Texas
Outdoors Wide Open for Adventure T
EXAS IS A LAND OF stunning diversity. Despite being home to several of the nation’s largest cities, most of the state remains rural, beck- oning visitors to explore wide-
open spaces ranging from forests to grassy plains to mountains and deserts. The mostly temper- ate climate—with rare snows in the winter and 100-degree days in the summer—makes outdoor activities appealing year-round. Whether you want to stay active or just relax, there are plenty of ways to do it: hunting, fi shing, hiking, boating, canoeing/kayaking, waterskiing, surfi ng, horse- back riding, mountain biking, rock climbing, birdwatching, geocaching, ziplining and stargaz- ing, just to name a few. Go for a quick aſt ernoon adventure or leave it all behind for a few days in unspoiled wilderness. See why the wilds of Texas have retained their hold on the American imagination for generations.
Aransas Pass LIGHTHOUSE LAKES PADDLING TRAIL
Jump In! The treasures of the Gulf Coast are oſt en overlooked, and
that’s just fi ne—that just means more warm sand and gen- tle waves for those in the know to enjoy. The mostly unde- veloped shoreline and warm water make the Texas coast a low-key place to play or relax. Popular beach destinations here include South Padre
Island, Port Aransas, Rockport Beach Park and Galves- ton Island. Padre Island National Seashore protects the longest stretch of undeveloped barrier island in the world. Boca Chica State Park near Brownsville also off ers a re- mote beach near the mouth of the Rio Grande. Beachside resorts are available here, but in general, the allure of Texas beaches is that so many are uncrowded and undeveloped. In the rest of the state, rivers and lakes are the place to
make a splash. Most of the state’s 150-plus lakes are found in the Prairies and Lakes or Piney Woods regions. The chain of Highland Lakes in the Hill Country also off ers a wealth of opportunities for activities or just watching the sunset. Boat- ing, waterskiing, swimming and fi shing are all possibilities here—just check locally to see what’s allowed at each lake. Visitors come from miles around to go tubing, fl oat-
ing down tree-lined rivers in San Marcos, New Braunfels, Junction, Concan and near Mineral Wells. Some rivers, such as the Guadalupe, even off er playful rapids and tube chutes to add to the excitement. The Rio Grande in the remote Big Bend region presents
PHOTO: KEVIN STILLMAN/TXDOT
one of the most beautiful courses for raſt ing and canoeing, cut ing through canyons with walls standing as high as 1,500 feet above the water. Local outfi t ers can provide more infor- mation and options ranging from half-day trips to multi-day excursions through this majestic landscape. Elsewhere, canoeists and kayakers can explore tranquil
waterways and scenery only accessible by water on Texas Parks and Wildlife’s 60 coastal and inland paddling trails, which make great day trips for all experience levels. The Hill Country and Big Bend Country regions are
known for their refreshing swimming holes. Naturally spring-fed pools can be found in Balmorhea State Park (the largest of its kind in the world), Barton Springs Pool in Aus- tin and Las Moras Springs Pool in Bracket ville. There’s also the ethereal grot o of Hamilton Pool near Dripping Springs, and Blue Hole and Jacob’s Well in Wimberley, among others. Taking a dip in one of these tucked-away treasures, it’s not hard to imagine you’ve found your own lit le paradise.
Take a Hike Back on dry land, there’s plenty of ground to cover on
foot—or maybe by bike, or even on horseback. Hikes rang- ing from short jaunts to long journeys can be found across the state’s varied terrain. Those looking for a challenge can
For more infor ma tion about Texas, visit
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