Texas has enough hidden gems and secret spots that you could spend a lifetime exploring the state and STILL not have seen all of them. My 2nd hidden gems article seemed to really pique everyone’s interest, so I thought I would gather up some more secret spots in Texas that most people don’t know about. Here are 12 more best kept secrets in Texas that you definitely need to visit (but just don’t tell TOO many people about them). Let’s check it out.
- Campbell’s Hole (Austin)
Facebook/Eli Gonzales This is located in one of five access points along Barton Creek. If the Mopac/360 access point at the underpass gets too crowded, head over here for some true relaxation. Access to Campbell’s Hole is at the Spyglass/Mopac entrance near Barton Hills Market and also across the street from the Barton Hills Elementary School.
- Tonkawa Falls (Crawford)
Rockin’Rita/Flickr If you’ve run out of ideas for places to take the kids swimming, this is a wonderful natural area for them to make a splash. With the beautiful blue-green water, lush greenery in the background, and the relaxing sounds of the waterfall, this makes for a great place to spend a hot summer day.
Learn more on their Facebook Page.
- Quanah Parker Trail in Roaring Springs
Barbara Brannon/Flickr Named after the great Comanche leader, this area used to be a camping and watering site for the Comanche and other tribes. Nearby, you can supposedly find holes in the sandstone where corn was ground by the Native Americans living in the area.
Learn more on their website.
- Bracken Cave (San Antonio)
USDA/Flickr This cave might be well-known by locals, but for those coming to visit, seeing the world’s largest bat colony emerge at sunset is an unforgettable sight and one you should definitely experience while you’re in San Antonio.
Learn more on their website.
- “The Slab” (Kingsland)
Facebook/Anita Ruiz Whitley Also known as the “Llano Slab,” this is a wonderful place to cool off in the summer and enjoy the water cascading over the pink and black granite rocks. Some people have even found arrowheads and fossils here.
- Cave Without a Name (Boerne)
Colleen Morgan/Flickr This is probably the least visited cave in Texas, but the guided tour in this 66 degree cavern through six different rooms is definitely worth a visit. In the Queen’s Throne room, 8-12 concerts a year are held that feature Native American flute music and Tibetan singing bowls, which pair nicely with the tranquil environment.
Learn more on their website.
- Chalk Ridge Falls Park (Belton)
Facebook/Lisa Contreras At this wonderful hidden treasure of a park in the hill country, you will find five miles of hiking trails, a hidden cave, a suspension bridge, and the crown jewel of the park, the falls, pictured above.
- Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge (Marble Falls)
mlhradio/Flickr When I first came here a few years ago, I couldn’t believe I had never been before. This refuge houses hundreds of different birds, mammals (including bats, bison and bobcats), reptiles, and butterflies. You’ll find beautiful canyons, prairies, woodlands, and savannahs here, and the views of the hill country are simply awe-inspiring.
Learn more on their Facebook Page.
- Caddo Mounds State Historic Site (Alto)
12-Foot Hedgehog Productions/Flickr Located in Cherokee County, this is the most heavily investigated Indian site in Texas. It was inhabited by the Caddoan peoples between 1000 BC and AD 1550. Today, the site consists of three earthen mounds, remnants of the prehistoric village, and a ceremonial center.
Learn more on their Facebook Page.
- Los Ebanos Ferry (from Los Ebanos, TX to Ciudad Diaz Ordaz, Tamaulipas)
John W Schulze/Flickr This is the last hand-pulled ferry along the entire Rio Grande. If you ever find yourself traveling to Mexico, consider taking this unique ferry to cross the border.
Learn more, including departure times, on their website.
- Big Rocks Park (Glen Rose)
Nicolas Henderson/Flickr Here, you can bring the whole family to climb the huge rocks and even swim and float down the Paluxy River (only if the area has had recent heavy rains). Even if you can’t swim, the kids can still splash around in the water and cool off after clambering around the rocks.
Learn more on their website.
- Hill Country State Natural Area (Bandera)
mlhradio/Flickr Traverse 5,369 acres of rolling hills in this beautiful hidden gem in Bandera. There are 40 miles of trails that wind through this undeveloped retreat in the hill country.
Learn more on their Facebook Page.
Do you know of any other best kept secrets in Texas that I should mention next time? Let me know in the comments!
Facebook/Eli Gonzales
This is located in one of five access points along Barton Creek. If the Mopac/360 access point at the underpass gets too crowded, head over here for some true relaxation. Access to Campbell’s Hole is at the Spyglass/Mopac entrance near Barton Hills Market and also across the street from the Barton Hills Elementary School.
Rockin’Rita/Flickr
If you’ve run out of ideas for places to take the kids swimming, this is a wonderful natural area for them to make a splash. With the beautiful blue-green water, lush greenery in the background, and the relaxing sounds of the waterfall, this makes for a great place to spend a hot summer day.
Learn more on their Facebook Page.
Barbara Brannon/Flickr
Named after the great Comanche leader, this area used to be a camping and watering site for the Comanche and other tribes. Nearby, you can supposedly find holes in the sandstone where corn was ground by the Native Americans living in the area.
Learn more on their website.
USDA/Flickr
This cave might be well-known by locals, but for those coming to visit, seeing the world’s largest bat colony emerge at sunset is an unforgettable sight and one you should definitely experience while you’re in San Antonio.
Learn more on their website.
Facebook/Anita Ruiz Whitley
Also known as the “Llano Slab,” this is a wonderful place to cool off in the summer and enjoy the water cascading over the pink and black granite rocks. Some people have even found arrowheads and fossils here.
Colleen Morgan/Flickr
This is probably the least visited cave in Texas, but the guided tour in this 66 degree cavern through six different rooms is definitely worth a visit. In the Queen’s Throne room, 8-12 concerts a year are held that feature Native American flute music and Tibetan singing bowls, which pair nicely with the tranquil environment.
Learn more on their website.
Facebook/Lisa Contreras
At this wonderful hidden treasure of a park in the hill country, you will find five miles of hiking trails, a hidden cave, a suspension bridge, and the crown jewel of the park, the falls, pictured above.
mlhradio/Flickr
When I first came here a few years ago, I couldn’t believe I had never been before. This refuge houses hundreds of different birds, mammals (including bats, bison and bobcats), reptiles, and butterflies. You’ll find beautiful canyons, prairies, woodlands, and savannahs here, and the views of the hill country are simply awe-inspiring.
Learn more on their Facebook Page.
12-Foot Hedgehog Productions/Flickr
Located in Cherokee County, this is the most heavily investigated Indian site in Texas. It was inhabited by the Caddoan peoples between 1000 BC and AD 1550. Today, the site consists of three earthen mounds, remnants of the prehistoric village, and a ceremonial center.
Learn more on their Facebook Page.
John W Schulze/Flickr
This is the last hand-pulled ferry along the entire Rio Grande. If you ever find yourself traveling to Mexico, consider taking this unique ferry to cross the border.
Learn more, including departure times, on their website.
Nicolas Henderson/Flickr
Here, you can bring the whole family to climb the huge rocks and even swim and float down the Paluxy River (only if the area has had recent heavy rains). Even if you can’t swim, the kids can still splash around in the water and cool off after clambering around the rocks.
Learn more on their website.
Traverse 5,369 acres of rolling hills in this beautiful hidden gem in Bandera. There are 40 miles of trails that wind through this undeveloped retreat in the hill country.
Learn more on their Facebook Page.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: Campbell’s Hole, Barton Creek, Austin, TX, Austin, TX 78746, USAAddress: Tonkawa Falls, 524-550 E 4th St, Crawford, TX 76638, USAAddress: Roaring Springs, TX 79256, USAAddress: 26101 FM3009, San Antonio, TX 78266, USAAddress: Kingsland, TX 78639, USAAddress: Cave Without a Name, Boerne, TX 78006, USAAddress: 5600 FM1670, Belton, TX 76513, USAAddress: Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge, 24518 Ranch Rd 1431, Marble Falls, TX 78654, USAAddress: 1649 TX-21, Alto, TX 75925, USAAddress: Los Ebanos, TX 78565, USAAddress: 1014 NE Barnard St, Glen Rose, TX 76043, USAAddress: 10600 Bandera Creek Rd, Bandera, TX 78003, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
best kept secrets in Texas October 29, 2020 Jackie Ann What’s the most beautiful hike in Texas? Texas has thousands of trails that will lead you on a journey through the most beautiful parts of the Lone Star State. Because the Texas landscape is so varied, you can hike beautiful to beautiful beaches, canyons, waterfalls, and more. Big Bend National Park has some of the most popular (and beautiful) hikes in the state, including the Lost Mine Trail, a 4.2-mile trail that will lead you through the forest with mesmerizing views of the canyons below. In Plano, Texas, you can hike the 6 miles of trails at the Arbor Hills Nature Preserve where you’ll be met with beautiful views of creeks, open prairies, and tons of wildlife. What are the most well known parks in Texas? Texas is home to 80 state parks, each one more beautiful than the next. One of the most well known parks in Texas is Palo Duro Canyon State Park located in the heart of the Texas panhandle. Home to the second largest canyon in the country, visitors from all over the world visit this beautiful state park to hike the more than 30 miles of trails and experience this rugged beauty. McKinney Falls State Park, on the other hand, is located in the central part of the state and is a must-see park for those near the Austin area. Visitors to McKinney Falls State Park can enjoy camping, hiking through the Hill Country woods, fishing in Onion Creek, and of course, see the beautiful McKinney Falls. What can I do with kids in Texas? Texas caters to people of all ages, especially kids. In addition to the many amusement parks, playgrounds, and children’s museums peppered throughout the state, there are plenty of wonderful attractions that are kid-friendly and fun for the whole family. Natural Bridge Caverns in San Antonio is a great place to take the kids. This natural wonder consists of a network of passageways that was formed thousands of years ago, and is a great opportunity for kids to learn about nature and geology first hand.
The OIYS Visitor Center
best kept secrets in Texas
October 29, 2020
Jackie Ann
What’s the most beautiful hike in Texas? Texas has thousands of trails that will lead you on a journey through the most beautiful parts of the Lone Star State. Because the Texas landscape is so varied, you can hike beautiful to beautiful beaches, canyons, waterfalls, and more. Big Bend National Park has some of the most popular (and beautiful) hikes in the state, including the Lost Mine Trail, a 4.2-mile trail that will lead you through the forest with mesmerizing views of the canyons below. In Plano, Texas, you can hike the 6 miles of trails at the Arbor Hills Nature Preserve where you’ll be met with beautiful views of creeks, open prairies, and tons of wildlife. What are the most well known parks in Texas? Texas is home to 80 state parks, each one more beautiful than the next. One of the most well known parks in Texas is Palo Duro Canyon State Park located in the heart of the Texas panhandle. Home to the second largest canyon in the country, visitors from all over the world visit this beautiful state park to hike the more than 30 miles of trails and experience this rugged beauty. McKinney Falls State Park, on the other hand, is located in the central part of the state and is a must-see park for those near the Austin area. Visitors to McKinney Falls State Park can enjoy camping, hiking through the Hill Country woods, fishing in Onion Creek, and of course, see the beautiful McKinney Falls. What can I do with kids in Texas? Texas caters to people of all ages, especially kids. In addition to the many amusement parks, playgrounds, and children’s museums peppered throughout the state, there are plenty of wonderful attractions that are kid-friendly and fun for the whole family. Natural Bridge Caverns in San Antonio is a great place to take the kids. This natural wonder consists of a network of passageways that was formed thousands of years ago, and is a great opportunity for kids to learn about nature and geology first hand.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Texas has thousands of trails that will lead you on a journey through the most beautiful parts of the Lone Star State. Because the Texas landscape is so varied, you can hike beautiful to beautiful beaches, canyons, waterfalls, and more. Big Bend National Park has some of the most popular (and beautiful) hikes in the state, including the Lost Mine Trail, a 4.2-mile trail that will lead you through the forest with mesmerizing views of the canyons below. In Plano, Texas, you can hike the 6 miles of trails at the Arbor Hills Nature Preserve where you’ll be met with beautiful views of creeks, open prairies, and tons of wildlife.
What are the most well known parks in Texas?
Texas is home to 80 state parks, each one more beautiful than the next. One of the most well known parks in Texas is Palo Duro Canyon State Park located in the heart of the Texas panhandle. Home to the second largest canyon in the country, visitors from all over the world visit this beautiful state park to hike the more than 30 miles of trails and experience this rugged beauty. McKinney Falls State Park, on the other hand, is located in the central part of the state and is a must-see park for those near the Austin area. Visitors to McKinney Falls State Park can enjoy camping, hiking through the Hill Country woods, fishing in Onion Creek, and of course, see the beautiful McKinney Falls.
What can I do with kids in Texas?
Texas caters to people of all ages, especially kids. In addition to the many amusement parks, playgrounds, and children’s museums peppered throughout the state, there are plenty of wonderful attractions that are kid-friendly and fun for the whole family. Natural Bridge Caverns in San Antonio is a great place to take the kids. This natural wonder consists of a network of passageways that was formed thousands of years ago, and is a great opportunity for kids to learn about nature and geology first hand.
