These Towns in Texas Come Alive in Spring
Spring in Texas is a beautiful and fairly vibrant season. Beautiful because native plants and flowers bloom in a colorful spectacle, revealing the true beauty of the state's natural attractions. Vibrant because people become more comfortable outdoors as the traffic in parks, markets, recreational centers, and other outdoor destinations begins gaining momentum. In small towns such as Dripping Springs and Rockport, natural attractions like lakes and rivers are lavish, and the outdoor scenery comes alive in picturesque beauty. Find more of these natural charms and lively scenes across these nine small towns in Texas that come alive in spring.
Grandbury
Granbury is located by the Brazos River, which feeds Lake Grandbury as it slices through the town. The lake comes alive in spring and invites tourists to embark on fishing and boating adventures. There is also a beach on the lake known as the City Beach, where tourists can relax under the warm weather, hold picnics on its pavilion, swim and kayak on the lake, and enjoy a splash park. Other exciting parks in town worth visiting in spring include Hewlett Park (featuring picnic areas and children’s play areas), Shanley Park (featuring picnic areas and beautiful water views), and Granbury City Park (featuring soccer, basketball, and volleyball fields). For some engagement in the town's history, visit the 1885 Hood County Jail Museum, which once served as the town’s only jail, and the Hood County Courthouse Museum, which reflects the Second Empire architectural style.
Johnson City
Johnson City in the Texas Hill Country is renowned as the birthplace and hometown of President Lyndon B. Johnson. As a result, the town is home to the President Lyndon B. Johnson National Park, a famous attraction featuring the president's home, grave, ranch, and birthplace. However, the town is also naturally charming, and a visit to the Pedernales Falls State Park could be the highlight of a spring vacation here. The Perdenales River is a core attraction in this park, available for swimming, tubing, and fishing, while its banks are for camping and picnics. In addition, there are 19.8 miles of trails for hiking and mountain biking in the park, including wildlife such as coyotes, rabbits, wild hogs, and white-tailed deer. Johnson City is home to lots of wineries so do not leave without visiting some top ones like Anthony Vineyards and Westcave Cellars. Before leaving, experience the sensational tastes of barbecue at Ronnie's BBQ.
Salado
A visit to Salado in spring is an opportunity to experience rural charms come alive. Here, visitors will be met with many natural attractions like the Salado Creek which appears more scenic, alongside a bridge. Beside the creek is the Salado Creek and Pace Park where visitors can enjoy picnics with family and friends, swim at the creek, and let the kids play at the playground. The town also features the Salado Sculpture Garden, which presents visitors with the grandeur of many figurines and sculptures between beautiful plants and flowers. For some history, visitors are welcome to the Salado Museum and College Park to learn about the town's early frontier days. Wrap up the visit with sensational pizzas at the Bahler Street Pizza and grab some wines at the Salado Wine Seller on Main Street.
Marble Falls
Marble Falls is a picturesque town in Burnet County, at the banks of Lake Marble Falls, which reveals its lakeside charm and beauty in spring. With clearer and warmer weather, visitors will have fun exploring this town’s top attractions, starting from the Lakeside Park by the Colorado River. This beautiful park offers opportunities for swimming, picnicking with river views, and boating on Lake Marble Falls. Turkey Bend Recreation Area is another exciting attraction in town, offering outdoor enthusiasts so much satisfaction with its 29 campsites and opportunities to kayak, fish, and swim. For even more adventures, visitors are welcome to the Shaffer Bend Recreational Area 10 miles from the town to enjoy camping, hiking, mountain biking, fishing, and jaw-dropping vistas of rolling hills, limestone bluffs, and riverside beauty.
Alpine
Alpine is an outdoor haven in the Chihuahua Desert, framed by the Davis Mountain on the North and Chisos Mountain to the South. The town is more remarkable as a base for exploring the iconic Big Bend National Park, just outside its borders. This park is home to many natural attractions, from plants and animal species to hot springs, unbelievable rock formations, dunes, bathhouses, and even dinosaur bones, and spring is one of the best times to explore them all.
Away from the National Park, visitors to Alpine can stroll through the streets to see murals depicting the town’s history or head to Kokernot Park to swim in the Alpine Public Pool. Afterward, head to the Museum of the Big Bend at Sul Ross State University to learn more about the origin and features of the Big Bend region. While in the university area, hike the famous Hancock Hill trail to savor the gorgeous scenery from higher ground.
Rockport
Rockport is a charming coastal destination where summer beach lovers can experience another version of fun in spring. Rockport Beach is the town's highlight attraction as it offers picturesque sunsets, and endless opportunities for swimming, fishing, boating, and picnicking.
For water lovers, there are several boat marinas in town, notably The Key Allegro Marina which offers easy access to bay fishing and the Gulf of Mexico. For nature lovers, Rockport features the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, home to a wide variety of wildlife and trails to see them all. History lovers can visit the Texas Maritime Museum, to learn about the maritime history of Texas. For those yearning for some more adventures, head to Goose Island State Park to hike and bike, fish, and see the Big Tree - one of the largest and oldest oak trees in the US.
Fort Davis
Fort Davis is a spectacular town with the highest elevation above sea level in Texas. The town is naturally cold because of its elevation, and winter makes it even worse. Hence, spring is a beloved season as the weather warms up and its touristy attractions renew their allure. The Chihuahua Desert Nature Center and Botanical Gardens is a top attraction here to start with as it is home to around five miles of hiking trails and a colorful 20-acre botanical garden featuring 165 blossoming plant species. Next, visitors can head to Davis Mountain State Park to hike, bike, watch birds, camp, stargaze, and see several plant species and wildlife, such as white-tailed deer and rock squirrels. From this park, visitors can also hike four miles to the Fort Davis National Historic Site, where history buffs can explore restored historic buildings and ruins of an ancient fort that served in the Indian Wars.
Dripping Springs
Dripping Springs is one of nature's finest jewels in Texas, and it takes one visit here in spring to get addicted. For starters, the town features the Hamilton Pool Preserve - one of the most visibly appealing natural attractions places in the US featuring a stunning pool, a canyon, a 50-foot waterfall, and hiking trails. In addition, the preserve is home to native birds, fish, plants, and animals, making it even more unique.
Dripping Springs is also close to Milton Reimers Ranch Park featuring around 18 miles of hiking and biking trails and gorgeous views of the Pedernales River. Away from the natural attractions, visitors to this town can stroll through the historic Mercer Street to see some historic architecture dating back to the 1800s. After the adventures, be sure to enjoy some grilled meats and roasted veggies at Alice Restaurant.
Wimberley
Wimberley is a picturesque town in Hays County filled with natural attractions that all come alive in spring and lure visitors. The Blue Hole Regional Park is a typical example, defined by an army of imposing cypress trees and the alluring Blue Hole, a natural swimming area with clear waters for swimming. The Patsy Glenn Refuge is another natural attraction in this town, featuring an incredible diversity of birds and other wildlife that can be seen on various walking trails.
Wimberley also invites adventures to the Cypress Creek Nature Preserve and Trail, where sun-kissed cypress trees form shades over a flowing creek. For the ultimate spring vacation in Wimberley, do not miss out on a visit to Jacob's Well Natural Area, which becomes more exciting for swimming and beautiful for photos during the season.
From picturesque mountain scenery to lakeside beauty and exotic swimming holes, the small towns in Texas are riddled with natural attractions that make them exciting. With winter out of the way, spring renews the glow of these natural attractions, while residents and visitors emerge from their cozy indoors to occupy them. This season is also a good time to explore historic attractions and soak in the aura of a bygone era along the old districts of these towns. Whether one chooses to kick back at a lakeside park to admire the waters or go adventurous by hiking in the mountains, there's hardly a dull moment.
