All the leaves are brown—or red, or gold.
Autumn is an important milestone in Texas , reminding residents that summer can not , technically , last forever . The cooler conditions is join by a few local favorite , including football time of year and the State Fair , but perhaps the surest sign that fall is officially here is the merging of brilliantly colored trees .
Unlike the Northeast and Pacific Northwest , where leave-taking begin changing with the first days of fall , most Texas trees do n’t hit kaleidoscope storey until mid - October , while others do n’t top out until mid - November . So , you ’ve got some time . But it ’s a big state , with deviate temperatures and topographies , so plan accordingly and you ’ll never be too far from a soundly - looking grove . These are 10 of the near places to see fall foliage in Texas .
Caddo Lake State Park
Hike around , camp next to , or drop a seam into the 26,810 - Accho Caddo Lake , which is stocked with 70 metal money of Pisces — and a few alligator . Visit during the fall , and the area’smaple , oak tree , cypress , sweetgum , and hickory trees will be in full gist , ready to improve your opinion along hiking trails or stationed outside one of the park ’s 46 campsites . When to go : Mid - to late November
Lake Bob Sandlin State Park
This 9,000 - Akko lake in Northeast Texas is the convergence period for two ecological part : the Pineywoods and the Post Oak Savannah . That means huge Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree and tall grasses abound . Pisces for largemouth bass and catfish , boost the trail , and spend the Nox at one of the many campsites or cabins . All the while , keep your head on a swivel for the colorful trees , including hickories and red maple . When to go : Mid - October to mid - November
Lost Maples State Natural Area
Head two time of day north-west of San Antonio , and you ’ll enter the lose Maples State Natural Area , with slew of hikes , campsites , wildlife , and stargazing opportunities . In summer , Lost Maples is renowned for its wildflowers , but in fall , visitor flock to see the lush fall leaf . Bigtooth maples flex red and orange , provide a gorgeous backdrop for nature walk — there are 10 knot of lead , including a iteration that ends in a premier advantage point above the car park on a 2,200 - ft cliff . When to go : too soon to mid - November
Garner State Park
This Hill Country park is a year - round favourite . Visitors float down the Frio River during summertime months and explore the 16 miles of trails during spring and fall . fall lend the contribute welfare of colored timberland , as the cypress tree , oak , mesquite , and persimmon tree change from their usual special K to brilliantly yellow-bellied , red , and orange . If you desire to blow and peep simultaneously , bring a kayak and take it down the river . When to go : later October through November
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
This national park sits on the border of West Texas and Southern New Mexico , pull visitors from both body politic , who gather for the area ’s singular mix of mountains , canyons , and desert . The night are cool and exculpated , construct this park a popular stain for stargazing . The next cockcrow , take a perambulation and relish the brightly colored maple and other deciduous trees . For a good time , boost the McKittrick Canyon — it ’s flush with beautiful landscape and drop foliage . When to go : The last two weeks of October into early November
Palo Duro Canyon State Park
The Palo Duro Canyon may not be the Grand Canyon , but it ’s still a moderately keen canon , and the second expectant in the area . You ’ll ascertain it in its eponymic Department of State commons , which is located a short effort south of Amarillo . It ’s loaded with more than 30 miles of tramp , biking , and equestrian trails , so there ’s always something to research . fourth dimension your trip with the change leaf , and you ’ll see the local cottonwoods turn brilliantly yellow against the blue skies and crimson rocks . And when the day ’s over , you may bunk down at one of the common ’s many campsites or lavishness tent . When to go : Mid- to late October
Tyler State Park
This Piney Woods Mungo Park is a lavish and scenic destination all year , drawing visitant for its hiking trails and sportfishing - well-disposed leaping - fed lake . But fall is when it really shows off , as its tree diagram — many stretching over 100 feet grandiloquent — turn of events shades of white-livered , orangish , and crimson , providing a full color palette for all your leaf - peeping dangerous undertaking . When to go : Mid - October through mid - November
McKinney Falls State Park
You do n’t have to pretend far from the metropolis to see leave-taking . McKinney Falls State Park is located about 10 mile south of Downtown Austin , and it ’s a popular stop for its Clarence Day - hike and wad bike trail . Nine miles of paths lift through cypress trees and red oaks , and secluded waterfalls and pool be given down from Onion Creek . The best time to jaw is during the fall , when temperature are cooler and trees clear up the sky with their exchange coloration . When to go : later October through former November
Daingerfield State Park
Another Piney Woods gem , Daingerfield State Park covers 507 land of this scenic Northeast Texas neighborhood . you may hike , bike , and wench - watch , or splash around your way across the 80 - acre lake . The rustle Leaves Trail is an easy trek around that lake , or for even better views , take the Mountain View Trail up to the gamy point in the park . Once fall hit , the oak , maple , sweetgum , and sassafras trees modify color and call on heads , with rich cerise , orange , and yellow hues congeal against a backdrop of evergreen plant pines . When to go : Mid - October to mid - November
Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
See that massive mound of pinkish granite ? That ’s Enchanted Rock . It was here before us — circa one billion years ago — and it will be here after us . Think about that permanence as you go up your way to the top , or search one of the nearby track , which cover 11 total miles . As you saunter , keep your eye peeled for the puma ’s pallette of orangish and yellow colour dotting the orbit ’s oak tree Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree . When to go : November
Pine Canyon, Guadalupe Mountains National Park|Tim Speer
Caddo Lake|Strekoza2/Getty Images
Palo Duro Canyon, Texas|Robert W. Henley/Getty Images
