East Texas features lots of piney woods and lush green growth. It offers many opportunities for mountain biking. In 2010, Texas State Parks were the largest source for bike trails in east Texas. Explore the national forests of east Texas for unadvertised biking routes. You can mountain bike on any of the back roads that crisscross the forests. Bike in the fall, winter and spring to avoid extreme heat, or very early in the day during summer months.
Tyler State Park, Tyler
Bike on the park's 13-mile-long mountain bike trail loop, consisting of some steep hills, switchbacks, sandy patches and piney woods. It lies outside the more congested camping and lake areas. Four big loops that can be intermingled in different patterns for your ride translate to endless riding opportunities. Choose to repeat the more aerobically challenging segments or easier segments depending on your energy and skill. There is an abandoned road on Tyler State Park property that is open to mountain biking. Helmets are required when biking in the park. The park also has camping, fishing, boat rentals, swimming, hiking and bird-watching.
Martin Creek Lake State Park, South of Longview
Ride the Martin Creek Lake bike trail in late October through mid-November to catch the colorful fall foliage, a rare sight in Texas. The 7-1/2-mile mountain bike route is curvy, mostly flat and tree-covered. It has an easy-to-moderate difficulty level. Try Old Henderson Road for a ride also. Park regulations require bikers to wear helmets. The park sits on the east end of a large popular fishing lake. Camp, hike, fish, boat, swim, water-ski and backpack in Tyler State Park.
Bonham State Park, Bonham
Bonham's 11-mile mountain biking trail stays in the trees for most of the route, and you will need to make a few short connections on the park roads to complete the circuit. Mix and match the loops to vary your rides. This is a good medium-difficulty trail year round, but it's messy after a rain. Helmets are required. Camp overnight in the petite 261-acre park. Fish in the small lake, swim, hike, picnic or nature-watch while visiting Bonham State Park.
Lake Bob Sandlin State Park, Pittsburg
The bike trail at Lake Bob Sandlin features eight footbridges along its five-mile route. It passes a backcountry trout pond and hike-in campsites. The trail is an official Volksmarch Trail registered with the American Volkssport Association, a group promoting noncompetitive hiking events for physical fitness and health benefits. Park activities include in-line skating, hiking, weekend Ranger-led nature walks, camping and backcountry camping. Bob Sandlin is a large 9,400-acre fishing, boating, swimming, water-skiing lake.
Sabine National Forest, Hemphill
Bike on the Trail Between the Lakes, which runs for 28 miles from the Lakeview Recreation Center on Toledo Bend Reservoir, cross-country on forest land, to Texas State Highway 96. Travel through a piney woods forest of relatively new growth. This land was purchased in 1930 and reseeded. The forest has numerous miles of seldom-used roads that are open to mountain bikers and horseback riders. In addition to biking in the forest, you can camp, hike, fish, hunt and ride horseback.
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