How can you beat a great hike to a Texas waterfall for a picnic or a dip in the refreshing water on a hot day or to capture some stunning pictures of a waterfall in Texas? This page will list some of the best waterfalls in Texas – so pack the bags with a swimming suit and a picnic lunch, grab a hiking stick, and hit the road to enjoy one of these best Texas Waterfalls. Texas is home to hundreds of waterfalls that range from small cascading trickles to some raging giant waterfalls but not quite on the scale of Niagra Falls. Some of these waterfalls only appear after heavy rains, others run year round, and some are hard to get to.
Airfield Falls
Ft Worth, TX
There are beautiful walks, hikes & biking found among many segments of the Trinity Trail system. From the White Settlement trailhead, go in the direction of Carswell, and you’ll discover The Falls! Slightly more than 6 miles round-trip, and will bring you to the beautiful Airfield Falls.
Beef Creek Falls
Sam Rayburn Reservoir, Jasper, TX
Beef Creek Falls on Hog Creek, just below Sam Rayburn Reservoir, was on land owned by the Temple family as part of their East Texas timber empire. You may be able to get special permission by the new owners to visit the falls with an escort.
Blanco State Park
Blanco, TX
Off Highway 281 in Blanco this waterfall could easily be overlooked but it is well worth a stop. Whether you camp, stay in an RV, or just picnic, fish, or swim in the Blanco River this is a fun spot to cool off and spend an afternoon.
Blue Hole Park
Georgetown, TX
This popular swimming hole in Georgetown is another spot that you have to see to believe. Definitely one of Texans’ favorite swimming holes to take a dip in when summer comes around! With the ancient limestone rocks surrounding the pool, the gorgeous jade green water, and the riverwide waterfall. Make sure to arrive early in summer as the park does get crowded. Enjoy this central Texas waterfall fun on the San Gabriel River!
Boykin Springs
Angelina National Forest, Zavalla, TX
Boykin Springs is located in the Angelina National Forest. Why not camp in Boykin Springs campground and hike the Sawmill Trail to the waterfall and to see ruins of the Aldridge Sawmill. Photo courtesy of TripAdvisor.
Capote Falls
Marfa, TX
Capote Falls is the highest waterfall in Texas at 175 feet and yet it is in one of the driest parts of West Texas. It is the main drainage below the Rio Grande Rift and the Sierra Vieja on its way to the Rio Grande and as such it consistently flows. But the bad news is that it’s on private property and can only be seen by air.
Cattail Falls
Big Bend National Park, Lajitas, TX
Lush and secluded and hard to find, Cattail Fall is on the western slope of the Chisos Mountains in Big Bend National Park. You should ask a park ranger for directions because the three mile round trip trail is unmarked and difficult to find.
City Tube Chute
Comal River, New Braunfels, TX
If you like tubing, then you need to try the City Tube Chute, which is an s-shaped chute that is a slide to allow tubers to bypass the Clemens Dam on the Comal River. It’s a fun and thrilling ride, and usually packed with tubers on a hot summer day. It falls 20 feet into the Comal River, which is why we’ll consider it a water fall.
Dolan Falls
Devils River State Natural Area, Del Rio, TX
To reach this impressive waterfall in the rugged and remote scrublands north of Del Rio you’ll need permission from the stewards of the falls, The Nature Conservancy. Dolan Falls is in the Devils River State Natural Area and it spans the width of the Devils River which is recognized as one of the cleanest in Texas.
Gorman Falls
Colorado Bend State Park, Lampasas, TX
Colorado Bend State Park is home to a large concentration of falls that are open to the public. The largest of which is the 65 foot Gorman Falls. And if you hike a mile above the falls on the Gorman Trail you’ll find where the spring emerges from the ground. Photo Courtesy of TripAdvisor.
Hamilton Pool
Austin, TX
About a mile from its confluence with the Pedernales River is the infamous Hamilton Pool which has a 50 feet waterfall that cascades into a pool and limestone grotto. The pool is available for swimming.
Hueco Springs Rapids
Guadalupe River, New Braunfels, TX
If you’ve tubed or paddled the Lower Guadalupe River, then you’ve probably gotten to experience the waterfall and rapids known as Hueco Springs Rapids. This is the monster of the Guadalupe River – a 25-foot, Class III rapid when the dam release is at least 500 cubic feet per second. When the River’s flowing, you’re likely to get very wet.
Krause Springs
Cypress Creek, Spicewood, TX
Krause Springs may just be one of the prettiest swimming holes in Texas. Towering cypress trees and a waterfall cascading over a cliff covered with ferns make this a great place to spend some time on a hot summer day. Tent and RV campsites are available.
Madrid Falls
Big Bend Ranch State Park, Presidio, TX
Madrid Falls, at 100′ is the tallest publicly accessible and the second tallest overall waterfall in Texas. The falls are difficult to reach so a four-wheel drive is needed or the stamina for a long, uphill hike. Madrid Falls is comprised of an upper and lower level, that together flows 100 feet.
McKinney Falls
McKinney Falls State Park, Austin, TX
McKinney Falls State Park is at the confluence of Onion and Williamson Creeks and several waterfalls cascade over limestone formations into peaceful pools. The Park has excellent campsites, hiking and biking trails, fishing, and more.
Mexican Falls
Big Bend Ranch State Park, Lajitas, TX
Located in the rugged Big Bend Ranch State Park, Mexican Falls located near Madrid Falls, and is the third tallest falls in Texas at 80 feet. Like most things of beauty, it’s hard to get to and you’ll need a four wheel vehicle or take a long hike to get to view this beautiful waterfall.
Ojito Adentro
Big Bend Ranch State Park, Lajitas, TX
Located in the rugged Big Bend Ranch State Park, Ojito Adentro is a slow trickle of water that has created a rich oasis with ferns, moss, lichens, and plenty of trees, in the hot and arid Chihuahuan Desert. You’ll need to hike about a mile on a fairly rugged and difficult trail to reach the canyon that is home to Ojito Adentro.
Pedernales Falls
Pedernales Falls State Park, Johnson City, TX
Pedernales Falls State Park is one of our favorites because it has great sites, hiking, swimming, fishing, mountain biking, and more. But the highlight of the park is where the Pedernales Rivers cascades over steps of layered limestone to create Pedernales Falls and several pools of water.
Pine Canyon Waterfall
Big Bend National Park, Rio Grande, TX
After the rains come, the desert backcountry of Big Bend National Park become a haven for waterfalls. The Pine Canyon Waterfall and Cattail Falls are scenic and remote. The Window, during a flash flood turns into a 220′ high torrent which is the tallest waterfall series in the state.
Westcave Waterfall
Westcave Preserve, Austin, TX
Westcave Preserve is a 30-acre preserve with a breathtaking cave formation with waterfalls and deep pools, carpeted with lush vegetation and teaming with wildlife. Guided tours on the weekends is the only way to see Westcave Waterfall which tumbles 40 feet over the fern covered travertine columns into a pool below.
Wichita Falls
Lucy Park, Wichita Falls, TX
Does it count if the waterfall is man made? Even if it is man made, the 54 foot Wichita Falls with a multi level cascade on the Wichita River is still pretty impressive.
Windows Trail
Big Bend National Park, Lajitas, TX
The Windows Trail in Big Bend National Park follows a creek that drops hundreds of feet into the desert at the end of the trail. The end of the trail provides a spectacular view of the mountains, desert, Rio Grande, and into Mexico. When it rains the creeks is a series of waterfalls funneling down the mountain.
Zilker Park
Austin, TX
This recreational area located in the heart of downtown Austin, Zilker Park features an enormous, natural spring-fed swimming pool, sculpture garden, Zilker Park Waterfalls among the beautiful flowers and exotic plants.
Author: Mike Sharp
I have a passion for travel and outdoor activities, and now I'm enjoying retired life. I will continue my traveling, golfing, boating, and enjoying life all across the great state of Texas.
