The best Overlanding trails in Texas include:
- Barnwell Recreation Area, best for quality family time
- Texas Hill Country Route, for the easy-goers
- Bolivar Road, best for off-roading by the sea
- Black Gap Road, for the adventurous off-roaders
- River Road, best for remote excursions
- Old Ore Road, for those who want to camp
- River Run ATV Park, best for thrill-seekers
- Williams Ranch Road best for getting away from civilization
- Creekside Park, best for dirty, off-road mudding
- Brazos Valley Ranch, best for the extreme Overlanders
Due to its enormous size, one would naturally assume that there are many Overlanding spots in Texas. However, since a lot of open spaces are not available to the public, Overlanding can be a little tricky to figure out.
But that doesn’t mean there aren’t great trails in Texas to take your rig out for a spin!
This article will provide an overview of Overlanding in Texas, help you figure out what you need to have before you get going, and give you a list of the best Overlanding spots you can visit.
Barnwell Recreation Area, something for everyone
Camping allowed: more information can be found here.
The Barnwell Recreation Area is a 10-mile-long track located north of Gilmer, Texas, on State Highway 155. Not only does it have a few easy, level roads for beginners and first-timers, but also steep, rutted trails for those seeking a little adventure.
If you are a moderately experienced overlander and want to enjoy beautiful, scenic views throughout your drive, take the Main Road and the Connecting Road. But, if you are looking to put your ride to the test, you need to go to the steep Green Lane.
This excellent trail located in the heart of Barnwell Mountain, surrounded by a forest, also offers visitors a chance to explore the antique shops and museums of Gilmer. If you visit in May, you might even get to experience the Cherokee Rose Festival.
Texas Hill Country Route, for the easy-goers
Camping is allowed in ONLY some areas: more information can be found here.
The massive 190-miles, Texas Hill Country Route, can be found near Llano, Texas. This easy-to-scale trail is open all year round and features dirt roads going through the hills and valleys.
When going for this trail, you need to be mindful of two important things:
- Private properties surround most of the track, so make sure that you are not intruding on someone else’s land.
- While the terrain is easy to traverse, there are several creeks and river crossings. The water is shallow (roughly under 18”), but you will need some decent clearance along with all-terrain tires.
Bolivar Road, Overlanding with a beachy twist
Camping allowed: more information can be found here.
With a 25-miles long stretch of sandy beach, Bolivar Peninsula’s Crystal Beach offers a perfect blend of off-road fun and the sea. The area is accessible all year long, but it has a moderate difficulty rating – make sure your 4×4 is up for the task!
After a long day of driving along the coast, you can camp at the beach and enjoy a quiet night by the seashore. Aside from Overlanding, Crystal Beach offers its visitors birdwatching at the Shorebird Sanctuary and live music.
There’s even a lighthouse for those interested!
Black Gap Road, for the adventurous off-roaders
Camping is allowed with several rules: information can be obtained here.
Our next entry is so popular with overlanders that Jeep has awarded a ‘Badge of Honor’!
Connecting River Road with Glen Springs Road, this 8.7-miles long off-road track stretches through the Big Bend National Park. This road is rarely ever maintained, which means you will need 4×4 capability at all times.
Although the terrain is rugged, it is well worth it because you might see wild animals out on your ride, as well as panoramas of the Chihuahuan Desert and the Chisos Mountain Range. If you feel like connecting even more with nature, you can also get a horse and use it to scale the rocky paths of the Black Gap Road.
River Road, for those who want to get away from it all
Camping is allowed if you have a permit.
This next trail is also located in the Big Bend National Park. The River Road Trail offers 51 miles of remote, rocky trails in the southern part of the Big Bend. To explore a region like this, you would need a good clearance 4×4 that can traverse on this terrain.
You may think that going so far away from civilization would leave you with limited options for entertainment. Still, there’s plenty to do around the River Road, such as hiking, stargazing, camping, birdwatching, and fishing.
Old Ore Road, for those who want to camp
Camping is allowed if you have a permit.
The Big Bend makes it on our list once again with another excellent off-road site: The Old Ore Road. This trail is approximately 26.5 miles long and has a terrain ideal for overlanders with some experience of driving in moderate to difficult terrains.
This trail features a river and some campsites that have a primitive touch to them. So, if you are looking to go on a camping tour at the Big Bend, this would be the perfect Overlanding trail for you.
River Run ATV Park, for the bold thrill-seekers
Camping allowed: more information can be obtained here.
This 12-mile-long trail near Cuney is not for beginners. With over 2000 acres of land, the River Run ATV Park offers challenging terrain for people on ATVs or 4x4s. If you want to test your skills, this is the track for you.
This trail features mud pits and reaches an elevation of 328 feet.
The Neches River crosses the trail at several points, adding an extra layer of beauty to the landscape; visitors can go swimming, fishing, or just cool off after a tiring day of traversing this tricky path.
Williams Ranch Road, for those who want to overland in a remote location
Camping NOT allowed: daytime driving only.
Located in Salt Flat, this rugged terrain stretches for about 7.5 miles. Packed with dense bushes and sharp rocks, Ranch Road is not for the inexperienced.
It is recommended to bring food, water, spare tires, and an air compressor since there is no cellphone service in the area. If you get stuck, you would require the help of the rangers, which would cost you $1,000.
The trail, however, has beautiful views of mountains and valleys and even offers a chance to see deer, snakes, and birds.
CreekSide Off-road Park, for those seeking some muddy action
Camping available at primitive campsites: more information can be found here.
At 3.2 miles, this track is not as enormous as the rest on our list, but it is far more treacherous. The Creekside Park has many muddy pools and ponds and is very popular with people out for rough mudding near Houston.
While it may seem undaunting to the more experienced overlanders, this park has caused all kinds of vehicles to get stuck and damaged. It gets even worse when it rains as the muddy track has many deep pools, which can be misleading during rain.
Regardless, this park offers thrill and excitement like no other for the true fans of dirty, mud-covered 4×4 action!
Brazos Valley Off-road Ranch, for the most daring
Camping is available on Saturday nights.
This final entry on our list is for those seeking the most thrilling off-roading experience. With mud, rocks, and risk, this rugged terrain will keep you on the edge of your seats (even literally sometimes).
The total length of the track is about 3.9 miles. The trail starts challenging enough, but about 1.5 miles in, things start to get much more complicated. However, since it is a loop, fortunately, it’s tough NOT to be able to find your way back.
Can You Overland in National and State Parks in Texas?
Yes, absolutely!
Some of the best trails for off-roading in Texas are part of National and State Parks. For instance, the Big Bend National Park offers excellent courses for Overlanding, such as the Glenn Springs Road, the Black Gap Road, the Old Ore Road, and the River Road.
Even if you don’t own an off-road vehicle, the Big Bend will offer guided tours in 4x4s, with your family being the only passengers!
Texas also has many State Parks with Overlanding trails, such as the Eisenhower State Park, the Sam Houston National Forrest, and the Mustang Island State Park.
Whether you need a guide or just find your way by following your heart, Texas will offer you numerous off-road options.
What Do I Need to Go Overlanding in Texas?
First thing’s first, you need a vehicle with off-road road capability. This would ideally be a 4×4 with high clearance and a firm suspension. With a beast like that, you would be able to venture far off into the overland and overcome pretty much any obstacles that may come your way.
Ideally, it would help if you also kept a spare tire and an air compressor in case you run over a sharp rock and get a flat tire. Depending on what kind of trip you are planning, you need to pack food, water, camping supplies, and weather-appropriate clothes accordingly.
If you plan on going to some very remote areas, it would be wise to bring a satellite phone because you may not get cell service when you venture too far off into these trails. In case of an emergency, you should be equipped with a device that you can use to call for help.
Lastly, you may consider getting the Off-highway vehicle decal which would allow you to access all of these trails under the OHV program.
You may also like: Where Can You Go Off-roading in Ohio
Conclusion
With all this information in your head, you are now pretty much an expert on Overlanding in Texas. The next step is planning your trip!
Always check the weather conditions and the availability of the trail before leaving. Make sure that your vehicle can handle the terrain.
Pack enough food, water, and weather-appropriate clothes. Bring along a satellite phone, or buy one if you don’t have it.
Last but not least, have fun! With preparedness, precaution, and safety, Overlanding can be a wholesome activity that can help you build beautiful memories with friends and families.
Whether you are a thrill-seeker or an easy-goer, we are sure you will have the time of your life Overlanding in Texas!
