Texas State Parks Near New Braunfels

Guadalupe River State Park offers some of the best river access in the Texas Hill Country, with opportunities to swim, paddle, fish, and relax along the Guadalupe River. The park also features camping, wildlife habitat, and family-friendly day-use areas near San Antonio and New Braunfels.

Honey Creek State Natural Area is a carefully protected preserve in the Texas Hill Country featuring a spring-fed creek, rugged limestone terrain, and diverse native wildlife. Public access is limited, making it a quiet destination for guided nature experiences and conservation-focused visits.

Blanco State Park offers a classic Texas Hill Country getaway with a spring-fed river, limestone banks, and shady picnic areas. Its compact size makes it easy to enjoy a day of swimming, fishing, camping, and wildlife watching.

Government Canyon State Natural Area offers a quiet escape with miles of backcountry trails, dramatic limestone canyons, and rich native habitat. It is especially popular for hiking, birding, and exploring one of the region's most important protected natural areas.

Palmetto State Park offers a unique wetland setting in Central Texas, where the San Marcos River supports dense vegetation and abundant wildlife. Its compact size makes it ideal for relaxed day trips, camping, and exploring the park’s boardwalks and river access.

McKinney Falls State Park offers a mix of natural beauty and city convenience, with Onion Creek flowing over Upper and Lower McKinney Falls. The park also features picnic areas, camping, fishing, and remnants of the historic Thomas F. McKinney homestead.

Albert & Bessie Kronkosky State Natural Area protects a large stretch of undeveloped Hill Country landscape with rocky draws, oak-juniper woodlands, and open grasslands. It is best suited for visitors seeking a low-key, nature-focused experience rather than developed recreation.

Pedernales Falls State Park is a classic Texas Hill Country destination centered on the Pedernales River and its dramatic limestone falls. The park offers swimming, fishing, paddling, camping, and miles of trails through oak-juniper woodland and open ranchland.

Lyndon B. Johnson State Park & Historic Site features historic ranch structures, native wildlife, and broad views of the Pedernales River valley. It is closely tied to the life and legacy of President Lyndon B. Johnson and offers a mix of history, nature, and family-friendly recreation.

Enchanted Rock State Natural Area centers on a 425-foot pink granite dome rising above the Texas Hill Country. The park offers scenic hiking, bouldering, birding, and some of the best dark-sky viewing in Texas.