I'm looking for good places to ride within a reasonable drive from Houston area. Please respond. I've heard there is an area near Spring.. Thanks in advance.

 

Maybe: Sam Houston National forest - designated trails maintained by the Trail
Riders of Houston?

 

Northeast/East Houston on the San Jacinto River. I'd say there are several thousands of acres of trails. Lots of wooded trails, ponds, creeks, mudbogs, sandpits, trails along the river, etc. Go East on Hwy 90 to FM 2100. Take a right on 2100. Go down a mile or two until you see Highlands motocross track. Turn right on the street that takes you to the track. Don't actually enter the track just follow the dirt road all the way to the end. (You'll pass a lot of pipe yards.) You will go through a run down gated entrance and will see a barn on your right shortly after the gate. You can park anywhere in this field. On the weekends there is someone there to charge you $5 per person but during the week they usually are not there and you can ride for free. If they do show up, you'll just have to pay them. They're pretty cool about it all. There are usually 50-100 ATV's there on the weekends and some stay until all hours of the night. Email me if you need more specifics.

 

Spring Creek is the popular place in North Houston. It is off of Cypresswood in Spring. I have heard they have been cracking down there and it is almost impossible to find a place to park. It is certainly worth it though. I ride in Katy on the west side. I have created/discovered/traveled on trails that have allowed a trip from Bellaire and Beltway to 290 and 1960. All off public roads. Bayou's mostly. Send me an email if you are interested in knowing more.

Scott

 

DS,
I wanna ride that Sam Houston National Forest trail system... What if any rules/regulations are there for riding in a National Forest?
Are helmets mandatory? I can put my stock muffler back on the Scrambler (spark arrestor) times when you CAN'T ride? Night Riding ok? I'm sure its No Alcohol (which is fine by me) Do you have to buy a permit or parking pass?..
Sorry about all the questions...
Thanks...

 

phalynx,

Where are you in relation to Hempstead? We are supposed to move there this summer. Just trying to line up some riding areas.

------------------
Shane

'97 Honda 300 4X - Vamped, Locked, & Lifted

 

Shane, Hempstead is about 30-35 miles away. It is great back-country terrain though. A trail route could be created. probably via bayous and a couple of rivers.
There are riding areas all over Katy. You should be able to find quite a bit in Hempstead too. We ride at least every weekend, mostly long distance night-rides. We cover about 30-70 miles a trip. IT's a ton of fun with a group.

Scott

 

Mudmachine,

To ride at Sam Houston there are a few rules. You must wear a helmet, no double riding. You need an "All Terrain Vehicle, Off-Highway Registration" sticker. If you need one, take your title and about $25 to the Dept of Transportation (the place where you get licence plates for your car.) You will also want to call the Ranger Office at Sam Houston and see if and which trails are open. They close some trails for maintenance and sometimes close all of them during hunting season. If you're into mud, the National Forest may not be for you. The trails are pretty smooth and non-challenging unless you're flying down them on a sport quad or dirtbike. All my quads have Vampires on them, so we were a little out of place up there. It's been a year or so since I've been and I've heard they opened more trails, so things maybe different now.

Here are the exact rules if you're interested:
Off Road Vehicle Information
>
>
> Welcome to the
> Sam Houston National Forest. Enjoy your visit.
>
>
> PROHIBITED:
>
> According to the Code of Federal Regulations, the following are
> enforced regulations regarding ORV use on all the National
> Forests and Grasslands in Texas:
>
> Interfering, threatening and/or resisting any forest officer
>
> Failure to stop vehicle for forest officer
>
> Operating vehicle without operable braking system
>
> Operating ORV (any vehicle operated off of developed roadways)
> one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise
> without operable head and tail light
>
> Operating ORV while under influence of alcohol or other drug
>
> Operating without an approved spark arrester
>
> Operating or possessing motorized vehicle on road/area closed
> by gate, sign, dirt mound, or other physical means
>
> Operating or possessing any motor vehicle upon any utility
> right-of-way
>
> Operating any "non-street legal" ORV on any Forest Development
> road
>
> Carrying passengers on any ATV (a vehicle with saddle-type
> seat, with 3 or 4 wheels)
>
> Please yield to other forest users and be sensitive to our
> wetlands and wildlife
>
>
>
> REQUIRED:
>
> All ATV riders must have:
>
> Annual ATV registration sticker displayed on vehicle handlebars
> - purchase sticker at local tax office
>
> ORV Safety Certificate when operating on public land - for
> information in Texas call (800) 292 - 5785 or contact local ORV
> retailer
>
> Operators under 14 years of age must be under direct
> supervision of parent or guardian.
>
> When crossing roadways, operators must (1) have head and tail
> light on (2) stop completely & (3) cross straight across or
> perpendicular to roadway.
>
>
>
> All ATV and motorcycle riders must:
>
> Have a state driver license or identification card
>
> Wear a D.O.T. approved helmet and eye protection (including
> motorcycle passengers)

 

Phalynx, I would like to learn more about
the places you ride-in the Katy area. I'm looking for some good areas near me (Tomball)
during the "off season" (after the hunting
season!) and Katy isn't that far away.

Thanks

MikeyB

 

mikeyb,

I live right off 249 and Louetta and we have to drive about 45 minutes or so to find a good place to ride. The National Forest, Spring Creek, and the San Jacinto River are all within an hour of Tomball. Check out my previous post about the San Jacinto River. That place is awesome!