Overlanding the Lone Star State, Ross Aguirre

Overlanding the Lone Star State

It’s the end of the workday on Friday and I’m packed and ready to go. One of my favorite spots in Southwest Texas is well worth the eight-hour haul from Houston. Midnight arrives before I finally get to the first dirt road on my journey and there are still 25 miles to go, over an hour between me and my camp for the night but I’m excited. I can feel my right foot lean heavy on the accelerator as the fragrance of sage in bloom fills the air. Cattle guards are common here but my GX470 floats over them easily with my Dobinsons MRR suspension. Suddenly, at 45mph in the dark of night, I hit one of them at an unusual incline and caught air. The next hour and half is consumed fixing the bent bulbar that the unexpected obstacle has gifted me. Eventually I make it to camp and find a semi-level spot to park my rig, open the Quick Pitch RTT, and fall asleep. The next morning, I am greeted with all of the beautiful scenery surrounding the bedrock slab that is our camp. With no cell service and the weekend to burn, our group spent most of our time relaxing in the river and taking walks upstream. This annual end-of-summer relaxation trip is something that I look forward to all year. The wonderful people that make up Go Native Overland are such a pleasure to be around.

Overlanding in Texas may not be what most people visualize. Generally speaking, overlanding conjures up visons of roof tents popped open against a backdrop of towering snowcapped peaks in the distance or an intense steep rocky trail beyond a deep-water crossing. But from 20-foot-tall pinstripe-screeching Ocotillo plants and mesquite in the West to the deep piny woods and thick clay in the East, Texas has much more to offer those looking for an overland touring adventure than most realize. It is true that approximately 95% of the lone star state is private land. At 268,597 square miles Texas is the largest state in the lower 48 by far; yet only 1.8% of it is federal land, and that includes military bases. There are four National Forests, two National Parks, three National Grasslands, one National Sea Shore, and two National Recreational areas scattered throughout the state. Texas also boasts 80 state parks almost all of which are very well maintained and offer amenities however, these tend to be tailored more toward RV camping.

East Texas is full of deep forests with towering longleaf pines, black gum trees, and old oaks. Routes like the East Texas 450 will take you on a tour of back roads, logging land and two national forests. With a mix of sand and clay roads it can present a challenge even if there is just a little rain. This roughly 450-mile loop will leave you smiling.

Texas also has the longest undeveloped barrier island in the world. Padre Island National Seashore (PINS) has 65+ miles of beach and is home to both sea turtle nests and great fishing. If remote beach camping and warm tropical waters are what you are searching for then look no further. It is not uncommon to lose cell service cruising down the beach and sometimes that’s just what you need to escape and recharge. Enjoy time to breath in the salty Gulf air and wiggle your toes in the sand.

The Hill Country is crisscrossed with dozens of backroad routes peppered with river crossings and small towns. It’s also home to a host of vineyards and wineries just outside of Fredericksburg most of which have tasting rooms. The roads in this region wind through canons, dry creek beds, and draws only to crest the next hill and present you with another breath-taking view.

The true beauty of overland touring in Texas lies with the people and groups who have made it possible, groups like Texas Overland that have members from all over the state. Many of them have spent hours poring over maps and running routes down public roads (a few of which will make you question the definition of the word “road”) all in order to map them out so others too can enjoy the roads less traveled. There are dozens of routes that wind their way through some of the most scenic landscapes in the state. Some of them crisscross and link together, and many run past private camp grounds and small towns where you can settle in for the night. One of the best routes to showcase the state is Go Native Overland’s Texas Epic Adventure Trail. This route links in some of the most enjoyable tracks in the state and runs the intersection of the Trans America Trail in Westville, Oklahoma to intersect with the New Mexico BDR. At 2,300+ miles it is one of the longest routes through the state and incorporates some of the best scenery in the state. The diversity of landscapes across Texas gives us an environment for almost any kind of adventure. While there may be a little more planning involved to make sure you are near a place to camp or check in for the night, Texas is an Overland destination full of adventure.

Ross Aguirre

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