Trails and off-trail camping within a day's drive from Houston?

[darenwelsh]

Can anyone recommend places to go explore for a weekend that are not too far from Houston? I'm thinking within 6-8 hours of driving. Ideally I'd like to find places for overlanding (trails with different places to make camp each night), but I also realize Texas doesn't offer much for that. I also prefer it to be free/public land (not a private off-road park).

Some of the places I've been trying to research include Sam Houston Nat'l Forest, Davy Crockett Nat'l Forest, and if I can convince my wife for the longer drive, Ouachita Nat'l Forest. We'll eventually get over to Big Bend, but not for this first trip.

 

[tx_shooter]

A day trip from Houston is tough but doable if you are open to what kind of roads you drive. I have some friends that go to Sam Houston 3-4 times a year for camping but they do not really call it an overland trip.

You might look into the K Trail in Oklahoma or the Ozarks. It might be a little more than 8 hours but is worth every minute of the drive. I did the Ozarks last October with a group and will be going back this year. Big Bend Ranch is worth the drive too. You just have to be smart and pack some self recovery gear.