2020 Fall Hiking Guide
If you look at your calendar, fall is technically already here and for once it actually feels like fall is here. Most of the state has been experiencing cooler weather this October and just like the rest of y’all, we’ve got our fingers crossed hoping we will see a stellar showcase of autumn color across our state!
As you anxiously await our annual display, start your planning by using our Fall Hiking Guide. It’s hard to say when the color will pop and it varies by region. You should be on the lookout starting mid October and generally to the end of November. A good resource to use is social media and see what specific parks are posting and being tagged in to know the status of color. Once the leaves turn and the color is here, it doesn’t last long and you need to be ready to get up and go! We’ve got great locations listed below for each region of the state so all you have to worry about is when to go hike!
THE TOP 5 FALL LOCATIONS IN TEXAS
Before you dive into a specific region, check out these top 5 spots to find fall color around Texas. We’ve racked our brains and done our homework on this so believe us when we say if you’ve only got one day to go on an adventure, make sure you go to one of these spots!
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Garner State Park (Park Instagram)
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Guadalupe Mountains National Park (Park fall foliage report)
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Caddo Lake State Park (Park Instagram)
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Martin Dies Jr. State Park & Angelina National Forest (Park Instagram)
Paddle trails in Martin Dies Jr. State Park are a fantastic way to find and see fall color.
East Texas
The eastern region of our great state might be the best location to see the most fall color. There is ample opportunity to find that golden hue in the swath of forests that checker this side of Texas. Our top destinations for fall color are listed below:
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Stephen F. Austin Gardens (no hiking but a gorgeous arboretum to visit!)
Weather is great for hiking during the fall season and the cottonwoods turn a golden yellow that stand out amongst the red canyon walls
North Texas/Panhandle Plains
North Texas and the Panhandle isn’t the best regions of Texas for fall colors, but there are some spots you can find that will satisfy that leaf peeping itch you’ve got. Do a little extra research before visiting, but these can be some decent locations during late October and November:
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Palo Pinto Mountains (a future state park however not open to public right now, drive FM4 to view the area and leaf peep!)
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Palo Duro Canyon State Park, Caprock Canyon State Park (not a ton of foliage but the cottonwoods turn a fiery yellow)
Morning mist lingers in the air, the sun illuminates the hillside. No, this ain’t Vermont - it’s the Frio River at Garner State Park.
Hill Country
Probably the best region to see fall color in Texas, the hill country spanning from Austin / Fredericksburg / North San Antonio is the best corridor for changing color. There are ample amounts of bald cypress, oaks, and maples scattered around this region and it’s chock full of hiking. Don’t miss out on at least one weekend spent trekking under yellow and orange canopies at one of these spectacular locations!
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Garner State Park (anywhere along the Frio is perfect or hike up Ole Baldy for a Texas sized view of the Frio River and surrounding area)
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Pedernales Falls State Park (hike up and down along the river, tall bald cypress line the banks and turn bright orange during peak color)
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Consider a driving tour on the highways between Blanco and Wimberley or from Garner and Lost Maples. Both areas offer nice scenic country roads along rivers which typically produce the best fall color.
There is no location in Texas more epic and scenic to find fall color than McKittrick Canyon in Guadalupe Mountains National Park.
West Texas
Yes, out west lies some truly breathtaking fall color. It might be hard for you to believe if you are unaccustomed to the secret beauty of our western corner — it’s not all desert and prickly pear out there! Hiding up in the higher elevations of the Guadalupe, Chisos and Davis Mountain ranges are pockets of autumn splendor waiting for the cooler air and shorter days to turn their color. Consider a fall road trip to one of these far-flung destinations.
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Guadalupe Mountains National Park (hike into McKittrick Canyon and have your mind blown by the scenery!)
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Big Bend National Park (If you can make it, head into Boot Canyon via Pinnacles Traiil; a good alternative is the fan favorite Lost Mine Trail)
We hope you enjoy the fall color that Texas has to offer! Each year is different and takes a balance of planning, timing, and luck but if you catch it just right you’ll find yourself saying “Am I still in Texas?” as you look outwards over a hillside of orange, yellow and red. As always, make sure to check the Texas Parks and Wildlife website for hours, permits, COVID related restrictions and polices and review the CDCs recommended travel guidelines. We wish y’all the best this fall season: good luck and Get Out There Y’all!