Huntsville State Park Hiking Trails: Best Trails for a Quick Visit
Which Huntsville State Park hiking trails are best for a quick visit?
There are 8 hiking trails in Huntsville State Park crossing 5 points of interest. They range from 0.2 mi to 8.4 mi round-trip, with easy, moderate, and challenging difficulty.
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The best trails for a quick visit depend on the season and on how long you plan to spend in the park. The park’s busy season is from mid-February to Thanksgiving. September is their wettest month, so expect trail closures.
We came from the south of Fort Worth and visited Fort Boggy State Park in Centerville first. After Huntsville, we went to College Station to see our son.
It was in mid-January, one of my favorite hiking months. The temperature was in the mid-50s.
Now let’s see which trails I hike at Huntsville State Park for a quick visit.
Huntsville State Park Hiking Trails Map PDF
This Huntsville State Park Trail Map PDF shows the trails in different colors, where they’re located in the park, and the points of interest you will see along some of them.
All trails and roads are open to hiking and biking unless otherwise indicated.
Huntsville State Park Hiking Trails For a Quick Visit
I’m on a mission to visit 26 Texas State Parks in 2026. Texas State Parks that I haven’t visited before. I will hike some trails in the park. It’s not just taking pictures by the sign and driving around. I hike with my dog, Snoopy, while my husband drives us around.
Here are the trails in Huntsville State Park that I did with my dog. It’s slightly over 4 miles:
Loblolly Trail
I started the hike in the park on Loblolly Trail behind the Nature Center. It is an easy 0.2-mile round-trip trail, perfect for a family with little ones. You can skip it and go straight to the next trail, which is also behind the Nature Center.
Chinquapin Trail – part of it
Chinquapin Trail is a 6.9-mi challenging loop trail. If you want to see the whole park, this is the one. The trail encircles the lake.
I did part of it from behind the Nature Center to the Headwater Boardwalks. It is point of interest number 2 on the map. I walked a few yards past the end of the boardwalk before turning around.
This part of Chinquapin Trail is easy and covered with towering pines and hardwoods. It’s a beautiful hike, about 1.6 mi.
After turning around, I continued with trail number 3.
Prairie Branch Loop, Highly Errosive Trail Hiking Only
Prairie Branch Loop is a 1.5 mi moderate loop. There are two different habitats on this loop. Half of it is along the shore of Lake Raven – Highly Errosive Trail Hiking Only – and the other half is through the mixed pine and hardwood forest.
I planned to hike along the shore of Lake Raven, but I was afraid we would encounter an alligator on the trail. Yes, there are alligators in the park, but I don’t know where you mostly see them. I didn’t know what Snoopy would do if we saw one. That day was too cold for the alligators to bask in the sun, but who knows.
When I saw a guy with his dog hiking towards the shore of Lake Raven, I followed them.
There were offshoots to the lake, but I stayed on the main trail until I reached the Prairie Branch Camping Area.
I could see people hiking on the Prairie Branch Loop. The trail is a little higher than the shore trail.
Park Road to Boat Rentals
I wanted to see the CCC Lodge in the park, so I walked on the park road and checked out the camping area, including the shelter sites.
I passed the fishing pier, and there’s a sign: “Do Not Tease or Feed Alligators.” Ahh… I don’t think I want to camp near there. Lol.
The lodge was a major feature in the park. It was built by the CCC in 1939.
My husband picked me up at the Park Store near the boat rentals. From there, we drove to Coloneh Camping Area.
Coloneh Trail
Coloneh Trail is an easy, 0.8 mi short trail. It was named after one of Huntsville’s most famous residents – General Sam Houston. Cherokee Chief Oolooteka gave him the name “Coloneh” (Raven).
From here, we left the park, visited Big Sam, and drove through the cowboy hat and boot houses.
Note: If you don’t have a designated driver, park at the Nature Center. From the Prairie Branch Loop, continue on Dogwood Trail along the park road to the Nature Center. This is what I would do when visiting in the spring, when dogwoods are blooming.
Other Things to Do at Huntsville State Park
Huntsville State Park is beautiful, situated in the East Texas Pineywoods. Besides hiking, here are other things to do in the park:
– camp
– bike
– picnic
– fish
– swim
– paddle
– geocache
– study nature
Things to Do After Hiking at Huntsville State Park
1. Stop at Sam Houston Statue & Visitor Center
The Sam Houston Statue, or Big Sam, is an awe-inspiring 67-foot tribute to one of Texas’ greatest heroes. It stands on a 10-foot-tall Texas sunset granite base, visible from more than 6 miles to the south on I-45. The Sam Houston Statue is the tallest figure of an American hero in the world. Huntsville-born artist David Adickes created it.
Address: 7600 TX-75.
2. Drive Through Cowboy Hat and Boot Houses
If you enjoy roadside attractions, you must see these Cowboy Hat and Boot Houses. You can see them from the car, or park at the nearby neighborhood and then walk to the front of the houses. It is on a busy road, so be careful. Or, you can stay at the Cowboy Hat House. It is now an Airbnb.
Address: 2640 11th St.
Conclusion
If you plan to visit all Texas State Parks and don’t plan to camp at Huntsville State Park, this itinerary is for you. You are not only hiking, but also seeing some points of interest in the park. Spend around two hours, then continue to nearby state parks, such as Lake Livingston State Park, Fanthorp Inn State Historic Site, or Fort Boggy State Park.
Address: 565 Park Road 40 W, Huntsville.
Entrance Fees: 13 years & older $7 daily, 12 years & under Free.
Hours: Open daily, 6 a.m. – 10 p.m.
