Wilderness Backpacking near Austin (Del Rio, Canyon: camping, clubs, land)

[paul6835]

I'm looking for places within a day's drive to do 1-2 day hikes. Something good for beginners with minimal dangers.

My only backpacking experience was about 60 miles of the Wonderland Trail (Mt Ranier), so I'm not completely new, but I'm not experienced either.

Also looking for suggestions for groups or clubs who do this kind of thing.

[die Eichkatze]

Texas is pretty much all private land, so your choices are limited.
Big Bend NP: Big Bend National Park (U.S. National Park Service) and Guadalupe Mountains NP: Guadalupe Mountains National Park (U.S. National Park Service) out in west Texas are interesting.
I like Big Bend State Park more than the national park (same area) TPWD: Big Bend Ranch State Park
An interesting, but remote state natural area out by Del Rio is also worth a visit at some point: TPWD: Devils River State Natural Area
the devils river is the most pristine river in Texas, and Dolan Falls is worth seeing(during above normal flows), big canyons and mesas with nobody around....
Palo Duro Canyon in the panhandle is neat: Palo Duro Canyon State Park
A couple good local day trips would be Enchanted Rock near Fredericksburg: TPWD: Enchanted Rock State Natural Area and
Reimers ranch just outside Austin: Reimers Ranch Park, Travis County, Texas
....but nothing comparable to what you will find in the western states...

[neddy]

97% of land in Texas is private so you will have to make due with state parks and Big Bend is going to give you a great long hike. Government Canyon over in SA is a good place to go hiking. Find a friend that has so land to hike on but hunting season is coming up in fall so be warned about hiking then!

[CptnRn]

Originally Posted by die Eichkatze

Texas is pretty much all private land, so your choices are limited.
Big Bend NP: Big Bend National Park (U.S. National Park Service) and Guadalupe Mountains NP: Guadalupe Mountains National Park (U.S. National Park Service) out in west Texas are interesting.
I like Big Bend State Park more than the national park (same area) TPWD: Big Bend Ranch State Park
An interesting, but remote state natural area out by Del Rio is also worth a visit at some point: TPWD: Devils River State Natural Area
the devils river is the most pristine river in Texas, and Dolan Falls is worth seeing(during above normal flows), big canyons and mesas with nobody around....
Palo Duro Canyon in the panhandle is neat: Palo Duro Canyon State Park
A couple good local day trips would be Enchanted Rock near Fredericksburg: TPWD: Enchanted Rock State Natural Area and
Reimers ranch just outside Austin: Reimers Ranch Park, Travis County, Texas
....but nothing comparable to what you will find in the western states...

Reimers Ranch is closed after dark.

Pedernales State Park has some good hiking trails and primitive camping areas. TPWD: Pedernales Falls State Park

Lost Maples is an excellent choice especially in the fall. TPWD: Lost Maples State Natural Area

Bastrop State Park & Lost Pines has some great hiking trails but camping is limited to established camp sites. On the plus side, they have showers. TPWD: Bastrop State Park

That is also true of Palmetto State Park TPWD: Palmetto State Park

[die Eichkatze]

Originally Posted by CptnRn

Reimers Ranch is closed after dark.

...hence the first part of that sentence "day trips".

[austin944]

Do people enjoy hiking and camping in this hot weather?