20 Best Hiking Trails in Texas

If you're an adventure-seeker looking for the best hiking experiences, Competitours specializes in crafting unforgettable mystery travel itineraries that blend adventure, competition, and super awesome hiking trips! Whether you’re hiking in Big Bend, Palo Duro Canyon, or Enchanted Rock, Texas offers an incredible variety of trails, from rugged mountains to lush forests.

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Hiking in the USA is amazing, and Texas is both full of Americana and is definitely where you want to be! Here are 20 of the best hiking trails in Texas for scenic views, challenging terrains, and unique experiences.

1. South Rim Trail

• Location: Big Bend National Park
• Distance: 12–14.5 miles round-trip
• Elevation Gain: 2,000 feet
• Best Time to Hike: October–April
• Highlights: Offers some of the best views in Texas, with sweeping panoramas of the Chihuahuan Desert and the Rio Grande.
• Tip: Start early to avoid the midday heat, and bring plenty of water—there’s none on the trail.

2. Guadalupe Peak Trail

• Location: Guadalupe Mountains National Park
• Distance: 8.5 miles round-trip
• Elevation Gain: 3,000 feet
• Best Time to Hike: September–May
• Highlights: The highest point in Texas (8,751 feet), offering jaw-dropping views of the vast desert landscape.
• Tip: Be prepared for strong winds near the summit, and wear layers.

3. Lighthouse Trail

• Location: Palo Duro Canyon State Park
• Distance: 5.7 miles round-trip
• Elevation Gain: 940 feet
• Best Time to Hike: Fall and Spring
• Highlights: Leads to the famous Lighthouse Rock formation, with colorful canyon views often compared to the Grand Canyon.
• Tip: Bring sunscreen and start early—there’s minimal shade on this exposed trail.

4. Enchanted Rock Summit Trail

• Location: Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
• Distance: 1.3 miles round-trip
• Elevation Gain: 425 feet
• Best Time to Hike: October–March
• Highlights: A steep but short climb to the summit of a massive pink granite dome with 360° views.
• Tip: Avoid weekends, as the park reaches capacity early.

5. Lost Maples East Trail Loop

• Location: Lost Maples State Natural Area
• Distance: 4.6 miles round-trip
• Elevation Gain: 600 feet
• Best Time to Hike: October–November (fall colors)
• Highlights: A Texas rarity, featuring vibrant autumn foliage and scenic limestone canyons.
• Tip: Visit in early November for the peak fall colors.

6. Window Trail

• Location: Big Bend National Park
• Distance: 5.6 miles round-trip
• Elevation Gain: 950 feet
• Best Time to Hike: October–April
• Highlights: Leads to the stunning "Window," a natural rock opening with panoramic views of the Chisos Mountains.
• Tip: The return hike is uphill, so save energy for the last stretch.

7. Cattail Falls Trail

• Location: Big Bend National Park
• Distance: 3 miles round-trip
• Elevation Gain: 250 feet
• Best Time to Hike: October–April
• Highlights: A hidden oasis in the desert, featuring a seasonal waterfall cascading down rugged cliffs.
• Tip: Waterfall flow depends on recent rainfall—check conditions before hiking.

8. Big Thicket Turkey Creek Trail

• Location: Big Thicket National Preserve
• Distance: 15 miles round-trip (or shorter sections)
• Elevation Gain: Minimal
• Best Time to Hike: Fall and Spring
• Highlights: A lush forest trail through swamps, cypress trees, and rare carnivorous plants.
• Tip: Bring insect repellent—mosquitoes can be intense.

9. Caprock Canyons Trailway

• Location: Caprock Canyons State Park
• Distance: 64 miles (can hike shorter sections)
• Elevation Gain: Varies
• Best Time to Hike: Fall and Spring
• Highlights: Features dramatic red rock canyons, bison sightings, and scenic prairie landscapes.
• Tip: Camp along the trail for a multi-day backpacking adventure.

10. Barton Creek Greenbelt Trail

• Location: Austin
• Distance: 7.9 miles one-way
• Elevation Gain: Varies
• Best Time to Hike: Year-round
• Highlights: A popular urban trail with limestone cliffs, swimming holes, and waterfalls in the heart of Austin.
• Tip: After rain, check for flowing waterfalls at Sculpture Falls and Twin Falls.

11. Franklin Mountains North Franklin Peak Trail

• Location: Franklin Mountains State Park (El Paso)
• Distance: 7.2 miles round-trip
• Elevation Gain: 2,500 feet
• Best Time to Hike: October–April
• Highlights: The highest peak in the Franklin Mountains (7,192 feet), offering spectacular views of Texas, New Mexico, and Mexico.
• Tip: Bring plenty of water—this is a challenging, steep desert hike with no shade.

12. Gorman Falls Trail

• Location: Colorado Bend State Park
• Distance: 3 miles round-trip
• Elevation Gain: 200 feet
• Best Time to Hike: Fall and Spring
• Highlights: A rare Texas waterfall oasis, featuring a 70-foot cascade over lush, moss-covered rocks.
• Tip: The final descent is steep and rocky, so wear sturdy shoes and be prepared to use the guide cables.

13. Four C National Recreation Trail

• Location: Davy Crockett National Forest
• Distance: 20 miles one-way
• Elevation Gain: Minimal
• Best Time to Hike: October–April
• Highlights: A dense pine forest trail with wildlife, boggy wetlands, and peaceful solitude.
• Tip: Ideal for backpacking or day hiking shorter sections—watch for snakes in warmer months!

14. Eagle Mountain Lake Park Trail

• Location: Fort Worth
• Distance: 5 miles round-trip
• Elevation Gain: 500 feet
• Best Time to Hike: Year-round
• Highlights: A scenic urban escape with lake views, limestone bluffs, and rolling hills.
• Tip: Trails can be rocky, so wear hiking boots instead of sneakers.

15. Seminole Canyon Trail

• Location: Seminole Canyon State Park
• Distance: 6 miles round-trip
• Elevation Gain: 300 feet
• Best Time to Hike: October–March
• Highlights: Features prehistoric rock art, dramatic canyon landscapes, and views of the Rio Grande.
• Tip: Join a guided hike to learn about the ancient Native American pictographs.

16. Balcones Canyonlands Rimrock Trail

• Location: Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge
• Distance: 3 miles round-trip
• Elevation Gain: 400 feet
• Best Time to Hike: Fall and Spring
• Highlights: Stunning Hill Country views, home to rare golden-cheeked warblers and limestone caves.
• Tip: Bring binoculars for birdwatching—this is a prime wildlife spotting area.

17. Lone Star Hiking Trail

• Location: Sam Houston National Forest
• Distance: 96 miles total (hike shorter sections)
• Elevation Gain: Minimal
• Best Time to Hike: Fall through Spring
• Highlights: The longest continuous hiking trail in Texas, weaving through lush pine forests, creeks, and rolling terrain.
• Tip: Backpackers should filter water from creeks, as some sections are far from water sources.

18. Mustang Island Paddling Trail & Hike

• Location: Mustang Island State Park
• Distance: 5-mile hiking trail & 20 miles of paddling trails
• Elevation Gain: Minimal
• Best Time to Hike: Year-round
• Highlights: A unique coastal hiking experience, where dunes, beaches, and birdwatching are the main attractions.
• Tip: Rent a kayak and explore the paddling trails through coastal wetlands.

19. Pedernales Falls Trail System

• Location: Pedernales Falls State Park
• Distance: 10 miles total (multiple trails)
• Elevation Gain: Varies
• Best Time to Hike: October–April
• Highlights: Features limestone riverbeds, waterfalls, and scenic overlooks in the Texas Hill Country.
• Tip: Swimming is not allowed at the falls, but the beach area downstream is great for cooling off.

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20. Caprock Canyons Upper Canyon Trail

• Location: Caprock Canyons State Park
• Distance: 6 miles round-trip
• Elevation Gain: 750 feet
• Best Time to Hike: Fall and Spring
• Highlights: Deep red rock canyons, rolling prairies, and bison sightings along the trail.
• Tip: Check ahead for bison closures, as they roam freely in the park!