Franklin Mountains State Park Hiking
Franklin Mountains State Park Trails
Many hiking trails are currently accessible off of Loop 375/Trans-Mountain Road. Work is underway for a trail network that will ultimately offer a 118-mile network. All 118 miles will be open to hiking traffic, 51 miles will be open to hiking and mountain biking traffic, and 22 miles will be open for tri-use - hiking, mountain bikes, and horseback riding. In the future, the park will consider having a concessionaire who can rent horses, but for now, the horse trails will be for individuals who have their own horses. Rock climbing and mountain bike riding are just two of the park's newest recreational activities.
Many hiking trails are currently accessible off of Loop 375/Trans-Mountain Road. Work is underway for a trail network that will ultimately offer a 118-mile network. All 118 miles will be open to hiking traffic, 51 miles will be open to hiking and mountain biking traffic, and 22 miles will be open for tri-use - hiking, mountain bikes, and horseback riding. In the future, the park will consider having a concessionaire who can rent horses, but for now, the horse trails will be for individuals who have their own horses. Rock climbing and mountain bike riding are just two of the park's newest recreational activities.
Franklin Mountains State Park Camping
Franklin Mountains State Park Camping
A limited number of tent camping sites are available. There are two types of campsites; one type (walk-in developed) is traditional, in that tents are placed directly on the ground and have tables and grills. The park has recently established an area with 5 self-contained RV sites(no water or electric hookups). All potential campers should be forewarned; there are no ground fires within park boundaries.
A $1.7 million face lift shared by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas Department of Transportation renovated old picnic sites, built additional ones, and built new rest rooms meeting ADA access standards. Each of the 44 picnic sites offers a shade roof, picnic table, and barbecue grill. Grills are for charcoal use only; guests may not use wood or dried native vegetation. The former gravel parking areas were paved to allow greater public access.
The Tom Mays section of the park is the public day use area for the park. It has shaded picnic/barbecue sites, self-composting toilets, several miles of gentle hiking trails through the foothills of the Franklins, and primitive camping (tents only). Be sure and visit the Park Store.
Mountain biking, camping, rock climbing, and horseback riding trails have been recently introduced in the park. The park features 118 miles of multi-use trails.
A limited number of tent camping sites are available. There are two types of campsites; one type (walk-in developed) is traditional, in that tents are placed directly on the ground and have tables and grills. The park has recently established an area with 5 self-contained RV sites(no water or electric hookups). All potential campers should be forewarned; there are no ground fires within park boundaries.A $1.7 million face lift shared by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas Department of Transportation renovated old picnic sites, built additional ones, and built new rest rooms meeting ADA access standards. Each of the 44 picnic sites offers a shade roof, picnic table, and barbecue grill. Grills are for charcoal use only; guests may not use wood or dried native vegetation. The former gravel parking areas were paved to allow greater public access.
The Tom Mays section of the park is the public day use area for the park. It has shaded picnic/barbecue sites, self-composting toilets, several miles of gentle hiking trails through the foothills of the Franklins, and primitive camping (tents only). Be sure and visit the Park Store.
Mountain biking, camping, rock climbing, and horseback riding trails have been recently introduced in the park. The park features 118 miles of multi-use trails.