Mission Tejas State Park Loop: The Best Trails in the Park

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This strings together the best mountain bike trails in Mission Tejas State Park. A non-technical mix of two-track and a few sections of flowy singletrack. This is not what I would call a mountain bike destination, but if you are in the area to camp—and Mission Tejas State Park is a gem of a park with only about 20 sites, nice hills and pines, and a chill vibe—this is a fun 45-minute ride.

You have to pay Mission Tejas State Park day use fees to ride this. This ride starts at the playground This is an easy, fun, hour-long ride.

Start the parking lot near the playgrounds in the park, and climb your way up the trail towards Chimney Loop. After a short, winding climb, you come out onto two-track and can go right up into the pines. The trail climbs a bit, turns left, and goes back to an old chimney in a small clearing. At this point, the trail goes off the two-track and a short piece of singletrack takes you down the hill to El Camino Real. This trail is very short, and when you drop onto the two-track, you are off it and on Hardwood Trail.

The Hardwood Trail winds on two-track along a little valley. When you see Weches Trail, take that up to the left. This is a fun little climb with a spot that is as technical as you'll find in this system—a couple of tiny rock ledges make the climb a bit of a challenge—and then the trail winds out to the Mission. At the Mission, you want to turn right and take Steep Ravine Trail. Follow this along a two-track, take the little out to the left that jogs off and back on the trail, and climb the hill up to the top.

At the top, you can turn left and go out to park headquarters, or continue on, and follow the signs to the right and take the winding piece of singletrack that takes you along the hills. This is the best piece of trail in the park, and is a fun and flowy, with modest elevation changes keeping you rolling. There are some small climbs and tight corners. The pine needles can be slippery, so take care with your speed. There are no technical challenges as the trail is smooth and fine for any advanced beginner or beyond. And fun for all.

Follow the trail down into the woods, and when you pop out onto the two-track again, go left and take Primitive Loop to add a little mileage and climbing. The ride finishes at the Mission. You can easily ride the road over to the playground where you started, or take Weches back down and climb back up Chimney Loop if you like.