Camp at Huntsville State Park
New Waverly, Texas
Details
Distance
7 miles
Elevation Gain
125 ft
Route Type
Loop
Description
Added by Laura Irizarry
Only an hour drive outside of Houston perfect for a weekend getaway of camping, hiking, biking, canoeing, and swimming!
Note: The lake camping photo is of a Huntsville State Park sanctioned campsite.
Huntsville State Park is located about an hour north of Houston off of I-45. As part of the Pineywoods region of Texas, pine trees dot the landscape in Huntsville. The park is also home to a variety of wildlife including armadillos, deer, opossums and the occasional alligator.
Besides the kayaking, paddle-boating, and swimming on Lake Raven, Huntsville is also well-known for its hike and bike trails. If you are a seasoned mountain biker, or just starting out, Huntsville is a great place to go for a ride. There are 21 miles of trails in the park, and all but one are open to bikes. The three top trails for biking are the Lone Star Trail, Chinquapin Trail, and the Dogwood Trail. The Lone Star trail is great for beginners as it runs the perimeter of the park and is fairly flat, totaling an 8.5 mile loop. The Chinquapin Trail takes you around Lake Raven, and is great for beginner to intermediate riders as it has more elevation changes and roots totaling 6.8 miles. Finally the Dogwood Trail is a short 2 mile trail great for getting warmed up on, and connects to the Chinquapin. These three trails are also fantastic for hiking on as well and taking in the views of the park. Check out the trail map to see the trails more in detail here: tpwd.texas.gov/publications/pwdpubs/media/park_maps/pwd_mp_p4505_044d.pdf
Make it a day trip or camp here at one of the several campgrounds the park offers. If you are coming from the Houston area make sure to stop at Jerry Built Homegrown Burgers in The Woodlands for an organic, all-natural, delicious dining experience and brews!
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Reviews
I went hiking at Huntsville state park and had a great time! There are benches about every .5 mile and the trails are well kept. There was a $5 entrance fee per person to get in for the day. I will be back to go camping!
4.0
I'd venture to say these mountain biking trails are some of the best the Houston area has to offer! We usually took the longest trail loop and would let our dog take a dip at the midpoint where water is semi-accessible. Swimming isn't allowed except in one area and I would recommend following that rule because Houston does have gators! We never let our pup full on swim at our rest spot. When you are at the swimming location there is a nice little shop to get a Gatorade or ice cream :)
5.0
The Huntsville park is a great site to go swimming, trail hiking, and camping, also fishing. I've been going their since I was a 8 years old. And I love this state park. Best place to relax and have some nature time.
4.0
Great spot just an hour away from College Station. Class got canceled in the morning and I was on the trail by 11am. I did the Chinquapin trail which encompasses the entire park around 6.8mi traversing some really cool and diverse habitats. I started out at the Colaneh Camping Circle and did the trail in reverse. Highly recommend doing that. There is one spot where you cross a construction road and the trail kinda disappears. Just turn right and follow the road through the construction site where the trail picks up on the other side even though there is a do not enter sign. Around the 4.0 mile trail marker look up into the pines across the clearing. There is a really awesome hawks nest. I will be returning soon to camp, but only on a week night since the camp sites look super cramped. All in all, a pretty neat place to keep in your back pocket! Happy trails, my friends.
4.0
Leave No Trace
Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!
Nearby
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Chinquapin Loop Trail
Hike the Four Notch Loop
Camp at Kelly's Pond, Sam Houston National Forest
Swim in the Blue Lagoon
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