If you are looking for 3 to 6 hour drive road trip places to visit fall colors from Dallas , then here is the list of amazing places to visit with kids and families , you can make it a round trip or individual place trip.
We have included hidden gems of Texas places to visit with kids and family during fall or even year around. Let us know in the comments , which one is your favorite place to visit.
In the below list , We included the things to consider before your visit & the activities over each location.
All the places below are at 3 hour or 6 hour or 8 hour drive – you can make it as a round trip or you can make it as a 2 or 3 day trip by making stops at different locations.
Check here, if you are looking fo fall color places at 45 min to 2 hour drive around Dallas!
1. Overlook Park (Canyon Lake)
This Overlook Canyon Lake is one of the hidden gem in Texas which is the perfect family destination for year round activity. During fall it will add extra beauty with fall colors of shades.
Overlook Canyon Lake is one of the must visit places from Dallas which is located at a 4 hour drive on the way to Hill country places (Garner State Park, Lost Maple state park).
Activities:
Take a tour to the bottom of the 64- acre Gorge to view the waterfalls, limestone formation and dinosaur footprints which were formed 110 million years ago.
To take the tour , you have to book the ticket ahead . This tour will take 3 hour .
There are different parks , swimming beaches , boating and campsites in which some parks are open for day use only and activities are restricted only to the park.
Go for a walk on top of Canyon Lake Dam , mesmerizing view of hill country and lake from sunrise to sunset !!!
At Overlook park you can enjoy the view of the lake on one side and another side the view of hill country fall colors.
Kids will enjoy both walking above the dam or going to nearby water down but be very careful .
Note:
There is no lifeguard or swim area near the dam , take extra care while going to the seashore near the dam area.
Fall color time to visit: End of October to first week of December.
Location :
601 Coe Rd, Canyon Lake, TX 78133
2. Garner State Park, Concan
Garner state park is one of the best places to visit . It will be amazing to see Frio river water mirroring orange , red , yellow fall color under breathtaking mountain.
You don’t want to hike miles to take fall photos, just park your car and get ready for a photoshoot with shades of fall colors as backdrop.
Staying overnight will definitely be worth for your visit to Garner state park or plan to spend at-least 5 to 6 hours to enjoy the place.
If you are planning to visit for fall colors, always start early in the morning as the sun goes down early , it is better to enjoy the colors in bright sunlight.
Best time to Visit: End of October to first week of December.
One of the calm and very beautiful places to visit with kids and family, one day will not be enough to enjoy the nature at Garner state Park.
Activity: Canoe, Kayak or paddle through an amazing view.
Location:
234 RR 1050
Concan, TX 78838
3. Guadalupe River State Park, Spring Branch
Guadalupe River surrounds bald cypress tree lines which are located along the boundary of Comal and Kendall counties.
It will take a 5 hour drive from Dallas to visit acres of Guadalupe River Park.
Activities:
Kayak, canoe ,tube are good options . They do started 5 mile paddling trail .
Fishing , swimming , Hike or bike at 13 mile of trail, picnic are the best options to enjoy your visit with kids and family.
Honey Creek Tours,
Explore the protected area of 100 year old Honey creek State Natural Area history with a guide tour . You need to register separately for this tour . The tour is available only on Saturday and on selected Sunday. Checkout here for more options.
Location :
3350 Park Road 31,
Spring Branch , TX 78070
Admission Fee : $ 7 and Online reservation are available
Visit the Discovery Center ,
Take a closer look at nature using magnifying glasses, microscopes and binoculars. Explore hand-on discovery boxes and exhibits. Ask for borrowing an explorer pack
The trees are most likely orange sycamore, elm, basswood, pecan, walnut, persimmon, willow and hackberry and Oak , Juniper woodlands fill this area along with limestone formation which will give the immersive fall color view.
The park supports wild animals like white tailed deer, gray fox, racoon,,,
4. Lost Maple State Park, Venderpool
One of the most famous places to visit fall colors in Texas. Uvalde bigtooth maples are most famous at Lost maple park.
Best time to visit fall colors: November to 1st week of December . Color will depend on the weather , you can check fall foliage here.
As fall is the peak time to visit the park, you have to book your ticket well in advance before your visit. You can book your ticket online a month ago to confirm your visit.
If you do not book your ticket in advance, it is tough to view the fall color during weekends , because most of the time will be sold out and you can’t enter the park !!
Activites:
10 miles of hike, fishing and camping available at 30 campsites.
Note : Cell phone service not available in the Natural Area .Download google map location offline .
Location:
37221 F.M. 187
Vanderpool, TX 78885
5. Angelia National Forest , Sabine National Forest National Forest and Davy Crockett National Forest.
These Three National Forests are one of the tranquil scenic places to go for road trips year around with family and friends.
These 3 forest are connected to each one. You can visit all the 3 forests in one round trip. It will take at-least 3 days to explore all the places.
Staying at the Lufkin Texas will be the best option to visit the places or going to the campground are also good option but always stay connected and reach your campground after sunset . It will be a little scary once the sun goes down !!!
1.Visit Sabine National Forest to explore 16,656 acres of Forest with 12,360 acres of wilderness
2. Visit Davy Crockett National Forest spread-out 160,000 acres with 45 Acre of Lake .
3. Angelina NationaL Forest with 153,179 acres of land and know about the historical Sam Rayburn Dam at 114,500 acre of lake.
All the above National Forests is mesmerizing with recreational centers and a lakes which is hidden from the rest of Texas . Must visit places at this National Forest are,
2. Red Hills Lake Recreation Area,
3. Boykin Recreation Area,
4. Sam Ray Reservoir – Historic Reservoir to visit , wait until Sunset for amazing photos ..
5. Toledo Bend Reservoir
Activities:
All the above places , you can do hiking, Mountain biking, Camping ,fishing , hunting , Horseback riding ,picnicking and boating
One of the hidden gem places at Texas, This National Forest holds an amazing natural scenic route with well tall grown trees .
Angelia National Forest
3350 Park Rd 31, Spring Branch, TX 78070
Sabine National Forest
5050,TX-21, Hemphill, Tx 75948.
Davy Crockett National Forest
18551 Texas 7, Kennard , TX 75847.
Note:
If you are planning to visit for fall colors, always plan to start early it is better to enjoy the colors at bright sunlight.
Most this places are mountain cell phone signal are not available , download offline google maps , backup charger and stay connected with Friends and families.
Carry your own food , water bottle and change of cloth and spring jacket.
Thank you for visiting UNIJOU – Universal Journey . We will continue to post blogs about places to visit with kids and family. If you find our blog useful, kindly let us know in the comment section.
