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#199489 - 11/13/17 10:36 AM Suggested Trails Texas / South OK
Aussie Campr Offline
newbie

Registered: 11/13/17
Posts: 3
Loc: Texas
Hi everyone,
I am wanting to take my son on a overnight backpack camping trip (We've done a heap of car camping trips) and was wondering if anyone could suggest some good trails / parks / forests I should look at.

We are based in Dallas and would look to do a 2 night hike trip.

I am looking at doing the trip in December to make it a little more adventurous, so a fire at night would be needed.

Any suggestions from anyone's past travels / trips ?

Cheers
Brendon

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#199492 - 11/13/17 01:14 PM Re: Suggested Trails Texas / South OK [Re: Aussie Campr]
BZH Offline
member

Registered: 01/26/11
Posts: 1189
Loc: Madison, AL
I've never hiked there, but I've read trip reports from Big Bend NP and the place looks pretty neat.

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#199509 - 11/14/17 09:45 AM Re: Suggested Trails Texas / South OK [Re: BZH]
Aussie Campr Offline
newbie

Registered: 11/13/17
Posts: 3
Loc: Texas
Yeah we've done Big Bend - Stunning, it is a must do.

I was looking for something around Dallas/ Austin or Southern OK ( Broken Bow maybe ? )

Cheers
B

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#199510 - 11/14/17 11:28 AM Re: Suggested Trails Texas / South OK [Re: Aussie Campr]
BZH Offline
member

Registered: 01/26/11
Posts: 1189
Loc: Madison, AL
There used to be a couple people from Texas on here, I am hoping they chime in soon. Sorry I couldn't be much help.

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#199517 - 11/15/17 10:41 PM Re: Suggested Trails Texas / South OK [Re: BZH]
toddfw2003 Offline
member

Registered: 01/08/16
Posts: 369
Loc: Texas
Hit the lonestar trail or 4 c trail south of you

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#199520 - 11/16/17 04:27 PM Re: Suggested Trails Texas / South OK [Re: toddfw2003]
41253 Offline
member

Registered: 12/28/14
Posts: 105
Don't think Texas, think distance. Most or all of 4 other states are closer to Dallas than Big Bend is (as you know).

I was disapointed with Davey Crocket NF, it's pretty crowded and it seems as though you're never out of hearing range of a dirt road with lots of pickup truck traffic. Maybe I just caught it at a bad time.

From Dallas you're not much more than 2 or 3 hours from Talimena SP in OK. You can park there, hike and camp on the Ouachita Trail, and use their shower before driving home. I really like a loop that includes Military Road, a well-built trail with interesting history.

Broken Bow is smaller but a little closer, we enjoyed a quick trip there a few years back.



Edited by 41253 (11/16/17 04:28 PM)

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#199536 - 11/17/17 12:15 PM Re: Suggested Trails Texas / South OK [Re: Aussie Campr]
4evrplan Offline
member

Registered: 01/16/13
Posts: 913
Loc: Nacogdoches, TX, USA
Davy Crockett is certainly convenient for those quick trips when you've got cabin fever and just have to get out there, but it's fairly flat and heavily wooded, so there's not much of a view. On top of that, the USFS recommends not to drink the water, even filtered. Too much ranch runoff I guess. There are, however, several places to cache water.

I haven't done anything overnight in OK, but I really like Caney Creek Wilderness in SE AR. Anywhere along the Ouachita Trail or the Albert Pike area would probably serve you well, I just can't vouch for them personally as I haven't been. I keep meaning to get to Eagle Rock Loop, which passes through Albert Pike, but something comes up every year.

If you want something closer to home, Dinosaur Valley SP is beautiful and has nice trails. I think it's even got water this year smile. I haven't done an overnight there either, and I'm not sure how long the back trails are, but you could always take them slow and enjoy the view more to make it a 2 night trip. Stop and "smell the roses" often.

Lost Maples is sort of in the same category - convenient (though not as close as DVSP), gorgeous, somewhat small. It's one of my favorite places for day hiking or just hanging out.

And finally, if you want to go out west a ways, I hear Guadalupe Mountains National Park (GUMO) is amazing. Only thing there is you have to pack all your water. It's scarce if present at all, so they ask you to leave it for wildlife, and there's nowhere to cache it.
_________________________
The journey is more important than the destination.

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#199544 - 11/18/17 08:05 PM Re: Suggested Trails Texas / South OK [Re: Aussie Campr]
Bill S. Offline
newbie

Registered: 11/18/17
Posts: 1
Big Bend is awesome, but a long way and this time of year is usually pretty crowded. If you like canyons there is Palo Duro canyon by Amarillo or Caprock Canyons which may be a little closer. Both very nice. Area's around San Antonio are plenty and will be closer and warmer. Lost Maples would be very nice and colorful this time of year. Good hiking

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#199555 - 11/20/17 06:01 PM Re: Suggested Trails Texas / South OK [Re: Aussie Campr]
OregonMouse Offline
member

Registered: 02/03/06
Posts: 6799
Loc: Gateway to Columbia Gorge
I don't know much about Texas, just that I flew over it once (Denver-Houston) and it took hours.

I was impressed by this trip report from "P Mags" that was on his blog last winter. It may be too far from you, but it certainly has scenery!
Palo Duro Canyon

I just realized after posting that this area has already been suggested, but the report I linked to has lots of beautiful photos!


Edited by OregonMouse (11/20/17 06:09 PM)
_________________________
May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view--E. Abbey

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#199573 - 11/22/17 03:45 PM Re: Suggested Trails Texas / South OK [Re: 4evrplan]
Aussie Campr Offline
newbie

Registered: 11/13/17
Posts: 3
Loc: Texas
Thanks guys, I'll look into these

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