Various Ramblings
Michael Nowak
Cha-cha-changes!
Cha-cha-changes!
Various Ramblings
Michael Nowak
Seeing can mean believing.
Seeing can mean believing.

texas

My 10 Favorite Outdoor Spots in Texas

Ten of my favorite outdoor places in Texas

I’m listing ten of my favorite spots to hang out outdoors in Texas. These locations are in no particular order. Texas was home for nearly ten years, and it wasn’t until the past few that I really got out there and explored. I’m glad I did, but I’m also looking forward to the natural wonders of New Mexico.

Caprock Canyons State Park

  • This park has great trails but make it a point to hike to Fern Canyon if you can, it is worth it

  • I’ve hiked and camped here and can testify that it is quiet and pleasant, but tent camping is pretty close together

  • Many of the camping areas don’t have good shade, and a lot of the hiking doesn’t either, so don’t forget that sunscreen and extra water

  • You can read about my one hike or that other hike or that nature writing challenge I did

  • TX State Parks Website

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Palo Duro Canyon State Park

  • I believe some people call it the “Grand Canyon of Texas” and it is pretty cool, but people gotta slow down

  • The initial descent into the canyon feels like you’ve left Texas

  • Trails and camping in this park are great - with plenty of variety

  • Read about my hike there or my other blurb about it or my other hike write-up

  • TX State Parks Website

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Big Bend National Park

  • This is a broad location, given the size, but I’m saying the whole place is worth it every time

  • Camping in the Chisos Basin was the coolest - watching the sun come up over the mountains

  • Hiking in Santa Elena Canyon area was a highlight for me, as well as pretty much everywhere else

  • I have not had the privilege of backpacking, but it’s on my list and I’ve heard good things

  • Here are a few writings I did about it Hike & Blurb

  • National Park Service Website

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Guadalupe Mountains National Park

  • Another vast location I’ve had limited, but good, times at is this little gem

  • I hiked a couple of trails, while sick one weekend, and fell in love because I watched the sunrise and the moonset all in the same time frame.

  • I can’t wait to be located closer to these so I can explore further

  • Go in the morning, watch the mountains turn gold from a west Texas sunrise and you will NOT be disappointed

  • Read about my hike here

  • National Park Service Website

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Big Thicket National Preserve

  • Big trees, creeks, boardwalks, sun through said big trees.. a magical place

  • I visited in the winter and fell in love, imagine the other seasons

  • I hit two areas - Beech Creek and Turkey Creek - both offered plenty of space to walk amongst the trees. (Beech Creek is a small chunk, and a short trail)

  • National Park Service Website

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Tyler State Park

  • This location was an instant favorite - tall pines, pleasant drive from DFW, and quiet enough

  • I remember the trails being a little confusing, but nothing too bad

  • Looks like a great place to camp, though I haven’t had the opportunity - gotta plan way (up to weeks or months) ahead in Texas to reserve a spot

  • Read about my hike / TX State Parks Website

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Colorado Bend State Park

  • My friend Amanda shared this place with me and I am so glad she did.

  • This place has it all - lush waterfalls, open trails, and places to swim

  • I visited early in the morning, for a half day, but would love to get back someday as there is so much left to explore

  • I wrote about my hike here / TX State Parks Website

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Copper Breaks State Park

  • I can remember wanting to visit this place every time I drove to Caprock or Palo Duro

  • Red rock trails over the ridges and through the valleys

  • I’d go in the spring, fall, or winter… it doesn’t have a lot of shade

  • TX Parks Website / My Hike

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Fort Parker State Park (kayaking)

  • The park on land seemed alright, I didn’t spend much time there.

  • I kayaked from one point, across the lake, and down the river

  • I saw birds, enjoyed a breeze, and would recommend it for anyone looking for a variety kayak that includes open water and a gentle river

  • TX State Parks Website

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Martin Dies Jr. State Park

  • I never though Texas could look so magical with moody fog and cypress swamps

  • The kayaking looks phenomenal, I’d return just for that

  • The trails were nice and the vegetation was the highlight for me

  • TX State Parks Website

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I’m going to give an honorable mention to Sea Rim State Park because it was a spectacular place that overwhelmed my senses in a good way. It’s on the Gulf of Mexico, has kayaking inland with plenty of birds to look at, and just makes you feel so small and unimportant in a good way. The reason I’d say it’s not in the top 10 is because of the location; you have to drive through ugly infrastructure to get there. TX State Parks Website

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Places I’m still interested in visiting:

Hueco Tanks State Park

Franklin Mountains State Park

Devil’s River State Natural Area

Davis Mountains State Park

Big Bend Ranch State Park

Top 10 Things I learned about Texas

If you haven’t heard, I’m leaving Texas. I’ve been here since March 31, 2011 so I’ve learned a few things in ten years. Here’s a list in a David Letterman style from 10 to one. Don’t come at me, this is just fo fun and in good spirits. Texas was (is) good to me. I met some nice people, had many great times, and rediscovered my need to be outdoors. DFW is a great hub for travel, Austin has great food, and the numerous small towns are quaint at to look at as you pass through. Enjoy!

10. There are no REAL seasons. It can be hot any day of the year and the the weather changes faster than in Michigan.

9. Whataburger is delicious, but even better when drunk, hungover, and/or it’s VERY late.

8. Texas beer is good… but doesn’t compare to Michigan or Minnesota.

7. Driving more than a few hours to get somewhere is normal life and you either adapt or don’t go anywhere.

6. When it rains, ices, or snows you better just stay home.

5. East Texas has some of the only trees in the state and they’re worth the drive.

4. Big Bend and Guadalupe Mountains are some of the best areas of the state. Fight me.

3. Many of the state parks are exactly the same and it is boring. They’re fine, and I’m grateful for them, but I am good.

2. Oklahoma isn’t as bad as Ohio.

1. You have to drive like an asshole to survive here because the people are either too slow or completely psychotic; there’s no in between.

#WayBackWednesday - Caprock Canyons State Park

We’re going back to Caprock Canyons State Park last year at the end of September. This was a quick weekend camping trip that included a hike to Fern Canyon (a must-see if you’re at Caprock) and some other adventures with bison and spiders. Camping varies there, but there I’d recommend anywhere but near the lake as you’ll have more space between spots. Primitive looked best, but we just car camped at one of the tent only areas. Enjoy some photos!

#WayBackWednesday - Palo Duro Canyon State Park

Camping in Palo Duro Canyon State Park was a highlight from spring of 2017.  Looking back through my photos, I didn't even capture the immense beauty of the canyon but sure did get some great shots from our hikes and our campsite.  If you get the chance, it's one of the most beautiful places in Texas and is worth a visit!  This place was Hike #6 of my 2017 52 Hike Challenge and you can read more about the adventure and see more photos HERE.

#WayBackWednesday - Big Bend

I've been thinking of Big Bend often and I can't wait to schedule a trip back out there.  The park entrance is about 7.5 hours from my house, with another hour or so of driving within the park to get to the Chisos Basin Campground.  Big Bend is HUGE and it can easily take all day to drive through if you're stopping for little hikes and viewpoints - as we did.  I'd really enjoy going back to spend time exploring one area or backpacking a specific trail. Being honest with myself, I'll go back in any way I can and with anyone willing to enjoy the experience.  Here are some photos from a trip in January of 2014 with my other half and one of our best friends. 

Classic entrance sign photo

A view while driving down into Big Bend

Morning views from the campsite in Chisos Basin Campground

More driving views

Rio Grande!

Sotol Vista Overlook views

Santa Elena Canyon views

Santa Elena Canyon Trail friendship selfie. <3

#ForestFriday - Tyler State Park (Texas)

Today's Forest Friday post features the pine forests of Tyler, TX.  I'm thankful Texas has such gorgeous pine forests for me to hike through and enjoy.  I love the tall pines so much, I am planning to head back very soon for an early morning hike.  Enjoy a few photos and may the forest be with you, always.

#ForestFriday - The Greenbelt in Austin, TX

To any Austin, TX resident or visitor, the Barton Creek Greenbelt is a definite source for cooling off in the summer and exercising any time of year!  Here are some photos from my various visits to parts of the Greenbelt over the years.  Urban forests deserve all the love too!  Go love the trees and make sure you take care of your urban green spaces.

**Unfortunately, some people can't respect the urban trees and they take abuse like this graffiti

#ForestFriday - Dino Valley has trees, too!

Texas has some big trees - they just live a few hours away from me.  If you go east from Dallas, near the border of Louisiana, you'll find some big pine trees that make you say "ahhhh" when you see them.  I love when I have to go out of town and drive through that area, but it's still a bit of a distance for a quick day trip.  In a previous post, I focused on the trees in the Dallas/Fort Worth metro area at Cedar Ridge and this entry will feature another local treasure known as Dinosaur Valley State Park.  People visit Dino Valley for the visible dinosaur track fossils in the Paluxy River and the dinosaur sculptures at the entrance.  I visit because you have to cross the river to hike, weeding some people out, and because the hills are great exercise.  I ALSO visit because there are streams that flow into the Paluxy and those streams mean trees grow nearby and trees mean heavenly shade from the beating sun.  The trees along the trails range from oaks to juniper, with some cedar and live oaks in between.  I've found a few, old and large live oaks throughout the park and plenty of little forest areas to offer a cool reprieve from rocky ridges and open fields.  Here are a few photos of some trees from my many visits over the past 15 months to this wonderful little gem, only an hour from the metro area.

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