Finding Color This Fall in Central Texas Hill Country
If you are somebody who enjoys this wonderful change of color, along with enjoying the crisp smell in the air and observing all the animals taking shelter for the winter, then here are a few places you should visit.
1. Lost Maples State Natural Area, Vanderpool – This state park covers over 2000 scenic areas in the Bandera and Real Counties and sits on the Sabinal River. The park is so known for its fall colors, thanks to its gorgeous Maples. The state park even has a Fall report on their website which updates guests on how the leaves are changing and in what state they are in. As of November 10, 2010, the report states that the Maples were at their peak and the Red Oaks were just starting to turn. It is expected that the color in the Red Oaks would last two to three weeks. The Lacy Oaks will follow the red Oaks and also have a show.
Lost Maples State Park is just a beautiful place to visit, beyond the fact the trees are right in the middle of changing color. The park is made up of steep, rugged limestone canyons, springs, grasslands, wooded slopes and clear streams. It is a unique park due to its uncommon stand of Uvalde Bigtooth maples. You can have a picnic in the park, camp, backpack, hike, take pictures, bird watch, fish or just hang out. Parking is limited to 250 cars in this park so you may plan your trip during the weekday rather than the weekends if possible.
2. Garner State Park and the Drive From Utopia along RR 1050 – The drive along RR 1050 from Utopia to Garner State Park will be awe inspiring in fall colors due to trees such as the Mesquite, Texas Red Bud, Bald Cypress, Western Ash Juniper, Spanish Oak, Lacey Oak, Texas Madrone, Cedar Elm, and Pecan, as well as Mountain Laurel and Agarita shrubs. Take the Ranch To Market Road 1050 which winds through Hill Country and crosses the Frio River before intersecting with US 83. Once at the 1,420 acre park, you can camp, hike, even play golf at the 18-hole miniature golf course. There are six miles of hiking trails as well.
3. Devil's Backbone Scenic Drive – This drive is between Wimberley and Blanco. Take RR 32 from the intersection of RR 12 south of Wimberley west to Blanco. The road is 20 miles long and is beautiful. Once arriving in Blanco, you can spend some time on the Blanco River or even visit Blanco State Park. This park is small, around 105 acres, but sits on the Blanco River. You can camp, picnic, hike, fish and take pictures while in the park. There are canoe and kayak rentals if you want to get a unique view of the river and trees. The park itself is located on the south side of Blanco, 40 miles north of San Antonio on US Highway 281; turn on Park Road 23 or 48 miles west of Austin on US Highway 290 to US Highway 281, then south on Park Road 23.
4. Drive Between Camp Wood and Leakey – This scenic drive follows RR 337. The road has pull offs with great vistas. Start your trip in the town of Camp Wood, which is located on the Nueces River at the intersection of farm Road 337 and Texas Highway 55. The road will lead you to the town of Leakey. This town is sometimes referred to as The Swiss Alps of Texas even though its elevations are only 1,500 to 2,400 feet; it has deep canyons cut by the Frio and Nueces Rivers and a beautiful array of trees. The drive on RR 337 has been named one of the fifteen most scenic spots in Texas by Texas Highways in 1998.
1. Lost Maples State Natural Area, Vanderpool – This state park covers over 2000 scenic areas in the Bandera and Real Counties and sits on the Sabinal River. The park is so known for its fall colors, thanks to its gorgeous Maples. The state park even has a Fall report on their website which updates guests on how the leaves are changing and in what state they are in. As of November 10, 2010, the report states that the Maples were at their peak and the Red Oaks were just starting to turn. It is expected that the color in the Red Oaks would last two to three weeks. The Lacy Oaks will follow the red Oaks and also have a show.
Lost Maples State Park is just a beautiful place to visit, beyond the fact the trees are right in the middle of changing color. The park is made up of steep, rugged limestone canyons, springs, grasslands, wooded slopes and clear streams. It is a unique park due to its uncommon stand of Uvalde Bigtooth maples. You can have a picnic in the park, camp, backpack, hike, take pictures, bird watch, fish or just hang out. Parking is limited to 250 cars in this park so you may plan your trip during the weekday rather than the weekends if possible.
2. Garner State Park and the Drive From Utopia along RR 1050 – The drive along RR 1050 from Utopia to Garner State Park will be awe inspiring in fall colors due to trees such as the Mesquite, Texas Red Bud, Bald Cypress, Western Ash Juniper, Spanish Oak, Lacey Oak, Texas Madrone, Cedar Elm, and Pecan, as well as Mountain Laurel and Agarita shrubs. Take the Ranch To Market Road 1050 which winds through Hill Country and crosses the Frio River before intersecting with US 83. Once at the 1,420 acre park, you can camp, hike, even play golf at the 18-hole miniature golf course. There are six miles of hiking trails as well.
3. Devil's Backbone Scenic Drive – This drive is between Wimberley and Blanco. Take RR 32 from the intersection of RR 12 south of Wimberley west to Blanco. The road is 20 miles long and is beautiful. Once arriving in Blanco, you can spend some time on the Blanco River or even visit Blanco State Park. This park is small, around 105 acres, but sits on the Blanco River. You can camp, picnic, hike, fish and take pictures while in the park. There are canoe and kayak rentals if you want to get a unique view of the river and trees. The park itself is located on the south side of Blanco, 40 miles north of San Antonio on US Highway 281; turn on Park Road 23 or 48 miles west of Austin on US Highway 290 to US Highway 281, then south on Park Road 23.
4. Drive Between Camp Wood and Leakey – This scenic drive follows RR 337. The road has pull offs with great vistas. Start your trip in the town of Camp Wood, which is located on the Nueces River at the intersection of farm Road 337 and Texas Highway 55. The road will lead you to the town of Leakey. This town is sometimes referred to as The Swiss Alps of Texas even though its elevations are only 1,500 to 2,400 feet; it has deep canyons cut by the Frio and Nueces Rivers and a beautiful array of trees. The drive on RR 337 has been named one of the fifteen most scenic spots in Texas by Texas Highways in 1998.
