The state of Texas is ideal for a city break or a beach trip—but it’s also ideal for a little escape to an idyllic mountain town! Although you won’t find much skiing on a sojourn to the Texas mountains, you’ll still find plenty of that outsize natural beauty Texas is known for.
Scattered throughout forty(!) mountain ranges, there are many natural wonders and charming mountain towns in Texas. Travel to one of these friendly towns for access to incredible canyons, inspiring vistas, hiking and forests, deserts and rivers, adventure, and more. And be ready for a dose of that famous Texas “howdy” vibe!
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1. Presidio
Right on the border of Mexico on the shores of the Rio Grande River lies the charming hamlet of Presidio.
Presidio is known for its otherworldly rock formations and Big Bend Ranch State Park, which preserves acres of pristine Rio Grande wilderness (and gives you the opp for hiking, biking, fishing, horseback riding, camping, and pretty much any outdoor endeavor you wish).
Presidio is also part of an old settlement that used to cross the Mexican and American borders, and it’s still possible to easily visit Presidio’s “sister city,” Ojinaga, or OJ.
2. Fort Davis
The little town of Fort Davis (population 1,200) is the highest in Texas, clocking in at just over 5,000 feet. This elevation means the weather is a little cooler than the rest of Texas, always ideal for a mountain escape!
Fill your time in Fort Davis with a visit to the nearby Davis Mountains State Park for miles of hiking trails and wildlife spotting. Fort Davis is also known for its ink-black skies—in fact, this area has some of the darkest skies in the continental U.S.!
To fully experience this epic night sky, the nearby McDonald Observatory is also a must-see for some serious stargazing (and also a lot of info about those stars, if that’s your thing).
3. Canyon
Did you know the second-largest canyon in the United States is in Texas? Palo Duro Canyon, located in the Texas panhandle and part of the eponymous state park, is famous for its rugged beauty and sandstone rock formations.
The ideal jumping-off point for the Palo Duro Canyon? That would be the small city/town of Canyon, Texas.
Canyon, just 14 miles from Palo Duro Canyon, is also known for the Texas Outdoor Musical. This giant musical takes place every summer in the Pioneer Amphitheater—which is carved right into the Palo Duro Canyon itself, to really immerse you in that Texas atmosphere.
4. Wimberley
Smack in the middle of the picturesque Texas Hill Country is the picturesque town of Wimberley. Wimberley is known for its charm, adorable inns, ziplining in nearby canyons, and nearby springs. The most famous spring, Jacob’s Well, is one of Texas’ natural wonders.
And, of course, Wimberley is also known for its mountains, in particular Old Baldy, aka Prayer Mountain. The steep hike to the hike isn’t easy, but it’s also quick and totally worth the views.
5. Fredericksburg
Fredericksburg, the capital of Texas Wine Country, is also surrounded by some of Texas’ most beautiful scenery. This includes the Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, which features a pink granite dome famous for climbing and views of the Texas Hill Country.
So, as you tour the many charming wineries, make time for some stunning vistas, too! Oh, and don’t forget to partake in some of Fredericksburg’s classic German traditions—the town was started by German settlers in 1846.
6. Van Horn
Van Horn, Texas, is one of the last stops before you enter the very remote (and very beautiful) Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Home to some of the most gorgeous mountain scenery in Texas, Guadalupe Mountains NP is famously hard to get to and needs some extra prep to ensure you have a successful (and safe) visit.
The little town of Van Horn, with its historic hotels and quirky eateries, will also set you up for journeys further into the mountains. Permits and guides are highly recommended for a trip to the Guadalupe Mountains (but not so necessary to explore the cute and compact Van Horn).
7. Marble Falls
Marble Falls, Texas is known as the “Hub of Adventure,” thanks to being surrounded by many state parks, lakes, swimming holes, and, of course, mountains.
For even more adrenaline-inducing activities, try out the nearby Spider Mountain Bike Park for mountain biking, Hidden Falls Adventure Park for off-roading, and boating on Lake Marble Falls.
8. Dripping Springs
The little Texas mountain town of Dripping Springs is probably most famous for its nearby springs, the endlessly Instagrammable Hamilton Pool. The Hamilton Pool Preserve is a jade-green pool at the bottom of a grotto, surrounded by small waterfalls—hence the name, “Dripping Springs!”
Dripping Springs (the town) is also surrounded by picturesque limestone cliffs, and many wineries dot the landscape around this charming village.
9. Marfa
The small yet stylish Marfa, Texas, lies on the Marfa Plateau and is surrounded by mountain ranges.
Well known as an artsy haven, Marfa is also famous for the “Marfa Mystery Lights,” an unexplained light phenomenon that happens regularly right outside town. These random orbs of light occur in various colors, and although there are many theories, nobody seems to know for certain what causes these dancing lights.
Other Marfa must-dos? Visit the Marfa Prada (art installation, not store), go gliding over the nearby mountains, drive Pinto Canyon Road, or golf at the highest course in Texas.
10. Bandera
For a mountain getaway with a dash of cowboy, Bandera, Texas is the place to go. Bandera calls itself the “Cowboy Capital of the World,” thanks to its past involvement with famed cattle drives past.
Even if indulging in Old West fantasies isn’t your thing (which you can definitely do at one of the many dude ranches), Bandera offers some of the best mountain scenery in Texas.
Nearby Hill Country State Natural Area is full of trails famous for hosting wildflowers in the spring, while Lost Maples State Natural Area is especially gorgeous during autumn when the maples change color.
11. Alpine
Alpine, Texas, nicknamed “The Eden of the West,” definitely deserves a spot on this list! Nestled in a valley between the Glass Mountains and the Davis Mountains, Alpine features some seriously gorgeous Texas mountain scenery.
Climb to the top of Hancock Hill for a view of the entire valley, then visit the nearby Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center for some mountain experiences of the desert variety.
12. Marathon
The little town of Marathon, Texas, is often known as the gateway to one of Texas’ most famous sites: Big Bend National Park. Although most people stop in Marathon just to stock up for their national park trip, it’s a cute little town with eclectic inns, an art gallery, and several restaurants.
And you can’t forget that just 30 miles away is the entrance to the stunning and majestic canyons of Big Bend. To truly experience Big Bend NP, try to stay in the park for several nights, either camping or on an epic river running trip.
BONUS: Terlingua
Terlingua is technically a ghost town (although often called a “living ghost town”), so it’s a bonus for ya on this little Texas mountain town list.
Terlingua, also near Big Bend National Park, was once a thriving mountain town before its abandonment. It was rediscovered in the 1960s, and now people from all over flock to Terlingua during its famous chili cook-off, its epic Dia de los Muertos celebrations, and to explore its intriguing ruins (like the roofless saloon).
Terlingua also gives you excellent access to the mighty Big Bend National Park (see above), for some of the best mountain vistas in all of Texas.
Conclusion
They say everything is bigger than Texas, and although this doesn’t exactly include the mountains, the mountain vistas in Texas are still something special.
And so are Texas’ charming mountain towns! They really have it all: stargazing and horseback riding, biking and hiking, rafting and rodeos, crystal-clear swimming holes, and, of course, those quintessential mountain views.
Which one of these mountain towns in Texas sounds most intriguing to you? Terlingua, the living ghost town? Or maybe Bandera, the Cowboy Capital of the World? Or would you most rather visit artsy little Marfa?
Let me know in the comments below, and if you have another Texas mountain town that should be on this list, please share the wealth!
