smith586

Hi everyone. I am new to the site and pretty new to Texas. My husband is military so we just moved here last year. We live 2 hours N of Dallas and are looking for a good place to camp sometime before the end of the month because my husband may/may not be getting a bit of time off work. We are looking to go to a place that has really great hiking and tent camping because that is what we love to do. Plus, several of his friends may be coming with us so we need plenty to keep a group of young guys and one energetic Lab busy. Any suggestions?

We have been to Palo Duro Canyon here in Texas and Wichita Mountains in Oklahoma and loved both. We are also planning to go to Copper Breaks this weekend. Lakes/rivers aren't too important to us, because we spend the majority of our time hiking when we go camping. Also distance is a bit of a factor but not the biggest. He may have up to a week off work so we are willing to travel a bit if it means we will find a really great park. We don't get to be here too much longer so we want to make sure to hit all the best parks if we can.

Thanks so much for any suggestions and I am really glad I found this place. Moving far from home (Indiana) has made me feel excited to really get to explore a new part of the country. What better way than camping?

Troop198

There are lots of hikes both short and long in Texas (it is a big state) the hiking forum here does a good job on many hikes. I would start by looking at Big Bend NP,McKitrick Canyon (Guadelupe Mountains) or Big Bend Ranch SP for backpacking for a real adventure, for something closer (by the way 2 hours north of Dallas is Oklahoma isn't it?)

Cross Timbers Trail at Lake Texoma is 14 miles from Juniper Point (US 377 nearest city is probably Madil OK) (or north of Whitesburo, TX) to Rock Creek Camp (near nothing, true primative hiking) Trail used to be well marked (do not know today)

Like I noted read throught the forum or buy a book called "Hiking and backpacking in Texas" by Mickey Little usually at Barnes and Noble and then ask the forum about a hike, I am always amazed how much knowledge is on this page. (THANKS to WILD TEXAS)

smith586

Thanks so much for the information. Yes, 2 hrs north is almost Oklahoma. We are about as far north as you can go. I also should clarify, I got a bit ahead of myself and forgot to emphasize that we have never really backpacked. We like to go out and hike from our central location at the campground at the state park where we have our car. We would love to backpack someday, we have just not tackled that. Thanks again for the info. We really need to check out Lake Texoma at some point. I actually was under the impression that the hiking wasn't that great.

Troop198

Nothing wrong with central hiking, how far from where you live do you want to go?

Example, 4.5 miles of Trails at Eisenhower State Park TPWD: Eisenhower State Park

(lots of up and down the hills and steep at times ) 2.5 miles at Mineral wells SP, into the primative area then back,

Nice hike/bike trail from Highway 380 to Ray Roberts TPWD: Ray Roberts Lake State Park - Activities, Area Attractions, and Directions

should fit close by.

further away look throught the parks web site

smith586

Thanks for your replies, as well. I will certainly look into these places. I love all the suggestions because we really want to see other people's favorites and make sure to try to get to those places before we have to leave Texas. We have less than a year left here and my husband has a very busy schedule (he's in pilot training) so we are not going to be able to get to everything that we'd like to see, but we sure will try!

riverrat

While Big Bend has miles and miles of wonderful hiking at all levels not just overnight backpacking, dogs are not allowed on or off trail because of the wildlife (mountain lions, black bear, javelina, etc).

Most State Parks allow dogs but on leash only.

Lost Maples State Natural Area is our family's fav place ( about 2 hours northwest of San Antonio). Small campground with mostly open sites. If you're lucky you can get one of the 3 or 4 that afford some privacy. Tents and RVs of all sizes. Lots of day trippers during the Fall. Hopefully you can still get a spot. at this late date.

Enchanted Rock is a great spot for hiking and rock climbing. Tent camping is all they allow.

Pedernales Falls is another one that is good for hiking.

I realize these may be further from home that you had in mind but thought I'd throw them out there for consideration.

smith586

Those are actually not further away than we are willing to go, we had looked a bit at Enchanted Rock and Lost Maples. We would love to go to Lost Maples at this time of year to see the changing leaves (I am from Indiana and really miss seeing the beautiful color this time of year). I am glad to hear you say Enchanted Rock has good hiking, that is one we are really considering. I also like that there is only tent camping there.

Choderus

If you are into VERY challenging hikes I would highly recommend Caprock Canyons State Park. It takes about five hours to get there from Dallas, less for you if you're already north of here.

It is great for tent camping if you go to the back of the park to the Little Red or South Prong tent camping areas. Notice the map states several "Extremely Steep & Rugged" warnings that are not to be taken lightly, even by seasoned hikers (I did--the first time). Making it to Fern Cave is quite an accomplishment and the scenic overlook by the Haynes Ridge Overlook Trail is incredible.

Greenstone Guide to Texas and the Hill Country: Caprock Canyons State Park
Here is a review of the park I found online. This guy has been to several state parks and has good informative write-ups on them.

riverrat

TPWD: Lost Maples State Natural Area Fall Foliage Report

This will keep you up to date on the fall colors at LM.

smith586

Thank you all for all of the great information, we sure have a lot of interesting places to pick from!

DayTripper

If hiking is your primary focus, you might visit Texas Hiking. As the name indicates, this site is dedicated to hiking in Texas. You can use the "Find a Hike" feature to locate hikes throughout the state by regions, counties, length, and other criteria.

Of the places referred to you in this thread, I would recommend Lost Maples above the others. The terrain is challenging and beautiful. Lots of people visit this park when the maples are in color, but few venture very far from the trailhead. You can enjoy some solitude here.

In the area is Hill Country State Natural Area. It has about 40 miles of trails, and very few people visit this park. As I recall, it is a favorite with our Wild Texas host, Shannon.

One place I did not see mentioned in this thread is Dinosaur Valley near Glen Rose. My avatar shows me crossing the Paluxy River in that park. It has some good trails, but the park is a busy one. It is not too far from your home. I would urge you to check it.

Another nearby park is Lake Mineral Wells State Park. There's really nothing special about most of the trails there, but the foot trail near the trailhead of the Cross Timbers trail (not to be confused with the Cross Timbers Trail near Lake Texhoma) is interesting and scenic.

Enjoy.

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DayTripper

trailhike

We'd have to second Choderus and recommend Caprock Canyons. Loved the hike to Fern Cave!

Also, located near the park is the Rails-to-Trails Trailway... 64 mile trail open to hiking, biking, and equestrian use. The trailway crosses 46 bridges and goes thru Clarity tunnel. It's broken into different sections with trail access and parking, so you can do the whole thing or break into smaller pieces.

Have fun!

Adios,
trailhike

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ploddinTod

Since you're so close to OK, you may want to also consider Talimena State Park, which is right on the edge of the beautiful Ouachita Mountains in the National Forest. From Sherman, it's about three hours.

The western terminus of the 220 mile long Ouachita Trail starts right there in the park and I know of at least one trail that loops off of it.

So if you prefer more of a mountainous terrain for your hiking, this would be a good park to base from.

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campermom

Caprock Canyons is beautiful. It's amazing to have such diverse geology all in one state. We stayed there this summer for a few days. We hiked the North Prong trail and would have done more but it got to hot to continue. If you go, camp in the South Prong area. There are just composting toilets over there but if you must, you can drive to the shower house at the main campground at the top of the canyon. The view and solitude in South Prong was great. I'll try to change my Avatar so you can see the formation at South Prong trail.

I also agree with Guadalupe Mountains, Big Bend, Lost Maples as top hiking picks, but don't forget perdernales Falls, Just outside Austin in Johnson City. It is a huge park, maybe third largest in the state ( Palo Duro and Big Bend Ranch 1 & 2 ). Perdernales could turn into a Hill Country road trip and get a few other stops in while down here.

Enjoy our state while you're here. It really is a whole 'nuther country.

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