Discover Houston County

For a trip to Houston County, you can give different weight to nature and cultural stops. From Crockett, reach the county boat ramp via FM 229, about nine miles west of Loop 304. In Crockett, historic architecture and live performances take center stage, while the trails at Mission Tejas State Park offer a range of lengths and difficulty levels. Plan your hotel stay around the activities that matter to you.

Forests, Historic Trails and Hiking Trails

Mission Tejas State Park lies on the northern edge of Davy Crockett National Forest and roughly halfway between Dallas and Houston. The El Camino Real route passed through the area that is now the park. The Nabedache Loop passes remnants of the trail. Mission San Francisco de los Tejas is also part of the area’s history: it was established in a Caddo village in 1690.

The park’s trails differ in both difficulty and destination. The moderately difficult Karl Lovett Trail is half a mile long and leads to historic sites. The easy Tejas Timber Trail is also half a mile long and loops around the pond and past several outdoor exhibits. Although they are the same length, the two routes offer different experiences. The moderately difficult Weches Run is 0.4 miles long and leads from the Pineywoods uplands through bottomland forests to San Pedro Creek. On the easy Lightning Trail, you can walk 0.2 miles through pines to see one of the park’s oldest pine trees. Trail conditions can change seasonally, so check them before your visit.

Fishing and guided visits are also among the options at Mission Tejas State Park: fishing is permitted in the pond and at San Pedro Creek without a fishing license. The park offers tours of historic buildings and along El Camino Real; programs and tours must be booked before your visit. For camping, there are 15 sites with electric and water hookups, plus two more with water hookups.

Camping and a Longer Trail at Ratcliff Lake

The Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1936. The 20-mile Four C Trail can be accessed from there. Its length is on a very different scale from the short trails at Mission Tejas State Park. The recreation area has 56 campsites: some are available on a first-come, first-served basis, while others can be reserved. This information can help you factor the different trail lengths and camping options into your trip planning.

Architecture, Live Performances and Music History in Crockett

In Crockett, local history can also be read in its buildings. The Monroe-Crook House was built in 1854 in the Greek Revival style. The Ritz Theatre was established in the 1930s as a venue for performing arts and film screenings. Today, it is a 440-seat multipurpose venue; its program includes events by the Piney Woods Fine Arts Association, classic films and children’s matinees. If you would like to combine your visit with a performance, check the event schedule in advance.

The city’s music history offers another reason to include Crockett in your itinerary: from the 1940s through the 1960s, the city was part of the Chitlin' Circuit for African American blues musicians. The Houston County Visitor Center and Museum offers a collection ranging from ox yokes to railroad artifacts. A railroad depot built in Crockett in 1909 later became the Houston County Historical Museum. On an adjacent property, tools and an old cotton gin illustrate a bygone era.

When choosing a base for your trip, you can weigh the different highlights: the trails and campsites offer a range of trail lengths and ways to secure a site; Crockett adds architecture, a museum and live performances to your trip. This lets you tailor your stay to the topics that interest you most, without having to plan nature and cultural experiences in the same way.

Discover more destinations: Crockett, Limestone, Nolan, Val Verde County, Burnet County, Cameron, Bowie, Terry County.

For the broader travel overview: Texas.