One of my hobbies is backpacking. Although I’ve backpacked in several states (including WY, VT, & NM), the majority of my experience has been in Texas. Texas has 11 ecological regions but it can sometimes be difficult to gather information on the best backpacking trails. From the Gulf Coast, to the Trans Pecos desert, through the Piney Woods and Guadalupe Mountains, Texas is a great place to backpack! Here is my list of the best trails for overnight backpackers. These trails are more than 10 miles in length and have primitive camping areas. Some require backcountry permits.

Central Texas (Hill Country)
Good Water Trail	Lake Georgetown	26 mile loop
East,West, Maple Trails	Lost Maples State Natural Area	10 mile loop
Lake Somerville Trailway	Lake Somerville State Park	13 miles straight
East Texas (Piney Woods)
Lone Star Trail	Sam Houston National Forest	100 miles straight
Trail Between the Lakes	Sabine National Forest	28 miles straight
Four C Trail	Davy Crockett National Forest	20 miles straight
Turkey Creek Trail	Big Thicket National Preserve	15 miles straight
West Texas (Trans Pecos)
Outer Mountain Loop	Big Bend National Park	30 mile loop
Mesa de Anguila Trail	Big Bend National Park	14 to 24 mile loop
Chisos Mountain Trail System	Big Bend National Park	10 to 16 mile loop
Marufo Vega Trail	Big Bend National Park	14 mile loop
Guadalupe Mountains Trail System	Guadalupe Mountains National Park	10 to 60 mile loop
Texas Panhandle (High Plains)
Caprock Canyons Trailway	Caprock Canyons State Park	64 miles straight

Here are other backpacking areas with trails that are 5 miles or less. Usually good for younger scouts or beginners.

• Bastrop State Park
• Colorado Bend State Park
• Hill Country State Natural Area
• Inks Lake State Park
• Mother Neff State Park
• Perdenales Falls State Park
• Enchanted Rock State Park
• Dinosoar Valley State Park
• Fairfield Lake State Park
• Lake Bob Sandlin State Park
• Purtis Creek State Park