WG Jones State Forest - Easy Hiking Trails, The Red-Cockaded Woodpecker, And An Urban Forest
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Recently, I had a chance to explore WG Jones State Forest, an urban woodland owned and managed by the Texas A&M Forest Service.
The land was purchased in 1926 to create a demonstration and research location in one of the wealthiest timber-producing regions of the state. And to educate loggers, forestry students, and landowners on what is now named sustained-yield forestry - the amount of a particular resource that may be obtained or harvested without causing depletion of that specific resource.
Then in 1949, the forest was renamed the William Goodrich Jones State Forest in recognition of Texas' Father of Forestry, Mr. W. Goodrich Jones.
This forest sits snuggly in the well-developed city of The Woodlands and is sometimes easy to miss if you're not familiar with the area as you drive by. I totally passed all 3 of the parking areas and had to turn around.
Alltrails has 2 hikes on their app, the 2.3-mile Sweetleaf Nature and North Boundry Trail Loop and the longer 7.2 mile Middle Lake Loop Trail. But there is more to this forest than those 2 hikes.
If you choose to trek the shorter Sweetleaf Nature and North Boundry Trail Loop, parking is available in two locations: the main office building lot and the other directly across the street of the trailhead in the business lot on the north side of FM 1488. Parking in the business lot will save you from having to cross a bustling 5 lane street.
Maprika Trail Map
Heading out early to beat the heat of the day, we set out to explore the sprawling 1700 acres and nearly 15 miles of hiking and horseback riding trails.
But instead of following one of the maps on Alltrails, I used the Maprika App to create a map and log distance.
Like Alltrails, Maprika displays the map of the whole area and includes parking areas, recreation areas, horeback riding trails, and the prominent cluster areas of the Red-Cockaded Woodpecker, a federally listed endangered species.
With wide pathways, minimal elevation changes, picnic tables, benches to catch a quick rest, and plenty of shade, this forest is a perfect place for a novice hiker.
Cluster Area For The Red-Cockaded Woodpecker
WG Jones State Forest is recognized by American Bird Conservancy. And is one of the 500 most significant birding areas in North America. Be sure to listen closely for the sounds of the Red-Cockaded Woodpecker as you pass by the sighting area.
But don't forget to yield to any horses that are on the trails.
After our pleasant, slow-paced 9 mile trek and back at the parking area, we decided to have a post-hike lunch at Woodson Local Tap + Kitchen for lunch. Definitely was a delicious way to end a great morning of outdoor adventure.
Looking for more inspiration to hit the trails? Check out my book, Wander, Wonder, and Wellness: Hiking Your Way to Health and Happiness, available now on Amazon—it’s packed with tips, stories, and motivation to make every hike a transformative experience!
Wrapping Up
Enjoy being outdoors but still want to stay close to the city? Look no further than WG Jones State Forest. This working forest is a winner with about 15 miles of manageable trails for beginners, wildlife, and towering pine trees.
Catch y'all next time, and as always, let's take all the side roads together and enjoy the views along the way.
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