2024’s Towns In Texas That Come Alive In Fall

Texas, the second-largest state in the US, astounds in fall through its vast, natural diverisity. The small towns dotted throughout offer easy access from a big city into its many wonders. Starting to take shades of fall in late September, the foliage usually moves from northeast, hitting the lowlands last. From mountains to deserts to sprawling plains, Texas showcases an incredible tapestry of landscapes that transforms beautifully in the fall. As the temperatures cool, the vibrant colors of autumn bring small towns to life, inviting visitors to explore charming streets, local festivals, and scenic parks. Whether you’re hiking in the Hill Country, savoring pumpkin spice treats in quaint cafés, or wandering through farmers’ markets bursting with seasonal produce, there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy the season. So grab your sweater and get ready to experience the unique blend of nature and culture that Texas has to offer this fall!

Canyon

Beckoning leaf peepers from all over, this underrated town at the gateway to the majestic Palo Duro Canyon State Park grants access to the second-largest canyon in the US. The 120-mile-long, 20-mile-wide, and 800-foot-deep Duro Canyon is a thrilling sight, sporting gorgeous multi-colored geologic layers of the time’s wear on land. Since a good chunk of the 442,000 annual visitors come to see the natural wonder in the summer, one of Texas’s most unique autumnal landscapes retains a relatively undisturbed feel when things usually start to pop mid- to late-October. Given its mountain desert climate, the intensity of bright fall foliage is surprising in Canyon, a Texas Panhandle gem.

Take the easy 1.4-mile (one-way) Cottonwood Trail through a vibrant savannah under the glowing, leafy canopy—the park’s iconic cottonwood trees. For a relaxing afternoon, the pet-friendly Hunsley Park is right in town. Enjoy more leaf-peeping through Timbercreek Canyon next to Lake Tanglewood, just 15 minutes northeast, on a stroll or a horseback ride with River Falls Equestrian Center. At the end of September, the town hosts Autumn Street Fest, giving away free pumpkins to the first 100 kids. Check out the autumn vibes at the nearby Bar Z Winery with great views of the canyon from its cozy patio.

Concan

This quiet town next to Garner State Park has been a summertime family tradition for nearly a century. Surrounded by a mountain desert of up to 1,600 feet, enjoy leaf-peeping adventures from the doorstep. Renowned for swimming and floating on the Frio River, plus hiking and nightly dances, one of the state’s most visited overnight state parks remains a hotbed through fall, with scores of leaf peepers along the bedazzling trails through its rugged terrain. The 2.9-mile stretch of the Grand Frio River, a Nueces River tributary, offers scenic shores to relax and dip your feet in the cooling water after a hot hike.

Turning most vibrant shades in late October, come wander the forest floor in a haze amidst maples, oaks, persimmons, and mesquites along the park’s 16-mile trail system with limestone bluffs overhead. Blinn River Trail is an easy half-mile with enchanting river views, while Old Baldy Trail is a short, strenuous hike up the canyon, with fantastic overlooks at each step. Concan Swimming Hole attains a fairytale feel in the fall, perfect for leisurely recreation by the lazy river or a picnic amid the rocks to truly appreciate the scenery without crowds. Just north, Frio Country Resort offers to unwind riverside and a scenic golf course.

Dell City

Dell City was established in the late 1940s as an unlikely oasis for cotton and tomatoes in the Chihuahuan Desert, thanks to a significant underground water supply. The jaw-dropping Guadalupe Peak greets visitors upon arrival downtown, some 43 miles east within the Guadalupe Mountains. Granting you access to both the desert environs and the mountains at one of only two national parks in Texas, Dell City is an enviable escape in the fall for adventurers and leaf peepers. Just a hop from the New Mexico border in the west of Texas, this small farming and ranching community is the state’s gateway to the Guadalupe Mountains National Park.

Abounding in opportunities abound, McKittrick Canyon Trail is foliage-ridden from mid-October through mid-November, while the park’s mountain vegetation, primarily oaks and maples, explodes in oranges and reds. Grab a hot breakfast at Rosita’s Cafe and hit the trails winding for over 80 miles through the scenic park. Flaunting four of the state’s tallest peaks, there’s a hike for every level, like the Guadalupe Peak Trail to the highest mountain in Texas at 8,750 feet. After an endearing hike through a conifer forest, soak up the views of the southern El Capitan peak and descend to recharge on hot enchiladas at Spanish Angels Cafe.

Fort Davis

Welcome to the criminally overlooked, insanely beautiful “highest town in Texas,” nestled along the 5,050-foot-high foothills. Overlooking the Miter Peak and the Puertecita Mountains, Fort Davis inspires a fairytale within the frame of the Davis Mountains. Flaunting some of the state’s most unique fall foliage—the brightly transformed oak trees scatter throughout the grassy terrain. Davis Mountains State Park features a pet-friendly campground to enjoy the quaint falltime splendor from the doorstep. Experience everything this mountain town has to offer, starting at Fort Davis National Historic Site, established almost 10 years before the Civil War, among the last remaining US Army forts.

After an afternoon stroll through the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center and Botanical Gardens, take a trail for your level and unwind at the over-a-century-old Fort Davis Drug Store Hotel. The popular 2.4-mile Limpa Creek Trail meaners through Limpia Canyon over a slow 550-foot incline to breathtaking vistas. An elevation hike, like Mount Livermore, rewards you with rare views of the pinyon pines in Texas’s western desert region. No visit is complete without a jaw-dropping drive along the 75-mile Davis Mountains Scenic Loop. The gorgeously winding mountain roads reveal vast desert prairie, past the Limpia and Madera Canyons, Mt. Livermore, Sawtooth Mountain, and back to town.

Fredericksburg

Christened after a Prussian prince, this Texas Hill Country town is one of the most popular to visit in the whole South. Under the cooler temperatures, discover what makes Fredericksburg so appealing amid the changing landscape, which sets the stage for family fun at one of the weekend festivals. Kick off the season with Oktoberfest, followed by the Texas Mesquite Arts Festival, showing off artisans. Or, if you’re more into the reds and whites than art or suds, stop by the revamped Fredericksburg Food and Wine Festival, starting on October 24th. The National Museum of the Pacific War features Asiatic-Pacific theater, delivering the story of World War II for every age, while the Peach Tree Inn & Suites welcomes you to unwind before another exciting day under the Cross Mountain views to the north.

Fredericksburg charms from the get-go in between San Antonio and Austin as a German-settled town. Delight your tastebuds with traditional German treats, like pancakes at the Old German Bakery & Restaurant, and get exploring after breakfast. From shopping to the great outdoors, harvest wines, and vineyard strolls, there’s something for everyone to explore in warm weather through November. Just south, Lady Bird Johnson Municipal Park offers breathtaking, clearly marked nature trails with birds, local fauna, and chance deer. Brace yourself for a spellbinding ride via the 290 Wine Shuttle through Texas Wine Country, with awesome wineries in the area. Wildseed Farms, the largest working wildflower farm in the US, flaunts beautiful and vast country views in its autumnal thematic.

Johnson City

This small town along the scenic hills of the Pedernales River valley is a highly wanted escape. Visit during the fall transformation under Mother Nature’s artful hand, painting the landscapes gold in the fall. With the Pedernales River through the heart and dotted by an array of tongue-tingling wineries, the naturescape changes colors around the endearing small town. Just about 40 miles west of Austin, get in touch with history in the hometown of President Lyndon B. Johnson, the 36th US president, who took office after Kennedy’s assassination in Dallas. Lyndon B. Johnson National Historic Park features the house where Johnson spent his boyhood, plus the mid-19th-century Sauer-Beckmann Living History Farm for a realistic sneak peek into the life of the era.

Come for a fun-filled day at the free for all Fall Festival on October 20th, with family-friendly activities with live music, an inflatable obstacle course, and a petting zoo. No weekend retreat in the Texas Wine Country is complete without sampling the state’s finest reds and whites, like at Alex Anthony Vineyards right in town. Many enjoy the Science Mill in a renovated 1880′s grist mill with over 50 indoor and outdoor interactive, world-class exhibits. After a day at Pedernales River Nature Park, where the active can go kayaking or rafting from the shores, unwind at Westcave Cellars Winery & Brewery away from the action downtown. Featuring large outdoor patios and equipped kitchens, their Airbnb is surrounded by rustic vines after another successful harvest season.

Utopia

Utopia truly lives up to its name, nestled in the golden hues of the picturesque Sabinal Canyon. Just an hour and a half drive west from San Atonio, this charming town offers a tranquil escape into nature, especially during the fall when the foliage transforms the landscape into a vibrant palette of colors. Families can explore the rolling foothills and scenic ranches, with trails suitable for every level of hiker.

Just 18 minutes east, the Seven Canyon Ranch offers a cozy getaway with the comforts of home. For a more rustic experience, consider a stay at the Utopia River Retreat, located along the lovely Sabinal River. This fall, Utopia is gearing up for its annual Disc Golf Tournament at Four Sisters Ranch on November 8-9, where visitors can enjoy camping, music, and a sense of community.

Main Street boasts delightful dining and shopping options perfect for a leisurely afternoon. Start your visit with a meal at the Laurel Tree, then soak in the beautiful Texas Hill Country views while playing a round at Utopia Golf Course, famous for its appearance in “Seven Days in Utopia.” Don’t miss Utopia Park, where you can take a peaceful stroll among the colorful foliage, enjoy pet-friendly trails, and let the kids play at the playground. With opportunities for fishing and swimming in Utopia Park Lake, there’s plenty to keep everyone entertained. Explore unique finds at Lost Maples Cafe and browse through European antiques and home decor in local shops, making Utopia a charming fall getaway.

Vanderpool

Utopia’s northern neighbor, Vanderpool, is an eye-catching community on a drive through Texas Hill Country in the fall. Stop to appreciate the magnificent views of the rolling Sabinal Canyon. Just the beginning of Vanderpool’s many charms, its most alluring falltime feature is the Lost Maples State Natural Area, renowned for incredible hiking opportunities year-round. Its signiture maples change leaves to scarlet in the last two weeks of October through the earlier weeks in November. Stretching for 2174.2 scenic acres and lined by the uncommon Uvalde bigtooth maple, the trails are magnificent in autumnal haze. Visit mid-week for unobscured views along the 10-total-miles of hiking paths.

The 3-mile East Trail is one of the more difficult yet scenically rewarding along the spring-fed Sabinal River. Relax under the bigtooth maples dotting the shores before ascending a rugged slope with spectacular views to an overlook of the whole park. Just a quick drive north, the Grotto is a cool spot for a photoshoot by the fun formation along the main hike. Meanwhile, Lost Maples Farm welcomes visitors next year after renovations for new, unique attractions, picturesque hill country photo-ops, food and drinks, and barnyard animals. Take a hayride ride through the trees into the hills for a panoramic view and pick a pumpkin or gourd from the field, plus a 25-foot tall climbing tower, among other photoworthy moments.

Wimberley

With the Blanco River gifting Wimberley, this small town, home to Blue Hole Regional Park, is just over an hour northeast of San Antonio. Offering an ideal getaway for the outdoorsy leaf peepers, the temperatures and colors through early November highlight your time spent along the forested swimming area and the trails, plus rope swings and a basketball court. The Cypress Creek Nature Preserve is spectacular on a leisurely stroll under huge cypress trees in a cool, oasis-like environment. Jacobs Well Natural Area offers to fly through the fall colors on Zipline Adventures. Stricken with Cypress Creek through the heart of the square, the towering cypresses frame your discoveries, like Wimberley Valley Museum for the area’s rich history.

Stop by Wimberley Glasswork, styling itself as Texas’ premier blown-glass studio, and stay at the Bygone for a quaint overnight to step out into the fresh-faced morning nature. The daunting views of Old Baldy beckon and reward early hikers with sweeping scenery of the Texas Hill Country. Just 20 minutes south, the huge Canyon Lake flaunts two attractive parks without crowds. Potters Creek Park features scenic trails, wildlife, campgrounds, and a lake for boating, swimming, and fishing, while Overlook Park hugs the lake with its great walking trails for access and views of the waters amid picturesque rocks. Family Fall Fest takes place on Sunday, October 27, at the Dripping Springs Ranch Park and Event Center.

Although life always feels vibrant in the Lone Star State, there’s nothing like the fall season, with plenty of sunshine highlighting the foliage. In between the nature ventures, you will experience a mix of cultures in each town that will warm your soul with festivals and cozy stays for the rest of the year. Whether you’re exploring charming small towns, savoring delicious seasonal treats, or joining in the local festivities, fall in Texas is a time of connection and celebration. The vibrant colors and comfortable weather create the perfect backdrop for outdoor adventures and heartwarming gatherings. As you immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of Texas culture, you’ll find that these experiences leave a lasting impression, inviting you to return long after the leaves have fallen. So, embrace the magic of fall in the Lone Star State, where every moment is an opportunity to create cherished memories!