Need advise for overnight or 2 night backpacking near-ish Dallas

[mentatix]

I've been slowly collecting gear and hanging out at TX state parks with the whole family all year. It's been a lot of fun, but my oldest son and I want to hit the trails and do an overnight or two night backpacking trip with the hammocks.

So where are the best places to go? We're based on the east side of Dallas, but I could see driving a ways for good spots.

[hikehunter]

There is a trail at lake Texhoma, there is a few short ones in east Texas, and then there is some in southern OK.
Most of the trails with in a few hours drive of DFW are 2 day trails. Maybe 3 if you do low milage. I have not heard about LELA yet.

[varga49]

https://tpwd.texas.gov/
Check this site out.. Might help!

[wrangler88]

Cross Timbers Trail is probably the best near here. Lone Star Hiking Trail (after hunting season) is an option.

[mentatix]

https://tpwd.texas.gov/
Check this site out.. Might help!

I love that site for the state parks and their reservation system. We have found a lot of awesome stuff there. Purtis Creek state park is pretty great for primitive camping near here, but the furthest camp site is only 1.5 miles from the parking lot and its no good for hammocks. We had a lot of fun paddling at various state parks all summer.

What we're looking for is someplace with can put on a pack and do a good day of hiking. Maybe I'm just being dense, but I'm having a hard time finding good info on a place like that.

[mentatix]

Cross Timbers Trail is probably the best near here. Lone Star Hiking Trail (after hunting season) is an option.

Thanks for the pointers. I saw Cross Timbers Trail mentioned in another thread here in my searches. That one looks pretty cool, and its pretty close to my parents house.

Any good places to check out a little further afield?

[varga49]

I love that site for the state parks and their reservation system. We have found a lot of awesome stuff there. Purtis Creek state park is pretty great for primitive camping near here, but the furthest camp site is only 1.5 miles from the parking lot and its no good for hammocks. We had a lot of fun paddling at various state parks all summer.

What we're looking for is someplace with can put on a pack and do a good day of hiking. Maybe I'm just being dense, but I'm having a hard time finding good info on a place like that.

That's going to be difficult anywhere in Texas as public lands are few and far between. The reasons for this are to be found in the historical origins of this state. That said sometimes you can find a ranch/land owner that allows one to camp on. Do a little homework and research resources for landowners that will let you camp on their land for a small (usually) fee.
Places like Big Bend state natural area do offer that but that's the high desert which means no trees to hang on...
I'm a car camper (albeit gravitating towards UL) by circumstance mostly because there's no public land be to hike in a full day. I'm fortunate enough to have access to about 100 acres here in my neck of the woods. Also keep in mind it's hunting season now until January 2nd (I think) good luck! Have fun!

[cneill13]

Try Pedernales Falls state park in central Texas.

A bit of a drive from Dallas but beautiful country.

Carl

[wrangler88]

Maybe Dinosaur Valley state park? They have longer backpacking trails and a couple loops that can be hooked together to extend the trip a bit. Still only enough for an overnight though. If all this rain doesn't close the park by next weekend, I'm going to go out and try to stay one night. I can report back as to hanging possibilities. I've tent camped out there before and the trails are nice. Have to cross the river right off the bat though. I don't know if that will be possible with all the rain.

[justicehaze]

I would definitely go check out the Oachita Mountains in Arkansas. It's really close to you. Enough trails you could easily put something together.