Texas is huge, and that means you have tons of things to do. Whether you prefer the beach, mountains, desert-like topography, or rolling plains, Texas has it. Because of the diverse lay of the land, if your an off road enthusiast then Texas is the perfect place to go on an off roading adventure. The Gulf Coastal Plains have rolling hills with pine and hardwood, post oaks, brush lands, and prairies. The Interior Lowlands are between the Red River and Colorado River and feature rolling plains, prairie and forests.
The Great Plains region is east of the Rocky Mountains and is often referred to as High Plains. It’s flat and high, and it’s covered with alluvial material. It features the Caprock Escarpment that can reach 1,000 feet above the plains, canyons, rivers, and low plains as you approach Red River.
The Edwards Plateau is at the foot of the Rockies, south of the High Plains. It is between the Colorado River and the Rio Grande, Balcones Escarpment and the Pecos River, and includes Hill Country, the Toyah Basin and Llano Basin.
The Basin and Range Province is far West Texas and features drainage basins with fault-block mountain ranges. This is the only part of Texas that is referred to as “mountainous” and includes the Guadalupe Mountains, Davis Mountains, Big Bend, and the Upper Rio Grande Valley.
Quick Navigation
Black Gap Road
Difficulty Level: Intermediate
Distance: 8.71 miles
Elevation: 2723 feet
Seasonality: Year-round
Type of Trail and Unique Traits
This point-to-point trail is in the Big Bend National Park in Terlingua, Texas, and is one of two Jeep Badge of Honor Trails. The road is not maintained. It is one of the best off road trails in Texas – in the Big Bend area. It is the most remote tail in the park. You’ll get scenic views of the Chihuahuan Desert and the Chisos Mountain Range.
Starting and Ending Points
The trail map shows the starting point is 24 miles from the park entrance at the Panther Junction Visitor Center and Service Station. The coordinates are 29.1749782953411-103.156605949625. The trail ends at the intersection of another trail in the park.
Obstacles on the Trail
Washouts, ruts, small boulders/rocks, some off-camber.
Boca Chica Beach
Difficulty Level: Intermediate
Distance: 7.63 miles
Elevation: 26 feet
Seasonality: Year-round
Type of Trail and Unique Traits
If you want to combine beach-going and off roading in Texas, the area has several off road trails at beaches, including Boca Chica Beach in Brownsville. When you first arrive at the beach, you can see the SpaceX control center and the launch pads. The southern part of the beach gives you amazing views of the Rio Grande River entering the Gulf of Mexico. And of course, you have great views of the Gulf. The trail is an out and back trail that runs right along the edge of the water.
Starting and Ending Points
The trail is right on the beach, which is about 23 miles from Brownsville. It starts at the Rio Grande River and ends at the northern tip of Brazos Island.
Obstacles on the Trail
None, but need to watch for sea turtles nesting when in season.
Christmas Mountain
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Distance: 5.72 miles
Elevation: 5358 feet
Seasonality: Year-round
Type of Trail and Unique Traits
This out and back trail has stunning views at the top of Christmas Mountain. Only two small groups can go up each day, so we recommend that you make a reservation. The top of the mountain does not have a lot of space – maybe enough for three or four vehicles, so plan accordingly. Christmas Mountain is in Terlingua and this trail does have a road name: Summit Road. The trail can get a bit hairy in some places, but nothing crazy.
Starting and Ending Points
The trail for Christmas Mountain starts at Study Butte-Terlingua, about 16.3 miles from 118 and Terlingua Ranch Road on Terlingua Ranch Road. You must check in at the Terlingua Ranch Lodge.
Obstacles
Some steep sections and switchbacks.
Barnwell Mountain: Green Lane Upper Half
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Distance: 0.6 miles
Elevation: 611 feet
Seasonality: Year-round
Type of Trail and Unique Traits
Located near Gilmer, Barnwell Mountain has several trails. The Green Lane Upper Half is one of the most difficult trails in the park, which is one of the best places to go off roading in Texas. You can make it with a stock four-wheel drive, but we recommend having some lift or taller tires. The trail has ledge options and ends at the intersection of another trail.
Starting and Ending Points
Start on the Green Lane Trail, which is south of the main office, about ¼ mile. The coordinates are 32.7949921879917-94.8688407707959.
Obstacles on the Trail
Off-camber, narrow, steep, drop-offs, boulders.
Lost Highway 87
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Distance: 21.13 miles
Elevation: 30 feet
Seasonality: Year-round
Type of Trail and Unique Traits
This beach trail near Port Arthur has become more difficult over time because of erosion due to storms. You’ll see pieces of the old highway still in place, though it’s crumbled. You can see ruins of cars, homes, businesses and more. You have views of the Gulf and tons of sand. You definitely need four-wheel drive, as the sand is soft and deep in some places. Additionally, miles of trail are washed out where the beach eroded further. You should have at least 9 inches of ground clearance and four-wheel drive.
Starting and Ending Points
The eastern access is at the end of Highway 87 at the Sea Rim State Park border in Sabine Pass. The trail ends at the western beach access point at High Island.
Obstacles on the Trail
Ocean cut-throughs, slick mud, deep sand.
Barnwell Mountain: Linda Gail
Difficulty Level: Intermediate
Distance: 1.42 miles
Elevation: 616 feet
Seasonality: Year-round
Type of Trail and Unique Traits
If the Main Road is too easy for you, you can take Linda Gail to the center of the park. This trail features an improved campsite, deep forest, off-camber section, ruts and more. The off-camber section is optional. Since you are in a deep forest, you might see some wildlife. This trail is near Gilmer, Texas.
Starting and Ending Points
The northern trailhead is located southeast of cabins 4-6, which are about ¼ mile south of the main office. The trailhead is 200 yards to the left.
Obstacles on the Trail
Off-camber, deep ruts, very narrow in places.
Mustang Island State Park
Difficulty Level: Easy
Distance: 2.41 miles
Elevation: 14 feet
Seasonality: Year-round
Type of Trail and Unique Traits
Mustang Island State Park offers dispersed and designated camping and great Gulf views. The park does enforce a capacity limit, so you should make a reservation. Enjoy fishing off the jetties, the Paddling Trail, mountain biking, and driving along the beach. The park is near Port Aransas. The park keeps the trail maintained, though you could run into some large puddles.
Starting and Ending Points
The trail along the beach starts 13.2 miles out of Port Aransas on 361. The park is on the left.
Obstacles on the Trail
Large puddles depending on tide and weather.
Barnwell Mountain: Desi’s Way
Difficulty Level: Intermediate
Distance: 0.95 miles
Elevation: 607 feet
Seasonality: Year-round
Type of Trail and Unique Traits
Located near Gilmer, Desi’s Way is in the Barnwell Mountain collection of trails. This popular trail is close to the park office and is often one of the first trails people try. The moderate obstacle is optional – there is a way around it.
Starting and Ending Points
The western trailhead is near the park’s main office. You can take the trail in either direction, but most start at the western trailhead, which is about 1/10 of a mile south of the park office. The other end comes out on another trail, then goes a short distance to the main road just east of the western trailhead.
Obstacles on the Trail
Narrow, low-hanging branches, possible body scratches, off-camber, ruts, rocks / small boulders.
Old Ore Road
Difficulty Level: Intermediate
Distance: 27.05 miles
Elevation: 3181 feet
Seasonality: Year-round
Type of Trail and Unique Traits
Miners once used this trail near Terlingua to haul ore to stations that were farther north. You have great views of Tornillo Creek and the Chisos Mountains. The trail features designated camping so you can spend some time in the area. You will need four-wheel drive on this trail. As you travel south, you start getting into some hills and will travel through McKinney Springs.
Starting and Ending Points
Take the main park road to Dagger Flat Auto Trail. The northern trailhead is 2.1 miles down Dagger Flat Auto Trail. The southern trailhead is at the visitor center, 17.9 miles from the auto trail.
Obstacles on the Trail
Flat sandstone that could be up to 12 inches tall, washouts that might or might not be dry. There are also a couple of switchbacks.
River Road All-Access Trail
Difficulty Level: Intermediate
Distance: 50.7 mi
Elevation: 2,234 ft
Seasonality: Year-round
Type of Trail and Unique Traits
This trail features an old mercury mine, camping, wild horses, a river, and a ghost town. It also has outstanding views of the rugged terrain. You can hike many of the side trails, including the mile-long trail to the mind and a 7-mile round-trip hike to Mariscal Canyon rim. Four-wheel drive is necessary. The trail sees moderate traffic. While it is open year-round, it is best from October through March.
Starting and Ending Points
Pick up River Road East south of Panther Junction. It ends on Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive.
Obstacles on the Trail
Deep sandpits, steep hills, protruding rocks.