Starting in the quaint Texas town of Fredericksburg, the Willow City Loop will have you winding your way through the best the Texas Hill Country has to offer. And I have no doubt you will! Hill Country, and we welcome you to our family. The drive starts on Texas 118 in, You may not feel quite like you're in Switzerland, but you sure won't think you're still in Texas on this drive. Love Texas? Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Endangered Species Some of the best roadside attractions in Texas include: If you are not familiar with The Lone Star State, you may not realize that our proud landscape comprises the second-largest state in the nation. U.S. Route 83 is the longest stretch of a single U.S. Highway within a single U.S. state, and its one of the best scenic drives in Texas. I hope you're ready for a full belly! The Texas portion of the famous historic interstate road covers 179 miles along the Texas Panhandle from Glenrio to Texola. And if youd rather trade greener pastures for silver skyscrapers, well, Texas has several bustling cities that would love for you to visit or move to. Driving the Lonesome Highway is as close as you can get to that! Highway 207 is a quiet 48-mile stretch of road that leads you deeper into the rocky red landscapes of the Texas panhandle, passing from Claude to Silverton. Canyon Sweep | Explore Texas - myscenicdrives.com 1. Either is a good choice. Aside from the glorious ocean views of the Gulf of Mexico, particularly as you cross the 1.3-mile San Luis Pass Bridge, what makes this route such a treat is the fact that you can just park your car at just about any point and head out to enjoy the sand and sea. Some of our more unusual residents have installed roadside attractions in Texas that puzzle locals and tourists alike. Listed below are the best scenic drives in Texas, the USA. The Most Scenic Drives in Texas. If youre not certain of the best sightseeing roads in the area, simply find a local and ask for suggestions. You can complete the drive in about an hour and a half without stops, but the loop offers plenty of opportunities to step outside. Share your thoughts and experiences with us in the comments! If youre up for a long drive, go to the Hill Country near Kerrville and view the massive bigtooth maple trees at Lost Maples State Natural Area. Situated on historic Route 66, Amarillo is a mecca for anyone who shares my affliction, as home tothe offbeat Cadillac Ranch, the kitschy Big Texan, and Sisemores RV Museum. A concession car offers beverages and snacks. No. The area is promoted as the Texas Forest Trail Region. Here are some of the best roads in Texas to take if you want incredible scenery to look at while you cruise along: Thanks, Melody! These nine drives are especially beautiful, and we highly recommend them for your summer road trips. Make sure you bring your swimsuit and sunblock along! Starting in Van Horn, take TX-54 until it intersects with US 62/180, aka the gateway to Guadalupe National Park, and youll keep the mountain in view for miles, along with another nearby peak, El Capitan. Make sure you spend some time outside the car at the park so you can explore its unique geology by hiking, horseback riding, biking, and boating! With the cooler temps comes beautiful fall foliage if you know where to look. now = new Date Enjoy the subtle colors of red and orange of post oaks amid dark green cedar at Cedar Hill State Parkin southwest Dallas County. This 40-mile route takes you from Galveston Island down the coast to Surfside Beach. theYear=theYear+1900 For scenic drives, be sure to take FM 4, which runs north-south just west of Mineral Wells, and TX 16 by Possum Kingdom Lake. It's just you, the pavement, and the awe-inspiring, US Highway 285, US Hwy 285, Pecos, TX, USA, The highest publically-accessible road in Texas, this 75-mile loop sits at an elevation of 6,700 feet. It is definitely on my National Parks bucket list. Our state is full of magnificent places that are worth visiting. It crosses the Medina and Sabinal Rivers and takes you to the sweeping vistas of the Swiss Alps of Texas in Leakey. Are there any other scenic backroads to drive along in Texas? Starting in the quaint Texas town of Fredericksburg, the Willow City Loop will have you winding your way through the best the Texas Hill Country has to offer. Youll even catch a glimpse of unique desert plants like the prickly pear or Juniper cactus so keep your eyes sharp. The area around Rusk and Palestine is known for its hills. Dont forget to check out our previous article to learn more about the eponymous Lost Mine Trail. Somewhat of a hidden gem at least compared to the more popular Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive Basin Drive is just over 12 miles long, yet manages to pack countless breathtaking sights into such a short distance. Scenic roads and must-sees across the state. Youll find multiple unique photo stops along the way including several ghost towns, McLean, Shamrock, and Vega see if you can spot some of the inspiration behind Cars! Re: Alternative to scenic drive through North Cascades NP. After Caprock Canyons, youll stumble across some of the most awe-inspiring views in the area, including the colorful Tule Canyon, which youll actually get to cross. Pull over at a picnic spot, take photos from a couple lookout points, or time your trip with one of the McDonald Observatorys star parties on the top of Mount Locke, where you can view the night sky through powerful telescopes. Turn left on Texas 41 until you hit Ranch Road 335, then take that south to Barksdale. She attended college in the Houston area and changed her major twice (psychology, computer science, and finally criminal justice) before taking a leap of faith and dropping out to pursue a career in freelance writing. East Texas Road Trips Today, Katie writes for the Texas and Arizona pages of OnlyInYourState.com and has never been more passionate about a job before. Here, you can stop at the visitor center and take a guided tour to the top of Mount Locke, where you can look at the stars and galaxies through high-powered telescopes! Nature lovers are going to have a blast as the drive feels like a highway straight into the horizon, with beautiful, yellow, rustic trees lining your way. The Most Scenic Drives in Texas - Defensive Driving Texas Scenic Drives & Remote Highways | Texas Outside Flickr user: Daniel Horande. It was less than a two-hour drive fromGrapevine toWaco, and we arrived in time to tour theHomestead Heritage Craft Village before noon. . Use the guide to find the best scenic drives in Texas! 9 Best Texas Scenic Drives for Enjoying the Lone Star State Countryside Several of the stops are near each other, so you'll be able to condense the trip into a few days by spending the night in a few places - you won't break the bank either, because free or very low-cost campgrounds are available at nearly every destination. Click on an image, and it will take you to the storyyou seek. Guadalupe Mountains Scenic Drive Route: Van Horn to Pine Springs Length: 65 miles Texas isn't known for its mountains, but don't tell that to Guadalupe Peak, which stretches 8,751 feet into. A concentrated amount of fall sweetgum, oak and maple foliage in a variety of hues makes for one sweet place. I am a huge fan of vintage road travel, probably because as a Baby Boomer I remember those days. Milky Way over the abundant blooming bluebonnets near Ennis, Texas. The drive is scenic and thus well worth [an] altered route. Dont think that Texas is all just barren desert; there are actually green grasslands, sandy coastlines, and stunning mountain ranges as well. Scenic Drives near DFW? : r/FortWorth - Reddit Nothing screams iconic US Road Trip more than taking in the sights and scenes of Route 66. The hills elevations range from 1,400 to 2,400 feet above sea level and have deep canyons cut by the Frio and Nueces Rivers. Another super interesting stop to make is the McDonald Observatory, which is one of the worlds leading astronomical research centers. North Texas attractions in Dallas-Fort Worth metro area. Texas Scenic Views - Texas A&M University The road provides dramatic scenery of the red rocks and desert landscapes. Required fields are marked *. The drive is only four hours, so you can hit all the stops in one day and have plenty of time take in the beautiful sights. Love Texas? E.g. Continue and cross the Sabine River bottomlands, then take US 80 west to Mineola. Bluewater Highway, as the name suggests, runs along the coast and brings you close to the beach. Great post with so many awesome Texas destinations! Given the states size, you could spend a lifetime exploring the Texas landscape, but that seems like a lot of work. We hope this list of the most scenic drives in Texas inspired you to grab your car keys and hit the open road. We are trying to cover Texas because our daughter and son-in-law live in Waco. Drive the scenic bluebonnet trails, shop at the bluebonnet festival, and listen to live music concerts! The hilly countryside west of Fort Worth doesnt usually come to mind for fall foliage, but it does it marvelously. Yes, Hwy 2 is part of the scenic Cascade Loop; lots of info online about it. I chose to explore Grapevines pastwitha guided tourthrough theMain Street District, a stop atthe City to Settlement Museums, and aliving history experienceat Nash Farm. Get Involved ; . Next time you have a long weekend, this is the perfect way to spend it. En route, youll go past Lake O The Pines, home of famed giant catfishes, for those who want to do some fishing. Outside of work, you can likely find her curled up on the sofa with a hot cup of coffee, watching a crime TV show or scary movie. Want more Thrillist? Much of the Texas Panhandles old Route 66 has been replaced by Interstate 40, but original stretches still exist, taking you by quirky sites, through ghost towns and Cadillac graveyards, and directly to 72-ounce steaks. Big Bend National Park is home to 3 scenic driving trails with an average 4.5 star rating from 486 community reviews. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. For scenic drives, be sure to take FM 4, which runs north-south just west of Mineral Wells, and TX 16 by Possum Kingdom Lake. For an up close amble, go next door to the quiet Cedar Ridge Preserveoperated by Audubon Dallas in southwest Dallas County. .. Then take Highway 32 west to Hwy 281, into Blanco. Theres so much to enjoy about living in Texas, we couldnt possibly name it all. Also, be sure to check out these great Texas Hill Country scenic drives from international photographer Mike Holp! The desert plants turn interesting colors, too. Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive. Texas Road Trip Route 1: The Ultimate Texas Road Trip. Top 10 Scenic Drives in Texas | YourMechanic Advice Youll want to check out the Frontier Times Museum and Old Spanish Trail Restaurant think huge comfort meals! The drive may not be as scenic as others, but some stretches have . Have you been to Big Bend? Autumn events and driving tours are a longstanding tradition. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. Texas Hill Country. Start at Fort Lancaster and explore the ruins of a Fort . Sign up for the weeklyGreen Source DFW Newsletterto stay up to date on everything green in North Texas, the latest news and events. We have mountains, deserts, and lush forests with roads winding through them. Did you know there is a Texas highway that takes you from the U.S./Mexico border all the way up to the Oklahoma state line? Texas Hill Country is the perfect region to climb behind the wheel and simply enjoy the drive. Like the courthouse, manyof the surrounding and outlying buildings are constructed of hand-hewn native limestone, each with its unique design and purpose, and built to last forever. . Moreover, there are several spots worth making along the way, including the Medina and Sabinal rivers, an authentic dude ranch, and several hiking trails among hills and canyons. Distance: 23 miles Drive time without stops: 50 minutes Driving the Willow City Loop doesn't require too much preparation seeing as it's only 23 miles long. Get more stories delivered right to your email. Best Season to Drive: All. If so, wed love to hear all about your experience in the comments! This route is also known for its wineries, breweries, and distilleries a good day to choose to be a passenger! The route connects two popular Hill Country towns, Blanco and Wimberley, and grants access to the areas many wineries, breweries, and distilleries. 8 Fabulous Family Day Trips from Sydney By Car, 7 Sensational Scenic Drives in South Carolina, Unmissable Cairns Road Trips To Enjoy the Best of Far North. This road trip is always worth mentioning because it's just that amazing. Love Texas? Find a Scenic Drive New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Oklahoma Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina Road Trip Planner Plan, edit, save, and share your custom day trips, weekend getaways, and cross-country adventures. In southeast Texas, the King Ranch grasslands roll by as magnificent . At the end of the drive lies Caddo Lake, a peaceful, tranquil environment to end your journey. Let us know in the comments below! El Camino del Rio. The entire drive is around 11 hours and 700 miles, so you'll definitely want to camp in a few of the parks to ensure ample time for exploring. She attended college in the Houston area and changed her major twice (psychology, computer science, and finally criminal justice) before taking a leap of faith and dropping out to pursue a career in freelance writing. Starting in Blanco, head out on either Farm Road 165 or Farm Road 32, roughly following a limestone ridge dotted with prime panoramas of rolling hills and rocky outcrops. Love Texas? Its dominant featureis the 1891 Hood County Courthouse prominentlysituated in the center of the town square. Stringing together destinations into road trips seems to have become the new normal for me, Natalie, and I had a blast on this crazy itinerary in Texas! Some of the most popular tourist attractions in the Lone Star State include Big Bend National Park, Padre Island National Sea Shore, and of course, the Alamo. The road in and around Amarillo has a couple of the best stops, including Cadillac Ranch, a public art installation that features 10 vintage cars buried nose-down in the ground. And what better way to enjoy these breathtaking views than with a scenic drive. The Lone Star State boasts a wide variety of landscapes, ranging from expansive deserts, lush forests, golden countrysides, and even a few towering mountains scattered throughout! The Austin Steam Train is an old-fashioned train that offers scenic rides with incredible views of Texas hill country, plus several themed events throughout the year including murder mysteries, Christmas and holiday rides, and more. Ending Location: Galveston, TX. The 40 Most Scenic Drives in America | Reader's Digest 34 Amazing Things to do in North Texas - Enchanting Texas Make a weekend of it by staying at the Lodge on, Go even further west to the Panhandle to immerse yourself in the brilliant yellow cottonwoods against the red rock at, North Texas Wild: Here's 20 places to see Texas fall color, City of Dallas: Budget Town Hall Meetings - Dallas (Aug. 10-24), Stephen F. Austin State University: Fall Sustainability Registration Courses - Online, Greater Fort Worth Sierra Club: Happy Hour - Fort Worth, Ban Horse Carriages: Educational Outreach - Dallas, Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary: Dinosaurs Live Returns - McKinney, Meadows Center for Water and the Environment: Climate Science, The Good, The Bad and The Wicked - San Marcos, Native Plant Society of Texas, North Central Texas Chapter: Author Amy Martin on 'Wild DFW' - Fort Worth & Online, EarthX Film: Party for the Planet - Fort Worth, River Legacy Living Science Center: W.A.T.E.R. Scenic Drives of the Piney Woods Take a look at any satellite image of the US, and you'll see some of the country's deepest shades of green in East Texas. Weve put together for you here our top 12 most scenic drives in the Lone Star State, all of which guarantee an experience like no other paired with glorious views. Also in the area is Cleburne State Park, Dinosaur Valley State Parkand Possum Kingdom State Park, all of which offer nice hiking. El Camino Real. By the time my journey came to an end I wouldrevisitvintageroad travel, immerse myself in localculture, witness sunrises and sunsets,studyart and architecture, and of course, take a walkthrough Texas history. Instead, follow our lead and set your GPS for these 10 exhilarating drives, which take you on mountain switchbacks, through colorful wildflowers, and along the ocean. Galveston Island, Texas. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Its one of the most beautiful drives in all of Texas. Continuing North on 2008 was just as scenic and reminded me of the Texas Plains Trail on Hwy 70 & 207 from Borger to Dickens." - David Higgins, Lubbock, Texas, September 14, 2005 ; Silverton, Panhandle scenic drives You can start at Toledo Bend Reservoir near Milam and follow it all the way to, Not everyone knows this, but hiking isn't the only way to explore the, This is one of the longest highways in Texas, branching off of 281 south of, So named because it runs alongside the Rio Grande, River Road is the best way to experience. 1. Once thriving schools and businesses that now sit empty and somber fascinate us with the possibility of what could be lurking inside. For a truly deluxe rail experience, sign up for the Palestine Fall Foliage Brunch Train. This Scenic Drive In Oregon Runs Through A Charming Small Town One of the best ways to see the Texan countryside is by train. Which scenic driving trail has the most elevation gain in Texas? You'll see mountains, canyons, eye-popping flowers, and even native wildlife along the way. . Back. Whatever you decide to do in Texas, you are in for a treat amidst the splendor of our landscape! Aside from the titular mountain, the surrounding Enchanted Rock State Natural Area has plenty of things to do if you want to make a pit stop. Starting in Fort Davis, this incredibly scenic road will take you on an adventure through the mountains of southwest Texas, all of which appear to be floating right above the Chihuahuan Desert and create a scenery you arent bound to find anywhere else in the state! The park enjoyed a spiffy upgrade recently. Be sure to look out for the bluebonnets! One of the best scenic drives in Texas takes you straight through Big Bend National Park, and the windshield views are truly out of this world. Especially beautiful from a distance framed against the gardens. Remember, Texas is the second-largest state in the USA distances can be LONG! Padre Island National Seashore is a protected haven for endangered species and numerous North American birds, awash, come nightfall, with a stunning cape of stars. See the spectacular Japanese maples at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden'sJapanese Garden. Willow City Loop Photo: Flickr/David Stop in at Harrys on the Loop for snacks and a cold beer. Search Vrbo for the best Holiday Homes & Rentals, 14 Best Houseboats For Rent In Texas, USA - Updated 2023, 10 Best Meditation Retreats In Texas, USA, Top 7 Adults-Only Hotels In Texas, USA - Updated 2023, 10 Most Romantic Airbnbs For Couples In Texas, USA - Updated 2023, 15 Best Airbnbs With Pool In Texas, USA - Updated 2023, Top 10 Scenic Drives In And Around San Francisco, California, Top 10 Rooftop Restaurants In Washington DC, USA, 5 Best Things To Do In Pollachi, Tamil Nadu, Top 10 Airbnb Vacation Rentals In Westport, Connecticut - Updated 2023, Top 10 Motorhomes For Rent In Vancouver, Canada - Updated 2023. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Youll enjoy unobstructed views of the Gulf of Mexico, and youll feel like youre floating as you cross the 1.3-mile San Luis Pass Bridge. U.S. Highway 80 was an early transcontinental route, known as the Dixie Overland Highway, from Savannah, Georgia, to San Diego, California, covering a distance of 1,032 miles.It entered Texas from the East between Shreveport, Louisiana, and Waskom as a two-lane road. Im Howard, a guy from Central Florida who believes taking scenic routes, scouting historical sites, and immersion in local flavor are the best ways to travel. What a fun way to experience North Texas! Like, really bigyou can drive more than 12 hours and 800 miles without crossing the border. Austin-San Antonio; 200 miles (320km) The Hill Country is one of the prettiest regions in Texas, especially in spring when wildflowers bloom along the roadside. For nature lovers, a few must-do stops include Blanco State Park for all things hiking and great views as well as Jacobs Well, a submerged cave you can swim in to relax your muscles! Devils Backbone is actually a pretty chilled-out loop amid limestone cliffs that will give you the chance to experience some of the best the Texas Hill Country has to offer, including a few natural gems as well as cultural attractions. Luckily, we've done our research and put together an epic taco-eating road trip to 12 of the best spots in Texas. All Rights Reserved. Scenic Routes Through Texas Hill Country | Hertz Blog propose to list the Texas kangaroo rat (Dipodomys elator), a rodent from north- central Texas, as an endangered species and designate critical habitat under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended (Act). You can begin the route from either side, but if youre coming from Marfa, head south on 67 to Presidio and then east to Terlingua, where you can stop for lunch before turning around. The 16 Best Road Trips In Texas You Should Take - Only In Your State If theres one thing we Texans know how to do, its brag about what makes this state so magical. Homestead Heritage is a family favorite. Cadillac Ranch is sure to be a show stopper and you must stop in at Amarillo. This jaunt along the Texas coast may be short, but it isn't short on remarkable things to see. Top Road Trips Stops: San Antonio, Houston, Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin. Highway 207 According to locals, the best views of Palo Duro Canyon aren't actually in the eponymous state park but along this very route! Upper Spring Creek. Deep hardwood and pine forests alternate with river-crossing vistas. If youre tired, you can stop by Devils Backbone Tavern for a short break along with a few pints of beer. Get more stories delivered right to your email. 2h 4m This is a paved route that shares the road with vehicles, so using reflective materials, lights, or flagging is recommended for safety. To get to it from Fredericksburg, go north on State Route 16 until you reach Willow City, and then head east on Ranch Road 1323 before turning left on, It's easy to understand why the name "Lonesome Highway" was chosen for this remote West Texas drive. With 268,581 square miles, youll find all sorts of diverse habitats and diverse people, as well. Another sight for Japanese maples is the Nancy Rutchik Red Maple Rill at the Dallas Arboretum in East Dallas. 3 Breathtaking Drives You Must Take in the Texas Hill Country So many nature activities are condensed into a relatively small area, and this road trip takes you to some of the most enthralling of them all.
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