Lone Star Hiking Trail

The Lone Star Hiking Trail is a 155 km point-to-point trail in Texas, United States, gaining 1,381 m of elevation across Sam Houston National Forest. Rated easy, it is the longest continuous hiking trail in Texas, threading through longleaf pine forests, cypress-lined bayous, and federally designated wilderness over an estimated 7–10 days on trail.

About the Lone Star Hiking Trail

Stretching 96 miles (155 km) from the western edge of Sam Houston National Forest near Richards, Texas, to the forest's eastern boundary northwest of Cleveland, the Lone Star Hiking Trail (LSHT) is Texas's premier long-distance footpath. An additional 32 miles of loop and crossover trails branch off the main corridor, giving hikers options for shorter loops and day trips without retracing steps.

The trail was conceived by the Sierra Club's Lone Star Chapter in 1966. Flagging began in 1967, the first 30 miles were constructed in 1968, and the full trail was completed and transferred to the US Forest Service in 1972. A western extension was approved and completed in 1978, bringing the route to its current length. The trail is maintained jointly by the Lone Star Hiking Trail Club and the USFS.

Unlike many Western long trails, the LSHT is not a mountain route. It traverses the gently rolling piney woods of southeast Texas — a landscape of loblolly pine, water oak, magnolia, and American beech. Creek crossings (some requiring wading after rain), exposed root sections, and boggy stretches in the bottomlands give the trail its character. Elevation changes are modest, with a cumulative gain of 1,381 m spread over the full length, but wet conditions can make it physically demanding. The LSHT is marked throughout with two-inch by four-inch aluminum blazes nailed to trees.

Sam Houston National Forest covers 163,000 acres and is managed by the US Forest Service. No motorized vehicles are permitted on the trail corridor.

Route Overview & Stages

The LSHT runs west to east, connecting three distinct forest management areas. Most thru-hikers complete it in 7–10 days, averaging 15–22 km per day. The route passes through three named sections, each with distinct character and terrain.

The western trailhead is located near Richards, TX (off FM 1375). The eastern terminus sits northwest of Cleveland, TX, near FM 945. Car shuttles between the two points take approximately 1.5 hours by road, making the point-to-point direction highly practical.

Highlights & Points of Interest

• Little Lake Creek Wilderness — A 3,855-acre congressionally designated wilderness in the western section, offering solitude and old-growth bottomland hardwoods. No mechanized equipment is permitted, so the forest remains particularly quiet and undisturbed.
• Four Notch Loop — A 9.2-mile (14.8 km) side loop branching off the main corridor in the western section. It passes through Four Notch, a historically significant area where Civil War–era settlers notched trees for navigation.
• Big Creek Scenic Area — Found in the central section, this low-lying creek corridor features American beech, magnolia, and loblolly pine stands draped in Spanish moss, with Big Creek itself providing a reliable water source along the route.
• Stubblefield Recreation Area — A USFS day-use and camping area mid-trail, offering potable water, restrooms, and a boat ramp on Lake Conroe. It marks the transition between the western and central sections and is the most accessible resupply point on the full trail.
• Double Lake Recreation Area — Near the start of the eastern section, Double Lake offers a USFS campground with swimming, fishing, and potable water. It is one of the few developed facilities with reliable seasonal staffing and makes an ideal rest stop before the final push east.
• Winters Bayou Scenic Area — A quiet bayou corridor in the eastern section lined with towering bald cypress and tupelo gum trees — an unexpectedly dramatic landscape that forms the trail's closing chapter.
• Tarkington Creek Crossing — One of the more memorable water crossings on the eastern stretch. After heavy rain, Tarkington Creek can run knee-deep, adding an element of adventure to the final miles before Cleveland.
• Sam Houston National Forest Pine Plantations — Throughout the route, active timber management areas contrast with older second-growth stands, illustrating the working-forest character of national forest land across the American South.

Best Time to Hike the Lone Star Hiking Trail

Southeast Texas has a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and mild winters. The LSHT is firmly a cool-season trail — summer hiking is strongly discouraged due to extreme heat, high humidity, venomous snakes at peak activity, and dense vegetation that traps heat and restricts airflow.

November through March is the primary hiking window. Daytime highs sit between 12 °C and 22 °C, overnight lows can dip to 3–7 °C but rarely freeze, and mosquito pressure is minimal. Rainfall averages 70–90 mm per month even in winter; creek crossings can be affected by heavy rain events, so carry gaiters and check weather forecasts before departure.

The single best month is November. Foliage is turning in the hardwood bottomlands, temperatures are ideal for sustained daily mileage, and the trail sees its lowest visitor numbers before the holiday period. As of 2026, the USFS recommends checking trail condition reports via the Lone Star Hiking Trail Club bulletin board before any winter trip, as fallen trees after storm events can slow progress significantly in the bottomland sections.

April brings wildflowers and longer daylight but also rising heat, ticks, and the first wave of mosquitoes. Early-season hikers who can tolerate humidity will find it workable. May through October is best avoided entirely by all but the most experienced, heat-conditioned backpackers.

Practical Information

Accommodation

The LSHT is a backcountry trail with no huts or hostels along the route. Accommodation falls into three categories:

• Primitive trail camping — Free along the main corridor (except during November–December deer hunting season, when hikers must camp in designated sites only). No reservation required. Carry water or treat from streams; no established facilities at primitive sites.
• USFS developed campgrounds — Stubblefield Recreation Area (approximately $10–20 USD / €9–18 per night) and Double Lake Recreation Area (approximately $15–25 USD / €14–23 per night). Reservations available via Recreation.gov. Potable water and pit toilets provided at both.
• Town accommodation — Huntsville, TX (on US-190, 25 km south of the central trailhead zone) has motels from roughly €55–110 per night. Cleveland, TX (near the eastern trailhead) has limited budget motel options in the €50–80 range. Both towns serve as resupply and rest-day bases for thru-hikers.

Getting There & Back

The Lone Star Hiking Trail has no public transport access. A private vehicle or car hire is essential for reaching both trailheads.

• Nearest major airport: Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), approximately 90 km south of the central trailhead area. Houston William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) is a viable alternative for domestic connections, also roughly 90–100 km south. Travel time from IAH to the western trailhead near Richards is approximately 1.5 hours by car.
• Car shuttle: The western trailhead (FM 1375, near Richards) and eastern trailhead (FM 945, near Cleveland) are approximately 90 km apart by road. Most thru-hikers arrange a shuttle via the Lone Star Hiking Trail Club's shuttle board, or leave a vehicle at each end with a second driver.
• Nearest town to western trailhead: Richards, TX (population ~600), which has no services. Huntsville, TX (25 km south on US-190) has grocery stores, fuel, and a Walmart for final resupply.
• Nearest town to eastern trailhead: Cleveland, TX (population ~8,000) has grocery stores, fuel, and basic services within 15 km of the trailhead.

Permits & Fees

No permit or trail fee is required to hike the Lone Star Hiking Trail. The corridor crosses US Forest Service land, which is free and open to the public. Fees apply only at developed recreation areas.

• Primitive camping: Free, no reservation required
• Stubblefield Recreation Area camping: ~$10–20 USD (€9–18)
• Double Lake Recreation Area camping: ~$15–25 USD (€14–23)
• Hunting season restriction: During the Texas deer hunting season (approximately November–December), primitive off-trail camping is prohibited; hikers must use designated campsites. Check the USFS Texas district website for exact season dates each year.
• Leave No Trace: Campfires are subject to USFS fire restrictions that change seasonally; a canister stove is strongly recommended year-round.

Full current regulations are available from the Lone Star Hiking Trail Club, which publishes the definitive trail guidebook and maintains updated blaze maps for the entire route.

Gear & Packing List

The LSHT's easy difficulty rating belies real logistical demands: water carries of 8–16 km between reliable sources, mud and creek crossings in the bottomlands, and humidity that persists even in late autumn. A well-chosen pack makes the difference between a comfortable thru-hike and a punishing slog.

• Backpack (50–65 L recommended): A multi-day load carrying camp kit, 4–5 days of food between resupply points, and a water filter needs a capable pack. Consider the Osprey Aether 65 for a proven all-rounder with a structured carry, the Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 60 for a serious ultralight build that trims base weight below 700 g, or the Deuter Aircontact Core 50+10 for a traditional, padded load-lifter. For a full comparison, see our guide to the best ultralight backpacks of 2026.
• Water filtration: The LSHT has water sources every 8–16 km, but many are creeks that run turbid after rain. Carry a squeeze-type filter (Sawyer Squeeze or Katadyn BeFree) and a 2–3 L soft-flask capacity.
• Footwear: Waterproof trail runners or low-cut boots for creek crossings; neoprene or trail gaiters for muddy bottomland stretches. Avoid heavy leather boots — the trail is flat enough that ankle support matters less than drying time.
• Insect protection: Permethrin-treated clothing plus DEET or picaridin for exposed skin. Ticks are active year-round in southeast Texas, even in December and January.
• Navigation: Download the GAIA GPS or onX Backcountry app with the LSHT overlay before leaving cell range. The aluminum blazes are reliable but can be obscured by dense vegetation and fallen limbs after storms.
• Food planning: At 15–22 km per day with a loaded pack, plan for 2,500–3,500 calories daily. Read our breakdown of how many calories you need hiking a full day before building your food list.
• Shelter: A lightweight tarp or single-wall tent rated to 5 °C suits most November–March conditions. A groundsheet adds insulation from damp forest floors and protects your shelter floor from root punctures.

Similar Trails You Might Like

If the Lone Star Hiking Trail's forest character, easy gradient, and multi-day backcountry structure appeal to you, these other US routes offer comparable or more ambitious experiences. The Pacific Crest Trail and Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (4,988 km) represent the pinnacle of American long-distance backpacking, while shorter western classics — the Half Dome Trail, Angels Landing–West Rim Trail, and Mount Whitney Trail — deliver iconic alpine scenery for hikers who want a dramatic summit experience rather than a months-long thru-hike commitment.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to hike the Lone Star Hiking Trail?

November through March is the prime hiking window, when southeast Texas temperatures sit between 12 °C and 22 °C and mosquitoes are minimal. November is the single best month: ideal temperatures, autumn colour in the hardwood bottomlands, and low trail traffic before the holiday period. Avoid May through October due to extreme heat and oppressive humidity.

How difficult is the Lone Star Hiking Trail?

The LSHT is rated easy in terms of elevation — cumulative gain is 1,381 m over 155 km, with no major sustained climbs. However, mud, creek crossings that may require wading, dense vegetation, and long water carries between sources can make sections physically demanding, especially after rain. Backcountry navigation experience and a reliable water filtration system are both recommended.

How many kilometres per day should I plan?

Most thru-hikers cover 15–22 km per day, completing the 155 km main trail in 7–10 days. The western and central sections move faster on firmer, drier terrain; the eastern bottomlands near Tarkington Creek slow progress with mud and crossings. Plan shorter days of 12–15 km through the eastern section, and budget a rest day at Stubblefield or Double Lake if carrying a heavier load.

What accommodation is available on the trail?

There are no huts or hostels on the LSHT. Free primitive backcountry camping is available along the main corridor (except during November–December deer hunting season, when designated campsites must be used). Developed USFS campgrounds at Stubblefield and Double Lake offer potable water and toilets for €9–23 per night. Huntsville and Cleveland both have motel options for town stops before or after the trail.

Do I need a permit to hike the Lone Star Hiking Trail?

No permit is required to hike or camp on the LSHT. The trail crosses US Forest Service land that is free and open to the public. Fees of €9–23 per night apply only at developed recreation areas (Stubblefield and Double Lake). During deer hunting season (approximately November–December), primitive off-trail camping is prohibited; hikers must use designated campsites. No advance registration is needed for any part of the trail.