Texas Tropical Trail

From historic battlegrounds and marine-side ports to wooded forests and white-sand beaches, this trail has something for practically every type of traveler. This loop covers over 1,000 miles along the southernmost point of Texas and continues to be a thriving community of Native American, Spanish, and Mexican cultures. Although many people drive this trail to experience the diverse cultures and blossoming gastronomic scene, it’s hard to deny that the biggest draw are the region’s beaches. Nestled right on the Gulf of Mexico, you’ll find plenty of sun-soaked shorelines from South Padre Island all the way up to Port Aransas. This region is also one of the best birding destinations on the planet as it sits along the major migratory path. You can see over 500 species of birds at one of the nine national parks that belong to the World Birding Center.