Outdoor Recreation in Texas

If you're thinking of traveling to or around Texas, there are plenty of options. Recreation is a popular pastime here, offering numerous activities and sports for the active visitor. Because Texas is the second-largest state in the U.S., you can cover a lot of territory without leaving its borders, and there are myriad differences in climate and topography as you travel across it. When you plan an outdoor vacation in Texas, it is a good idea to know in advance exactly where you want to go.

Fishing and Hunting

If you would like your outdoor vacation in Texas to include a little game, there are dozens of places to consider. The recreation industry includes lakes, ponds and hunting leases, as well as access to fishing in the Gulf of Mexico.

Deer hunting is particularly popular in the central part of Texas, and you might enjoy some recreation in the Houston or San Antonio areas. You'll have access to the city but you'll also be able to enjoy the country, regardless of your hunting or fishing preferences.

Many people enjoy bass fishing outdoor vacations, and again, you have lots of options. The Amistad River in the Plains, Husband Creek near Forth Worth and Lake of Pines near the Oklahoma border are all good places to start.

Horseback Riding

Texas is perhaps best known for horses, and your outdoor vacation wouldn't be complete without seeing the country from atop a horse. This is one of the most enjoyable forms of recreation in the state, and there are a large number of horseback riding stables to choose from.

Striker Trail Rides in Boerne and Rainbow Trail Rides on the Brazos River are two of the most popular, but you'll find stables scattered throughout Texas. Just remember to be safe on your outdoor vacation and choose reputable facilities with solid reputations.

State Parks

If you'd rather enjoy your outdoor vacation just getting back to nature, Texas is full of state parks where all types of recreation can be found. Huntsville, Ray Roberts Lake, Purtis Creek, Fort Griffin, Kickapoo Cavern and Caddo Lake are just a few of your options.

Most of the Texas state parks allow camping, fishing, hiking, bike riding and other forms of recreation, but make sure you ask in advance. You don't want to ruin your next outdoor vacation by not checking up on your destination.

Historic Sites

If there is one thing Texas enjoys, it is memorializing history. There are two national historic parks in Texas: Lyndon B. Johnson in Johnson City and San Antonio Missions. You can visit the Alamo in San Antonio and enjoy a leisurely stroll down the Riverwalk, or you can visit the historical museums in Houston.

Fort Clark Springs in Bracketville is another out-of-the-way recreation spot in Texas, and is dedicated to both history and outdoor sports. You might enjoy exploring the natural springs and seeing some of the performances on your next vacation.

By Steve Thompson