Outdoor day trip destination ideas for Tarleton students

BY BRENNA DEMPSEY

Executive Producer

break from school.

Life gets busy, and things start moving fast, but taking the time to focus on your mental health and step away from the extra stress can be highly beneficial.  

A trip out of town can help clear your head and allow you to recharge for the upcoming week.

Going out into nature to break away from the overstimulation of everyday life is something we tend to overlook when things start picking up the pace.

Here are some destinations that might just hit the spot.

Dinosaur Valley State Park is a great destination for hiking. It has trails that are accessible to most people, regardless of hiking levels, and fossilized dinosaur tracks that are sure to spark some interest.

Admission is $8 per person and around a 38-minute drive from Tarleton State University.

Lake Mineral Wells State Park has hiking, kayaking, rock climbing and more. Admission to the park is $7, with other fees added for the rental of equipment like kayaks and rock climbing gear.

Assisted rock climbing is available, and the prices decrease when there are more people in a group.

The Chandor Gardens in Weatherford has a $5 admission fee. It is an ornate botanical garden with beautiful architecture, originally founded in 1936.

With its beautiful fountains and man-made waterfall, the soothing sights and sounds are sure to be a welcome break from the hectic city life.

Hamilton Pool Nature Preserve is a good destination to go swimming. The pool is two and a half hours from Tarleton, with an $8, cash-only fee for day access to the park. 

The Hamilton Pool Preserve has a stunning overhang that shades some of the pool, which helps to keep the temperatures down on hot summer days.

Blue Hole Regional Park is another great place to hike or swim when the temperature starts to rise. Surrounded by well-maintained trails, the Blue Hole is the perfect spot to cool off after a hike. 

The water from Cypress Creek is often crystal clear, and the shade from the surrounding trees creates a peaceful and inviting atmosphere.

The Blue Hole is three hours from Tarleton and costs $12, but it is well worth taking the day to make the trip.

Whether you just spend the day or camp for a night or two, these destinations are sure to inspire adventure.