Outdoor Living in Texas Is Like No Other

Those who enjoy the great outdoors will quickly discover that Texas is the place to be. With its diverse landscape, empty stretches of wilderness, beautiful scenery and mild winters, the second largest state in the U.S. (and by far the largest in the contiguous states) is far from boring. Did you know that approximately ten European countries could fit in Texas? This gives you plenty of opportunities to travel within the state without having to cross any borders.

If you have a penchant for outdoor recreation, it’s likely you won’t run out of options for a while as you explore all that Texas has to offer.

Spend the Day at the Beach

Texas boasts over 350 miles of coastline with plenty of beaches and coastal cities to visit. If you’re drawn to warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico and sandy beaches, the Texas coast will not disappoint.

Some popular Gulf Coast destinations worth visiting include:

• South Padre Island: Located on a barrier island, the town offers year-round warm weather, 34 miles of sandy beaches and plenty of outdoor entertainment, including water sports and dolphin watching.
  
  
• Port Aransas: Located 30 miles from Corpus Christi, this small beach town offers 18 miles of shoreline and sandy beaches.
  
  
• Port Arthur: Located 90 miles east of Houston, Port Arthur is home to two bodies of water—the Golf of Mexico and Lake Sabine – a saltwater estuary great for fishing.

Find Peace in the Desert

If you’re a desert enthusiast, the Lone Star state offers plenty of stunning desert views.

The Chihuahuan Desert covers a large chunk of West Texas, including the Guadalupe Mountains National Park and the Big Bend National Park, making the Texas desert an excellent option for hiking, camping, off-roading and biking.  

Hike the Texas Grand Canyon

Texas is home to the second largest canyon in the country—the Palo Duro Canyon located near the city of Amarillo. If you get giddy at the sight of red rocks and hiking, the 60-mile-long canyon is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise.

Tourists usually flock the canyon in the cooler fall and winter months to enjoy its unique scenery and its most prominent attraction—the rock formation known as the Lighthouse.

Apart from miles of hiking trails, Palo Duro is also a great place for biking, horseback riding and camping.

Cliff Jump and Dive into Jacob’s Well

Jacob’s Well is a submerged sinkhole located in the small town of Wimberley (about an hour outside of Austin).

The well attracts those looking for a body of water to splash in and adrenaline junkies looking to explore its depths. Those who dive deep into the sinkhole will find an intricate underwater cave system which can be accessed 100 feet down the sink hole.

Kayak at Caddo Lake

If you’re swooned by the tranquility and mystery of the bayou swamps, you don’t have to travel to the Deep South to experience this one-of-a-kind landscape and ecosystem.

Located in Northeastern Texas and right on the border with Louisiana, Caddo Lake consists of 26,000 acres of Bald Cypress trees, Spanish moss, swamps, bayous and scenery you will never forget.

Whether you’re looking to fish, kayak or spend a relaxing day on a boat marveling at wildlife and nature, Caddo Lake is the place to go.

Camp in Caprock Canyons

Located in North Texas, the Caprock Canyons often get overlooked in favor of other national and state parks, making them one of Texas’s most obscure hidden gems. As it emerges from the endless flat plains, the canyon may initially appear mundane, but the further you drive into the park, the more rugged and dramatic the scenery becomes.

With its high cliffs, red rocks, deep canyons and roaming Bisons, the park is a great place for tent camping, hiking and spotting wildlife.

Participate in Outdoor Activities in the Heart of Texas

Are you looking for an outdoor paradise you and your family and friends can escape to when life in the city starts making you feel despondent?

Ranger Ridge is a 2,600-acre preserve conducive to the outdoor lifestyle. Whether you want to hike, fish, hunt or simply sit back and marvel at the stars, our community offers it all.

To learn more and become a member at the preserve, call us at (817) 618-6773.