Although Texas is home to a plethora of attractions, these waterfalls in Texas are the lesser-known natural wonders that will transform your trip from ordinary to extraordinary.
The best waterfalls in Texas incorporate both natural and man-made water features. Whether you’re in the city or out in nature, their trickling and rushing sounds will provide the perfect calm for your journey.
If you visit Texas during the summer, make sure to look into swimming options because many of these waterfalls in Texas feed into swimming holes and rivers. After a scenic hike, a dip in these natural pools will undoubtedly help you cool down! Just double-check to ensure that they are open to the public and not on private property.
Many of the best waterfalls in Texas on this list are near or in major cities, so check to see if one is near where you’re going.
Waterfalls in Texas
Pack your swimsuit, sunscreen, and plenty of snacks, and prepare to learn everything you need to know about these beautiful getaways, such as how to get there, how tall they are, and what popular activities are available in the area.
1. Gorman Falls
Gorman Falls is part of Colorado Bend, a state park in Austin and is tucked away among the rolling hills and lush foliage of Texas Hill Country. Many consider it to be the most beautiful of all the waterfalls in Texas, and we might have to agree!
Gorman Falls, located within Colorado Bend State Park, is a beautiful hike up a steep trail to see the beauty of Cyprus and fern trees, which run down 65 feet of rock and plant-covered walls.
Because the limestone surrounding the falls is fragile, don’t attempt to climb the ridge surrounding the water. The falls are remote, transporting visitors away from civilization and into nature. It’s one of the most magnificent waterfalls in Texas!
There are many waterfalls in Texas, but this is one of only a few that flows all year, even during the hot summer months when rain is scarce. The Gorman Falls hike climbs 200 feet. To enter the state park, you must have a Texas State Parks pass or pay a fee of $6.
2. Pedernales Falls
Pedernales Falls makes up for its lack of height with its width, which stretches the length of the Pedernales River. The river features several well-known and popular fishing pools.
Pedernales Falls State Park has several pools below the Falls that are open for swimming or tubing, making it a terrific site to visit if you’re seeking waterfalls in Texas which is near Austin (especially in the summer).
You can hike, fish, or mountain bike along the river if swimming isn’t your thing. Visitors aged 13 and up pay $6 to enter Pedernales Falls State Park, while children aged 12 and under are free.
3. Hamilton Pool Waterfall
The Hamilton Pool Preserve near Dripping Springs, one of Texas’ most renowned swimming spots, is a sight to behold. A lovely pool was produced by the collapsing grotto, which is fed by a 50-foot waterfall! It’s one of the most amazing waterfalls in Texas!
You may be able to swim here depending on the weather. Swimming and hiking are currently prohibited due to the cave’s delicate nature, but visitors can enjoy the views from the Preserve’s beach.
The pool requires reservations, which can be booked on the Travis County Parks website. You may relax among bright skies, exquisite greenery, and a magnificent 50-foot waterfall that cascades out over the limestone cliffs in a partially collapsed grotto.
You must make a reservation in advance of visiting Hamilton Pool Preserve due to its popularity. The entrance fee is $12 per vehicle and $8 per adult.
4. Chalk Ridge Falls
Few things sound nicer on a hot summer day than a quick and easy hike, especially if it leads to a site as beautiful as Chalk Ridge.
The 2.5-mile out-and-back track is suitable for hikers of all abilities (including dogs on leashes), and there are numerous opportunities to swim and wade in the creek alongside the trail and near the falls themselves.
Don’t miss the stunning views from the swinging suspension bridge on your way there! This is among the best waterfalls in Texas and is located approximately halfway between Waco and Austin, making it a convenient stop on a longer Texas road trip.
5. Wichita Falls
The current 54-foot Wichita Falls, which beautifies the city of the same name, is unquestionably man-made, with a bridge in front of them that you can stroll across for the greatest view.
You can expect beautiful views because Wichita Falls is a popular destination for outdoor weddings and special occasion picture shoots. A pagoda, sweeping green lawns, and a fantasy footbridge can all be found in the larger area.
However, Wichita Falls was named after natural waterfalls that formerly existed there. But, in the nineteenth century, a river washed away the ancient waterfalls in Texas.
6. McKinney Falls
McKinney Falls is a great place to visit if you want to unwind. It’s part of the larger McKinney Falls State Park, which is about 30 minutes from downtown Austin and ideal for a day trip. It’s one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Texas!
After a short hike, you’ll find two cool swimming holes: the deeper Upper Falls (complete with “cliff jump” spots made of limestone stones) and the shallow Lower Falls (complete with climbing trees and a small, rocky beach).
It’s best to make a reservation ahead of time during the busiest season, as thousands travel here to escape the Texas heat. The cost of a day pass to the state park is $6 per person.
7. Dolan Falls
While you may recognize some of the names on this list, Dolan Falls is unlikely to be among them. The Devils River runs between Hill Country and the Chihuahuan Desert in Texas’ mountainous southwest. This spring-fed river provides some of the state’s most pristine kayaking.
This 15-foot-high cascade is buried in the Devils River State Natural Area, making it one of the most hidden and least-visited waterfalls in Texas, accessible only to skilled paddlers.
It’s one of the most pretty waterfalls in Texas! To get there, you must first hike 1 mile and then paddle 0.5 miles downstream. The river is powerful, and there are class 4 and 5 rapids right beyond the falls, so you’ll have to find a rocky ledge above to halt.
8. Cattail Falls
Cattail Falls, located in the Chisos Mountains, breaks up the desert. In the middle of the desert, Cattail Falls generates its oasis. During the wet season, Cattail Falls cascades down 80 feet and fills many pools. Cattail Canyon, a large ravine that can only be explored by skilled climbers and hikers, is home to the Falls.
Cattail Falls has a diverse range of wildlife, plants, and fauna since it is difficult to reach. Ask a park ranger for directions before hiking to this waterfall, as the trail might be difficult to find.
You must pay the Big Bend National Park entrance fees of $30 per vehicle, $25 per motorcycle, or $15 per individual to see this one of the amazing waterfalls in Texas (bicyclists and hikers). It’s one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Texas!
9. Capote Falls
Capote Falls is Texas’ highest waterfall (175 feet), located in an area of the state where rainfall averages about 11 inches. It runs into the Rio Grande from the Sierra Vieja Mountains. Capote Falls is located in west Texas, along the Texas/Mexico border, near Valentine, Texas. Capote Falls is located on private land near Marfa.
To walk to the falls, guests should initially acquire authorization. Take a helicopter flight over the falls for a unique and daring perspective of the water pouring into the pool below.
10. Boykin Creek Waterfall
A trickling waterfall on Boykin Creek can be found in the Angelina National Forest of East Texas. The modest waterfall is nestled in a serene woodland, and the sound of running water creates a soothing atmosphere. The Sawmill Trail leads to this reliable waterfall after a one-mile stroll.
Several tiny water features along Boykin Creek can be found on the Sawmill Trail, especially when the water level is high. At Boykin Springs, there’s also Boykin Lake, which offers more water-based fun.
Boykin Springs also has a Civilian Conservation Corps picnic pavilion and primitive campsites. In 2005, Hurricane Rita devastated the area, but it has been since recovered.
11. Westcave Waterfall
Westcave Preserve, located between Hamilton Pool and Pedernales Falls, protects another spectacular waterfall near Austin. The Westcave Preserve’s 40-foot waterfall provides a lovely lake and grotto. A guided tour of the preserve is the only way to see and enjoy this water-filled site.
On weekends, guided excursions of the Westcave Grotto are provided, and advance bookings are strongly advised. The trek starts in the parched highlands and continues through a limestone cleft, where the waterfall appears out of nowhere. Westcave also provides other activities such as highland nature walks in addition to the guided grotto tour.
12. Madrid Falls
Madrid Falls is located in West Texas’ 300,000-acre Big Bend Ranch State Park. Although it is one of the highest waterfalls in Texas, its significance is obscured, therefore it is not the most popular waterfall to see.
The remote journey to the waterfall is what keeps the people away. Those interested in seeing the falls should travel to the Chorro Vista Campground beside the Rio Grande, which is located deep within the park.
Within Chorro Canyon, 3 distinct hikes result in completely different vistas of the 100-foot Madrid Falls. Each track winds across high and difficult terrain.
Visiting requires a trail map and route-finding capability. Another difficult trek goes to the 80-foot Mexicano Falls near the Chorro Vista Campground.
13. Krause Springs
Spicewood, 30 miles west of Austin, is home to Krause Springs, a popular swimming site. This private property, which is family-owned and runs, has over 30 natural springs and a large natural pool that drains into nearby Lake Travis (one of the best lakes in Texas).
Large granite outcroppings and twin waterfalls cascade down the rock face around this natural pool. Krause Springs also has a man-made pool where visitors can sunbathe and cool down. There’s a stunning butterfly garden to relish and over a hundred acres of American state Hill Country to explore at the facility.
14. Window Trail
Waterfalls at Big Bend National Park, in the state’s far southwest portion, require a lot of rain. The Chisos Basin portion of the park is the finest spot to view these abrupt outpourings.
The Window trail within the Chisos Basin takes hikers to the highest of vast dry falls. This hike is one of the best in Big Bend, as well as one of the most popular.
The round-trip hike to the Window pour-off is around five miles. The path descends the Oak Creek ravine and offers breathless views of the encompassing mountains.
When it rains, the Window is the only spot where water can fall, and when it doesn’t, the runoff is smooth and slick. Hikers should exercise extreme caution while approaching the drainage’s edge, even if it is totally dry.
The Window pour-off can be seen from below on the Oak Spring Path, which connects to the Window trail.
15. Mexicano Falls
Mexicano Falls is the third tallest waterfalls in Texas, just behind Madrid Falls. This 80-foot cascade is beautiful, remote, and pure.
It’s ideal to visit soon after a rainstorm, as the waterfall might become a mere trickle during the dry months. When you see Mexicano Falls at its prime, though, you’re in for a spectacular show.
On the 4-mile round-trip journey, which meanders past impressive rock formations, through pools of water, and through leafy groves, you’re more likely to meet wild horses and other wildlife than other hikers, putting the best of Big Bend National Park on show.
Closing Thoughts
When it comes to gorgeous waterfalls in Texas, as you’ve previously seen, you’ll be spoiled for choice.
Have you been to any of the waterfalls in Texas? Are there any others you think should be included? Tell us in the comments what you think.
Last Updated on by ayeshayusuf
