Trails Information
Welcome to the Pineywoods at Huntsville State Park
- Pileated woodpecker
Adventure, exploration, and solitude await you in this beautiful mixed pine and hardwood forest. A keen eye may spot an American alligator or bald eagle. Listen for the screeches of pileated woodpeckers or simply bask in nature at this historic park, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC).
Trails
All trails and roads can be used for hiking and biking unless otherwise indicated.
This list may not include all trails in the park.
| Trail | Distance | Difficulty | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Triple C Trail | 8.4 mi. (round trip) | Challenging | If you’d like to experience a large diversity of habitats in a remote setting, then this is the hike for you. Check out the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps as you encounter its work. |
| Chinquapin Trail | 6.9 mi. (round trip) | Challenging | If you want to see the whole park, this is the trail: It encircles the lake. You will travel over marshes teeming with wildlife where you are likely to see shorebirds and nutria. |
| Dogwood Trail | 1.8 mi. | Moderate | Named for the prominent understory tree here, the dogwood. Dogwoods welcome spring with beautiful white, petal-like bracts. |
| Prairie Branch Loop | 1.5 mi. (round trip) | Moderate | Explore two completely different habitats as you walk this short loop. Half of the trail’s length is along the shore of Lake Raven, and the other half is through the mixed pine and hardwood forest. |
| Coloneh Trail | 0.8 mi. | Easy | This short trail is named to honor one of Huntsville’s most famous residents – General Sam Houston. Cherokee Chief Oolooteka gave him the name “Coloneh” (Raven). |
| Loblolly Trail | 0.2 mi. (round trip) | Easy | Named for the prominent pine species found at the park, this short walk begins and ends at the nature center. |
Points of Interest
GPS coordinates shown in decimal degrees.
| Point | Latitude | Longitude | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Historic Dam and Spillway | 30.6095° | -95.5341° | Originally constructed by the CCC to create Lake Raven, the 1,000-foot earthen dam failed in 1940 and was not rebuilt until funds were raised from timber sales in 1956. |
| Headwater Boardwalks | 30.6338° | -95.5386° | Hike above wetlands and marshes of Lake Raven’s headwaters. An excellent place for viewing birds, dragonflies, and other wildlife species. |
| CCC Culverts | 30.6339° | -95.5208° | An excellent example of CCC craftsmanship built by Company 1823. The company was made up of African-American veterans of the First World War. |
| CCC Lodge | 30.6132° | -95.5337° | Built by the CCC in 1939, the lodge was a major feature of the park and designed to blend with its natural surroundings. |
| Bird Blind | 30.6209° | -95.5288° | Located just off the Coloneh Trail, this blind gives you an opportunity to view a wide variety of birds, including the Great Blue Heron, Pileated Woodpecker, Great White Egret, Red-shouldered Hawk and many other species. |
| Flatwater Ponds | 30.6154° | -95.5207° | The Triple C Trail partially dams Little Chinquapin Creek to create a unique wetland area in the middle of the forest. |
Staying Safe
- Know your limits. Prepare for sun and heat. Wear sunscreen, insect repellent and appropriate clothing/hiking shoes.
- Drink plenty of water. Your body quickly loses fluids when you’re on the trail. Bring a quart of water per hour of activity.
- Tell others where you’ll be. If possible, avoid exploring alone. Tell someone where you are going and when you plan to return.
- Wear a helmet when biking. Check with park HQ to match the trail to your skill level. Wear a helmet to protect yourself in case of a crash.
- Wear a life jacket. The law requires that all children under age 13 wear one with adult supervision while boating.
- Weather changes quickly. Check forecasts before you leave and prepare for changes in the weather.
Trail Etiquette
- Trash your trash. Keep the park natural. Pack out all of your trash and Leave No Trace.
- Leave feeding to nature. Feeding wild animals will make them sick and more likely to harm people.
- Take only memories and pictures. Please don’t disturb or remove any of the park’s plants, animals or artifacts.
- Don’t Pocket the Past. Help preserve Texas heritage. Leave artifacts where you find them and report their location to a ranger.
- Keep pets on leashes for their safety, and to protect wildlife.
- We need to know about your caches. Please check with park HQ before placing geocaches within the park.
