Top Outdoor Activities to Experience in the State of Texas that Aren’t Sports

Texas is home to an exciting variety of sports and outdoor activities. Whether you’re going to a stadium, rodeo or ATV trail, there’s a lot of excitement to be found. Even if you’re not a sports person, there’s a lot to do in the Lone Star State. Beyond the bleachers, you can find many outdoor activities that aren’t sports, where you can unwind and explore natural wonders.

Hiking

Texas has many beautiful hiking trails to choose from. You could go anywhere from a 15-minute walk to a day-long trek through stunning rock formations, vistas and wildflower meadows. Some of the state’s most popular hiking spots include:

• Guadalupe Mountains National Park: As the biggest peak in Texas, the view from the top is worth the climb and offers majestic desert and mountain terrain vistas.
• Enchanted Rock State Natural Area: A pink granite dome with jaw-dropping sights from the top.
• Palo Duro Canyon: The second largest canyon in the country. Witness stunning geological formations and canyon scenery.
• Cattail Falls: A hiking trail featuring desert views, diverse flora and a gorgeous waterfall.
• Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve: a vast landscape of woodlands, hill country and abundant wildlife.

Stargaze

When the day is almost over, and you’ve finished hiking around some of Texas’s gorgeous national parks, you can set up camp and stargaze. Texas' open sky, especially away from the light pollution of cities, is something to behold. Big Bend National Park is famous for being a prime location for stargazing due to having some of the most unobscured skies in the country. Laying down, you can see anything from the constellations to the Milky Way itself. You can also take a guided astronomy tour for a more in-depth explanation of the cosmos.

Tubing and Kayaking

Riding a river doesn’t have to mean river rafting. Cool down from the scorching sunshine by lazily floating down a river’s gentle current in an inflatable tube. The Guadalupe River is an especially popular spot for tubing, as one can see cypress trees, mesmerizing limestone cliffs and diverse animal species. Relax and take in the captivating scenery with a drink and friends or on a solo rejuvenation mission. Or, if you’re looking for something a little more exciting, you can kayak and paddle through the waters yourself.

Cave Tour

Explore ancient and surreal subterranean beauty through a cave tour. Natural Bridge Caverns and the Caverns of Sonora are some of Texas's most extensive cave networks. Venture inside and witness colossal formations, detailed stalactites, hidden chambers and underground rivers. It’s also a great way to escape the Texas heat, as the cool, damp air of the caves provides a refreshing chill.

Whether you want to get adventurous and crawl through narrow passages or take it easy and just wander around, a cave tour will give you an up-close look at geological history.

Birdwatching

Texas is home is a diverse variety of birds, especially in the Rio Grande Valley. Spot colorful birds and ferocious hunting birds fly over wildlife refuges, bird trails and nature centers. You might even be able to witness an endangered bird species, such as the Aplomado Falcon. Whether you’re a casual birdwatcher or an expert, you’ll find something to admire in Texas’ exciting offering of birds.

Horseback Riding

While horseback riding can be a sport – whether you’re racing or cutting  – it isn’t always considered such. You can casually ride through picturesque Texas landscapes on a horseback riding tour expertly guided by seasoned riders. Take in the countryside scenery enriched with rivers and rolling hills while building a bond with your stead. Connect with Texas’s rich cowboy history on a horseback riding expedition. 

Enjoy Nature’s Wonders Year-Round With a Ranger Ridge Membership

With purchasing a home at Ranger Ridge in Dallas, you and your family can live in the countryside. Reside in a landscape adorned with the mountains, lakes and meadows that make up our 2,600-acre community.

Out in nature, you can hike, bike, camp, stargaze, hunt, horseback ride and enjoy the view every day of the year with country club amenities to help you relax after the day is done. And since we’re located just one hour west of downtown Fort Worth and seven miles north of Interstate 20, you can relish the serenity of the outdoors while still being close to the city. Contact us today to book a tour and reserve your picturesque home site.