Cross Timbers Hiking Trail Lake Texoma
Known as the “toughest little trail in Texas”, the Cross Timbers Trail winds 14 miles along the southern shoreline of Lake Texoma, the 2nd largest lake in Texas bordering the Texas/Oklahoma border. The trail is moderately difficult and located just a 90 minutes north of Dallas/Fort Worth so it is ideal for a quick wilderness adventure.
The trail begins at the US Army Corps of Engineers, Juniper Point West off highway 377 and meanders west two miles high above the lake on rocky ledges to Cedar Bayou resort. If you visit in the summer, grab a meal at the floating dock restaurant at Cedar Bayou.
From there, the trail continues west to Lost Camp, a component of the Lost Creek loop and the first primitive camping option available on the trail. The next primitive camping spot, the 5-mile camp is, ironically, 5 miles from the Juniper Point starting point. The section between Cedar Bayou and 5-mile camp includes some of the most challenging elevations and scenic thick oak wilderness of the trail.
After five mile camp, you’ll begin a steep climb up to eagles roost camp then the terrain is quite flat and open. After Eagles Roost, the trail follows a dirt road then into woods past an old wooden bridge on road. The trail continues to Paw Paw Creek Resort, then Paw Paw Point crosses Rock Creek, and ends at Rock Creek Camp, off rock creek camp road. Paw Paw Creek resort is currently closed and offers no food or accommodations. Rock Creek camp is located on Rock Creek Road so it is possible for a friend to pick you up there after the 14-mile journey.
During your trips on the Cross Timbers trail, you’ll likely see hawks, blue jays, owls, woodpeckers, deer, coyote, and armadillo.
The information contained in this blog post is courtesy of:
Cassidy Lackey is an executive, entrepreneur, family man and avid outdoorsman. Cassidy founded LakeTexoma.com, the leading authority on Lake Texoma including real estate, vacation rentals, fishing guides, campgrounds, marinas and Lake Texoma cabins.