National Parks near Dallas. There’s so much more to the Lone Star State than the Dallas Cowboys. In this article, More Than Just Parks goes deep in the heart of Texas.
I’ve been to so many of these amazing places since retiring from teaching in 2018. Did I mention that I taught history? I spent a lifetime teaching about the history behind these momentous sites. Then I got to see them firsthand. And now I’m sharing the stories of these incredible places with you. It doesn’t get any better than that!
To be clear, this list includes national park sites (as in sites managed by the National Park Service) as well as full-fledged national parks. To learn more about the difference between the various National Park Service designations check out our article that explains everything!
Now let’s go ahead with 5 reasons why you’ll want to hop in your car and make a day’s drive from Dallas to one of these truly amazing places.
Why Trust Us About National Parks Near Dallas?
You should probably know that we don’t just make this stuff up out of thin air. My sons have spent their entire adult lives exploring and filming America’s national parks and public lands.
As for me, I’m a retired lifelong educator and a proud dad of these two wonderful guys who are hopelessly obsessed with the national parks. I taught history for over a quarter of a century. Now I enjoy researching and writing articles for More Than Just Parks. I’m always on the hunt for topics where nature and history intersect so please feel free to share any ideas that you might have with me.
We’ve worked with the National Park Service, the Department of Interior, and the U.S. Forest Service for years creating films on important places and issues. Our work has been featured in leading publications all over the world and even some people outside of our immediate family call us experts on the national parks.
Meet The Parks Brothers
We’re Jim Pattiz and Will Pattiz, collectively known as the Pattiz Brothers (and sometimes the Parks Brothers) and we absolutely LOVE the national parks.
Our goal here at More Than Just Parks is to share the beauty of America’s national parks and public lands through stunning short films in an effort to get Americans and the world to see the true value in land conservation.
We hope you’ll follow our journey through the parks and help us to keep them the incredible places that they are. If you’re interested in joining the adventure then please sign up below!
Best National Parks Near Dallas
1. Big Bend National Park
Distance From Dallas: Seven hours and 39 minutes (535 miles) via I-20 W.
It’s a full day’s drive from Dallas to Big Bend National Park, but well worth the trip. This magnificent park, which is often referred to as Texas “gift to the nation,” is famous for its natural resources and recreational opportunities. It’s also rich in cultural history.
There are so many incredible things to do and see at Big Bend National Park. I’m going to share a few of my favorites with you. When you get to Big Bend, I hope that you’ll find discover some of your favorites too.
I love a good scenic drive and Ross Maxwell delivers. The Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive will take you through some outstanding desert scenery on the way to Castalon and the Santa Elena Canyon area.
If you like a good hike then check out the Mule Ear Springs Trail. You can access it from this highway. Be sure to check out the beautiful scenic overlook to see these magnificent twin peaks which are the cores of ancient volcanoes.
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2. Big Thicket National Preserve | National Parks Near Dallas
Distance From Dallas: Approximately four hours (267 miles) via I-45 S.
As the National Park Service notes, the Big Thicket National Preserve is a “convergence of ecosystems.” This wondrous place protects the incredible diversity of life found where multiple habitats converge in southeast Texas.
As a former history teacher, I recommend a visit to the historical places in the preserve which include: (1) Staley Cabin-Built in 1934, this log cabin was once the home of the Staley family. (2) Teel Cemetery-This small, secluded, historic cemetery dates back to the late 1800s. (Source: NPS)
The preserve is a great place to explore either by canoe or kayak. You will find many miles of creeks, bayous, and rivers. Three official trails offer clearly-defined routes to explore and experience the beauty and diversity of the Big Thicket.
If you prefer walking to boating there are approximately 40 miles of trails. They wind through Big Thicket National Preserve. Trails are of varying lengths from 0.3 miles to 18 miles roundtrip.
The preserve also offers backcountry camping throughout much of the park’s lands and waterways. A permit is required for camping, but it’s free.
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3. Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Distance From Dallas: Seven hours and 32 minutes (508 miles) via I-20 W.
It’s a long car drive from Dallas, but it’s a magnificent national park. In 2022, Guadalupe Mountain National Park celebrates its 50th year as a national park. You can join the celebration with some wonderful hikes and backpacking trails where you will be treated to the beauty of the American Southwest.
As the National Park Service notes, at Guadalupe Mountains National Park you can experience mountains and canyons, desert and dunes, night skies and spectacular vistas within a place unlike any other.
There are, however, less strenuous, but equally rewarding hikes to other places. They include: McKittrick Canyon, Pine Springs, Salt Basin Dunes, Frijole Ranch and Dog Canyon. These amazing trails offer dramatic landscapes, fabulous foliage, and the ever impressive high-country.
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4. Hot Springs National Park | National Parks Near Dallas
Distance From Dallas: Four hours and 22 minutes (287 miles) via I-30 E.
Before there were hot tubs there were hot springs. Hot Springs National Park is definitely worth seeing and experiencing. It has ancient thermal springs, mountain views, incredible geologic features, magnificent forested hikes, and an abundance of creeks. Hot Springs National Park provides a memorable destination.
Originally known as the “Valley of Vapors,” Native Americans had been visiting the area for several thousands of years. They came to bathe in its healing waters. In the nineteenth century, Americans started to enjoy these waters too.
The park is considered “America’s Spa.” It includes “Bathhouse Row.” The first bathhouses were crude structures of canvas and lumber. These were little more than tents perched over individual springs or reservoirs carved out of the rock.
In addition to exploring the magnificent bathhouses or enjoying a soothing steam bath, you can also hike along the Grand Promenade which provides lovely shaded views above the bathhouses or visit the Hot Springs Mountain Tower where you will enjoy a breathtaking view.
While you’re there, you might also want to visit the Gangster Museum. It’s dedicated to the infamous history of the notorious mafiosos who spent time in Hot Springs, including Meyer Lansky, Frank Costello, Albert Anastasia, and “Lucky” Luciano. Luciano wasn’t too lucky while visiting Hot Springs. He was arrested by the local police.
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5. Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge
Distance From Dallas: Approximately eight hours (543 miles) via I-35 S.
Located in the lower Rio Grande Valley in South Texas, this 45,187-acre protected wilderness is a utopia for the area’s resident birds, and one of the few areas where one can witness the desert, subtropical and coastal habitats at once, combining a variety of wildlife and plant life rarely seen coexisting outside of this region.
Dotted with trails and even an alligator pond, the Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge is a wonderful option for biking, hiking and bird watching too.
RELATED: 16 SURPRISING Texas National Parks
Map Of National Parks Near Dallas
List Of National Park Sites Near Dallas
- Big Bend National Park
- Big Thicket National Preserve
- Guadalupe Mountains National Park
- Hot Springs National Park
- Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge
To Learn More About The Lone Star State:
- Official Guide to Texas State Parks and Historic Sites: New Edition by Laurence Parent.
- Texas Bucket List Adventure Guide: Explore 100 Offbeat Destinations You Must Visit by John Mallon.
- Lone Star: A History Of Texas And The Texans by T.R. Fehrenbach.
- Texas: A Historical Atlas by A. Ray Stephens.
- History of Texas: A Captivating Guide to Texas History, Starting from the Arrival of the Spanish Conquistadors in North America through the Texas Revolution to the Present by Captivating History.
We hope you’ll follow our journey through the parks and help us to keep them the incredible places that they are. If you’re interested in joining the adventure then please sign up below!
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