Hiking Trails Near Conroe TX: Sam Houston Forest Guide
Last updated: October 5, 2026
Fall is when the piney woods finally feel like ours again. The humidity breaks, the mosquitoes ease up, and the trails north of town are at their best. If you are searching for hiking trails near Conroe TX, you are in luck: Sam Houston National Forest, home to the longest hiking trail in Texas, starts just north of Lake Conroe, and one of the nation's largest working urban forests sits right between Conroe and The Woodlands.
Here is where to go, what to know before you lace up, and how to stay safe during hunting season.
Quick picks: hiking trails near Conroe TX
Where | Best for | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
W.G. Jones State Forest | Quick in-town walks, beginners, families | Nearly 17 miles of trails, daylight hours only |
Lone Star Hiking Trail | Day hikes and backpacking | Check for closures before you go |
Little Lake Creek Wilderness | Quiet, wild-feeling woods | About 5 miles north of Montgomery |
Big Creek Scenic Area | Short loops, creek scenery | No camping allowed |
Editor's note: we will add drive times and distances from our own trail visits in the next update.
Sam Houston National Forest hiking basics
Sam Houston National Forest covers more than 163,000 acres across Montgomery, Walker and San Jacinto counties, about 50 miles north of Houston. It is a working national forest, so you will share it with campers, cyclists, horseback riders and, in season, hunters. The U.S. Forest Service notes that a day-use fee applies only at highly developed areas with swimming or boating facilities. For current alerts and fire danger, check the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas page or call the Supervisor's Office at 936-639-8501.
Lone Star Hiking Trail sections for day hikes
The Lone Star Hiking Trail is the longest hiking trail in Texas. Texas Highways puts it at 96 miles, or about 128 miles with the loop trails, winding through pine and hardwood forest, creeks and the occasional bayou. You do not need to thru-hike it to enjoy it. The loop trails make great day hikes, and the western Lake Conroe section is the closest to most Montgomery County homes.
Before you go: the Lone Star Hiking Trail Club currently notes that parts of the trail are closed. Check the club's site and the Forest Service alerts page before heading out. The volunteer club also leads group hikes and trail maintenance days on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month, a great way to learn the trail with locals.
Little Lake Creek Wilderness
For the most "away from it all" feel near Montgomery, head to Little Lake Creek Wilderness, a 3,855-acre designated wilderness on the western edge of the piney woods, roughly five miles north of the city of Montgomery. Expect loblolly and shortleaf pines on the ridges and hardwoods like sweetgum and walnut along the creek bottoms. Wilderness areas are intentionally primitive, so bring a map and do not count on signs at every turn.
Big Creek Scenic Area
Farther east, the 1,420-acre Big Creek Scenic Area has been set aside for recreation since 1962. The Lone Star Hiking Trail passes through it, and several shorter loops make it a good pick for a half-day outing. The Forest Service notes that camping is not allowed in the scenic area.
W.G. Jones State Forest trails: the easy in-town option
When you only have an hour, W.G. Jones State Forest is the answer for hiking near The Woodlands. Managed by the Texas A&M Forest Service, the 1,722-acre forest is surrounded by Conroe and The Woodlands and offers nearly 17 miles of trails and pathways shared by hikers, cyclists and horseback riders. It is open year-round during daylight hours only.
Look for the Sweetleaf Nature and Fitness Trail and keep an eye out for the forest's red-cockaded woodpecker habitat, an endangered species the forest actively manages. Restrooms are available at the Conroe District Office on FM 1488 during weekday business hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The forest follows a pack it in, pack it out policy.
Hunting season safety: when to wear orange
Fall and winter are peak hiking season, and also hunting season in the national forest. In past seasons, the Forest Service has encouraged all visitors to wear hunter orange for visibility, and has limited camping to designated campsites or developed recreation areas until about a week after muzzleloader season ends in January. Season dates change each year, so check the Forest Service alerts before planning an overnight trip.
Easy habits that help: wear a bright orange hat or vest, keep dogs close and visible, hike midday rather than at dawn or dusk, and stay on marked trails.
Parking, restrooms, signal, bugs and mud
Restrooms: do not count on them at trailheads. Plan stops before you leave town.
Cell signal: it can drop in the deeper parts of the forest. Download an offline map and tell someone your plan.
Bugs: bring repellent and do a tick check afterward, even in cooler months.
Mud: East Texas clay gets slick after rain. Give trails a day or two to dry, which also helps prevent trail damage.
Water: carry more than you think you need. Creeks are not a safe drinking source without treatment.
Dogs: keep pets leashed and under control, pack out waste, and confirm current rules with the ranger district or forest office before you go.
Make a day of it: after a morning on the trail, refuel with one of the best brunch spots in Conroe and Montgomery, or head to one of the Lake Conroe restaurants on the water for a sunset dinner.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a permit to hike in Sam Houston National Forest?
The U.S. Forest Service lists a day-use fee only at highly developed areas with swimming or boating facilities. For trail-specific rules and current alerts, contact the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas office at 936-639-8501.
How long is the Lone Star Hiking Trail?
Texas Highways reports the Lone Star Hiking Trail is 96 miles long, or about 128 miles including its loop trails, making it the longest hiking trail in Texas.
What is the easiest hiking trail near The Woodlands?
W.G. Jones State Forest, between Conroe and The Woodlands, offers nearly 17 miles of trails and pathways and is open year-round during daylight hours.
Is it safe to hike in Sam Houston National Forest during hunting season?
Many people hike through hunting season with precautions. The Forest Service encourages visitors to wear hunter orange during hunting season, and in past seasons it has limited camping to designated sites until about a week after muzzleloader season ends.
Are dogs allowed on hiking trails near Conroe?
Pet rules vary by property. Confirm current rules with the Texas A&M Forest Service for W.G. Jones State Forest or the U.S. Forest Service for Sam Houston National Forest, and keep dogs leashed and under control.
Shop Montgomery County
A few local favorites from the MontCo Insider shop.
Not My First Rodeo Conroe, Texas Tee
Howdy Y'all Vintage Cowboy Tee
Get the MontCo Insider Newsletter
A simple local roundup with things to do, places to try, small businesses to know, and community finds around Montgomery County. No spam. Just local finds, useful updates, and things worth sharing.
