Outdoor recreation is central to life in (and visiting) Texas, so much so that even the largest cities in the state offer a variety of great ways to spend time outdoors. And, make no mistake about it, these are the top urban areas: Austin, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio. Yet each of the four largest cities in Texas offers great outdoor urban adventures.
Austin has long been known as a “green” city. The scenic Colorado River winds through the city and provides a platform for many of its most popular outdoor recreational activities. Two of the Texas Hill Country “Chains of Lakes”, which are made up of a series of dams along the Colorado River, are located within the city of Austin. Lake Austin, at the north end of the city, and Lady Bird Lake (formerly known as Town Lake), combine to offer a host of outdoor recreational opportunities, including fishing, swimming, rowing, kayaking, boating , jogging, hiking, bird watching and more.
State parks also abound in and around Austin, with popular parks like McKinney Falls State Park found within the city.
Dallas, on the other hand, has always been seen as a cultured and wealthy urban center. Few people realize how many outdoor recreational opportunities are offered in and around the DFW (Dallas / Ft Worth) Metroplex. The reason Dallas has such an amazing outdoor recreation scene is due in large part to the sheer number of lakes in and around the city. No less than half a dozen major reservoirs in the city or within a short drive. Grapevine Lake, Lake Lewisville, and Lavon Lake are a short drive outside of Dallas, while Eagle Mountain Lake and Lake Worth are just outside of Ft Worth.
Lake Arlington, White Rock Lake, and Mountain Creek Lake are smaller reservoirs located within the Metroplex. But, even with all those watery options, the biggest draws in the DFW area are Lakes Joe Pool and Lake Ray Hubbard, two major reservoirs located on the outskirts of Dallas. Each of these lakes offers a wide variety of outdoor recreational activities, including fishing, swimming, hiking, jogging, camping, kayaking, canoeing, boating, bird watching, mountain biking, and more.
Houston is also known as the “City of the Bayou” due to the many swamps that criss-cross the city limits. The most notable of these is Buffalo Bayou, which eventually drains into the Galveston Bay system. Kayaking and canoeing along these swamps is a popular pastime for outdoor enthusiasts who spend time in the largest city in Texas. Sheldon Lake State Park offers a variety of outdoor activities including fishing, swimming, rowing, hiking, and bird watching. The Houston Arboretum and Nature Center is nestled on 155 acres of natural habitat located in the heart of the city.
The Center is a popular spot for walkers, runners, and bird watchers. The Armand Bayou Nature Center is even bigger – it spans over 2,500 acres. A boardwalk and extensive trails are in place for those who wish to hike or hike throughout the resort, while guided canoe and boat tours are also available to help visitors spot the vast amount of wildlife that calls. home to the Armand Bayou Nature Center.
San Antonio has so many tourist attractions that its natural features are often completely lost. Two reservoirs, Lakes Braunig and Calaveras, are within the San Antonio city limits. Each of these lakes offers excellent access for fishing, canoeing, boating, and kayaking. San Antonio is also right next to several of the most popular caves and canyons in the state. Tours of the Natural Bridge Caverns and Cascade Caverns are always a great way to do some outdoor activity.
So whether it’s for business or pleasure, one of the four largest urban areas in Texas has no excuse not to spend time enjoying outdoor recreation.
