10 Best Scenic Drives in Texas
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Much of the Texas landscape remains untouched by human influence, making it the perfect place to explore the beauty that Mother Nature brings. The state has very diverse terrain and wildlife, from arid deserts to dense forests, and many of the scenic routes in the Lone Star State take travelers on more than one in a short amount of time. This diversity makes exploring the back roads and highways here particularly exciting, and the cities dotted along these paved and not-so-paved networks are equally varied in their offerings. When doing your own exploration of this great state, consider trying one of these favorite routes:
#10 - Lost Maples
Start Location: Kerrville, Texas
Final location: Lost Maples, Texas
Length: Mile 52
Best driving season: All
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The road between Kerrville and Lost Maples is especially beautiful in autumn when the trees change color, but is passable throughout the year. There are many attractions that will interest travelers. The route first follows the headwaters of the Guadalupe River and then crosses a narrow canyon leading to the Lost Maples. Travelers with time to spare can check out the Stonehenge II exhibit at Hunt or the Cowboy Artists Museum of America before leaving Kerrville.
#9 – After Dinosaur
Start Location: Cleburne, Texas
Final location: Dinosaur Valley State Park, Texas.
Length: Mile 29
Best driving season: All
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Those who follow this path may not see actual dinosaurs, but they can be sure they are traveling where such mighty creatures once roamed, based on fossil evidence found at sites along the way. Today, the region is famous for rolling hills and springtime wildflowers, as well as hiking trails along the Brazos River. At the end of the tour in Dinosaur Valley State Park, visitors can learn more about the creatures that have walked this land before us and the region as a whole.
No. 8 - Old Texas Highway 134.
Start Location: Dangerfield State Park, Texas.
Final location: Caddo Lake, Texas
Length: Mile 59
Best driving season: All
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The scenery from Old Texas Highway 134 is spectacular all year round, but many people appreciate it most during the leaf change in the fall. The route passes through the Lone Star steel center but quickly returns to natural beauty all around with views of Lake O'Pines and historic Jefferson. When the trip ends at Caddo Lake, visitors are invited to view the tall cypress trees that line the water.
No. 7 - Devil's Backbone
Start Location: White, Texas
Final location: White, Texas
Length: Mile 57
Best driving season: All
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While this scenic drive gives majestic views of the Balcones Fault, rolling countryside, and a plant mix of oaks and cacti, the things that really make it stand out are of a more whimsical nature. The region is full of ghost stories of Native Americans, Spanish friars and Confederate soldiers, and it's worth asking the locals to paraphrase their own colorful versions. All travelers on this route should take the time to visit the antique shops in Wimberley, where all sorts of treasures can be found.
No. 6 - Bluewater Highway.
Start Location: Surfside Beach, Texas
Final location: Galveston, Texas
Length: Mile 40
Best driving season: All
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This walk along the Texas coast may be short, but there is a lot to see. Looking out over the beautiful waters of the Gulf of Mexico, the sand and dunes add to the understated grandeur of this seaside region. Surfside Beach is a laid back town, and you might experience a bit of culture shock when you get to the more populous Galveston, but every inch of this trip has its own coastal charm.
#5 - Canyon Clearing
Start Location: Kitak, Texas
Final location: Canyon, Texas
Length: Mile 126
Best driving season: All
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Travelers on this route can feel like they've been transported back in time with such expanses of the Texas plains and stunning canyon views. The land was once home to bison, but these regal animals were never seen again. However, it is not difficult to imagine them when there are so few signs of humanity along the way. Mackenzie Reservoir is a great place to stretch your legs or have a picnic before heading out for breathtaking views of Palo Duro Canyon.
#4 - Enchanted Rock
Start LocationLocation: Llano, Texas
Final location: Fredericksburg, Texas
Length: Mile 39
Best driving season: All
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This particular route through Central Texas is one of the most beautiful in the region, whether the bluecaps are in bloom or not. Home to countless types of minerals, it passes through areas that are a virtual mecca for rock hounds, but anyone can appreciate scenic views from Enchanted Rock State Natural Area and Admiral Nimitz State Historic Park. Fredericksburg, which is at the end of the road, is full of German Old World charm and deserves further exploration rather than just passing through.
No. 3 – Ross Maxwell Scenic Road.
Start Location: Saint Helena, Texas
Final location: Interchange TX-118 and TX-170
Length: Mile 43
Best driving season: All
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This drive through Big Bend National Park, although almost exclusively desert terrain, offers views of amazingly diverse landscapes and wildlife. In fact, the park is home to more species of birds, bats, and cacti than any other national park in the United States, so adventurous people should take every opportunity to explore. For breathtaking scenes and landscape photography, some of the best places are Sotol Vista, Mule Ears and Santa Elena Overlooks.
No. 2 - Texas Hill Country
Start Location: Austin, Texas
Final location: New Braunfels, Texas
Length: Mile 316
Best driving season: All
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A leisurely drive through the Texas Hill Country is great any time of the year, but it's best in the spring when the wildflowers are in bloom. The route passes through rolling countryside, overlooking the Edwards Plateau in the distance. Travelers are encouraged to stop at Lyndon B. Johnson State Historical Park, home to the Texas Longhorn, and Sauer-Beckmann Farm, where park interpreters dress in period clothing as they complete tasks taken from the past.
No. 1 - The path of the river
Start Location: Lajitas, Texas
Final location: Presidio, Texas
Length: Mile 50
Best driving season: All
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El Rio del Camino, also known as the "River Road" for its vistas of the Rio Grande, is a tantalizing route that not only provides a glimpse of the United States, but the far-reaching lands of Mexico. The road passes through great heights with the legendary river, providing many photo opportunities for the desert and canyon landscapes passed along the way. For the daredevils looking to spend the night at the end of the route in the Presidio, the Marfa Lights Observation Deck is a must-see for mysterious lights associated with UFO activity or covert military operations.
