Central TX

[USMC0351]

Anybody know of any good areas to ride in central TX? I know there's a couple of offroad parks not too far, but I was thinking more of just good back roads, county roads, unpaved roads, etc that can be taken and really just be more of an easy ride than anything, something scenic with some photographic spots would be awesome.

Also, anyone near Ft Hood who may want to hit Hidden Falls, or Canyons Off Road at some point, let me know :tea:

 

[STX4Runner]

There are some nice roads around Mason and Junction. Check out 1723, and 2389 south of Mason. At the end of 2389 is a dirt road called James River Road that leads to a long crossing of the James River. With all the rain lately it will likely be deep or even impassable. Just remember that this is Texas and all the land is privately owned. Please respect private property.

 

[USMC0351]

There are some nice roads around Mason and Junction. Check out 1723, and 2389 south of Mason. At the end of 2389 is a dirt road called James River Road that leads to a long crossing of the James River. With all the rain lately it will likely be deep or even impassable. Just remember that this is Texas and all the land is privately owned. Please respect private property.

Thanks for the idea, while looking at the roads from Google Earth I found the Eckert James Bat Cave Preserve which should be pretty spectacular to see. And no worries, I keep it on the roads. Trespassing is no bueno.

 

[STX4Runner]

Thanks for the idea, while looking at the roads from Google Earth I found the Eckert James Bat Cave Preserve which should be pretty spectacular to see. And no worries, I keep it on the roads. Trespassing is no bueno.

I remember seeing a post one time from some overland group on another forum about a trip they took in this area. There are no fences, it's open range and they drove down a creek bed and camped in the James River bed. I'm surprised they didn't get a visit from the sheriff or at least the rancher. If you want to camp, you can legally camp on the island in the Llano River where 2389 crosses.

 

[USMC0351]

I remember seeing a post one time from some overland group on another forum about a trip they took in this area. There are no fences, it's open range and they drove down a creek bed and camped in the James River bed. I'm surprised they didn't get a visit from the sheriff or at least the rancher. If you want to camp, you can legally camp on the island in the Llano River where 2389 crosses.

Yeah, I know Texas has a law about any navigable stream being public and so forth, but vehicle usage and crossing private property aren't part of that. With all the rain though, I am betting it's a little sketchy.

 

[STX4Runner]

Yeah, I know Texas has a law about any navigable stream being public and so forth, but vehicle usage and crossing private property aren't part of that. With all the rain though, I am betting it's a little sketchy.

The state passed a law a few years ago making it illegal to drive in river beds as people were fourwheeling up and down the Nueces River out by Uvalde and tearing it up. The only exception is "a river with its source and mouth in another state," which eliminates everything except the Canadian and Prairie Dog Town Fork of the Red River as both have their sources in New Mexico and mouths in Oklahoma.