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The Lone Star Hiking Trail: The Official Guide to the Longest Wilderness Footpath in Texas
One of the hidden jewels of Texas, the Lone Star Hiking Trail is the only long-distance National Recreation Trail in the state. At 128 miles (including loop trails), it is also the state's longest continuously marked and maintained footpath. Located in the famed Big Thicket area in east Texas, the trail is well-suited for both short and long hikes (of up to 10 days), appealing to dayhikers, overnight backpackers and long-distance hikers. The LSHT lies between the major metro centers of Houston-Galveston, Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin, and San Antonio--home to more than 8 million people just a 2-hour drive from the trail. The author, a Texas native, is an experienced long-distance hiker who has thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail, and many other nationally recognized long-distance trails throughout the U.S. This is the first guidebook to the trail and is officially endorsed and promoted by the Lone Star Hiking Trail Club.
181 pages, Paperback
First published April 15, 2009
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May 16, 2021It seems perhaps odd to read a 150-page trail guide from cover to cover (and it was), but that was what I wanted to do. Excited to find some time in the next year to explore the LSHT (a 96.4-mile trail just north of the Houston area), which I admit I’ve only just recently become aware of. Of course this won’t be in the hot season. Maybe Christmas time. :)
Not going to leave a ⭐️ rating until I’ve actually used the guide on the trail. 😊
Not going to leave a ⭐️ rating until I’ve actually used the guide on the trail. 😊
December 11, 2025
Karen Borski Somers’s guide to the Lone Star Hiking Trail (LSHT) is the go-to resource for anyone looking to backpack, day-hike, or simply learn about the history of this 128-mile wilderness path winding through Sam Houston National Forest.
Somers brings serious trail cred to the table—she’s not only hiked the LSHT multiple times but also completed the entire 2,175-mile Appalachian Trail and the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail. That experience shines through in the book’s thoughtful details: comprehensive gear lists, precise mile-by-mile water notes, and practical safety advice that could save any beginner from a tough day on the trail.
That said, while this guide is incredibly helpful for getting started, I found that it sometimes went into too much detail in certain areas and not quite enough in others. I loved learning about all the sights and natural highlights along the way, but I was still unsure about some of the logistics—like how the shuttle system worked, where to stay, or where to find food nearby. The book does give a sense of how big the nearby towns are, but I was hoping for something a bit more rounded, like a National Geographic–style guidebook.
Still, it’s an excellent resource and a clear labor of love. Maybe Version 3 will bring that next level of depth!
Brief History
The Lone Star Hiking Trail was first proposed in 1966 by members of the Lone Star Chapter of the Sierra Club, who wanted to create a true long-distance hiking route in Texas. Working with the U.S. Forest Service, volunteers carved the trail through the East Texas Piney Woods, and the final section was completed in 1978.
What makes this trail unique is how it was — and still is — built and maintained. The U.S. Forest Service oversees the bridges and signage, while the real backbone of the trail comes from volunteers: members of the Lone Star Hiking Trail Club, the Houston Regional Group of the Sierra Club, and even the Boy Scouts of America. Decades later, their combined effort still keeps the path clear, the mile markers visible, and the campsites in shape for new hikers.
Before the trail existed, this region was the heart of East Texas’s logging boom between the 1880s and 1920s. More than 18 million acres of pine forest were cut down — a $59 billion industry that eventually collapsed when the timber ran out. Some of the old logging rail beds still run beneath your feet as you hike, and though there are no remaining virgin trees, you’ll see second-growth pines more than a century old. It’s one of those places where you can literally walk through Texas’s industrial past — and its natural recovery.
Wildlife & Plants
The book gives a great rundown of what to expect in the woods:
• Birds: red-cockaded woodpecker (endangered, at Stubblefield Lake), bald eagle, barred owl, and even the occasional peregrine falcon.
• Mammals: bobcats, deer, raccoons, coyotes, pigs, and foxes.
• Water creatures: otters, beavers, paddlefish, and the occasional **American alligator** along Lake Conroe or Stubblefield Lake—though they’re shy and rarely seen.
• Insects and reptiles: the usual suspects for Texas — mosquitoes, ticks, chiggers, and several venomous snakes (rattlesnakes, cottonmouths, coral snakes, and water moccasins). Somers doesn’t sugarcoat it: this is Texas wilderness. You’ll want bug spray, wipes, and chafing cream. Bring a tarp to sit on instead of the ground to avoid chiggers. She also notes black widow and brown recluse spiders hide under logs — best not to touch anything without looking first. Check for ticks nightly. Several diseases are only transmitted after the tick feeds in a 24-hour window. Possible diseases from ticks in these areas are lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, ehrlichiosis, and relapsing fever. Early symptoms may include a rash around the bite or headaches, fever, fatigue, muscle aches, and joint pain.
• Plants: Poisonous - Poison oak, poison sumac, poison ivy
Lodging and Parking
If you need a base camp, Huntsville State Park is the most convenient:
$7 daily entrance fee + $15/night tent camping; includes: restrooms, showers, vending machines, fishing dock, and even kayak rentals.
Free parking lots are scattered along the trail, including:
• Trailhead #1 (Richards, FM 149)
• Trailhead #7 (just above Huntsville State Park)
There’s even a friendly ‘LSHT Facebook group’ where locals offer ‘shuttle rides’ between trailheads.
Food
Hikers who start their trip near Huntsville have some great local options.
A few highly-rated options from my own research:
• Carbonero Rotisserie Charbroiled Chicken – 4.6⭐ Salvadoran food, pupusas, open till 9 PM.
• Farmhouse Café – 4.5⭐ classic Southern food, chicken-fried steak, pie, open till 9 PM.
• Sam’s Table & Gray Horse – 4.6⭐ local favorite, good prices, open till 9 PM.
• Joe’s Italian Grill – 4.8⭐ pasta, open till 9 PM.
• Texoro Mexican Restaurant – 4.7⭐, open till 9 PM.
• Restaurant Hondureño La Bendición – 4.7⭐ Honduran food, open till 9 PM.
• El Tapatio #2 – 4.7⭐ street tacos, open till 11 PM.
Seasons and Safety
• Fall brings cold fronts and rain.
• August–September are peak hurricane months — she strongly warns against hiking then, since inland hurricanes can cause tornadoes and flooding.
• October means hunting season — wear fluorescent orange.
• Ticks are still active, but mosquitoes and flies thin out.
Camping Rules
• Water: Potable water is available at Stubblefield Lake Campground, Huntsville State Park, and Double Lake Recreation Area. Otherwise, you’ll need to filter or treat your water to avoid Giardia. The book uses a simple “DROPS” system (Drought Resistance of Point Source, the more drops, the more reliable the source). www.lonestartrail.org for most current water conditions. Plan for two liters per person per day. Most people leave water at different points on the trail (usually the parking lots) and pick up their empty jugs after the hike is completed.
• Camping: No permits required, but camping is prohibited within 300 feet of trailheads and in the Big Creek Scenic Area. During hunting season, you must camp only in designated sites. Somers advises hanging your food or using a canister to protect it from raccoons.
• Navigation: The trail is well-marked — nearly every mile is numbered — and she recommends downloading the Maprika app for GPS tracking without cell service. I found Gaia GPS to be a good app for offline maps too.
• Fires: Check the Lone Star Hiking Trail Club’s website before heading out; fire bans and prescribed burns are common. Backpacker stoves are typically allowed during fire bans.
Trail Tips and Essentials
Packing List (This is from my past hiking trips + the author’s list):
• Essentials: orange vest (for hunting season), water bottles, headlamp, first aid kit, bear canister, hand sanitizer, toothbrush, toothpaste, wipes, fuel canister, and sunscreen.
• Clothes (It is recommended to wear layers of synthetic clothing for changing temperatures that can dry more easily. Cotton is not a good choice. Lightweight long pants and a light long shirt will keep the sun, brush, and insects off you.): synthetic layers, rain gear, hiking socks, waterproof shoes, a hat, and a breezy long-sleeve shirt to block bugs and brush.
• Gear: backpack, tent (Hammocks are good for sleeping. Pretty much all tent-camping sites are good for hammock camping. Closed tents are a must in the summer with mosquitos.), sleeping bag (20°F–40°F for fall/winter), sleeping pad, and rain cover, tarp.
• Cell Service: Somers warns that cell coverage is very limited under the forest canopy (We found AT&T to be pretty reliable).
• Other must-haves: water filter (Platypus or Sawyer), AllTrails/Maprika/Gaia GPS app for GPS tracking without cell service, and a multi-tool.
Check Before you go
• Weather conditions (rainfall)
• Trail Closures
• Hunting Season info
• Prescribed burns
• Water levels
Final Thoughts
Somers’s book is part guide, part history lesson, and part survival manual.
It’s the kind of book you read once to plan your trip, and then bring along as a reference on the trail.
She gives you lots of details — where to park, what to pack, what to wear, and what to watch out for.
The tone is practical but friendly, and the amount of research she’s done is impressive.
After Hike:
First 20 miles.
I expected the hike to be a lot flatter and easier than it was after reading several reviews about it online. It had several gully’s (river crossings) that went down into the river bed then up again and most were steep inclines. There were also many uneven sections of the trail with roots, gravel, and inclines.
The first day we hiked 8.7 miles from Parking Lot #1 to Parking Lot #3. We were planning to camp at Caney Creek Primitive Campsite, but we couldn’t hike the additional 3 miles due to it being too far for our feet and darkness outside. Spending the night at parking lot #3 was very loud, but we slept good enough and felt safe.
We were surprised by how little amenities are offered along the trail. None of the parking lots had trash cans, bathrooms, water spigots, or picnic tables.
We didn’t really see any animals other than the occasional squirrel.
We learned the max we can comfortably hike in a day backpacking is 7 miles.
What I would do in the future. Map
Day 1 – 6.5mi
Mile 1 – Start at LSHT #1 Parking Lot
Mile 3 – 3.2mi LSHT #2 Parking Lot – Leave water jug here.
Mile 6 – 6.5mi Stay at Circle C Camp Grounds – Showers, table, fire pit, adjacent to trail system
Day 2 – 5.3mi
Mile 8 – 8.7mi LSHT #3 Parking Lot (could leave water jug here too)
Mile 11 – 11.1mi Walk 0.1mi down from where the spur for the campground is to get water from Caney Creek stream, Walk back 0.1mi to take spur and Stay at Caney Creek Campground (Google says it’s 11.8 miles total)
Day 3 – 7.9mi
Mile 11 – 11.2mi Get water from Caney Creek again
Mile 16 - 16.5mi Lake Conroe Shoreline (5 DROPS), Have lunch here and stick feet in water.
Mile 19 – 19.7mi Stubblefield Lake Campground (FCFS, 30 sites, restrooms, hot showers, potable water, tent sites with picnic tables $15/night) (Google says this is 19.9 miles to campsite, 72 elevation gain and 105 elevation loss, 2hr 59min)
Day 4 – 9.2mi
Mile 21 – 21.6 Leave water on Possum Wal Rd
Mile 28 – 28.9mi Primitive Camping and water pond (3 DROPS, Google says 29.4mi)
Day 5 – 5.2mi
Mile 28 – 28.9mi Primitive Camping and water pond (3 DROPS, Google says 29.4mi) – fill up on water
Mile 33 - Water at Prairie Branch Creek?
Mile 35 – Trailhead #7 Parking Lot (Google says this is 34.1 miles to lot, 633 elevation gain and 413 elevation loss, 5hr 17min)
P.S. I've only hiked a small section, and will keep updating my review as I revisit.
Somers brings serious trail cred to the table—she’s not only hiked the LSHT multiple times but also completed the entire 2,175-mile Appalachian Trail and the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail. That experience shines through in the book’s thoughtful details: comprehensive gear lists, precise mile-by-mile water notes, and practical safety advice that could save any beginner from a tough day on the trail.
That said, while this guide is incredibly helpful for getting started, I found that it sometimes went into too much detail in certain areas and not quite enough in others. I loved learning about all the sights and natural highlights along the way, but I was still unsure about some of the logistics—like how the shuttle system worked, where to stay, or where to find food nearby. The book does give a sense of how big the nearby towns are, but I was hoping for something a bit more rounded, like a National Geographic–style guidebook.
Still, it’s an excellent resource and a clear labor of love. Maybe Version 3 will bring that next level of depth!
Brief History
The Lone Star Hiking Trail was first proposed in 1966 by members of the Lone Star Chapter of the Sierra Club, who wanted to create a true long-distance hiking route in Texas. Working with the U.S. Forest Service, volunteers carved the trail through the East Texas Piney Woods, and the final section was completed in 1978.
What makes this trail unique is how it was — and still is — built and maintained. The U.S. Forest Service oversees the bridges and signage, while the real backbone of the trail comes from volunteers: members of the Lone Star Hiking Trail Club, the Houston Regional Group of the Sierra Club, and even the Boy Scouts of America. Decades later, their combined effort still keeps the path clear, the mile markers visible, and the campsites in shape for new hikers.
Before the trail existed, this region was the heart of East Texas’s logging boom between the 1880s and 1920s. More than 18 million acres of pine forest were cut down — a $59 billion industry that eventually collapsed when the timber ran out. Some of the old logging rail beds still run beneath your feet as you hike, and though there are no remaining virgin trees, you’ll see second-growth pines more than a century old. It’s one of those places where you can literally walk through Texas’s industrial past — and its natural recovery.
Wildlife & Plants
The book gives a great rundown of what to expect in the woods:
• Birds: red-cockaded woodpecker (endangered, at Stubblefield Lake), bald eagle, barred owl, and even the occasional peregrine falcon.
• Mammals: bobcats, deer, raccoons, coyotes, pigs, and foxes.
• Water creatures: otters, beavers, paddlefish, and the occasional **American alligator** along Lake Conroe or Stubblefield Lake—though they’re shy and rarely seen.
• Insects and reptiles: the usual suspects for Texas — mosquitoes, ticks, chiggers, and several venomous snakes (rattlesnakes, cottonmouths, coral snakes, and water moccasins). Somers doesn’t sugarcoat it: this is Texas wilderness. You’ll want bug spray, wipes, and chafing cream. Bring a tarp to sit on instead of the ground to avoid chiggers. She also notes black widow and brown recluse spiders hide under logs — best not to touch anything without looking first. Check for ticks nightly. Several diseases are only transmitted after the tick feeds in a 24-hour window. Possible diseases from ticks in these areas are lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, ehrlichiosis, and relapsing fever. Early symptoms may include a rash around the bite or headaches, fever, fatigue, muscle aches, and joint pain.
• Plants: Poisonous - Poison oak, poison sumac, poison ivy
Lodging and Parking
If you need a base camp, Huntsville State Park is the most convenient:
$7 daily entrance fee + $15/night tent camping; includes: restrooms, showers, vending machines, fishing dock, and even kayak rentals.
Free parking lots are scattered along the trail, including:
• Trailhead #1 (Richards, FM 149)
• Trailhead #7 (just above Huntsville State Park)
There’s even a friendly ‘LSHT Facebook group’ where locals offer ‘shuttle rides’ between trailheads.
Food
Hikers who start their trip near Huntsville have some great local options.
A few highly-rated options from my own research:
• Carbonero Rotisserie Charbroiled Chicken – 4.6⭐ Salvadoran food, pupusas, open till 9 PM.
• Farmhouse Café – 4.5⭐ classic Southern food, chicken-fried steak, pie, open till 9 PM.
• Sam’s Table & Gray Horse – 4.6⭐ local favorite, good prices, open till 9 PM.
• Joe’s Italian Grill – 4.8⭐ pasta, open till 9 PM.
• Texoro Mexican Restaurant – 4.7⭐, open till 9 PM.
• Restaurant Hondureño La Bendición – 4.7⭐ Honduran food, open till 9 PM.
• El Tapatio #2 – 4.7⭐ street tacos, open till 11 PM.
Seasons and Safety
• Fall brings cold fronts and rain.
• August–September are peak hurricane months — she strongly warns against hiking then, since inland hurricanes can cause tornadoes and flooding.
• October means hunting season — wear fluorescent orange.
• Ticks are still active, but mosquitoes and flies thin out.
Camping Rules
• Water: Potable water is available at Stubblefield Lake Campground, Huntsville State Park, and Double Lake Recreation Area. Otherwise, you’ll need to filter or treat your water to avoid Giardia. The book uses a simple “DROPS” system (Drought Resistance of Point Source, the more drops, the more reliable the source). www.lonestartrail.org for most current water conditions. Plan for two liters per person per day. Most people leave water at different points on the trail (usually the parking lots) and pick up their empty jugs after the hike is completed.
• Camping: No permits required, but camping is prohibited within 300 feet of trailheads and in the Big Creek Scenic Area. During hunting season, you must camp only in designated sites. Somers advises hanging your food or using a canister to protect it from raccoons.
• Navigation: The trail is well-marked — nearly every mile is numbered — and she recommends downloading the Maprika app for GPS tracking without cell service. I found Gaia GPS to be a good app for offline maps too.
• Fires: Check the Lone Star Hiking Trail Club’s website before heading out; fire bans and prescribed burns are common. Backpacker stoves are typically allowed during fire bans.
Trail Tips and Essentials
Packing List (This is from my past hiking trips + the author’s list):
• Essentials: orange vest (for hunting season), water bottles, headlamp, first aid kit, bear canister, hand sanitizer, toothbrush, toothpaste, wipes, fuel canister, and sunscreen.
• Clothes (It is recommended to wear layers of synthetic clothing for changing temperatures that can dry more easily. Cotton is not a good choice. Lightweight long pants and a light long shirt will keep the sun, brush, and insects off you.): synthetic layers, rain gear, hiking socks, waterproof shoes, a hat, and a breezy long-sleeve shirt to block bugs and brush.
• Gear: backpack, tent (Hammocks are good for sleeping. Pretty much all tent-camping sites are good for hammock camping. Closed tents are a must in the summer with mosquitos.), sleeping bag (20°F–40°F for fall/winter), sleeping pad, and rain cover, tarp.
• Cell Service: Somers warns that cell coverage is very limited under the forest canopy (We found AT&T to be pretty reliable).
• Other must-haves: water filter (Platypus or Sawyer), AllTrails/Maprika/Gaia GPS app for GPS tracking without cell service, and a multi-tool.
Check Before you go
• Weather conditions (rainfall)
• Trail Closures
• Hunting Season info
• Prescribed burns
• Water levels
Final Thoughts
Somers’s book is part guide, part history lesson, and part survival manual.
It’s the kind of book you read once to plan your trip, and then bring along as a reference on the trail.
She gives you lots of details — where to park, what to pack, what to wear, and what to watch out for.
The tone is practical but friendly, and the amount of research she’s done is impressive.
After Hike:
First 20 miles.
I expected the hike to be a lot flatter and easier than it was after reading several reviews about it online. It had several gully’s (river crossings) that went down into the river bed then up again and most were steep inclines. There were also many uneven sections of the trail with roots, gravel, and inclines.
The first day we hiked 8.7 miles from Parking Lot #1 to Parking Lot #3. We were planning to camp at Caney Creek Primitive Campsite, but we couldn’t hike the additional 3 miles due to it being too far for our feet and darkness outside. Spending the night at parking lot #3 was very loud, but we slept good enough and felt safe.
We were surprised by how little amenities are offered along the trail. None of the parking lots had trash cans, bathrooms, water spigots, or picnic tables.
We didn’t really see any animals other than the occasional squirrel.
We learned the max we can comfortably hike in a day backpacking is 7 miles.
What I would do in the future. Map
Day 1 – 6.5mi
Mile 1 – Start at LSHT #1 Parking Lot
Mile 3 – 3.2mi LSHT #2 Parking Lot – Leave water jug here.
Mile 6 – 6.5mi Stay at Circle C Camp Grounds – Showers, table, fire pit, adjacent to trail system
Day 2 – 5.3mi
Mile 8 – 8.7mi LSHT #3 Parking Lot (could leave water jug here too)
Mile 11 – 11.1mi Walk 0.1mi down from where the spur for the campground is to get water from Caney Creek stream, Walk back 0.1mi to take spur and Stay at Caney Creek Campground (Google says it’s 11.8 miles total)
Day 3 – 7.9mi
Mile 11 – 11.2mi Get water from Caney Creek again
Mile 16 - 16.5mi Lake Conroe Shoreline (5 DROPS), Have lunch here and stick feet in water.
Mile 19 – 19.7mi Stubblefield Lake Campground (FCFS, 30 sites, restrooms, hot showers, potable water, tent sites with picnic tables $15/night) (Google says this is 19.9 miles to campsite, 72 elevation gain and 105 elevation loss, 2hr 59min)
Day 4 – 9.2mi
Mile 21 – 21.6 Leave water on Possum Wal Rd
Mile 28 – 28.9mi Primitive Camping and water pond (3 DROPS, Google says 29.4mi)
Day 5 – 5.2mi
Mile 28 – 28.9mi Primitive Camping and water pond (3 DROPS, Google says 29.4mi) – fill up on water
Mile 33 - Water at Prairie Branch Creek?
Mile 35 – Trailhead #7 Parking Lot (Google says this is 34.1 miles to lot, 633 elevation gain and 413 elevation loss, 5hr 17min)
P.S. I've only hiked a small section, and will keep updating my review as I revisit.
March 29, 2018
I used this book as my trail guide over the 6 days it took to thru-hike the Lone Star Trail. It provided me with all the information I needed to make informed decisions about water sources and camp sites and plan my daily trek accordingly. I was pleased to find that despite the fact that more than a decade has passed since this book was published, the book remained relevant in 2018, with the exception of a few foot bridges and boardwalks having been washed out and some changes in tree growth in sections that were apparently clear-cuts in 2005. I would recommend this book to anyone intending to thru or section hike this trail.
December 17, 2019
This guide book is just that, a mostly technical approach to planning and executing a trip on this unique trail just north of Houston. It is one of those uncrowded mostly unknown places that seems like it doesn't get enough general interest. However I would love a little more story in a similar book, for inspiration to tackle something like this, as this challenges' about 10 days hiking seems much more manageable than tackling the Appalachian Trail.
January 9, 2022
Excellent detailed guidebook of Texas only long distance hiking route. Whether you’re heading out for a day hike or a multi-day thru hike you will be prepared with the guide. Weighing in at 1/2 a pound it’s also realistic to be able to pack along. Hopefully someday soon I will be able to tote this book with me in East Texas as I partake in the adventure.
October 25, 2023
A well structured guide to the Lone Star Trail. I’ve been familiar with the eastern end of it from various fishing adventures in the Sam Houston National Forest, but this guide tells you everything you need to know to hike it in its entirety.
November 23, 2018
Exactly what I was looking for in a trail guide. Enjoyed the history of the trail and detailed descriptions of plants and wildlife along the trail.
January 16, 2013
Let's go for a hike! 100 miles! Yes!
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