Not all fall foliage must be seen in the north. Leaves change color all over the US and all over the world. Let’s go over the best places in Texas to view fall foliage.
Garner State Park
Some of the best places to see fall foliage in Texas are at some of their many beautiful state parks. We recommend state parks because that way you get a high concentration of trees. This increases the chances you can see different colors from the different types of trees as well.
Garner State Park is one of the most popular state parks in Texas. Many families gather here throughout the year for hiking, camping, and just to enjoy the weather. The park was created in the 1930s to help preserve the land and to give men that were suffering from the great depression somewhere to work.
Interestingly, the whole park was built with local materials. The stones were native stones from local quarries. The canyons are what make way for plant life in the area. They allow for lush vegetation because they are angled southeast to northwest and allow the temps to stay lower.
The most prominent trees are bald cypress that lines the Frio river. You can also find lacy oak, madrone, and ash junipers. Some of the trees are over 1000 years old and stand at 120 feet.
Besides the sheer beauty of the area, the park is known for its dancing. There is a large pavilion and there are several events held annually that bring folks together under the stars.
Dinosaur Valley State Park
For those who may be new to Texas or are planning to move to the Lone Star state, we want to make sure we give you a nice variety. Fort Worth is one of the most popular places to move to in Texas right now. If you have been looking at homes or apartments for rent in Fort Worth then we have a state park that’s within an hour and offers up a bonus along with foliage.
Dinosaur Valley State Park is where the dinosaurs once roamed. You can see the evidence of dinosaur tracks firsthand at this park. The Paluxy River runs through here and you can see footprints from dinosaurs from millions of years ago molded right into the rock and sandstone. It’s jaw-dropping to witness in person.
These tracks alone make this park one of the most desirable destinations in Texas. However, during fall, it’s even better. From the end of October to the beginning of November, the river and all of its Cretaceous beauty look perfect with the backdrop of fall foliage. The trees that you will find in this area are Ashe juniper, Red oak, Live oak, and Texas ash. These trees provide an array of different fall colors. You’ll enjoy viewing the leaves while you’re mesmerized by the fossils of the ancient creatures that walked the earth long ago.
Lost Maples State Natural Area
And finally, there is the Lost Maples State Natural Area. You may have been able to guess from the title that this park is covered in maple trees. During the autumn months, the air gets crisp and cool. Relaxing under the trees is so underrated. What’s better than curling up with a book in your most comfortable sweater underneath a big old maple tree? If you ask us – not much.
The best parts of foliage can be found on the east trail where most of the maples are located. The Uvalde Bigtooth maples are best to witness from late October to early November. The park posts an annual fall foliage report because of how popular it is during the autumn months. You can check it out on their website before you head there.
If you still find yourself looking for more places to visit, check out the botanical gardens in Fort Worth during the fall months. The variety of plants offers a variety of colors during this time. They hold a Japanese fall festival every year as an extra special treat.
You can also check out Daingerfield National Park. Here you can find cypress, sweetgum, and oak trees bursting with bright fall colors. While you’re there, you can rent a boat and float along Daingerfield Lake while observing the trees and their reflections on the water.
Ultimately, the best way to put our list to the test is by visiting yourself. Hopefully, these places will get you started and you’ll discover new areas for fall foliage while you’re there.
