Explore the best rated trails in Stephenville, TX, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Lake Mineral Wells State Trailway and Bosque River Trail . With more than 4 trails covering 28 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
Rode part of the trail on 08/03/24. Trail is still closed east of Hwy 1195. According to other reviews it has been closed for at least a year. And maintenance on the open stretch west of Hwy 1195 does not seem to not exist. So right now I cannot recommend riding the trail.
We rode this trail Saturday. We parked at the trailhead in Mineral Wells after driving three hours. The goal was to change in the advertised restrooms, fill up water, and head east to Weatherford. We were disappointed to find the restrooms locked, but adapted and changed in the truck instead. The first several miles were paved. The trail became crushed gravel at the state park pay station. We rode a little further east from the pay station to find a bridge blocked off due to structural damage. We discussed how odd it was that there was not any info about the bridge at the pay station that wanted $7.00 a person to ride, and continued on by hiking the bike down through the creek and around the broken bridge. A little further on we found ourselves fenced in and facing a huge washout. We could either get the bike across the washout or head back out past the broken bridge. We chose to go forward and get the bike across the washout. I am glad we did because a little further down the trail we came upon a beautiful steel girder bridge over a clear creek! We spent a little time enjoying the few and hit the trail again. Imagine our dismay when we came to some orange cones and barrels with in the trail near the Vietnam War Museum. After talking to the museum docent, we discovered that the trail has been “closed” for a while on the section we hiked/carried our bike over. We would have gone around had there been any information anywhere, although getting through the broken sections wasn’t a big challenge at all. After visiting the museum, we continued east. The trail is in ok shape with multiple soft areas that might cause a fall. Also, the only water was found on the Weatherford side, although the maps showed more locations for water. All in all, it was a fun one way ride. We chose to return by highway to the Mineral Wells trailhead to avoid soft spots, ginormous holes, and broken bridges. If you decide the ride, the Crazy Water Hotel is a fun place to stay. Don’t miss the Vietnam War Museum, either!
I've been to Stephenville many times and didn't realize the was here. I love taking my dog for walks on this beautiful trail.
Beautiful fall day temps last night in the 40’s high today 86, perfect for a ride from state park campground to the end of the trail, 33 miles total of course some was just riding in the park. The trail down was a hike a bike for over half of the half mile. But not that bad. Rode toward mineral wells crossed the bridge and had to stop at Vietnam memorial, which is very worth seeing. I will park there next time and ride the trail. Trail closed so you can’t go into town. Looks lovely me it’s been closed for awhile. Headed East and almost turned around. So sandy you need wide tires for sure. After about 7 miles things looked up and spots where sandy and loose but not like the first few miles. A good ride if you live near by but not a destination trail.
Having just returned from riding the Katy Trail in MO from Clinton to Machens, my buddy (Jim, 67, primarily road cyclist) and I (49, started cycling Fall '21) were still geared up for some bikepacking. Overnight cycle trips of any length without riding highways are difficult to come by in the area. We decided to give this a shot, as we had heard it was a pretty nice trail and we could camp at the state park in Mineral Wells. We are your average, run of the mill riders that aren't in great shape or with super expensive gear. We had no idea how great this would be!
We used the Cartwright trailhead in W'fd, heading West toward Mineral Wells. To say this trail would have been perfect for prepping for the Katy is an understatement. With the exception of a handful of short spots (100 yds or so each), this trail is a fantastic ride. There are some washouts and a few soft gravel/sandy spots that prevent you from riding on mental "auto pilot". Be careful, or you might find yourself spread eagle beneath your rig.
The first four to five miles heading West are very shaded, climbing to the highest point of the ride at 1,263'. After that, it is a lengthy stretch of fast, slight decline riding for what feels like several miles. Just remember what goes downhill must come back uphill :)
12 or so miles in you will pass through Garner. If you need water, soda, beer, or a meal, stop at the Garner Cafe, about 30 yds off the trail. You can't miss it. We ate breakfast here on the return leg, and it was fantastic. And interestingly enough, Garner, Tx is where the domino game of "42" was invented. No joke. So there's a little neat local history of that town...
Four miles west of Garner you will come to the split where you may either continue the mail trail into Mineral Wells or take the state park spur. We initially continued riding the main trail toward the Vietnam Memorial, just beyond the elevated riding bridge over Hwy 80. There are some great view of the Caprock from the riding bridge oddly enough. At any rate, just as we came down the other side of the bridge, we saw the "Bridge Out" sign on the trail. Not being familiar enough to know where the park access road is in relation to the bridge, we opted to bike back over the bridge (ugh) and the to spur (about 1 mile back).
The spur to the state park says "2/3 mile to trail head". This is where it gets good. The majority of that 2/3 mile is a 5% grade up singletrack, switchback with some 6"+ deep washouts and mixture of loose rock, gravel, and sand. We were each carrying about 20# of gear in our pannier/rack. It wasn't hike-a-bike, but it was close. It's a great burn at the end of the ride, and the resulting views from the park are more than worth the work to get there.
You will come out in the amphitheater in the park. When you cycle out of the parking lot, GO LEFT. We added 2 more miles of cycle wandering trying to get out of this back area of the park. Easy riding and we enjoyed it, but the extra ride might not be for everyone after that hill climb :)
Riding through the park you will see the lake, swimming beach, and some great views of town. We camped in the Equestrian part of the park, which ended up being one of the best places we've camped in a long time. Very nice restroom/showers, views, and space. Worth the $14 for sure.
If you are thinking of riding the Katy, this is your training trail. Everything you will experience on the Katy, you will experience here, just for another 240 miles. You could easily ride out and back from Weatherford in a day. Heck, get started by 7am and you could out and back twice with a short break for lunch back in Wfd. That would give you about a 72 mile trip, great prep for Katy.
Enjoy the ride!
Could really be an awesome trail if it could just receive some maintenance. Trail is closed from 1195 to the Vietnam Museum. There are sections from Mineral Wells to the museum that are unridable to due debris such as broken bricks. After that it opens up and crossing 180 is really cool. There are many washouts with deep sand anywhere the trail is below grade. I rode from the Mineral Wells trailhead to the Northern end near Weatherford. Probably best ridden on an MYB or. Fat Bike. I rode a Gravel Bike on 700 x 38’s and althou FB I could transit the trail for the most part, some sections with very deep sand were a challenge.
Started our ride in the State Park, and as warned, the first half mile to the trail was treacherous. Several switchbacks, washouts and rocks made a difficult ride. Once on the trail things were better and well maintained except for a few low hanging trees. I wish I could say the same about the trail in the city of Mineral Wells. We started at the trailhead and rode through the town around many low hanging trees, cracks in the asphalt, and freshly mowed grass that should be baled. When leaving the asphalt we hit the section of trail with large rocks making for a very rough ride, so much so we packed it in and left the area.
My husband and I rode the complete trail this week. It needs a lot of work. Washouts, large areas of large rocks, tree limbs to take your head off, large holes and ditches across the trail we’re very common. Trailhead bathroom closed. I hope the state or Feds can come up with some funds to repair this trail. I could not recommend this trail until improvements are made.
We rode this trail from the state park and from Weatherford. It is in need of major repair. Major washouts, large rock washouts, tree limbs hanging over in the trail. Where I live when the trail is in bad shape the parks Dept places cones where there are dangerous holes and deep Washouts. If you go watch out and carry a spare tube! Hope it can be fixed soon.
I've ridden this trail in both directions, first from Mineral Wells, then from Weatherford. Coming from Mineral Wells there is more of a uphill grade. There are several stops of interest that are good for a rest along the trail. My family and I frequently ride shorter distances on the trail, mostly from the Weatherford trailhead. I highly reccomend visiting the Mineral Wells rail trial.
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