This Is the Best Place to See Fall Foliage in Texas

As far as fall foliage destinations go, Texas isn’t usually the first place that comes to mind. But there’s one corner of the Lone Star State that’s famous for its stunning fall colors.

If you’re the type of traveler who plans fall trips around the changing leaves—maybe you even obsessively monitor the annual fall foliage map—you know it’s important to approach the season with a game plan. The peak of the autumn colors arrives and departs rather quickly, and the exact timing depends on a number of factors. While many destinations experience their peak at some point in October, you can extend leaf-peeping season by finding incredible fall foliage further south. Lost Maples State Natural Area, for example, typically doesn’t welcome its peak colors until mid to late November.

Located just north of Vanderpool, Texas, the park is known for its Uvalde bigtooth maples, a species that’s commonly referred to as either just the bigtooth maple or the canyon maple. Since the maple trees seem out of place in the Hill Country landscape—which is dominated by the humble ashe juniper—the park was named “Lost Maples.”

However, the deciduous tree is actually native to Texas, and measures up to 50 feet tall. Bigtooth maples are usually found near water (either a river, stream, or seep) in the shaded canyons of the Hill Country, the mountains of the Trans-Pecos region, and the Edwards Plateau. Come fall, these leaves turn orange, red, and yellow, creating quite a show for visitors of Lost Maples State Natural Area.

This natural occurrence, unsurprisingly, draws travelers from near and far. Fall weekends are particularly busy, notes the official state website, so travelers should plan on delays, traffic, and even capacity closures. It’s also recommended to reserve a day pass online ahead of your visit, since the natural area closes when the parking lots become full. You can also make a reservation by calling the customer service center.

It’s important to note that Lost Maples did experience flooding during the devastating Texas storm in early July of this year (it’s only about a 40-minute drive from Kerrville, and again on July 14. On July 22, the park’s Facebook page posted the following update: “Lost Maples State Natural Area is now fully open … Trails have suffered erosion, so take care while traversing them. Water crossings are missing their normal stone crossings, and you will most likely get your feet wet. Please do not add rocks into the waterways.”

Starting in October, you can keep an eye on the Lost Maple’s fall foliage report for the latest updates on the tree colors and to time your visit just right.