roadside.
Then, enjoy the best fall foliage in Texas on hiking trails with fantastic little spots for a fall picnic. If you’re a novice hiker, the Whispering Pines Trail is the perfect thing! It’s just ove ra mile long and makes a loop around the beautiful lake at Tyler State Park.
What’s your favorite local park filled with beautiful fall colors? Do you have a spot for enjoying the best fall foliage in Texas that’s not on my list? Share your favorite fall places in the Lone Star State in the comments. I can’t wait to read them and explore your favorite places this autumn!
