Texas is an enormous state, and it takes an entire day just to drive from one side to the other. This makes Texas ideal for road tripping, especially if you want to get away on a budget. There are lots of places in Texas that you can visit in just a day if you’re pressed for time but still want to do something fun. Ideally, a day trip should only involve a few hours of driving so that you can make the most of your time at the destination you choose.
Here are 10 of the best day trips to take in Texas, including some famous attractions, natural parks, and theme parks. Shake up your routine and explore something new, even if only for a day!
Caverns of Sonora, Sonora
If you can manage a four-hour drive from San Antonio, then the Caverns of Sonora are an amazing day trip destination that should be on your Texas travel bucket list. This is a place where the Chihuahuan Desert and Texas Hill Country meet to reveal and underground treasure. It’s also located at about the halfway point between San Antonio and Big Bend National Park, so it can be a stop on your way for a longer road trip as well. Unlike many caves, this one is warm and about 72 degrees, so you don’t even need a jacket. Various guided tour options are available, and some local hotels, like Comfort Inn and Days Inn, offer discounts if you mention the caverns when you book your stay. This attraction is open every day throughout the year, except for Christmas.
Monahans Sandhills State Park
One of the most unique and unexpected day trips that you can take is Monahans Sandhills State Park. Even once you get here, it’s hard to believe that this place is in Texas! To experience the dunes for yourself, kick off your shoes and take a challenging hike up and down the peaks. Or rent a sandboard to ride down the dunes in style. Sand disks and toboggans are available for rent at the park headquarters. Other fun things to do here are camping, picnicking, horseback riding, and bird watching. There is an 800-acre equestrian area with no marked trails. While you’re in the area, you can also check out Balmorhea State Park, Big Spring State Park, Million Barrel Museum in Monahans, and the Odessa Meteor Crater.
The Mysterious Marfa Lights, Marfa
You’ll only need to drive about 2 ½ hours from El Paso or Odessa to reach Marfa, Texas, which is famous for its mysterious nights. This is a place where unidentified lights have been seen on many occasions, and there’s even an official viewing center. Mitchell Flat is where most the sightings have taken place. Eyewitnesses say that the lights look to be about the size of basketballs and range in color from white to blue, red, and yellow. Sightings are rare, but if you’re lucky, you might get a good display and a story to tell!
Fort Griffin State Historical Park, Shackelford County
To learn a bit about Texas history for the day, head towards the town of Albany to reach Fort Griffin State Historical Park. This area was home to a western defensive fort in the mid-1800s, and remnants of the fort still stand today. You can check out the fort’s ruins to see the barracks, mess hall, bakery, well and more that all tell an important story about the state’s past. Guided fort tours are available for $7 per adult, and the park is open daily from 8am to 4:30pm. General admission for adults is $4 per adult, $3 for students, and free for kids under five. The Official State of Texas Longhorn Herd is located here as well, and you can camp, hike, and fish nearby. Fort Griffin has 33 campsites and primitive camping on about five acres of land.
Lake Sam Rayburn
Head about an hour north of Beaumont to reach the Sam Rayburn Reservoir and Lake Sam Rayburn, which is north of Jasper. This lake provides flood control to the Neches and Angelina River basins and supplies water to nearby towns. But it’s also an ideal place for outdoor recreation. Come here for a relaxing day of boating, fishing, and camping in the East Texas Piney Woods. It’s the largest man-made lake in the state, measuring 114,400 acres and with a maximum depth of 80 feet. Largemouth bass is a big deal here, and there are many fishing tournaments held throughout the year. If you want to stay longer than a day, there are cabin, lake house, B&B inns, and RV parks available.
Six Flags Fiesta Texas, San Antonio
Get your adrenaline rush with an amusement park day trip to Six Flags Fiesta Texas. This is the ultimate place to come for rollercoasters and theme rides, and it’s an easy ride from San Antonio. Come here for thrill rides, family rides, kid rides, water park rides, live entertainment, dining, and shopping. Season passes and memberships are available if you live nearby and want to make a day trip out of this destination multiple times per year. Otherwise, daily tickets are available for sale online and at the ticket booth as well.
Galveston Island and the Pleasure Pier
The Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier is the place to come for waterfront entertainment and fun along the Gulf Coast. This is a family-friendly day trip destination that’s great for adults and kids of all ages. Some amusement highlights are the Iron Shark Rollercoaster, the Galaxy Wheel, the Cyclone, and the Sky Shooter. Dining options on the pier include Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., Big Top Bites, and Carousel Court Sweets. There are also lots of shops on the pier to check out, including the Pelican’s Bag, Lolli & Pop’s Candy Shop, and an old west antique photo shop. Parking is somewhat limited around the pier, but there is parking along the seawall and a premium lot by the Fish Tales restaurant.
Inks Lake State Park
In less than an hour and a half from Austin, you can visit Inks Lake State Park for a laid-back day of boating, fishing, and water sports. This is beautiful place to visit in Hill Country for family fun on the water. Take a hike on Pecan Flats, which is a 3.3-mile trail that’s great for families or rent paddleboats, canoes, or kayaks to paddle your way across the lake. This is also a great place to fish for bass, catfish, and sunfish. If you want to spend more than a day here, there are 200 campsites and 22 cabins for overnight trips.
Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch
It doesn’t take long to reach the National Bridge Wildlife Ranch from San Antonio, and this is a fun day trip to take with the kids. Here you’ll see zebras, giraffes, and other wildlife species in a protected habitat. There are 450 acres of protected environment here that is home to animals from all over the world. Drive through to see them and stop for a snack at the Safari Camp Grill. General admission for adults over 12 is $22, and annual passes are available too. While you’re in this area, you can also visit Natural Bridge Caverns and take a tour. You can make your day of cavern exploration as easy or challenging as you like by choosing a lantern tour, hidden passage tour, or a rappelling and climbing tour.
Dinosaur Valley State Park
You can walk along the footsteps of dinosaurs, right here in Texas! Many years ago, dinosaurs left their tracks in the bed of the Paluxy River, and you can see for yourself with this day trip from Fort Worth. Other fun things to do at this Glen Rose state park are picnicking, hiking, mountain biking, swimming, and fishing. There are 20 miles of trails to explore and regular and backcountry campsites if you want to make a full weekend out of it. But for the day, head to the river to see the dinosaur tracks. The tracks are more visible on some days than others due to mud and weather conditions, so call the park before you make the drive to inquire. This is also in ideal place to go horseback riding in the 100-acre South Primitive Area.
