Traverse 128 Miles Of The Sam Houston National Forest On The Lone Star Hiking Trail In Texas
By Katie Lawrence|Published February 08, 2020
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Katie Lawrence
Author
Katie Lawrence is a Southeast Texas native who graduated 18th in her high school class with a GPA of 4.25. She attended college in the Houston area and began writing for OnlyInYourState in 2015.
Today, Katie writes, edits, and performs several other tasks for OnlyInYourState and has never been more passionate about a job before. Outside of work, you can likely find her curled up on with a hot cup of coffee, practicing yoga, baking, or exploring the beautiful Lone Star State (in particular, the vast and mystical West Texas desert).
We Texans love spending time outdoors, and one hiking trail makes that sentiment more possible than any other. It’s the Lone Star Hiking Trail: a 128-mile, continuous path through the Sam Houston National Forest. There are multiple trailheads, so hikers get to decide exactly how long of an adventure they would like to embark on.
Spanning 128 miles overall, Lone Star Hiking Trail is the longest continuous trail in Texas. It traverses Sam Houston National Forest, beginning just south of Richards and ending near Cleveland.
Visitors are welcome year-round, but winter and spring are the most popular seasons due to the moderate Southeast Texas climate. Primitive camping is allowed off the trail at all times except deer season.
Crowds are typically sparse, so hikers can stop and take in the incredibly biodiverse scenery. Flora and fauna of all different colors, species, and ages leave your eyes not quite sure where to look at any given time.
Three major sections of the trail range in length from 27 to 60 miles. Each leg is further broken down into several smaller hikes, with trailheads interspersed between the start and finish line.
Rivers, creeks, lakes, and streams weave through the forest, and you should come upon at least one no matter which portion of the trail you embark on. You likely won't be competing for a waterfront view, so take a pause and enjoy the solitude before jumping back into the hustle and bustle of everyday life.