pattyb

I know absolutely nothing about Texas so I need lots of help. My sis and I take a trip every January and are considering Texas. Since we're from upstate NY, we figure even if the weather isn't perfect it would seem fine for us. We like to take day hikes up to 7-8 miles. We enjoy hilly areas more than flat. So first of all, what part of Texas should we be considering? Also, what kind of weather could we expect. And lastly, where are the best hiking trails? I'll appreciate any help I can get!

ploddinTod

Welcome to Wild Texas.
Off the top of my head, I'd recommend our two national parks(Big Bend NP and Guadalupe Mountains NP) because they give you more trail options. You could go to the national park service website and do extensive research. If you're not going to camp, I'd recommend staying at the Big Bend NP Chisos Basin Lodge. There's a trailhead just across the parking lot.
Of course, there's desert hiking available also and what better time to try it than the dead of winter. A must see are the canyons that are carved by the Rio Grande River through the park.
I've never been to the Guadalupe Mtns so maybe others can chime in about this park. However, it is close to Carlsbad Caverns NP across the border in New Mexico. It has a very impressive system of caves and worth seeing.

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PloddinTod

toejam

Yup, the big hikes are at Big Bend & Guadalupe. The Texas hill country near Austin & San Antonio has lots of parks with shorter hikes that are nice that time of year. The coast near Corpus Christi is very cool as well.

CyberCelt

When you come to Texas is a big question. Summers will kill you if you are from New York. It is not just the heat but the humidity. Spring, Fall and Winter hikes are probably best. If you want to come in the summer, then go to the high country of Texas in Davis Mountains or the high desert around Alpine.

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Find Hiking Trails in Texas by Region

Amistad National Recreation Area
Austin Area
Big Bend National Park
Big Bend Ranch State Park
Big Thicket National Preserve
Corpus Christi & Gulf Coast
Dallas-Fort Worth Area
East Texas
El Paso Area
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Houston Area
San Antonio Area
Southernmost Texas
Texas Panhandle
West Texas

Most Popular Hiking Trails in Texas

1. Cross Timbers Trail, Dallas, TX
2. Trinity Trail, Dallas, TX
3. Four C Trail, Longview, TX
4. Grapevine Lake, Ft. Worth, TX
5. Lost Maples, San Antonio, TX
6. Enchanted Rock, Austin, TX
7. Barton Creek, Austin, TX
8. Guadalupe Peak, Salt Flat, TX
9. Little Lake Creek Wilderness, Huntsville, TX
10. Big Creek, Huntsville, TX

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CyberCelt

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