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Day Trip Planner: Our best ideas for (mostly) quick family trips from Fort Worth

Stories by Fort Worth Star-Telegram journalists, with AI summarization

This collection of Star-Telegram stories focuses on planning day trips from Fort Worth to enjoy various outdoor activities in Texas.

Mother Neff State Park

NO. 1: FROM BERRIES TO LLAMAS: STAR-TELEGRAM READERS SHARE THEIR FAVORITE DAY TRIPS IN TEXAS

The Star-Telegram asked readers for their favorite day trips from Fort Worth. Here are five that we love, from berry-picking farms to camping with the llamas | Published March 4, 2022 | Read Full Story by Megan Cardona

Fish the Tyler lake for crappie, perch, catfish or bass.

NO. 2: 6 AUTUMN DRIVING DESTINATIONS WITHIN 3 HOURS OF FORT WORTH. HERE’S WHAT TO EXPECT

Whether you just want to run off to a fall oasis for a day, or you’re tired of long drives, you’ll find plenty to do only a few hours away from Fort Worth. | Published September 23, 2022 | Read Full Story by Dalia Faheid

Frank Jaime pulling his son Bryson Reed around the Granbury Square during Wine Walk, a three-day festival featuring Texas wines, artists and musical acts. Photo taken Saturday, April 24, 2021.

NO. 3: 10 DRIVING DESTINATIONS WITHIN TWO HOURS OF FORT WORTH THAT ARE WORTH THE PRICE OF GAS

Looking for an affordable road trip this summer? These destinations are worth adding to your list. | Published April 24, 2023 | Read Full Story by Megan Cardona

Cowboys drive longhorns during the twice-daily cattle drives Friday, May 10, 2019, at the Fort Worth Stockyards.

NO. 4: GUIDE TO FORT WORTH STOCKYARDS: WESTERN HISTORY, FINE DINING, MUSIC AND CATTLE DRIVES

For many, their first and main reason for coming to Fort Worth is to visit the historic Stockyards. | Published September 6, 2023 | Read Full Story by Brayden Garcia

Brandon Ford, 14, uses his tube to swim in the water during the Rockin’ The River Live on the Trinity Concert event at the Panther Island Pavilion in Fort Worth on Thursday, July 13, 2023.

NO. 5: GO TUBING AT THESE 5 COOL TEXAS RIVERS THAT ARE WITHIN DRIVING DISTANCE OF FORT WORTH

Escape the heat of North Texas and go river tubing. Here’s where. | Published July 25, 2023 | Read Full Story by Brayden Garcia

Watch out for creepy cupids at Cutting Edge Haunted House.

NO. 6: HERE’S WHY THESE TWO NORTH TEXAS TOWNS MADE THE LIST OF BEST HALLOWEEN CITIES IN THE STATE

Which Texas towns have bragging rights for being the spookiest? | Published October 9, 2023 | Read Full Story by Brayden Garcia

Big Bend National Park

NO. 7: GOING TO A NATIONAL PARK IN TEXAS THIS SUMMER? HERE’S WHEN FAMILIES GET IN FOR FREE

Texas has two national parks within state lines — Big Bend and Guadalupe Mountains. Here’s when to get in free. | Published April 24, 2024 | Read Full Story by Brayden Garcia

Tina Moore of the Texas Glamma’s laughs during the parade for the 15th Annual Mardi Gras Nocona Style on Clay Street in Nocona on Saturday, Mar. 1, 2025. By Chris Torres

NO. 8: BOURBON STREET? NOT QUITE, BUT THIS MARDI GRAS IS ONE OF BEST LITTLE PARTIES IN NORTH TEXAS

The celebration has grown over the past 15 years, and is worth the drive from Fort Worth. | Published March 3, 2025 | Read Full Story by Matthew Adams

Aquatica Orlando’s water slide, KareKare Curl— a 35-foot drop in the enclosed tube and then rush up a vertical wave wall. The ride takes about 15 to 20 seconds to complete. By Rich Pope

NO. 9: TEXAS HAS TWO OF THE BEST OUTDOOR WATER PARKS IN THE COUNTRY, SAYS THIS LIST

Beat the heat this summer at these water parks. | Published May 15, 2025 | Read Full Story by Ella Gonzales

Work continues at Palo Pinto Mountains State Park, including construction of a fishing pier as pictured, on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, in Strawn. The park was initially scheduled to open in 2023 but visitors will have to wait until at least 2026, according to Park Superintendent James Adams. By Amanda McCoy

NO. 10: PALO PINTO MOUNTAINS STATE PARK OPENING DATE IS A MOVING TARGET. HERE’S A PREVIEW

Texas’ newest state park in Strawn was supposed to open in 2023. Now it’s looking like it’ll be a little longer still. | Published June 5, 2025 | Read Full Story by Matthew Adams

Charles Gandy on the road, planning the xTx route.

NO. 11: EPIC ADVENTURE TRAIL PLANNED FOR TEXAS: 1,500 MILES OF RUGGED BEAUTY

Outdoor enthusiast Charles Gandy is out to do the impossible by creating a cross-Texas route to rival the Appalachian and Pacific Crest trails. | Published May 16, 2025 | Read Full Story by Matthew Adams

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.