Texas offers an abundance of enjoyable, scenic overlooks. And there’s just something about being able to look out over the land from a far-off height that is peaceful, especially here in the Lone Star State. Your sense of scale alters, making you reflect on how small you are in comparison to the world around you, and in turn, how small your troubles or cares truly are. The panorama that spreads out before you, encourages you to take a deep breath and sometimes your perspective can shift toward the positive. If you’re looking for that shift or simply looking for a picture-postcard view of Texas, here are some great spots to get a good view from.
Things to Do
Scenic Overlooks in Texas: A Change of Pace and Perspective
By |
“The Narrows,” US 82, East of Benjamin
Photo: Pinterest/Terri Linn
Listed as a Texas Historical Roadside Site, The Narrows is the name for a gorge formed by a grouping of cliffs approximately seventy-five feet high and a quarter-mile in length. Situated along the Blanco River, just up from the junction of that and the Little Blanco River, they take their name from the obvious appearance of narrowing of the gorge from the view above.
Davis Mountains State Park
Photo: Facebook/Katie Ross-Sexton
Located in West Texas at Fort Davis, visitors to Davis Mountains State Park are given miles of trails from which to find that perfect view! Offering a remote and unique destination from which to have all kinds of adventures, park guests can hike, backpack, ride in on horseback, or mountain bike their way in to the best locations for that one-of-a-kind view.
Big Bend Nation Park, South Rim Trail
Photo: Facebook/Anne Trent
Located in southwest Texas, Big Bend National Park includes the entire Chisos mountain range as well as a giant swath of the Chihuahuan Desert. Famous for the number of views of broad expanses of Texas that can be had from the park, this particular view is a photo taken from a hike along the South Rim Trail.
Lake Travis, Austin
Photo: Flickr/Anthony Quintano
The view overlooking Lake Travis, located just outside of Austin, is a pretty one on its bad days, and utterly gorgeous on a good one. There are a number of great places to catch a view of this beauty, including Pace Bend Park, Oasis Texas Brewing Company, and St. Luke’s on the Lake (otherwise known as “The Church with The View.”)
Scenic Overlook at Palo Duro Canyon
Photo: Facebook/Lisa Tracy
From a scenic overlook at the second largest canyon in the country, this view takes in a wide swath of Texas that is incomparable. The range is obviously miles and the colors in the rock formation of this part of the state only serve to add depth to this view. Can you feel that deep breath coming on? Enjoy the scenery here in Texas and get a change of perspective.
