A lot of people think we don't experience fall in Texas, but that just isn't true. We may not experience a huge temperature change until about late December, but the trees in Central, West, and East Texas let us know that fall is here - and they do it in an absolutely beautiful way.

As usual, click here for the Google Map giving you exact directions and addresses for each place. It's about 11 hours and 700 miles, so we'll be camping in a few of the parks to give us ample time for exploring. I guarantee you'll want to travel this route sometime this fall. Check it out:

1. Pineywoods Autumn Trail (Athens)

We're starting off with a bang, y'all. Loop 7 in Athens will blow you away with the stunning colors of the trees lining the road, providing the perfect first impression to kick off your trip.More information here.

2. Daingerfield State Park (Daingerfield)

Daingerfield State Park is hidden far in the Piney Woos of East Texas and is a must-visit in the fall. The foliage is beautiful and the remote location allows for a sense of peace and well-being to develop that's hard to find anywhere else. We'll camp here tonight to experience the foliage to the fullest.455 Park Rd 17, Daingerfield, TX 75638

3. Lake Bob Sandlin State Park (Pittsburg)

The trees here are particularly unique because each one is entirely red, orange, or yellow instead of being a mixture of all three colors. They blend so nicely and make for some of the best fall scenery East Texas has to offer.341 State Park Road 2117, Pittsburg, TX 75686

4. Cooper Lake State Park (Cooper)

Be sure to really savor your time at Cooper Lake State Park - it's our last East Texas destination on the trip! As you swim, do water sports, hike, picnic, and fish in its waters, the surrounding view will make you feel as if everything is right in the world.1664 FM 1529 South, Cooper, TX 75432

5. Medina River (Bandera)

Medina River is stunning year-round with the canopy of trees hanging over the water and leaving just enough room for the sun to shine through the branches and glisten on the water. So when fall rolls around and stunning leaf color is added to the mix, that beauty is amplified tenfold.

6. Lost Maples State Park (Vanderpool)

You'll have to pinch yourself a few times to ensure you aren't dreaming when you arrive at Lost Maples. The leaves are so vibrant and beautiful, and you'll have plenty of time to drink in the sights when you walk 10+ miles of trails. Here is a fall foliage report that will be updated weekly once fall rolls around, so rest assured you'll see the colors at their very brightest. We'll call it a night here and head to our last stop in the morning.37221 FM 187, Vanderpool, TX 78885

7. Garner State Park (Concan)

This is the most popular state park in all of Texas. We'll spend a few hours swimming, canoeing, kayaking, and hiking through the beautiful foliage before participating in the nightly jukebox dance party underneath a pavilion in the park. A perfect night and perfect ending to this unforgettable trip, indeed.234 RR 1050, Concan, TX 78838

Wow! It's hard to believe this gorgeous scenery is right here in Texas.

Have you been to any of these places in the fall? Would you take this road trip?