Where to Overland for Texans..

Unfortunately, I live in a part of the US that is lacking many outdoor adventure activities (Houston). I have 2 small kids, aged 3 & 4 whom I'd like to start introducing to camping/outdoors. When I say camping, I'm not talking about Texas style camping...where we got to a State park and park on camp with 100s of others around drinking beer, but camping in nature without the crowds. Any suggestions? I don't mind driving, but I'd like to be able to do these on long weekends ( I work 4-10s), so Colorado is kinda out.

Help me out. Please and thank you.

 

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To quote Horace Greeley: "Go West, young man."

Big Bend NP, Guadalupe Mtns NP, Davis Mtns SP...not to mention the thousands of dirt roads.

Texas is like a whole 'nother country.

 

Keith, this might not be true overlanding, but just north of Houston, near Huntsville, you can find a lot of areas to camp in the Sam Houston National Forest. It’s has a 128 mile long hiking trail that will have some primitive campsites available. Google Lone Star Hiking Trail Club and you’ll find lots of information, including maps.

 

10-4. That's my usual spot. I take the KTM to the forest and the mountain bike to double lake. Lots of fun, but not much for scenery nor 'overlanding' as the kids are calling it these days.

Great places to go, for sure.

 

Check out the Davy Crockett National Forest.

 

Public consumption of alcohol in Texas State parks is prohibited.

Like others say Big Bend is what ‘overlanding’ is. There’s plenty of state parks a few hours away with less traffic and speak up to the park staff if others really are boozing it up loudly.

 

Oklahoma. K-Trail starting around Clayton, Ok. Take that to where High Water Mark Trail starts & go all the way to Mena, Ark.
It's a good 3-4 day trip, I think about 200 miles off-road. Plenty of places to primitive camp along the way. I haven't done it yet but I'd like to. I read all about it a couple years ago but have been too busy to check into it lately to make sure it's still legit. Take @ least 2 rigs, the more the better. Guns are recommended even thought it's almost always trouble free.

 

I wish I could help you out, but I only really go camping to SPI. I dont have the gear to take on a few days of camping, but I do plan on doing so in the next year or two. If you go with your family to SPI and drive far enough north, you can find some spots where the occasional car drives by, but aren't crowded at all. You can really find a nice spot where you and your family are the only ones camping at.

 

Get with Texas overland on Facebook. They have a bunch of trails all over Texas.

I think the cheeseburger loop is near you.

 

https://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/texas/recreation/ohv

 

Seriously? Do you really need to bring side arm?
I'd like to take my 9 yr old boy, but not if it's that sketchy.

Cheers

 

I do everywhere so it's nothing to me. They recommend the more rigs in the group the better. Something about some sketchy spots meth-heads used to frequent or cook or whatever. It goes deeeep into the backwoods of Ok. & Ark. There's lots of shady shit that goes on back there but II wouldn't be too worried. Me & 2 other rigs will go w/our kids. We'll also all be armed but we always are.

 

I did the Oklahoma section of the K-trail about 3 years ago and it was awesome. I wouldn't do it solo only because you are out of cell range for most of it and if you break or get stuck you could be stranded for a while. We did carry a sidearm but never touched it. These days you never know when you might need it, especially if you are on your own. I have heard that the most technical section is now closed to the public, but the easier section closer to Arkansas is open.

 

I appreciate the feedback guys.
I'm not too worried about communication as I have a sat phone, but the nefarious sub-humans might cause some concern. I probably need to do a bit more research and weigh my options.

Cheers

 

Gilmer or Bridgeport

 

Heading to gilmer end of jan or begining of.feb with a couple of jeep guys we will going on the weekend if your interested . Ive tried to get tacoma guys to go but they never make.it

 

Texas Toyota Jamboree is at Gilmer in the spring.

 

Ill be there