Best Natural Texas Attractions

Texas is home to some of the Best Natural Attractions in the United States. From huge sand dunes, to stunning mountains, to deep canyons, you’ll enjoy exploring one of these natural attractions in Texas.

Best Texas Natural Attractions
Big Bend National Park in West Texas The Rio Grande, flowing through 1500-foot canyons, makes a ninety-degree bend south of Marathon to form the southern border of Big Bend National Park. Because of it’s isolation it is a breathtaking 800,000-acre expanse of forested mountains and ocotilla-dotted desert.
Palo Duro Canyon in Texas Panhandle Palo Duro Canyon is 120 miles long, as much as 20 miles wide, and is more than 800 feet deep. It is often claimed that Palo Duro Canyon is the second largest canyon in the United States – the Grand Canyon being the first. Palo Duro Canyon State Park contains 29,182 acres of the scenic, northern most portion of the Palo Duro Canyon.

Enchanted Rock in Fredericksburg, TX Enchanted Rock is an impressive geographic formation that is a distinctive 500-foot-high dome of pink granite, the second largest such formation in North America. Designated a National Natural Landmark. Visitors to Enchanted Rock enjoy hiking, backpacking, technical and rock climbing, primitive camping, picnicking, birding, geological study, stargazing and nature study.
Padre Island National Seashore off Coast of South TX Padre Island National Seashore is the longest undeveloped barrier island in the world. The National Seashore is 70 miles long with 65.5 miles of Gulf beach. The Park hosts a variety of pristine beach, dune, and tidal flat environments, including the Laguna Madre on its west coast, a famous spot for windsurfing.
Lost Maples State Natural Area on the Sabinal River Lost Maples Natural Area covers 2174.2 scenic acres where visitors enjoy picnicking, camping, backpacking, sightseeing, hiking, photography, bird watching, fishing, swimming, and nature study.
Texas Caves and Caverns Texas is riddled with thousands of caves. Natural Bridge, Caverns of Sonora, Wonder World Cave, Longhorn Cavern, Inner Space Cavern, and Cascade are a few examples. Find a cave to tour and read about our fun and exciting cave experiences on our Caving Page.
Texas Rivers Texas has 3,700 named streams and 15 major rivers that account for over 80,000 miles of waterways. The best known rivers in Texas are the Colorado, the Guadalupe (excellent for tubing), the Comal (at only 2.5 miles, it’s known as the “longest shortest river” in Texas), and the unspoiled river in the remotest part of Texas, the 90 mile Devils River with clear pure water, world class scenery, excellent smallmouth bass fishing, beautiful canyons, and landscape.
Caprock Canyon Caprock Canyon State Park is the third largest park in Texas with over 15,000 acres of stunning scenery; badlands with mesquite, cacti and junipers with tall grasses, plums, hackberries and cottonwoods in the canyons; Texas state bison herd; a variety of wildlife including African aouodad sheep (barbary sheep), mule deer, bobcats, porcupines, white-tailed deer, coyotes, foxes, opossums, raccoons, numerous species of snakes and lizards, and over 175 species of birds including Golden Eagles; and 90 miles of multi use trails.
Monahans Sandhills State Park The Monahans Sandhills State Park is a 3,840 acre State Park with natural shifting sand dunes of up to 70′ tall. It’s a blast climbing the tall sand dunes, rolling or jumping down them, or better yet renting a sand surfer from the visitor center and surfing down the dunes. The Park has tent and full hook up sites, a visitor center, interpretive trail, and more. Read our review of Monahans Sandhills State Park to learn more.

Author: Mike Sharp

I have a passion for travel and outdoor activities, and now I'm enjoying retired life. I will continue my traveling, golfing, boating, and enjoying life all across the great state of Texas.