I've got some time to kill of work & my teenage daughter wants to go somewhere. Over the years we've been to everywhere I can think of around here.
What's your favorite place to go, w/in 5 hours of D/FW, that's doable w/this summer heat?
We can camp (kinda sucks w/this heat), off road, shoot guns, swim, whatever. I'm down for just about anything except for shopping. I hate shopping.
Give me some input for a good summertime fun!

SPI

5 hours. Gonna be tough.

1. Hot Springs.
2. Beavers Bend.
3. Guadalupe River

Years ago I would have said add an hour to your time and go to Fort Davis and Balmorhea. But with the oil field traffic that is out there today, I shouldn't, but here goes. Fort Davis is great a great camping destination, and Balmprhea has a natural spring swimming pool. McDonald Observatory is also close. Not camping? Try reservations at The Indian Lodge at Fort Davis State Park.

Buffalo river federal park in Arkansas.

https://www.nps.gov/buff/index.htm

It is beautiful and there are caves to explore trails. The river is gorgeous.

Turner Falls in Davis, Oklahoma.
www.turnerfallspark.com

Yes, Fort Davis. It’s at altitude, so it should be cool enough for camping. I have no idea of drive time from DFW.

Been to all of those but might do the Guad again.

Awesome options but those are 7-8 hours away.

I'll research this. Been to Hot Springs but not BRFP.

Been there quite a few times already.

We've been fortunate & have been or camped all over this area of the USA.
Keep the ideas coming!
Thanks.

Just checked it out. Place looks awesome but it's a 7 hour drive. I'll keep that place in mind for future trips. Thanks!

Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. Miles of trails to hike(recommend early morning), lots of buffalo to see. Might even see some turkey, deer and elk. Beautiful place and there's a campground.

It’s not that far, and this is from DFW airport.

It is worth the extra hour drive.

Just don't go on major holiday, It like you went to a Mexico or some central American country

I live ~1 hour south of the airport.

She's decided on going to a river (more than likely the hill country somewhere) & staying in a hotel.

Now that we've got that dialed in a bit better, she hasn't been to Hamilton Pool so we need to decide on a good river to float w/in ~20 minutes of Hamilton Pool. Perdernales maybe?

Well, Hamilton pool is out. Booked until August 27th!

Agreed. Last time we went it felt like we were in a 3rd world country. It's turned pretty bad out there.

Here ya go.....

https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/devils-river

I have also stayed here..it’s closer than Buffalo River

https://www.arkansasstateparks.com/parks/queen-wilhelmina-state-park

Expand the drive 30 minutes and go to Palo Duro Canyon State Park. Hike in the morning, see the play Texas in the evening, and enjoy the Panhandle Plains Historical Museum during the hot part of the day. https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/palo-duro-canyon

Frio River.

Cabo San Lucas
Cayman Islands
Jamaica
Bahamas

All of those are easily less than 5 hours actual flight time on a non-stop flight.

Broken Bow

Broken Bow/ Hochatown. Plenty of good campsites in the trees in the state park. Cool off in the river or at the swimming beach. Pretty good eats as well. Or try DeGray Lake in Arkansas - may be a bit more than 5 hours but well worth it.

Yep. Or the Nueces in Camp Wood. Just west of the Frio. Not near as many people at the Nueces, same crystal clear water.

Rent or borrow a travel trailer and go to Inks Lake State Park. Float around on the lake, visit wineries, go to Fredericksburg.

5 hours, give me broken bow

You can be anywhere in the lower 48 in 5 hours from DFW. Pick an area y'all haven't been. I would suggest whitewater rafting out West.