Best Hiking Trails in Texas
Big Bend, the Hill Country, Palo Duro Canyon — Texas hiking is bigger and weirder than the rest of the country thinks. Our picks.
Texas hiking is in two places nobody from out of state expects. The first is Big Bend in the far southwest — Chihuahuan Desert mountains, Rio Grande, miles of empty trail. The second is the Hill Country between San Antonio and Austin — limestone canyons, swimming holes, central-Texas wildflowers in March that are genuinely hard to overstate.
Jake lived in Marathon for a winter shooting big-bend trip-report content. Mia road-tripped the Hill Country with her family in spring 2024 and won't shut up about Lost Maples. Don't hike Texas in August unless you have a death wish.
By region
Big Bend NP
Chisos Basin, Window Trail, South Rim. Late October through April only. Summer is genuinely dangerous.
Hill Country
Enchanted Rock, Lost Maples, Pedernales Falls, Guadalupe River. March–April for wildflowers.
Guadalupe Mountains NP
Texas's own 8,000-foot range. McKittrick Canyon for fall colour, Guadalupe Peak for the high point of Texas.
Palo Duro Canyon
The Grand Canyon's little brother in the Panhandle. Lighthouse Trail is the classic.
When to go
Plan a hike in Texas
Affiliate links — we earn a small commission when you book through these, at no cost to you. Disclosure.
More hikes in Texas
Common questions
- How hot is Big Bend in summer?
- 110°F+ at low elevations. Rangers will turn people back. Don't plan a trip June–September.
- Snakes?
- Yes, especially around water in summer. Watch where you put your hands; they're not aggressive but they don't want to be stepped on.
- Do I need a 4WD for Big Bend?
- Not for the main paved roads or Chisos Basin. River Road and the back routes — yes, real high-clearance 4WD.