A historic story along every heritage trail region.
Texas is a big state! From the coastal plains of Corpus Christi to the high plains of Amarillo, from the forests of Crockett to the mountains of El Paso, history and hospitality go hand-in-hand as you travel our highways and back roads.
Exploring Texas regionally is a great way to plan your travel across the state or organize day trips if you are staying in one community for several days.
Texas Brazos Trail Region
Experience the charm and heritage of this Central Texas region through museums, historic sites, courthouses…
Texas Forest Trail Region
It’s where history and culture come naturally. Texas heritage is everywhere – from historic downtowns…
Texas Forts Trail Region
The Forts Trail Region was once the wild frontier where soldiers built garrisons linking wild…
Texas Hill Country Trail Region
Rolling hills and sparkling rivers, creeks, and springs have been drawing people to the area…
Texas Independence Trail Region
The spirit of Texas awaits you. Remember The Alamo, Remember Goliad! All our history and…
Texas Lakes Trail Region
The Texas Lakes Trail is a 31-county region in North Central Texas that features world…
Texas Mountain Trail Region
Breathtaking mountains and high-country hikes. Sheer river canyons and winding back roads. Exotic panoramas and…
Texas Pecos Trail Region
Experience the legendary Wild West of classic books and movies, and the real-life landscape of…
Texas Plains Trail Region
Enjoy the rugged beauty and shimmering sunsets of the Texas Plains. Miles and miles of…
Texas Tropical Trail Region
Discover the natural, cultural, and historical treasures in the unique and vibrant southern tip of…
Larger cities can be starting points for travel to smaller towns and the rural countryside. Here are the major communities in each region:
Brazos: Waco, Bryan, College Station
Forest: Beaumont, Nacogdoches, Tyler
Forts: Abilene, San Angelo
Hill Country: San Antonio, Austin, Uvalde
Independence: San Antonio, Houston, Victoria
Lakes: Dallas, Fort Worth, Wichita Falls
Mountain: El Paso, Van Horn, Alpine
Pecos: Midland, Odessa, Del Rio
Plains: Amarillo, Lubbock, Big Spring
Tropical: Brownsville, Corpus Christi, Laredo
Discover thousands of historical, cultural, and natural treasures that make Texas unique! Use the map to view the 10 heritage trail regions of Texas. Learn more about each region below.
Outlaws and Legends of the Big Thicket
The natural characteristics of the historic Big Thicket in east Texas made it an ideal setting for ghost stories and…
South Padre Island to Laredo: Steamboats and Borderland Culture
Imagine a balmy stretch of the Rio Grande River flowing calmly in a 19th century morning light. Drifting fog lifts…
Quanah Parker Trail: Follow the Arrows into History
The Comanche Indians once dominated vast areas of North America—and yet, forced onto reservations, they left little record of their…
Nature in the Forts Trail Region
The Forts Trail Region offers plenty of opportunities for exploring nature alongside history. The Trail, after all, was once considered…
Kingsville To Raymondville: A Wild Horse Desert Turned Ranching Empire
Cattle still reign supreme in Texas, thanks in part to Captain Richard King and his partner Mifflin Kenedy, two of…
Relaxed Romance in Boerne
Small town charm? Check. Fine dining and specialty shops? Check. Two checks later and my husband and I were raising…
Goodnight-Loving Trail
Sometimes just called the Goodnight Trail, the cattle-driving route known throughout cowboy culture mythology as the Goodnight-Loving Trail ran from…
Texas Mountain Trail Heritage Hikes
We've identified trails with history attached...and so we introduce, "Texas Mountain Trail Heritage Hikes!" Head on out and discover Texas…
