Open spaces and 18 parks are connected by nearly ten miles of crushed rock trails, which invite exploration on foot and by bike. Bottlenose dolphins in the bay, Texas armadillos in the underbrush, and American alligators at a safe distance can all be viewed while out and about in Seabrook.

Seabrook is also part of the Clear Lake Loop section of the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail, and it has four designated bird watching sites. It’s worth taking time to stop and stare at birds while in Texas, since more bird species pass through here than any other state in the country.

Seabrook is certainly worth a look and Seabrook Texas Bed and Breakfasts are ready to welcome guests.

Pelicans grace the waters off Seabrook.

Experience the beauty of Big Bend National Park.

Whether you stay in Big Bend National Park for a few hours, a few days, or a few weeks, there’s a good chance you’ll leave wishing you had more time. The park is enormous and it’s still growing, encompassing land around it as it comes up for sale. It’s so big, it can be tempting for many visitors to simply drive through the park, in order to see “more” of it in a short time.

In truth, those who leave the roads enjoy the best of Big Bend. Even short hikes – those that leave the road behind by only a few yards – can have a tremendous impact on visitors. Away from the car, one immediately feels more capable and more vulnerable. Big Bend has that effect on people.

Great ways to explore Big Bend:

• Walk the Window View Trail, a paved, wheelchair accessible trail in the Chisos Basin, only .3 mile (round trip) long. It affords wonderful views of the Chisos Basin and the Window.

• Hike the Window Trail. This 5.6 miles (round trip) trail starts at high elevation and leads down to the Window. Views are magnificent.

• Bike the Old Maverick Road to Santa Elena Canyon.

• Bike the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive from Panther Junction to Castolon.

• Dine at the restaurant in Chisos Basin.

• Drive the 14-mile Dagger Flat Auto Trail, in the northern portion of the park.

• Dip your feet in the Rio Grande. But don’t dip yourself. The river hides sudden drop-offs and dangerous currents.

Something about exploring the rugged environment of Big Bend National Park makes one want to sleep comfortably. The park is only about 123 miles from Fort Davis, Texas, a friendly town with a fascinating history. That’s a short distance in Texas. Fort Davis Texas Bed and Breakfasts offer the simple luxury of tranquility.

Please visit our Fort Davis Texas Bed and Breakfasts page to find an inn.

Please visit Big Bend National Park for more information about traveling in the park.

Palo Duro Canyon, originally uploaded by Misanthrope_.

Two hours north of Lubbock is a wild and rugged place called Palo Duro Canyon. 120 miles long, 20 miles wide at points, and up to 800 feet deep, it is impressive, to say the least. Indeed, some say it is the second largest canyon in the US, after the Grand Canyon. When next you find yourself staying in a Texas Panhandle bed and breakfast with time to explore, consider a trip to Palo Duro Canyon State Park.

The park is comprised of just under 30,000 acres of the northern stretch of the canyon. Numerous trails traverse the park; there are 30 miles of marked trails in all. Mountain biking and horseback riding are permitted throughout the park. If you are interested in horseback riding, guided rides are available by the stables (along with horses).

The Texas Panhandle is vast. Once here, comfortably housed in a Panhandle bed and breakfast, you may as well explore the region. Palo Duro Canyon State Park is a destination worth visiting. It is possible to make the journey from Lubbock and back in a day. Don’t forget your camera.

Davy Crockett National Forest, originally uploaded by balistica.

Looking for a cool, wooded place? How about the Davy Crockett National Forest? Tall stands of pine and hardwood, cool streams and clear lakes greet visitors. The National Forest is less than 20 miles east of Crockett, and makes a delightful stop for folks touring Texas bed and breakfasts.

The Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area is within the boundaries of the park. Swimming, fishing and hiking are all popular activities around the lake, as is boating. You may even stumble upon a concert at the lovely outdoor amphitheater.

Four C National Recreation Trail starts at the lake and meanders 20 miles through boggy sloughs, diverse forests, and up to the stunning scenic overlook at Neches Bluff. This is a foot path only, as part of it traverses the Big Slough Wilderness Area. Horses are permitted on the Piney Creek Horse Trail, which runs for 50 miles through the park.

Ask the innkeepers of your East Texas bed and breakfast where to pick up picnic supplies, and stretch your legs at the Davy Crockett National Forest. It is lovely in the summer.

Midnight Mountain, originally uploaded by Ranger 1.

While sleep is precious, there are a few things in this world worth getting up for – one of which is to see Sawtooth Mountain illuminated by a full moon.

Sawtooth Mountain is located outside Fort Davis in the Davis Mountains, a wildly beautiful spot in West Texas. The mountains stand tall and solitary, surrounded by the Chihuahuan Desert. The Davis Mountains are considered an ecological island, since so many miles separate them from places with similar ecological conditions.

The Davis Mountains receive about 6 more inches of rain each year than the surrounding land. Given their elevation, the climate is considerably cooler than surrounding areas, as well. Because of these factors, the plants and animals of the Davis Mountains are not found in the lowlands around them. Bird lovers will find many interesting species to watch here, such as 10 species of delicate hummingbirds, the Montezuma Quail, and the Golden Eagle.

Stay in Fort Davis Texas bed and breakfasts and allow yourself ample time to explore the Davis Mountains. Treat yourself to a decadent breakfast each morning before heading out for a day of hiking, mountain biking or horseback riding. Sit on a shaded porch drinking lemonade (or something stronger) after a long day of bird watching. Bed and Breakfasts Fort Davis TX will treat you right.