Best Texas Road Trips To See Fall Foliage

It’s time to hit the road to search for beautiful places that feature fall foliage in Texas!

With cooler weather upon us in Texas (finally), it’s now the perfect time to start planning a few epic Texas road trips to see fall foliage. Whether you have a long weekend or just a day, you’ll find incredible destinations here to welcome in the fall season. The complicated part will be choosing which road trip to take. You may want to plan a few!

Best Fall Foliage Trips From Texas

In some areas of Texas, leaves don’t start changing until late November, giving us southerners more than enough time to plan what our northern friends have seen from early to late September. Texas’ fall colors may not be as elegant as up north but just as special. It’s hard to beat the smell of autumn in the air and the beautiful orange, red, and yellow colors sprawled out all over the ground.

Related: 6 Best Places For Fall Camping In East Texas

Fall Foliage In Texas

I’m a Texas girl, and this is the time of year when I wish I lived somewhere other than Texas …like Vermont or even Canada, to witness the fall colors sooner! In the north, people refer to searching for the changing of leaves as a “leaf-peeper.” I had not heard of this term before, but now I think I could sure become one!

As we all know, the leaves from summer to fall start changing in Canada and New England states and trickle-down hitting areas at different times in the year. By early October, Texans are on the lookout hoping for some color, but we seem to have to wait and wait, and most times, we wait until late October to early November to see the change. But, to be sure, the best time is anytime in November. When it’s time, I usually head northeast or east in Texas to see my favorite colors.

Best Texas Road Trips To See Fall Foliage

Prep your car to get ready for a scenic drive through small towns in the Lone Star State to see the vibrant colors of autumn. Anything is better than dead brown grass! Also, Texas parks offer some excellent fall colors and are suitable for camping this time of year, and miles of trails for hiking if you’re into that. It’s a great time to be outdoors for sure!

As you plan your fall road trip(s) in Texas, consider a few of these beautiful destinations to escape to for a weekend or even a day trip to see the beautiful colors of fall. If I didn’t mention an area close to you, check out a few state parks near you because that’s where you’re likely to see the most. Who doesn’t like cool crisp air and beautiful fall foliage? Will you take the state highway or the country roads? Personally, whenever I can take the back roads, I do. Whatever road you take, make sure to stock your car with awesome car storage for all your belongings to help your drive go a lot smoother.

Related: Tiny Cabin Camping in East Texas

West Texas

Palo Duro Canyon State Park – for gorgeous fall foliage and the best zip line course I’ve ever been on, head this way. If you’re into zipping over the Canyon, you’ll love it! However, we went to the Canyon in 2014, and it was our first-time zip line – ever! I love it, but my husband did not, nor did our little three-year-old.

From mid-October to mid-November, Guadalupe Mountains National Park shines its fall colors for us to marvel over.  Plan your trip by visiting the link. It updates the fall season every few days.

East Texas

Athens

Take an afternoon stroll through the gardens at East Texas Arboretum & Botanical Society. I haven’t been in the fall, but we did visit earlier this year, and it was quite pleasant to walk around and see all the beauty. If time allows, you may want to visit the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center  – a popular place for families to go.

Tyler State Park

Tyler State Park will explode into a palette of orange, yellow, and red foliage in late November, but don’t be surprised if it doesn’t arrive until early December. I camped here years ago in a screened-in cabin. The kids had a blast canoeing, and I had a great time watching them.

Palestine

Around mid-November, beautiful autumn colors will swarm the small town of Palestine, Texas. Every year at this time, visitors from all over gear up to drive the 145-mile scenic Pineywoods Autumn Trail for breathtaking fall foliage. If this is your choice, and if time permits, check out the Texas State Railroad train ride to Rusk and back for a scenic fall tour of pinewood, rolling hills, nature, and wildlife.

Caddo Lake State Park And Caddo Lake

Gorgeous fall foliage happens here from late October through November, plus you can take a tour of the bayou to see the hanging cypress trees. Bald cypress in fall is a sight to see (I’ve heard). One day, I’ll get over that way to see it all. Last year, I took a solo trip to Jefferson, TX, where I took a boat tour, but I was more interested in seeing an alligator than anything else!

Northeast Texas

Daingerfield State Park

Daingerfield State Park is a great place to see every color autumn shares starting late October. If a day visit is all you have, plan for it here it’s probably the best place in Texas. And there’s a ton of hiking to do if you’re into that.

Lake Bob Sandlin State Park

About 110 miles from Dallas is Lake Bob Sandlin State Park, an excellent day park to visit for all things outdoors. It’s worth a day trip to see the beauty of autumn peeking through the trees. Visit the site for the best times to see the fall foliage.

Texas Hill Country

If ever you get out this way, there are a few apple orchards in the area to pick-your-own apples. The one I came upon is Love Creek Orchards. Check them out to see if they have apples to pick.

This area would be my choice to visit from the photos I’ve seen of the Lost Maples State Natural Area. Some of the best Texas road trips I’ve taken have been to the hill country. I think this area would get crowded this time of year, but probably worth every line you’ll have to wait in to see the beauty of the area—fall included.

South Texas

Garner State Park

I just realized I had been to Garner State Park when my son and I took a road trip to the Frio River. Of course, it was in the summer months. From its looks, this area is pretty nice in the fall, but I bet the river is freezing!! Expect to see cypress, oak, mesquite, and persimmon trees take on the various breathtaking red, orange, and yellow shades. Hike it all on the provided 11-mile hiking trails.

Here are the best Texas road trips to see fall foliage. Which will you go see?