Texas desert "ORV" areas / legal places to drive

[sil3ncer7]

Being in Houston I am looking for the closest known place where I might be able turn off the road and drive out into the desert.

Just a dirt road off to no where, way out in the desert. No destruction or illegal activities, just a place I can go and fo some astrophotography timelapses and awesome night shots and relax.

Anyone know a place?

 

[Silverback]

Unfortunately Texas is the largest state in the lower 48 with the least amount of public land... or so it would seem. There are very few public land areas to go wheeling. So since you are in Houston you will have to drive a bit to wheel, unless you like mud. Check out this thread. http://toyotaoff-road.com/threads/33-Texas-Off-Road-Driving-Trails-For-4x4-Trucks

 

[sil3ncer7]

Unfortunately Texas is the largest state in the lower 48 with the least amount of public land... or so it would seem. There are very few public land areas to go wheeling. So since you are in Houston you will have to drive a bit to wheel, unless you like mud. Check out this thread. http://toyotaoff-road.com/threads/33-Texas-Off-Road-Driving-Trails-For-4x4-Trucks

I saw that b4, but im not even talking about wheeling. It can just be a road to no where. Nothing special, but ive been scouring google maps on terrain view and im having a hard time.

 

[Silverback]

Same difference.

Check out the hill country trip that happened a couple months ago.. maybe not that long. It was a cool trip on public land (mostly). But those roads are few and far between.

 

[Silverback]

The day 2 section was pretty cool.. James River Road and then a road off <damn I can't recall> that went to the gravel bar. maybe Broker remembers the name. I can probably find it on my Roads of Texas map, but its outside at the moment.

 

[sil3ncer7]

The day 2 section was pretty cool.. James River Road and then a road off <damn I can't recall> that went to the gravel bar. maybe Broker remembers the name. I can probably find it on my Roads of Texas map, but its outside at the moment.

Sure thing yea ill take a look and see if I can find the thread. Thanks

 

[Silverback]

Remind me (been drinking!!) to look up some GPS coordinates of James River Road and the other place.

 

[Silverback]

Try this as a starting point for James River road. Hope it works

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=e...481,-99.249469&spn=0.005409,0.009495&t=h&z=17


Second location starting point..
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=30.60...0.602938,-98.694305&spn=0.021646,0.03798&z=15

 

[taco4x4rar]

I know of a few out in far west texas (read el paso) but their legality is questionalble as the line between public, private, and military land is fuzzy at best.

 

[Silverback]

I know of a few out in far west texas (read el paso) but their legality is questionalble as the line between public, private, and military land is fuzzy at best.

and you might end up in Mexico or Oklahoma.

 

[taco4x4rar]

and you might end up in Mexico or Oklahoma.

I'd be amazed if you made it from elpaso to OK offroad with out encountering a fence. If you're ever out there stay the hell away from the river border patrol will take an interest in you if you start playing around on the 2 tracks close to the river.

 

[Silverback]

http://www.fileswap.com/dl/uiZDHUku/Texas_Hill_Country_trip_February_2011.zip.html

 

[drew02a]

West Texas Winkler Dunes

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=U...95956964806193.00047e15b3ef2de26c628&t=h&z=19

You can find some decent sand terrain alot closer at Padre Island National Seashore though. Going up into the dunes is illegal, but there's a good bit of terrain as you go all the way down to the cut (60mi).

 

[Silverback]

I'd be amazed if you made it from elpaso to OK offroad with out encountering a fence. If you're ever out there stay the hell away from the river border patrol will take an interest in you if you start playing around on the 2 tracks close to the river.

I'd love to do the trans-american trail in a Taco. http://www.transamtrail.com/ IMO that would be a good time.

 

[Oury]

I think I am in a bad area, Everyone owns land in the Hill Country. I found a few creek bed's and small spots to wheel tho. Anyone else know any?

Trans-Am Trail would be awesome, I'll be in on that one 100%

 

[Silverback]

You have to pay to play around here. Closest place is Hidden Falls or Long Ranch. Canyons is not too far, and K2 is a few hours away. There is also BVORR in Bryan.

 

[Oury]

gotcha, well tough luck i guess. I remember a fun creek off 360 inside a suburb called Lost Creek. Had to open a gate off the neighborhood road and drove down the till it hit the creek.

 

[Silverback]

You can try it, but its all private property and you could incur a ticket/fine... get shot at.

Are you talking about Barton Creek? I wouldn't stick a tire in that water-way, good way to suffer an even bigger fine. It is illegal in Texas to drive in certain creeks/rivers except at designated crossings... I want to say its all rivers (except one up near Palo Duro canyon) so if you get some tree hugger taking a nature walk and snaps a pic with there phone.. you could be fucked.

Anyhow, it sucks, not like out west where there are 100,000+ acres of BLM land to play on.

 

[AlienXtx]

You can try it, but its all private property and you could incur a ticket/fine... get shot at.

Are you talking about Barton Creek? I wouldn't stick a tire in that water-way, good way to suffer an even bigger fine. It is illegal in Texas to drive in certain creeks/rivers except at designated crossings... I want to say its all rivers (except one up near Palo Duro canyon) so if you get some tree hugger taking a nature walk and snaps a pic with there phone.. you could be fucked.

Anyhow, it sucks, not like out west where there are 100,000+ acres of BLM land to play on.

In Texas is is against the law to drive in any moving body of water, Rivers, Creeks, Streams are out. It is not un heard of to get your ass shot for trespassing.

 

[SecretSquirrel]

In Texas is is against the law to drive in any moving body of water, Rivers, Creeks, Streams are out. It is not un heard of to get your ass shot for trespassing.

And the gulf?