Lazy Pines Texas Cabins are within an hour of seven Texas State Parks and National Forests! One of those is Mission Tejas State Park, about 50 minutes away and should be on your list of things to do when you visit! Here’s our quick guide to visit this great park!
We were there for the hiking trails, but there is also fishing & bird watching. Mission Tejas has about 8 miles of trails with several points of interest along the way.
Our first stop was the Ranger Station (which has restroom facilities). The park entrance fees are $3 per adult and children 12 and under are free! The Park Ranger has trail maps and will tell you if any trails are closed. Note: The trail to see the Mission and a few other trails are closed for renovations until July 2024.
We parked at the Rice Family Log Home (constructed in the 1800s!), just past the Ranger Station. Across the street is a clearly marked trailhead for Big Pine Trail. Big Pine Trail will connect you with several other clearly marked trails.
We visited on a chilly Sunday afternoon in January and had the place to ourselves. We didn’t pass a single other person! Leashed dogs are allowed on the trails.
This State Park was so pretty, even in the winter. I loved the tall pines, little ravines, and wooden bridges along the way. Most of the trails were very easy, with a few short uphill climbs.
Day Trip Idea: First stop at Ratcliff Lake (about 35 minutes from Lazy Pines), then continue on another 20 minutes to get to Mission Tejas. If you still have time, drive another 25 minutes to visit the Grapeland Drive Thru Safari where you’ll see zebras and other wildlife! If you live in North Texas you can hit all three on your way home from the cabin!
If you love to visit State Parks but don’t want to camp or have an RV, then staying at Lazy Pines Cabins is a convenient option! Especially if you have dogs as we have fully fenced yards and no pet fees! You can check out our cabins for rent here.