texas destinations

2 Texas parks hike to top 10 on new list of best in the U.S.

Palo Duro Canyon State Park is the No. 2 best state park in the country.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images / HomeToGo

There's still plenty of time to pack in one last road trip this summer and fall, and a new study by vacation rental marketplace HomeToGo has determined two Texas state parks should be at the top of the destination list: Garner State Park and Palo Duro Canyon State Park, about 100 miles and 500 miles from San Antonio, respectively.

The two popular parks emerged among the top 10 best state parks in the U.S., according to the "2024 HomeToGo State Park Index." The annual report ranks 50 of the top U.S. state parks based on five major metrics: The search volume for vacation rental stays in the area, the size of each state park, the number of trails in each location, the number of wildlife species in each destination, and each park's "picturesqueness" according to photographers.

Palo Duro Canyon State Park, known as the "Grand Canyon of Texas," came out nearly on top as the No. 2 best state park in the country, earning a score of 37.61 out of a possible 50 points. It's the second-largest canyon in the U.S., the report says, where the park's 30-plus miles of trails can keep even the most athletic traveler occupied.

The report goes on further to say Palo Duro Canyon is loaded with "rich geographical history" and "dramatic landscapes" that produce many photographic opportunities.

"[Visitors can] marvel at the stunning rock formations and vibrant sunsets that light up the expansive skies," the report said.

According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department website, it only costs $8 per person to enter the park, and children aged 12 years and under get free admission. But the department recommends that campers and day trip visitors reserve passes online and double check that the park hasn't reached full capacity before visiting.

For travelers who don't want to make a drive to the Texas Panhandle, they can head to the Hill Country to visit Garner State Park, which ranked as the No. 9 best state park in the U.S. It earned a score of 33.51 points.

Garner State Park is known for its accessibility to the winding Frio River, which runs nearly three miles throughout the park. There's also ample opportunities to explore, as the park sits on 1,774 acres of land.

Garner State Park, Frio River, tubing, family friendly Tubing in the Frio River at Garner State Park is a great way to cool off during a hot summer day. Photo courtesy of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

"Swim in the Frio River or float its waters on an inner tube, operate a paddle boat, and hike 16 miles of scenic trails," the TPWD's website says. "You can also camp, study nature, picnic, canoe, fish, play miniature golf, geocache and ride bikes."

Visitors who decide to turn a day trip into an overnight stay can take advantage of the park's screened shelters, cabins, and campsites.

Elsewhere in Texas, Caddo Lake State Park ranked No. 40 out of all 50 parks in the study. This East Texas park is a great destination for fishers, thanks to the 26,810-acre Caddo Lake. Over 70 varieties of fish live in the lake, and visitors don't need a fishing license to fish from a state park, according to the TPWD. But keep an eye out for alligators, and brush up on alligator safety.

The top 10 best state parks in the U.S. are:

No. 1 – Letchworth State Park, New York
No. 2 – Palo Duro Canyon State Park, Texas
No. 3 – Hocking Hills State Park, Ohio
No. 4 – Mohican State Park, Ohio
No. 5 – Lake of the Ozarks State Park, Missouri
No. 6 – Indiana Dunes State Park, Indiana
No. 7 – Starved Rock State Park, Illinois
No. 8 – John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, Florida
No. 9 – Garner State Park, Texas
No. 10 – Presque Isle State Park, Pennsylvania

The full report can be found on hometogo.com.

texas travel vacations summer vacation road trip state parks

Airline News

San Antonio gets nonstop flights to this Washington, DC airport

Photo courtesy of American Airlines

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American Airlines will soon introduce long-awaited nonstop flights between San Antonio (SAT) and Washington, D.C. (DCA). One flight will be scheduled daily, starting in March.

Tickets for the new service will be available on sale starting December 23 through aa.com or American’s mobile app.

The route was tentatively announced in October, but the U.S. Department of Transportation has now formally approved the application by American Airlines.

“This new service will offer convenient nonstop access to our nation’s capital for San Antonians, while helping further connect customers to our comprehensive global network," said Brian Znotins, American’s Senior Vice President of Network and Schedule Planning, in a press release. "American thanks the many elected officials and citizens who supported our application, and we look forward to welcoming customers onboard this new service soon.”

Flight 1718, reflecting the year San Antonio was founded, will depart SAT at 6:35 am and arrive in DCA at 10:41 am. Flight 1947, reflecting the year the U.S. Air Force was established, will depart DCA at 7:45 pm and arrive in SAT at 10:43 pm.

“This long-awaited connection to our nation’s capital is a game changer for our community, opening doors to countless opportunities for travel and economic development,” said San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg. “I’m grateful to those who have championed this effort and for the bipartisan support of our representatives in the Senate and House, whose advocacy was instrumental in making these flights a reality. We look forward to the positive impact this nonstop service will have for years to come."

San Antonio City Manager Erik Walsh echoed the sentiments about economic development and pointed out some growth already happening in San Antonio. The release also notes that San Antonio is the largest city in Texas lacking nonstop service to DCA and the largest city in the U.S. with a majority Hispanic population without nonstop service to DCA.

“Serving the fastest-growing city in the country, SAT has achieved record-breaking passenger numbers throughout 2024. This nonstop service to and from DCA addresses a need for our military, business, educational and research communities, among others. It also promotes competition and offers more travel options for passengers flying to and from San Antonio, enhancing connectivity as we continue making progress on the airport Terminal Development Program.”

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