It’s an ontological fact that fall is the best season of the year. Unfortunately, Houston isn’t a place to enjoy the most the season has to offer. If you’re looking to feast your eyes on fall colors, revel in autumn festivities, and embrace the intimate charm that only small towns have, take a look at our article below to find the best small towns, parks, and destinations to visit in Texas this fall.
1. Round Top
Round Top is a tiny Texas Hill Country town and autumn destination nestled roughly halfway between Houston and Austin. Though its year-round population is small, its charming historic square and picturesque surroundings create a much-needed sense of escape.
The town’s atmosphere is defined by its deep appreciation for history and quality, making it a perfect spot for fall browsing. You’ll find delightful cozy shops, a good number of excellent local restaurants, wineries, and a small town ambiance.
🚗 1 hour, 40 minutes from Houston
2. Nacogdoches
Largely considered to be the oldest town in Texas – and indisputably the state’s most difficult town name to pronounce – Nacogdoches is home to the Deep East Texas Fall Foliage Trail. Here, visitors can marvel at a vibrant collage of sweetgums, pines, and oaks. Nacogdoches also features a charming downtown area and SFA Garden Arboretum, making it great for a fall road trip from Houston!
🚗 2 hours, 21 minutes from Houston
3. Huntsville
Huntsville State Park is a beautiful wooded area in the East Texas Pineywoods, located conveniently just an hour north of Downtown Houston. The park offers over 20 miles of trails that are ideal for activities like hiking, biking, and bird-watching.
Furthermore, the state park, surrounded by Sam Houston National Forest, provides a dense, immersive fall experience. For a truly marvelous site, visit Lake Raven to witness the radiant red oaks, hickories, and other autumn trees reflected as if by a mirror.
🚗 1 hour, 8 minutes from Houston
4. Jefferson
Hailed as the B&B Capital of Texas, Jefferson’s charming collection of historical buildings, Victorian homes, and cobblestone streets make it a cozy, autumn town that offers a unparalleled fall experience in Texas.
But that’s not even the half of it, Jefferson is also known as the most haunted small town in Texas. With infamous haunts like The Grove, The Jefferson Hotel, and The Excelsior House Hotel — the latter rumored to be Spielberg’s inspiration for Poltergeist.
🚗 3 hours, 56 minutes from Houston
5. Daingerfield
Populated with pine, sweet gum, cypress, and oak trees, Daingerfield State Park in northeast Texas becomes a haven of glorious fall foliage in the months of October and November.
This natural beauty is perfectly complemented by the surrounding East Texas small-town charm, where you can find cozy, locally-owned lodging options, friendly diners serving up Southern comfort food, and quaint shops in historic downtown squares.
For the most scenic vantage points in the park, we recommend taking a saunter around the lake on the Rustling Leaves Trail, or, hop in a kayak and soak in the spectacular sea of fiery orange, red, and yellow colors.
You can also get a bird’s eye glimpse of the forest from the Mountain View Trail, making the entire trip a perfect blend of outdoor adventure and peaceful, authentic small-town living.
🚗 4 hours, 17 minutes from Houston
6. Fredericksburg
The Texas Wine Country hub is a must-visit for any Texan. Often cited as the prettiest town in Texas, Fredericksburg is home to rich German heritage, great shopping, unparalleled dining, and a bustling local arts scene.
Furthermore, its terrain reflects the iconic Texas Hill Country colors of amber and gold. Nearby, visitors can explore Enchanted Rock State Natural Area provides exceptional panoramic views.
🚗 4 hours from Houston
7. New Braunfels
Nestled between San Antonio and Austin, the lush, German-settled town of New Braunfels is a fantastic year-round destination.
While its spring-fed rivers are famous for tubing and kayaking in the summer, the area shifts beautifully in the fall. You can enjoy the autumn foliage at scenic spots like Landa Park and Canyon Lake.
Come autumn, the town offers other quintessential season experiences like its Sundrop Springs and Country Grace Farms pumpkin patches and fall festivals. Kicking off this November, the town will also host its Wurstfest celebration, otherwise known as the Best Ten Days in Sausage History at Landa Park.
For culture and entertainment, the historic district of Gruene offers a wealth of antique shops, restaurants, and local businesses.
🚗 2 hours, 45 minutes from Houston
8. Wimberley
Known for its arts and craft shops, galleries, and the Blue Hole Regional Park,Wimberley is a quieter, more laid-back Hill Country destination than Fredericksburg, perfect for browsing, relaxing, and enjoying natural splendor.
While during the warmer months, Wimberley makes for a great swimming destination, during the fall the waterways turn into gorgeous reflections of the vibrant trees that line them. The previously mentioned Blue Hole Regional Park as well as Jacob’s Well Natural Area feature gorgeous collections of bald cypress trees that burn brightly in the fall season.
Additionally, a hike up Old Baldy otherwise known as Mount Baldy, offers sweeping views of the colorful Wimberley Valley below. For those that are more road-trip oriented, take the route along Devil’s Backbone for scenic fall sites.
🚗 3 hours from Houston
9. Vanderpool (Lost Maples)
Just north of the small town of Vanderpool, tucked away in the rugged Texas Hill Country, lies the magnificent Lost Maples State Natural Area—a premier destination for those seeking spectacular autumn color in the Lone Star State.
This area is celebrated for its concentration of Uvalde bigtooth maples, a unique species that transforms the canyons and hillsides into a breathtaking tapestry of fiery reds, vibrant oranges, and rich yellows, a display often likened to fall foliage seen much further north.
The dramatic, winding roads around Vanderpool, particularly Ranch Road 187, enhance the sense of a scenic, seasonal escape, making the journey to the park itself a major part of the overall experience.
🚗 4 hours, 27 minutes from Houston
10. Tyler
The “Rose Capital of America” isn’t just known for its roses. Tyler, Texas, about a 3.5-hour drive from Houston is home to sweeping sites of fall foliage when the seasons turn. Maple, Cypress, and Sweetgum trees populate the city’s backroads, particularly toward Winnsboro on Highway 14. Tyler State Park also features a growth of deciduous trees, as well as a spring-fed lake, adding to the fall experience of the town.
🚗 3 hours, 30 minutes from Houston