Best Texas fall foliage spots

Fall colors in Texas may be closer than you might think. According to the Fall Foliage Prediction Map issued by Smoky Mountains National Park, patchy fall foliage is expected across much of Texas, including in the Hill Country, by the end of October. During this time, slightly better viewing conditions are expected in the state’s highest elevations, like in Big Bend National Park and the Davis/Guadalupe Mountains in West Texas.

We’ll have to wait a few more weeks, though, for the best fall colors Texas has to offer. The fall foliage peak is expected to arrive from mid-November to around Thanksgiving, This is when you can expect the full spectrum of fall colors from the Texas Hill Country to the Piney Woods in East Texas. 

The best spots to see them

Garner State Park: The Texas Hill Country has so many great options to offer when checking out the gorgeous fall colors. Let’s start at Garner State Park, where you can see cypress, oak, mesquite and persimmon trees vibrantly changing colors. The park has 16 miles of trails through 1,774 acres of Hill Country terrain. Be sure to check out the scenic overlook of the Frio River.

Lost Maples State Natural Area: Lost Maples encapsulates what the Hill Country is all about. From limestone canyons to dense forests, the scenery is incredible, and it’s within 100 miles of San Antonio. Be sure to check out the East Trail, where the majority of the bigtooth maple trees reside. Check out the park’s own fall foliage report on its website before heading out.

East Texas: The Piney Woods region of Texas is another extraordinary place to catch the fall colors. One of the best locations is Tyler State Park, where some of the trees grow to be 100 feet tall. The sweetgums, maples, dogwoods and oaks transform into a bright array of fall colors, surrounding a 64-acre spring-fed lake. Daingerfield State Park is another must-see in East Texas.

West Texas mountains: A few national parks are worth making the trip if you have the time to travel out west. The fall colors are spectacular at the Guadalupe Mountains National Park, home of the highest point in Texas, Guadalupe Peak. Here, you have to check out McKittrick Canyon Trail, which hosts vibrant fall colors in the middle of the West Texas desert. Big Bend National Park and Davis Mountains State Park are also fantastic places to explore what our state has to offer.

Start making plans now

Because of the nicer weather and fall colors, October and November are two of the most popular months to visit many of these parks. That means you’ll need to plan ahead if you want to make the trip. If park tickets or reservations are sold out, you will not be allowed entry into the park.

Be sure to go to https://texasstateparks.reserveamerica.com to reserve day passes before you go. This is especially important if you want to reserve a campsite, which book up very fast this time of the year.