Away from the Crowds in Texas

In Huntsville, see the Blue Lagoon, two limestone quarries filled with blue-green spring water. Pine trees shade the water. It is a great place for scuba divers, who can camp overnight. Those who come just for swimming cannot stay overnight. However, you can have a great day, so pack up a picnic.

Boca Chica State Park on the Boca Chica Sub Delta of the Rio Grande River includes the Boca Chica Beach. This is a natural preserve. There are trails to hike around the park. You can enjoy a picnic on the beach, swim, surf, and fish. It is also a good place for birdwatching.

During the Mexican-American War, a floating bridge was built across the bay to transport medical supplies, and some of it can be seen today.

The Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge is located east of Lake Jackson and Angleton on the Texas coast. The wildlife conservation area is situated behind a barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico and surrounded by a bay on the Intercoastal Waterway. The wetlands are a place for migrating birds to spend the winter.

Thousands of snow geese, Canadian geese, cranes, and ducks fill the preserve, and in summer, the herons, egrets, larks, and sparrows.

West of Orange lies Clairborne West Park in honor of Clairborne West, who battled for Texan independence from Mexico; the park was established as a living memorial. It is a sanctuary for birds and wildlife. In addition, the park has recreational amenities such as a disc golf course, softball fields, tennis courts, and horseshoes.

For birdwatching, take the Great Texas Coastal Bird Watching Trail.

In Hardeman County, you’ll find the Copper Breaks State Park. The park includes two lakes and miles of trails. This land was originally home to the Comanche and Kiowa. You can see Texas longhorn herds.

Take a lovely hike to Copper Breaks Lake or Big Pond and see land covered with mesquite, juniper, and cottonwood trees.

El Paso County’s Hueco Tanks State Park is situated in a low mountain region. The Hueco and Franklin Mountains are separated by this high atltitude desert basin. The water-filled depressions on the park’s boulders gave rise to the area’s name. Because of the historic items left by Native American flora and animals, the park is protected. In February, catch the Hueco Rock Rodeo, an outdoor bouldering competition.

You can enjoy hiking the trails and exploring the mountains.

Jacob’s Well is a well-liked swimming area in the Jacob’s Well Natural Area in Wimberley. It is fed by a spring that flows from Cypress Creek. After descending vertically for about 23 feet, the well curves downhill into chambers filled with silt. It is Texas’s second-longest completely submerged cavern.

The San Felipe Springs are located in Val Verde County and are the fourth largest springs in Texas. Captain French documented them in 1849. The springs empty into the Rio Grande. They are great for a refreshing swim.

For lovely river views, you can enjoy Lions Park, Blue Lake Park, or Horseshoe Park.

Tiger Creek Wildlife Refuge is dedicated to caring for and rehabilitating abandoned, abused, or neglected big cats like lions and tigers. It is home to over 40 majestic cats. There are paths for walking and enjoying nature. Tour guides let visitors see the cats up close and learn about them.

Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve is located west of Austin in the Westlake Hills. The preserve was founded in 1974 and consists of many hiking trails.

Enjoy a hike starting on the Easy Access Loop to the small waterfall along Bee Creek.

Enjoy the Scenic Overlook.