These are photos and videos of various trail rides I've been on and places I've been. These are here not only to
share, but also as reference.  Anyone interested in going to this places can take a look to see what the trails
look like and see the maps of the trails.  I will reference where the photos and videos are related to on the maps.

Click on image to see larger photo.

Hill Country Natural State Park, TX

Hill Country Map (Click on image)

Trail 1
Rated as Easy.  This trail is a wide trail for a little more than half it's length.  The first part is mainly packed sand,
flat and easy. It goes through grassland areas.  Once you reach the Duck Pond, the trail curves back around
and loops back ending at the road.  The part of the trail heading back changes dramatically.  Becomes
more of a single track and gets fairly rough with lots of rocks along with section that will require the
horse to climb up/down through some rock shelves.  Although it can be done barefoot, it is slow work doing
the backside of the trail.  The photo of the trail down to the Duck Pond gives an idea of what parts of the
back side looks like.  For those wanting an easier ride, go down Trail 1 and then go to the left onto Trail 1A
(see photos). This will go over to the road and to Trail 7.

Trail 1 Map: 

Trail 2 and 2A

Trails 2, 2A, 2B, and 2C are pasture land trails.  Flat, dirt, and grass trails.  Trail 2 parallels the road.  Trail 2B goes through the middle of the pasture areas and Trail 2C goes along the backside of the pasture areas.  Both 2B and 2C cross the County Road and connect with Trail 9.  Trail 2A takes off from Trail 2 and winds around through
scrub, cedar, and mesquite.  The trail narrows down to a single trail and is mostly hard packed dirt and caliche. Some rock, but still okay for a barefoot horse.  There is a turn off from 2A before getting to Trail 3.  If barefoot, this is the spot to leave Trail 2.  For Trail 3, 3A, and 3B you need boots or shoes.  Although a barefoot horse could do it, it would be slow going and a bit difficult.

Trail 2 Map:

Trail 3, 3A, and 3B

Trails 3, 3A, and 3B climb up and around the hills showing off some great views.  Single track and fairly rocky, you need boots or shoes.  Most of the trail is gentle climbs or slopes.  An occasional ravine or gulch adds some excitement to the ride and requires manuvering up and down rocky shelves.  After climbing 4 foot rocky ridge, Trail 3 turns and follows the fence line back towards the road.  Across the fence you can see Trail 3A headed back the other way.  At the end of the fence you can turn right and go up the loop that Trail 3A and 3B create.  Trail 3A slopes up hill and curves around towards a hill.  At the base of hill the trail splits.  Trail 3A continues up the hill and then back down. It is considered an extreme trail (hard, rough, rocky).  By turning left onto 3B, you follow a fairly level trail around the base of the hill and then meet up with 3A again.  Warning: the markers at that junction are confusing -- just remember to turn left even though the signs says that way is "hard".  The trail will then connect up with the wide Trail 3 again. At this point you are at the back end of the park.  Trail 3 continues back (head back towards the front of the park) and reconnects with 3A and has a short connection on to the road.

Trail 3 Map:

Trail 4 and 4A

Half way down the Trail 3 (after leaving 3A) there is a turn off to the left onto Trail 4A.  According to the map, this trail loops up to a scenic overlook and is listed as easy.  This is partially true.  The trail splits -- the section going straight ahead is easy.  The section going to the right and to the  overlook is marked on the trail marker as hard (steep and rocky) which makes sense since it's going uphill to an overlook. (Remember: the map says it's easy, the marker says it's hard) We didn't go up it, so I can't tell you what the trail is like.  Trail 4A and 4 are pretty much level with packed dirt trails.  Some parts are through pastureland but most is winding through scrub tree areas.  Easy riding.  You will come across some old ranch buildings, barns, and cattle feeders.  Branching off of Trail 4 is Trail 4B.  This is an extreme trail that goes up and around a couple of hills before coming back down and connecting with Trail 4 again.  Again, we have not ridden that trail so I can't tell you what it is like. Trail 4 continues on and meets with Trail 5.

Trail 4 Map:

Trail 5

Trail 5 connects Trail 4 and Trail 1.   Trails 5A, 5B, and 5C split off of Trail 5 at different spots and we haven't explored those yet.   Trails 5B and 5C are extreme trails going up the hills to scenic overlooks.  Trail 5A continues over to the front of the park and connects with the Bar-O camp area.   From Trail 4, we turned left onto a short section of Trail 5 that then connects with the road.  We have not explored the other, main part of Trail 5 yet.  The connecting sectin of Trail 5 we traveled winds through the creek area and trees on a single wide trail. Easy with packed dirt and a few slight rocky areas.  Fine for barefoot horses.

Trail 7

Trail 7 begins at Bar-O camp area and runs parallel to the County Road until it connects with the end of Trail 1.  Trail winds back and forth across the creek.  Some spots are easy and some are hard since they cross (up/down) small ravines and gulches.  Very rocky in those spots.  This trail is not recommended for barefoot horses.  We actually didn't finish going down the trail because it became too rough to be enjoyable and so we took a connecting trail back up to the road to Trail 1A.

Trail 7 Map:

Trail 9. 9A, 9B, and 9C

The 9 trails are great trails for barefoot horses.  Mostly level with packed dirt and grassy trails, they are easy to ride.  Trail 9 starts at Chapa Camp Area and makes a big loop around coming back the camp area.  Trails A, B, and C make small loops off of the main trail. 

Trail 9 Map:

Camp Coyote (October 2009)

Photos coming soon