Sam Houston National Forest

The Sam Houston National Forest is the only national forest in Texas with a trail system open to off-highway vehicles, and dirt bikes are welcome on it. The Forest Service lists about 85 miles of designated multiple-use trail that is shared with hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders. RiderPlanet describes the riding as a mix of hard pack, sand, and mud with a few small creek crossings, lots of singletrack alongside some roads, and terrain that is mostly flat pine forest. It suits novices and intermediate riders far more than experts. The trails are marked but not rated for difficulty.

The system is really two separate networks, on the east and west sides of the north end of Lake Conroe. Unless your bike is street legal, there is no off-road connection between them, so pick one side and stage from its trailhead. Riding is allowed only on the designated trail. Cross-country travel is prohibited, and only street-legal vehicles may use Forest Service roads. The 129-mile Lone Star Hiking Trail runs through the same forest but is a foot trail; keep your bike off it.

Getting there

The ranger district office is in New Waverly, on FM 1375 West, and the trails lie along that road between Interstate 45 and FM 149. Directions from the Forest Service, all starting from I-45 on FM 1375 west:

• East Side Trailhead (FS Road 233): about 4 miles west, then north on FS 233 for 2.5 miles. This is the staging area used for the coordinates on this page.
• West Side Trailhead (FS Road 208): about 10 miles west, then north on FS 208 for 1.4 miles.
• Kelly's Pond Trailhead: about 10 miles west, south on FS 204 for 1 mile, then west on FS 271 for 1.5 miles.
• Northwest Trailhead: about 14 miles west, north on FM 149 about 1.5 miles, then north on FM 1791 for 4 miles to FS 208.

The 234 Equestrian Trailhead is closed to off-highway vehicles.

Fees, permits, and rules

The Forest Service lists a $5 per person, per day fee, paid at self-pay stations at the trailheads. A 1-day pass can be bought on recreation.gov, and a $25 annual pass (good for one year) is sold at the Sam Houston Ranger District office. Your bike needs a current Texas OHV decal properly mounted, and there is no reciprocity for out-of-state riders. Carry a valid ID and proof of payment. Helmet and eye protection are required. Exhaust must have a spark arrestor and emit 96 decibels or less, and vehicles can be no wider than 50 inches.

Camping

Kelly's Pond Campground has eight sites with direct trail access. It has no camping fee, but a trail permit is still required for riding. Camp only in developed sites.

When to ride

The trails are open year-round, but the Forest Service closes them when wet soil could lead to damage, sometimes on short notice. Always call the ranger office at 936-344-6205 (or 888-361-6908, option 2) for trail status before you drive out. Summers are hot and humid, and the sand and hard pack ride best when the ground is not saturated.