It's that time of year again! The weather is cooling down and the trees are starting to show off their beautiful colors. If you're looking for the best places to enjoy the fall colors, we have you covered with the five best day trips from Dallas to enjoy the great outdoors this fall!

Updated October 2023


 

GARNER STATE PARK

GARNER STATE PARK

Photo courtesy of Texas Parks and Wildlife
 

Located in the beautiful Texas Hill Country, Garner State Park has spectacular views year round that are enhanced in the later months of the year! The bright orange and yellows of the cypress leaves are reflected on the clear Frio River and if visiting during the fall, the temperatures are a lot cooler and more delightful. 

The park is perfect to visit on a day trip if you’re staying in Austin or a nearby city, but it also has great camping facilities so you can stay overnight! The campsites are relatively spread out, so you’ll have plenty of privacy, and they also have restrooms and showers. Each one also has a ground grill with a fire pit attached to it, lantern hooks, and a picnic table! If camping isn’t your thing, you can always opt for a cozy cabin for more comfort! 

Make reservations and see varying fees on their official website.

Distance from Dallas: 5 hours and 45 minutes

Park Entrance Fee: $8/person daily

With Park Pass: Free

 

TYLER STATE PARK

fall foliage at Tyler state park

Photo courtesy of Trekaroo


Looking for a peaceful little getaway from Dallas? Tyler State Park is a tranquil paradise just short of 2 hours away from the city. Explore the Pineywoods in northeast Texas, where you’ll notice the heavily wooded park beautifully enhanced in the fall! 

This trip can be made in one day, or stay a night or two either at a campsite under the stars or a nearby Airbnb/ hotel! There are plenty of campsites ranging from water only to full hookup, as well as others that deliver great views of the lake. Our favorite hikes are the 1.5 mile “Whispering Pines'' trail that is great for beginners or kiddos, the 2 mile loop around the lake, or the 3.5 mile trail (D & B loop combo). After a long day of hiking, gather some chairs around a campfire and end the night with hot dogs and s’mores (but be sure to call or check page on Texas Parks & Wildlife for burn bans)!

Make reservations and see varying fees on their official website. 

Distance from Dallas: 1 hour and 45 minutes

Park Entrance Fee: $6/person daily

With Park Pass: Free

 

LAKE BOB SANDLIN STATE PARK

fall foliage at lake bob sandlin state park

Photo courtesy of Texas Parks and Wildlife
 

Around 2 hours outside Dallas is a beautiful, quiet lakeside park close to Pittsburgh, TX. Heading up to the Northeast region of our state means massive trees and dense woods, and Lake Bob Sandlin State Park offers that and more! Hike, geocache, and mountain bike and, with the lake being the main attraction, fish, swim, and paddle! And no worries if you don’t have your own gear for the water, you’ll be able to  rent a kayak or supplies for fishing! If you do plan on fishing, be sure to check out Trout Pond, Brim Pond, or the lit pier at night to try your luck! If fishing isn’t for you, there is also a swimming area with a few docks to jump off of! 

The leaves begin turning colors around mid-October, so aim to plan your trip around then! You’ll be able to see the bright reds and yellows of the trees reflected on Lake Bob Sandlin, so pack a lunch, find the pavilion or lay out a blanket, and enjoy the views! 

If you choose to camp overnight, choose from either a campsite with water and electricity or pitch your tent at a primitive campsite. If camping isn’t your thing, opt for a cabin or a screened shelter! 

Make reservations and see varying fees on their official website

Distance from Dallas: 2 hours

Park Entrance Fee: $4/person daily

With Park Pass: Free

 

LOST MAPLES STATE NATURAL AREA

lost maples state natural area

Photo courtesy of Texas Parks and Wildlife


Who said Texas doesn’t have four seasons? Arguably the best place in Texas to see fall foliage, Lost Maples State Natural Area is situated in Vanderpool. The Big Toothed Maples here are dazzling when they start turning bright red, orange, and yellow. 

Make sure to plan ahead and to keep track of the Lost Maples State Natural Area Foliage Color Change Report that’s issued out weekly. Last fall, the colors were peaking around Nov. 17th, but it varies over the years! And not only are the colors of the trees spectacular during this time of year, the temperatures make for amazing hiking and camping weather too. 

Admire the beautiful fall foliage in many different ways, including hiking a loop that takes you along the top of a 2,200 foot cliff, fishing, bird watching, stargazing, and geocaching! Keep in mind that there is no cell service in this natural area.

Make reservations and see varying fees on their official website. If you’re planning on visiting, come EARLY! You might find a very long line to get in, especially if you’re going during peak foliage season. 

Distance from Dallas: 5 hours and 30 minutes

Park Entrance Fee: $6/person daily

With Park Pass: Free

 

DAINGERFIELD STATE PARK

Photo courtesy of Texas Parks and Wildlife
 

Head over to East Texas to Daingerfield State Park and explore the spectacular pineywoods, towering tall with trees reaching for the sky! Visiting the park mid-November will make for a more quiet, peaceful, and colorful park…you don’t want to miss the fall foliage here! The drive itself during this time of year is so scenic, the road lined with tall pines, oaks, and beautiful fall colors. 

Enjoy this park by paddling or canoeing Little Pine Lake, hiking through the cathedral of trees or to the top of the highest peak, and of course, by camping! Each site has power, water, and a small fireplace as well as access to well-maintained bathrooms. If you don’t want to camp, you can reserve one of their historic cabins or stay at a nearby hotel!

If you’re going from March through November, the pavilion on Saturday nights turns into a dance party with jukebox tunes with some nights featuring live music or karaoke!

Make reservations and see varying fees on their official website.

Distance from Dallas: 2 hours and 30 minutes

Park Entrance Fee: $4/person daily

With Park Pass: Free


 

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