Biking
Biking in Texas State Parks
Texas State Parks offer the best biking in the state, no matter your skill level. Paved park roads are ideal for families, while adventure seekers can mountain-bike hundreds of miles of multiuse and singletrack trails. Always wear a helmet. Bring a map, and carry plenty of water, extra snacks, and bike repair equipment. Consider wearing reflective clothing and lights to help motorists see you. Happy cycling!
Texas State Park Trail Ratings
These ratings can help you plan for trail difficulty, surface type, and available mileage. For trail distances, please see the park map.
- Beginner Level: Requires basic riding skills. Terrain may be varied in composition but will have no steep grades, ledges, or ruts. Example; a flat unpaved jeep road or a flat paved road.
- Intermediate Level: Requires off-road riding experience and some technical skill (for mountain bikers), or could be a paved road with moderately steep grades (for road bikers). Off-road terrain may have ruts and/or small ledges that may require dismounts. Example: a single- or double-track trail in rolling terrain with water bars or ruts.
- Difficult Level: Requires expert-level skills to traverse potentially hazardous conditions (for mountain bikers); or could be a paved road with very steep grades. Example: a single-track trail with steep climbs, rocky terrain, water crossings, and unexpected drop-offs.
West Texas Riding (El Paso, Big Bend, San Angelo)
| Park Name | Trail Rating | Special Trail Conditions | Miles | Trail Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Bend Ranch | Beginner-Advanced | Home to the only IMBA Epic ride in Texas, and a premier mountain-biking destination in the country.The 300,000-acre remote park offers single-track, multiuse trails, and historic roads.Bike rentals are available at the park. Watch YouTube video of Mountain Biking at Big Bend Ranch S.P. |
200+ | Trail |
| Davis Mountains | Intermediate | For road biking there is a scenic 74-mile road loop which can be started and finished from the park (Hwy 118 to Hwy 166 to Hwy 17 and back to Hwy 118). The ride has earned a reputation as being just as difficult, and just as rewarding, as any ride in the state. |
3.5 | Paved |
| Devils River | Beginner-Advanced | The 12-mile loop offers a rugged experience for mountain bikers over varied terrain in one of the state's most pristine and beautiful natural areas. |
12 | Trail |
| Franklin Mountains | Beginner-Advanced | A combination of singletrack and jeep roads offers mountain-bikers a taste of the Chihuahuan Desert and a dose of biking through some of West Texas' highest peaks. Be prepared for little shade and no water. |
51 | Trail |
| Kickapoo Cavern | Beginner-Intermediate | Multi-use trails provide an easy to moderate mountain-biking experience. |
14 | Trail |
Hill Country Cycling (Austin, San Antonio)
| Park Name | Trail Rating | Special Trail Conditions | Miles | Trail Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bastrop | Intermediate-Advanced | Scenic ride through the Lost Pines on the paved Park Road 1C between Bastrop and Buescher State Parks. | 12.5 | Paved |
| Buescher | Beginner-Intermediate | The scenic, 12-mile paved road between Buescher and Bastrop state parks, which is winding and hilly, is ideal for biking but should be used only by experienced cyclists. Approximately six miles between the parks is private land; trespassing on private land and camping between parks is not permitted. The park also includes about 8 miles of trail riding through Pine trees and Cedar Elms. | 20.3 | Paved and Trail |
| Colorado Bend | Beginner-Intermediate | Mountain-bikers have access to 26 miles of multi-use trails over varied terrain. Watch YouTube video of Mountain Biking at Colorado Bend S.P. |
26 |
Trail |
| Government Canyon | Beginner-Advanced | There are numerous front country and back country hiking/biking trails available at this state natural area. Trails range in length so that bikers can create routes that work best for them. Watch YouTube video about the bike trails at Government Canyon S.N.A. |
26 | Trail |
| Guadalupe River | Intermediate-Advanced | The park's multi-use loop trails provide scenic views and varied, rugged riding for mountain bikers. |
10 | Trail |
| Hill Country | Beginner-Advanced | Mixed singletrack, doubletrack and jeep roads are available to mountain-bikers, with some steep hills and plenty of technical terrain. |
40 |
Trail |
| Kickapoo Cavern | Beginner-Intermediate | Multi-use trails provide an easy to moderate mountain-biking experience. |
14 | Trail |
| Lyndon B. Johnson | Beginner | The park offers 2.5 miles of scenic hiking/biking trails. The trails offer a close-up look at the Texas Hill Country, and its wildlife and rich history. For road biking there is a scenic 9 mile paved loop through the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park which begins and ends at the Visitor Center. | 11.5 | Paved and Trail |
| McKinney Falls | Beginner | The park offers 3.5 miles of easy paved trails and 6 miles of multi-use trails for mountain-biking. It is possible to link both together for a longer ride. |
9.5 |
Paved and Trail |
| Pedernales Falls | Beginner-Intermediate | Mountain-biking trails pass through hills dotted with oak and juniper woodlands and provide access to more heavily wooded areas. |
20 | Trail |
| South Llano River | Beginner | Approximately 25 miles of easy trails are available for mountain biking. | 25 | Trail |
Panhandle and Plains (Lubbock, San Angelo, Abilene)
| Park Name | Trail Rating | Special Trail Conditions | Miles | Trail Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caprock Canyons | Beginner-Advanced | Park mountain-bike trails range from difficult, with cliffs and drop-offs, to trails with less than 3% grade. |
16 | Trail |
| Caprock Canyons Trailway | Beginner-Intermediate | The rail-to-trail facility (railbed trail conversion) is mostly unpaved but not too rough; mostly flat; suitable for a mountain-bike or hybrid bike. |
64 | Trail |
| Copper Breaks | Intermediate | Mountain-biking terrain varies, with some rough ground, creek crossings and tough climbs. The Big Loop Trail cuts through rugged badlands that will take your breath away. |
9.5 | Trail |
| Fort Richardson - Lost Creek Reservoir Trailway |
Beginner-Intermediate | The 10-mile multi-use trail is suitable for all types of use. The trail follows scenic Lost Creek and travels the east side of Lake Jacksboro and Lost Creek Reservoir. The trail crosses the dam at Lost Creek Reservoir and winds along the west side until you enter the trail head. There is a trail head at Fort Richardson State Park & Historic Site and a trail head on Lost Creek Reservoir. | 10 | Trail |
| Palo Duro Canyon | Beginner-Advanced | Road bikers can ride the 15-mile “Palo Duro Canyon Cruise” on the paved road park that starts at the park entrance and goes downhill toward the canyon. It is very steep coming back up, so riders might want to leave a vehicle at the canyon end if they choose not to bike up the hill. Ten miles of non-paved trails in the park offer easier riding. Watch YouTube video of the Palo Duro Canyon 24 Hour Bike Race. |
25 |
Paved and Trail |
| San Angelo | Beginner-Advanced | The park offers over 50 miles of multi-use trails for mountain-bikers at all experience levels. |
50 | Trail |
| Seminole Canyon | Beginner-Intermediate | Twelve miles of multiuse trails are available, ranginging in difficulty from easy to moderately strenuous, in this ruggedly beautiful park. |
12 | Trail |
Prairies and Lakes (Dallas, Waco, College Station)
| Park Name | Trail Rating | Special Trail Conditions | Miles | Trail Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bonham | Beginner-Intermediate | Enjoy an 8.8-mile trail for mountain-biking and hiking. |
8.8 | Trail |
| Cedar Hill | Intermediate-Advanced | The DORBA trail, named for the volunteers of the Dallas Off Road Biking Association, was built by mountain bikers for mountain bikers. Over 1200 acres of prime mountain bike landscape are crisscrossed with 15 miles of intense riding. This exciting trail is closed after rainfall so call 972/291-3900 and press star 2 for trail conditions. Mountain bike rentals are available, March through October, from Live Adventure Kayaks (214) 284-2097 |
15 | Trail |
| Cleburne | Beginner-Advanced | Mountain-biking trails offer 7 miles of beautiful scenery for all experience levels. |
7 | Trail |
| Dinosaur Valley | Beginner-Intermediate | The trail dips in and out of small valleys, over some exposed limestone and near some of the best-preserved dinosaur tracks in the world. |
12 | Trail |
| Eisenhower | Beginner-Intermediate | Approximately 2 miles is Beginner level, and 2 miles is Intermediate level (with steep grades and rock). | 4 (8 miles round-trip) | Trail |
| Fairfield Lake | Beginner | Twenty miles of trails near Lake Fairfield offer easy, scenic riding mountain bikers. |
20 | Trail |
| Fort Parker | Beginner | This historic park offers a multi-use trail that provides 2 miles of easy mountain-biking. |
2 | Trail |
| Lake Mineral Wells | Beginner-Intermediate | The trailway has an improved surface suitable for mountain bikes or road bikes. The route cuts through farm and ranchland, connecting the town of Weatherford to the downtown district of Mineral Wells. |
20 |
Paved |
| Lake Mineral Wells Trailway | Beginner-Intermediate | Rail -to-trail facility (railbed trail conversion) | 21 | Paved |
| Lake Somerville (Birch Creek Unit) | Beginner | Multi-use trails provide mountain bikers with a scenic, easy biking experience alongside Lake Somerville. |
6 | Trail |
| Lake Somerville (Nails Creek Unit) | Beginner | Multi-use trails provide mountain bikers with a scenic, easy biking experience alongside Lake Somerville. |
4 | Trail |
| Lake Somerville Trailway | Beginner-Intermediate | The multi-use trailway, located around the west end of the reservoir, connects the Birch Creek Unit with the Nails Creek unit and provides an easy to moderate mountain-biking experience. |
13 | Trail |
| Lake Tawakoni | Beginner | Level with lots of twists and turns. | 3 | Trail |
| Meridian | Beginner | Paved roads. | 5 | Paved |
| Palmetto | Beginner | The new trail system offers 5.5 miles of easy riding on a crushed rock surface, complete with bridges and boardwalks, through a beautiful wetland. | 5.5 | Trail |
| Ray Roberts Lake (Isle Du Bois Unit) | Beginner-Intermediate | Nearly 17 miles of multi-use trails wind through the park, providing mountain-bikers with varied terrain and an easy to moderate experience. |
16.5 | Tral |
| Ray Roberts Lake (Johnson Branch Unit) | Beginner-Intermediate | Seven miles of multi-use trails wind through the park |
7 | Trail |
| Ray Roberts Lake - Greenbelt Corridor | Beginner | The corridor is a 20-mile multi-use trail system with 10 miles of hard-surface trail open to hikers and bikers. The trail has three trailheads and meanders along the heavily wooded banks of the Elm Fork Branch of the Trinity River. |
10 | Paved |
Gulf Coast (Houston, Corpus Christi)
| Park Name | Trail Rating | Special Trail Conditions | Miles | Trail Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brazos Bend | Beginner-Intermediate | The parks offers 21 miles of easy mountain-biking. Watch YouTube video of Mountain Biking at Brazos Bend S.P. |
21 | Trail |
| Galveston Island | Beginner | Four miles of easy multi-use trails provide mountain-bikers with opportunities to see wildlife and experience ocean views. |
4 | Trail |
| Huntsville | Beginner-Intermediate | All trails are under canopy from tall pine trees. Some trail sections are sandy. | 18 | Trail |
| Lake Bob Sandlin | Beginner-Intermediate | Trails offer 8 footbridges and a variety of foliage and wildlife viewing. |
5 | Trail |
| Lake Livingston | Beginner | Five miles of easy trails are available for mountain bikers. |
5 | Trail |
| Martin Dies, Jr. | Beginner | Four miles of trails provide an easy, scenic mountain-biking experience. |
4 | Trail |
| Mustang Island | Beginner | Primarily beach riding. | 5 | Beach |
| Stephen F. Austin | Beginner | Easy hiking and biking trails. Trails are fast, with a few slopes, but not technical. Trails have access to primitive fishing and the Brazos River scenic overlook. | 6 | Trail |
| Village Creek | Beginner-Intermediate | Mountain-bikers can explore heavily forested areas on the park's multi-use trails. |
8 | Trail |
Piney Woods (Tyler)
| Park Name | Trail Rating | Special Trail Conditions | Miles | Trail Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Martin Creek Lake | Beginner-Intermediate | The 6-mile mountain-biking trail winds through the park, providing an easy to moderate biking experience and abundant opportunities for wildlife viewing. |
6 | Trail |
| Purtis Creek | Beginner | The 4.3-mile Wolfpen Hike and Bike Trail provides an easy biking experience with wildlife viewing. |
4.3 | Trail |
| Tyler | Beginner-Advanced | Tyler is one of the top mountain-biking destinations in the state, offering challenges for all levels. The Pineywoods terrain includes hills, loops, and wildlife viewing opportunities. |
13 | Trail |
South Texas Plains (Laredo, Brownsville)
| Park Name | Trail Rating | Special Trail Conditions | Miles | Trail Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley | Beginner | Paved roads dedicated to biking, hiking and the parks tram system (no private vehicles). Take an easy ride around the park and get a glimpse of some amazing birds and other wildlife. Bring your own bike or rent one from the visitor's center. |
4 | Paved |
| Falcon | Beginner | Three miles of easy hiking/mountain-biking trails provide a complete loop around the park. |
3 | Trail |
| Lake Casa Blanca | Beginner-Intermediate | Four miles of beginning- to slightly intermediate-level trails take riders through beautiful and varied landscapes. | 4 | Trail |
| Resaca de la Palma | Beginner | Variety of biking, including a 3-mile paved loop and 8 miles of trails through diverse South Texas habitats. Biking is a great way to view birds and other wildlife in the 1,200-acre park. No private vehicles allowed past the Visitor Center. Bring your own bike or rent one from the Visitor Center. | 11 | Paved and Trail |
