Think Texas and fairy tales have nothing in common? Think again! There are tons of enchanting hidden gems in Texas – you just have to know where to look. And lucky for you, we do! Read on for 10 of the best fairy tale places in Texas.
- Blue Hole at River Riding Ranch (Leakey)
angi english/flickr While only overnight guests of the ranch can enjoy this quiet swimming hole surrounded by canyons, the serenity and crystal clear waters make staying the night here absolutely worth it. For more information, click here.
- Marufo Vega Trail at Big Bend National Park
kirk kittell/flickr This challenging hike through one of our most secret treasures can get pretty grueling, but the spectacular views of the Rio Grande snaking through the mountains will make you forget all about the outside temperature in no time. For more information, click here.
- Dragon Park (Dallas)
ernesto m/yelp Feel like being a kid again? Then just head here for the day! The whimsical statues of fairies, gargoyles, angels, and dragons will make you feel like you landed right in a fairytale! For more information, click here.
- Cave Without A Name (Boerne)
colleen morgan/flickr If you go here at the right time, you might just catch a show in the Queen’s Throne room, where 8-12 concerts are held per year. The concerts feature Native American flute music and Tibetan singing bowls. Plus, doesn’t the cave just look so peaceful? For more information, click here.
- Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge (Marble Falls)
mlhradio/flickr This refuge is home to hundreds of different birds, mammals (including bats, bison, and bobcats), reptiles, and butterflies. You’ll also get to enjoy the views of beautiful canyons, prairies, woodlands, and savannahs here. For more information, click here.
- Blue Lagoon (Huntsville)
Janine Curry, Ph.D./Flickr When I first saw pictures of this place, I didn’t even think it was in Texas! While the swimming hole caters to divers first, swimmers can also join in if it’s not too crowded. This truly is a beautiful oasis in east Texas. For more information, click here.
- Westcave Preserve (Round Mountain)
addie b/yelp Just 45 minutes outside of Austin, you’ll find this gorgeous secluded grotto. One of the most fairy tale places in Texas, it’s situated among acres of thriving grasslands and enchanting canyons. It’s definitely worth the drive. For more information, click here.
- Cattail Falls Trail at Big Bend National Park
felecia I/yelp While you won’t find this trail anywhere on a map, going here after a heavy rainfall will make you happy that you took the path less traveled - and that’s because you’ll get to witness the beautiful Cattail Falls cascading over the rocks at the end of the trail. For more information, click here.
- Love’s Lookout (Jacksonville)
questermark/flickr If you love trees and tranquility, this is the place for you. From here, you get to see miles and miles of the piney woods of east Texas, and breathe in some fresh air while you’re at it. For more information, click here.
- Tonkawa Falls (Crawford)
rockin’rita/flickr This hidden gem in Crawford is easily one of the best secret swimming holes in Texas. With a waterfall, beautiful clear water, and rocks to jump off, you can’t find a much better place to spend a summer day. For more information, click here.
So, did you know about these hidden gems in Texas? Ever visited any of them? Did we miss your favorite secret spot? Tell us!
angi english/flickr
While only overnight guests of the ranch can enjoy this quiet swimming hole surrounded by canyons, the serenity and crystal clear waters make staying the night here absolutely worth it. For more information, click here.
kirk kittell/flickr
This challenging hike through one of our most secret treasures can get pretty grueling, but the spectacular views of the Rio Grande snaking through the mountains will make you forget all about the outside temperature in no time. For more information, click here.
ernesto m/yelp
Feel like being a kid again? Then just head here for the day! The whimsical statues of fairies, gargoyles, angels, and dragons will make you feel like you landed right in a fairytale! For more information, click here.
colleen morgan/flickr
If you go here at the right time, you might just catch a show in the Queen’s Throne room, where 8-12 concerts are held per year. The concerts feature Native American flute music and Tibetan singing bowls. Plus, doesn’t the cave just look so peaceful? For more information, click here.
mlhradio/flickr
This refuge is home to hundreds of different birds, mammals (including bats, bison, and bobcats), reptiles, and butterflies. You’ll also get to enjoy the views of beautiful canyons, prairies, woodlands, and savannahs here. For more information, click here.
Janine Curry, Ph.D./Flickr
When I first saw pictures of this place, I didn’t even think it was in Texas! While the swimming hole caters to divers first, swimmers can also join in if it’s not too crowded. This truly is a beautiful oasis in east Texas. For more information, click here.
addie b/yelp
Just 45 minutes outside of Austin, you’ll find this gorgeous secluded grotto. One of the most fairy tale places in Texas, it’s situated among acres of thriving grasslands and enchanting canyons. It’s definitely worth the drive. For more information, click here.
felecia I/yelp
While you won’t find this trail anywhere on a map, going here after a heavy rainfall will make you happy that you took the path less traveled - and that’s because you’ll get to witness the beautiful Cattail Falls cascading over the rocks at the end of the trail. For more information, click here.
questermark/flickr
If you love trees and tranquility, this is the place for you. From here, you get to see miles and miles of the piney woods of east Texas, and breathe in some fresh air while you’re at it. For more information, click here.
rockin’rita/flickr
This hidden gem in Crawford is easily one of the best secret swimming holes in Texas. With a waterfall, beautiful clear water, and rocks to jump off, you can’t find a much better place to spend a summer day. For more information, click here.
These are some of the best hidden gems in Texas, but they’re not the only ones. Click here to read about others that belong on your bucket list.
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Address: Riding River Ranch, 971 Kent Creek Rd, Leakey, TX 78873, USAAddress: Marufo Vega Trail, Texas 79830, USAAddress: 3520 Cedar Springs Rd, Dallas, TX 75219, USAAddress: Cave Without a Name, Texas 78006, USAAddress: Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge, 24518 Ranch Rd 1431, Marble Falls, TX 78654, USAAddress: The Blue Lagoon, 649 Pinedale Rd, Huntsville, TX 77320, USAAddress: Westcave Outdoor Discovery Center, 24814 Hamilton Pool Rd, Round Mountain, TX 78663, USAAddress: Big Bend National Park, TX 79834, USAAddress: Loves Lookout Park, 43822 US-69, Jacksonville, TX 75766, USAAddress: Tonkawa Falls, 524-550 E 4th St, Crawford, TX 76638, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Hidden Gems In Texas July 01, 2021 Daniella DiRienzo Are there any hidden caves in Texas? There are lots of well-known caves in Texas. There are also several hidden caves in Texas. Airmen’s Cave is definitely the latter. Located in the Barton Creek Greenbelt, it’s easily one of Austin’s best kept secrets. Those who are aware of the cave, though, know that it features tight passages and long crawls. Back in 2007, three students got lost in the cave. The city had to send out a search team to rescue the trapped trio. Luckily, the rescue effort was successful. After 30 hours underground, the students, along with their rescuers, emerged from the cave. Not surprisingly, the cave was eventually closed off with a security gate due to safety risks. What are some fairy tale places in Texas? Fairy tale places in Texas are much more common than you think. In fact, the Lone Star State is actually home to several castles, including Newman’s Castle, which is right outside the town of Belville. A longtime in the making, work on the castle began in 1998 and wasn’t completed until 2008. Definitely worth the wait, it’s got all the makings of a quintessential castle, including a moat with a real-working drawbridge. Not surprisingly, it’s a popular event venue. However, you don’t have to throw an extravagant bash to explore the castle. It’s also open for tours several days a week. Are there any secret swimming holes in Texas? There seems to be no shortage of secret swimming holes in Texas. A great swim spot worth checking out is in the Boykin Springs Recreation Area, which is hidden in the Angelina National Forest in Dangerfield. The springs feed a lovely 9-acre lake. Surrounded by forests of loblolly, longleaf, and shortleaf pine, the secluded lake is stunning, but the real treat is the three (yes, three!) secret swimming holes, which are nestled around the corner from the picnic pavilion. When you’re splashing around, look for the channel to the right, which leads to two, chest-deep pockets of spring water.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Hidden Gems In Texas
July 01, 2021
Daniella DiRienzo
Are there any hidden caves in Texas? There are lots of well-known caves in Texas. There are also several hidden caves in Texas. Airmen’s Cave is definitely the latter. Located in the Barton Creek Greenbelt, it’s easily one of Austin’s best kept secrets. Those who are aware of the cave, though, know that it features tight passages and long crawls. Back in 2007, three students got lost in the cave. The city had to send out a search team to rescue the trapped trio. Luckily, the rescue effort was successful. After 30 hours underground, the students, along with their rescuers, emerged from the cave. Not surprisingly, the cave was eventually closed off with a security gate due to safety risks. What are some fairy tale places in Texas? Fairy tale places in Texas are much more common than you think. In fact, the Lone Star State is actually home to several castles, including Newman’s Castle, which is right outside the town of Belville. A longtime in the making, work on the castle began in 1998 and wasn’t completed until 2008. Definitely worth the wait, it’s got all the makings of a quintessential castle, including a moat with a real-working drawbridge. Not surprisingly, it’s a popular event venue. However, you don’t have to throw an extravagant bash to explore the castle. It’s also open for tours several days a week. Are there any secret swimming holes in Texas? There seems to be no shortage of secret swimming holes in Texas. A great swim spot worth checking out is in the Boykin Springs Recreation Area, which is hidden in the Angelina National Forest in Dangerfield. The springs feed a lovely 9-acre lake. Surrounded by forests of loblolly, longleaf, and shortleaf pine, the secluded lake is stunning, but the real treat is the three (yes, three!) secret swimming holes, which are nestled around the corner from the picnic pavilion. When you’re splashing around, look for the channel to the right, which leads to two, chest-deep pockets of spring water.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
There are lots of well-known caves in Texas. There are also several hidden caves in Texas. Airmen’s Cave is definitely the latter. Located in the Barton Creek Greenbelt, it’s easily one of Austin’s best kept secrets. Those who are aware of the cave, though, know that it features tight passages and long crawls. Back in 2007, three students got lost in the cave. The city had to send out a search team to rescue the trapped trio. Luckily, the rescue effort was successful. After 30 hours underground, the students, along with their rescuers, emerged from the cave. Not surprisingly, the cave was eventually closed off with a security gate due to safety risks.
What are some fairy tale places in Texas?
Fairy tale places in Texas are much more common than you think. In fact, the Lone Star State is actually home to several castles, including Newman’s Castle, which is right outside the town of Belville. A longtime in the making, work on the castle began in 1998 and wasn’t completed until 2008. Definitely worth the wait, it’s got all the makings of a quintessential castle, including a moat with a real-working drawbridge. Not surprisingly, it’s a popular event venue. However, you don’t have to throw an extravagant bash to explore the castle. It’s also open for tours several days a week.
Are there any secret swimming holes in Texas?
There seems to be no shortage of secret swimming holes in Texas. A great swim spot worth checking out is in the Boykin Springs Recreation Area, which is hidden in the Angelina National Forest in Dangerfield. The springs feed a lovely 9-acre lake. Surrounded by forests of loblolly, longleaf, and shortleaf pine, the secluded lake is stunning, but the real treat is the three (yes, three!) secret swimming holes, which are nestled around the corner from the picnic pavilion. When you’re splashing around, look for the channel to the right, which leads to two, chest-deep pockets of spring water.
