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 single-track 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!
Trail Ratings
These ratings can help you plan for trail difficulty, surface type, and available mileage. For trail distances, please see park maps.
- Beginner: Requires basic riding skills. Terrain may vary in composition but will have no steep grades, ledges, or ruts. Example; a flat unpaved jeep road or a flat paved road.
- Intermediate: 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.
- Advanced: 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 (El Paso, Big Bend, San Angelo)
| Park Name | Trail Rating | Special Trail Conditions | Miles | Trail Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Bend Ranch | Beginner-Advanced | One of the nation's premier destinations, this 300,000-acre park offers single-track, multi-use trails, and historic roads. Bike rentals are available. Watch video |
200+ | Trail |
| Davis Mountains | Intermediate | Bike a scenic 74-mile road loop, which you can start and finish from the park (Hwy 118 to Hwy 166 to Hwy 17 and back to Hwy 118). The ride has earned a reputation as being as challenging, and as rewarding, as any in Texas. | 3.5 | Paved |
| Devils River | Beginner-Advanced | A12-mile loop offers rugged riding over varied terrain in one of Texas' most pristine areas | 12 | Trail |
| Franklin Mountains | Beginner-Advanced | Single-track and jeep roads offer a taste of the Chihuahuan Desert as well as some of Texas' highest peaks. Prepare for little shade and no water. | 51 | Trail |
| Kickapoo Cavern | Beginner-Intermediate | Multi-use trails provide an easy to moderate ride. | 14 | Trail |
Hill Country (Austin, San Antonio)
| Park Name | Trail Rating | Special Trail Conditions | Miles | Trail Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bastrop | Intermediate-Advanced | Ride through the scenic Lost Pines on paved Park Road 1C between Bastrop and Buescher. | 12.5 | Paved |
| Buescher | Beginner-Intermediate | The scenic, hilly, 12-mile paved road between Buescher and Bastrop is ideal for experienced cyclists. 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 | Access 26 miles of multi-use trails over varied terrain. Watch video |
26 | Trail |
| Government Canyon | Beginner-Advanced | Front country and back country trails are available. Trails range in length, so riders can create routes that work best for them. Watch video |
26 | Trail |
| Guadalupe River | Intermediate-Advanced | Multi-use loop trails offer scenic views and varied, rugged riding. | 10 | Trail |
| Hill Country | Beginner-Advanced | Mixed single-track, double-track and jeep roads offer some steep hills and plenty of technical terrain. | 40 | Trail |
| Kickapoo Cavern | Beginner-Intermediate | Multi-use trails provide an easy to moderate ride | 14 | Trail |
| Lyndon B. Johnson | Beginner | 2.5 miles of scenic trails offer a closer look at the area's wildlife and rich history. A scenic, 9-mile paved loop winds through Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park, beginning and ending at the Visitor Center. | 11.5 | Paved and Trail |
| McKinney Falls | Beginner | 3.5 miles of gentle, paved trails and 6 miles of unpaved trails can be linked 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 and offer access to heavily-wooded areas. | 20 | Trail |
| South Llano River | Beginner | Approximately 25 miles of easy trails are available for mountain biking. | 25 | Trail |
Panhandle Plains (Lubbock, San Angelo, Abilene)
| Park Name | Trail Rating | Special Trail Conditions | Miles | Trail Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caprock Canyons | Beginner-Advanced | Trails range from highly advanced (cliffs and drop-offs) to others with less than 3% grades. | 16 | Trail |
| Caprock Canyons Trailway | Beginner-Intermediate | The rail-to-trail facility is mostly unpaved and flat; ideal for a mountain bike or hybrid bike. | 64 | Trail |
| Copper Breaks | Intermediate | Terrain varies, with some rough ground, creek crossings and tough climbs. 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 riders. It follows scenic Lost Creek and travels the east side of Lake Jacksboro and Lost Creek Reservoir, crossing the dam and winding along the west side until the trail head. Trail heads are at Fort Richardson and on Lost Creek Reservoir. | 10 | Trail |
| Palo Duro Canyon | Beginner-Advanced | Ride the 15-mile “Palo Duro Canyon Cruise” on paved roads, starting at the park entrance and continuing downhill toward the canyon. Coming back up is very steep; consider leaving a vehicle at the canyon end in case you choose not to bike up the hill. Ten miles of unpaved trails in the park offer easier riding. Watch video |
25 | Paved and Trail |
| San Angelo | Beginner-Advanced | Over 50 miles of multi-use trails are available for riders of all experience levels. | 50 | Trail |
| Seminole Canyon | Beginner-Intermediate | 12 miles of multi-use trails range in difficulty from easy to moderately strenuous | 12 | Trail |
Prairies and Lakes (Dallas, Waco, College Station)
| Park Name | Trail Rating | Special Trail Conditions | Miles | Trail Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bonham | Beginner-Intermediate | Ride 8.8 miles of multi-use trails. | 8.8 | Trail |
| Cedar Hill | Intermediate-Advanced | Named for the Dallas Off Road Biking Association (DORBA), this trail was built by mountain bikers for mountain bikers. Crisscross over 1200 acres of prime landscape on 15 miles of intense riding. Closed after rainfalls. Call (972) 291-3900 (*2) for current conditions. Rent bikes March-October from Live Adventure Kayaks (214) 284-2097 | 15 | Trail |
| Cleburne | Beginner-Advanced | 7 miles of beautiful mountain biking for all experience levels. | 7 | Trail |
| Dinosaur Valley | Beginner-Intermediate | Dip in and out of small valleys, over exposed limestone and past some of the best-preserved dinosaur tracks in the world. | 12 | Trail |
| Eisenhower | Beginner-Intermediate | Approximately 2 miles are beginner level and 2 miles are intermediate (steep grades and rock). | 4 (8 miles round-trip) | Trail |
| Fairfield Lake | Beginner | 20 miles of trails near the lake offer easy, scenic riding. | 20 | Trail |
| Fort Parker | Beginner | A multi-use trail provides 2 miles of easy mountain biking. | 2 | Trail |
| Lake Mineral Wells | Beginner-Intermediate | Suitable for mountain or road bikes. Pass farms and ranches that connect the town of Weatherford to downtown Mineral Wells. | 20 | Paved |
| Lake Mineral Wells Trailway | Beginner-Intermediate | Rail-to-trail facility | 21 | Paved |
| Lake Somerville (Birch Creek Unit) | Beginner | Scenic, easy off-road riding along the lake | 6 | Trail |
| Lake Somerville (Nails Creek Unit) | Beginner | Scenic, easy off-road riding along the lake | 4 | Trail |
| Lake Somerville Trailway | Beginner-Intermediate | The multi-use trail around the west end of the reservoir connects Birch Creek Unit with Nails Creek unit for 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 | 5.5 miles of easy riding over crushed rock, bridges, boardwalks and a beautiful wetland. | 5.5 | Trail |
| Ray Roberts Lake (Isle Du Bois Unit) | Beginner-Intermediate | Multi-use trails provide 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 | This 20-mile multi-use trail system includes 10 miles of hard-surface trail open to hikers and bikers. The trail has three trail heads 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 | 21 miles of easy mountain-biking. Watch video |
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 eight footbridges and a variety of foliage and wildlife. | 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. Access primitive fishing and the Brazos River scenic overlook. | 6 | Trail |
| Village Creek | Beginner-Intermediate | Explore heavily forested areas along 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 offers an easy to moderate ride and abundant wildlife viewing. | 6 | Trail |
| Purtis Creek | Beginner | The 4.3-mile Wolfpen Hike and Bike Trail provides an easy ride and plenty of wildlife viewing. | 4.3 | Trail |
| Tyler | Beginner-Advanced | Ride one of the top destinations in the state, offering challenges for all levels. Pineywoods terrain includes hills, loops and wildlife viewing. | 13 | Trail |
South Texas Plains (Laredo, Brownsville)
| Park Name | Trail Rating | Special Trail Conditions | Miles | Trail Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley | Beginner | Paved roads are dedicated to biking, hiking and a tram system (no private vehicles). Take an easy ride and get a glimpse of some amazing birds and other wildlife. Bring your own bike or rent one from the visitor 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 beginner-level to slightly intermediate trails take riders through beautiful and varied landscapes. | 4 | Trail |
| Resaca de la Palma | Beginner | A 3-mile paved loop and 8 miles of additional trails take riders 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 are allowed past the Visitor Center. Bring your own bike or rent one at the Visitor Center. | 11 | Paved and Trail |
