High-Adrenaline Adventures

Texas is a must-see destination for outdoor thrill-seekers

Story by Anne Braly

As the saying goes, everything’s bigger in Texas, and that includes the adrenaline-pumping excitement the state delivers. From the Gulf of Mexico to the Panhandle, the Lone Star State is a playground for thrilling adventures.

“From world-class rock climbing at Hueco Tanks State Park and Historic Site to heart-racing mountain climbing at Big Bend Ranch State Park to 50 miles of hiking at San Angelo State Park, Texas State Parks have exciting adventures for everyone,” says Tara Humphreys, director of interpretation for Texas State Parks.

So if you’re looking for some Texassize fun, here are a few places to get your heart racing and satisfy your need for speed and adventure.

Pedal Power

Texas’ geography and topography make it a top choice for off-road biking. Cyclists can find any kind of terrain and level of difficulty they’re looking for. Here are some trails that top the list of favorites:

Palo Duro Canyon in the Texas Panhandle is the second-largest canyon in the United States and home to several trails ideal for mountain biking. Among them is the Lighthouse Trail — 8 miles that are relatively challenging, but if you’re up to the task, you’ll be rewarded with some of the most stunning sights in the park, including the Lighthouse, a sandstone rock formation that gave the trail its name. For information, visit the Palo Duro Canyon website.

San Angelo State Park offers a wide variety of mountain bike trails, but perhaps the most interesting is its Dinosaur Trail. Not only will you see ancient dinosaur tracks and informational markers identifying them, but you’ll bike through terrain typical of West Texas. Think cacti and low-lying bushes. Word to the wise: bring water and wear a hat. There’s little shade to be found. The Dinosaur Trail is just 3 miles long — a quick ride that’s good for beginners. For more information, go to Texas.gov's page on San Angelo State Park.

Rock-Solid Adventures

There are a number of great rock climbing spots in Texas, from cliff faces close to popular cities to other spots in more remote regions. It’s not hard to find an indoor climbing gym, but there’s nothing like getting outside. Find your next favorite climbing destination among these popular outdoor spots in Texas:

Lake Mineral Wells State Park, about an hour outside of Fort Worth, has a strict policy when it comes to climbers. Participants must be at least 17 years old, sign a liability waiver and wear a park-issued wristband while climbing. But once you’ve cleared those hurdles, you can experience some of the best climbs in North Texas.

There are several routes that are good for beginners and challenging for intermediate-level climbers. They don’t call the area Penitentiary Hollow for nothing. For more information, check out Texas.gov's page on Lake Mineral Wells.

Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, near Fredericksburg, is widely known for outdoor recreation, with a great campground and trails ideal for hiking, particularly up the granite dome known as Enchanted Rock. But it’s also a magical place for experienced climbers to navigate routes such as Enchanted Rock Fissure. There are other climbs better suited for beginners and there are guides in the area to teach you the ropes. For more information, go to Texas.gov's page on Enchanted Rock.

Hang Time

Take to the skies at Cowboy Up, a fabulous place to hang glide and see Texas in a way you may have never before. There are no mountains in this part of Texas, about an hour southeast of Houston, but don’t let that stop you. At Cowboy Up, a light aircraft tows a hang glider into the air before setting you free to fly with the birds.

Beginners attend ground school to learn the basics of hang gliding before taking off with a certified pilot. These are tandem flights, so the pilot conducts takeoffs and landings. There are several available packages starting at a short, 15-minute spin around the Texas skies.

Want to try your hand at hang gliding? Choose the Adventure ride, and the pilot will put the controls in your hands. If you decide hang gliding is for you, become a student of the sport and sign up for one of Cowboy Up’s training packages and receive your United States Hang Gliding & Paragliding Association Hang 1 Beginner Rating. Details are online on the Cowboy Up Hang Gliding website.

Fly Texas in the heart of the Hill Country offers a different kind of hang gliding experience. Trike flying marries hang gliding with a powered tricycle — an aircraft that can take off from a runway or a field, making it perfect for Texas terrain. Just be sure to wear shoes that won’t fall off.

There are 2 packages available: a 30-minute flight for beginners and another one that takes riders up a mile high before the motor turns off and participants glide back down while taking in the views over Lake LBJ and other lakes along the chain of dams on the Colorado River. Learn more on the Fly Texas website.

Run the Rapids

Big Bend National Park is home to some of the most exciting outdoor activities in the state, including rafting or kayaking the Rio Grande. It’s a calm river in some places but also has fast-moving currents flowing through deep river canyons. Bring your own gear, rent equipment from local outfitters or take a fully equipped guided trip from two hours to 10 days.

Big Bend is a diverse region with endless possibilities for adventure and discovery with lodging possibilities that run the gamut from camping to luxury resorts. Learn more on the National Park Service website.