2019 Best Counties for Outdoor Activities in TexasAbout this List

Galveston County

• County in Texas
• 27

Former Resident: Galveston County is a very friendly community. Due to its small size a resident living in Galveston County, especially Galveston Island could feel like the community itself is like a second family. Here people support each other. While there are many positive aspects to the county such as its continued development and job opportunities from UTMB there are also negative aspects of the county. The county itself could use some more improvements and upgrades in public buildings.
Read 27 Reviews

• A

• A-

• A-

• 321,184 Population

Brazos County

• County in Texas

• A

• A-

• A-

• 214,231 Population

Harris County

• County in Texas
• 1,302

Current Resident: I've lived in Harris County for all my life, and I love it! It's undergone a lot of development since we first moved here. This is now one of the most prominent parts in Houston. However, even with all the new development, they've still managed to keep to keep the greenery intact. The school system is wonderful; the staff, student, and curriculum are all top notch. The real estate market is expanding and you're sure to find a house you like. When we first arrived here the community wasn't very diverse. We were one of the only few minority families. However, now at least half the neighborhood consists of minorities and more seem to be coming in. Overall it's a great area to live in, my family and I have been very happy.
Read 1,302 Reviews

• A

• B+

• A-

• 4,525,519 Population

Travis County

• County in Texas
• 57

Current Resident: There are a lot of great opportunities for employment, always events going on around the county and a very low crime rate. If you already own property in Travis County, it can be very profitable since the real estate market is high. This can make it a lot harder renting or trying to buy a house though. There are a number of higher education options, with campuses around the county. Traffic is generally pretty heavy, but more highways and toll roads are being built to help reduce the congestion.
Read 57 Reviews

• A+

• A

• A-

• 1,176,584 Population

Brazoria County

• County in Texas
• 4

Current Resident: Over the last few years Brazoria county has expanded by leaps and bounds. Small town flare with big town goals. The employment opportunities have doubled in the last year alone bringing in a lot of businesses, restaurants and entertainment. The one thing I would like to see in the Lake Jackson area is a entertainment spot for our younger crowd. Something like a Top Golf or Main Event would give the teens around here something to do besides just the movie theatre.
Read 4 Reviews

• A

• A

• A-

• 345,995 Population

Montgomery County

• County in Texas
• 125

Current Resident: I used to live in Harris County but I moved to Montgomery County 5 years ago. It was the best decision I made because everything is more calm and relaxed. There is no robberies or anything that would affect the residents here. I love living here not only because I own some land but because the cost of living here is very affordable. There are many cops around which kind of nervous but I also feel a sense of safety. I truly recommend people to live here because it is calm, nice, and full of friendly individuals. The county is also helpful towards the community which is very rare.
Read 125 Reviews

• A

• A

• A-

• 535,187 Population

Williamson County

• County in Texas
• 2

Current Resident: Williamson county is a great county to live in. The law enforcement take pride in ensuring the safety of the residents.
Read 2 Reviews

• A+

• A+

• A-

• 508,313 Population

Dallas County

• County in Texas
• 257

Current Resident: I have lived in Dallas for 45 years and I have seen the city grow in ways I never thought. We had a black mayor and two black police chiefs, and now we are on the first black female chief. The growth of Dallas is amazing! The downtown area is the hottest place in Texas. You can get every cuisine you want. Oh, and if you visit now, the State Fair is going on now! Come see Dallas. You'll leave wanting to stay.
Read 257 Reviews

• A

• B

• B+

• 2,552,213 Population

Smith County

• County in Texas
• 2

Current Resident: The medical facilities are outstanding. Patient care is highly regarded in this area. People come to this area from miles away to see the excellent doctors.
Read 2 Reviews

• B+

• B+

• B+

• 222,277 Population

Fort Bend County

• County in Texas
• 18

Current Resident: I first moved to Fort Bend in 2000 at age 13. While I wasn't comfortable at first, and I've grown to love it, and Ft. Bend county has truly become my home. The weather is still the worst-- it was 81 on Christmas Day-- but after learning how to figure out the commute times and traffic patterns, it isn't an impossibility to get around anymore. I have also come to appreciate the beauty that Sugar Land, Richmond, Rosenberg, and the neighborhoods therein have to offer anyone looking to move here. We have some of the best schools with Fort Bend ISD and Lamar ISD, we have some great community parks (like Oyster Creek Park), we have great restaurants, community centers like Town Square or Brazos Town Square, and overall our cost of living is low compared to available income.

We have just built a brand new performing arts center, the Smart Financial Center, right in Sugar Land. It will be bringing in some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry in the upcoming years.
Read 18 Reviews

• A+

• A+

• B+

• 711,421 Population

Gregg County

• County in Texas

• B+

• B+

• B+

• 123,402 Population

Chambers County

• County in Texas

• A-

• A-

• B+

• 39,283 Population

Liberty County

• County in Texas
• 12

Current Resident: Well im 34 years old and iv always lived here. Its a small town which i liked as a child and now love as a mother. Crime rate is low, friendly smiling faces, and great law enforcement. Also all of my family resides here as well.
Read 12 Reviews

• C+

• B-

• B+

• 79,884 Population

Hardin County

• County in Texas
• 1

Current Resident: I have lived in Hardin County my whole life. It is very peaceful with no major cities. The people are friendly and willing to help one another. It mostly consists of small communities where everybody knows everybody. Hardin County is a great place to live for anyone who loves wildlife and nature, as it is located in the piney woods. I love it and would not consider leaving anytime soon.
Read 1 Review

• B+

• A-

• B+

• 55,993 Population

Jasper County

• County in Texas
• 2

Current Resident: Jasper County is a small town lake-country area. Which offers a variety of interests for many people and families. Jasper county is growing all the time.
Read 2 Reviews

• B-

• B-

• B+

• 35,444 Population

Polk County

• County in Texas
• 1

Current Resident: Polk county is one of the best county out there. from their family friendly neighborhoods to their awesome parks and pools.
Read 1 Review

• B-

• B-

• B+

• 46,974 Population

Anderson County

• County in Texas

• B

• B+

• B+

• 57,747 Population

Nacogdoches County

• County in Texas
• 22

Current Resident: I have lived in Nacogdoches county all my life and I love being here. There are plenty of things to do with friends and a variety of places to eat. Everything is close at hand and quick to get to. There are also plenty of parks throughout the town that give you the opportunity to relax and get away from the stressful city life or school work for a moment. However, if I could change anything about Nacogdoches I would make it more family friendly by enhancing the schools and decreasing the crime rate in the city.
I love Nacogdoches and consider it my town and I would like to see it grow to become a prosperous town and a pleasant place to be for anyone who chooses to live here.
Read 22 Reviews

• B+

• B-

• B+

• 65,411 Population

Van Zandt County

• County in Texas
• 1

Current Resident: There's actually lots to do in such a rural country. Water park, skating rink, seasonal amusement park, largest flea market ever, lots of great locally owned restaurants just to start. Everyone is pretty friendly, but I'm also a white female so I'm not sure how hostile it can be for those outside of cultural 'norms'. It's an affordable area and makes a great commute to both Tyler and Dallas since it's all right off the interstate. Our schools in Van ISD are excellent but I'm not so sure about surrounding districts.
Read 1 Review

• B-

• B+

• B+

• 53,607 Population

Washington County

• County in Texas

• B+

• B+

• B+

• 34,667 Population

Angelina County

• County in Texas
• 1

• B+

• A-

• B+

• 87,700 Population

Waller County

• County in Texas
• 7

Current Resident: Waller is a quiet little town that has all the eminities needed from food to washeterias. It is only 15 minutes away from the suburb of cypress and 30 minutes away from Houston so if you want to get away you can explore the city in a short drive!
Read 7 Reviews

• B

• A

• B+

• 48,443 Population

Tyler County

• County in Texas
• 2

Current Resident: Tyler is quite calm and a good environment to raise children. Students are also at an advantage if they study in Tyler because of it's quietness.
Read 2 Reviews

• B

• B-

• B+

• 21,456 Population

Orange County

• County in Texas
• 12

Current Resident: I moved to Orange, TX in 2007. I was searching for work and wanting to continue my education. I found a position in healthcare which I love. I didn't really plan on staying in Orange but as I was working I decided that I wanted more out of life and started attending Lamar State College Orange. While my daughter was in school I was working and going to school as well. Fast forward to 2011 when I earned my LVN certification from Lamar State College Orange was a very proud time in my life. Orange is a very small town. I've heard that its easy to get into trouble here but from my experience I've gone far. I'm a professional now. I want to continue my education in becoming a RN at Lamar State College and it will be my honor to be able to do it right here in Orange, TX.
Read 12 Reviews

• B

• B

• B+

• 83,909 Population

Bastrop County

• County in Texas
• 31

Current Resident: I have been in Bastrop since the middle of 5th grade and right now, I am in my last semester of high school. I love Bastrop. Even though there are some stores that i wish we had here in Bastrop, it is still my home. Bastrop is still recovering from the horrible fire that occurred a couple of years ago, but in it's own unique way, it is pretty. The state park is a really great park for people who like to go hiking. I myself have been there alot and all the hiking trails are different. There are trails for people who dont want a really heavy exercise but there are also heavy and steep trails for the folks who do want a challenging hiking trail. There is a pool that is open during the summer. There is also a little playground to keep the little kids busy.
Read 31 Reviews

• B-

• C

• B+

• 80,306 Population