Getting Oriented
Barnwell Mountain Recreation Area sits in the rolling pine forest of Upshur County, roughly five miles north of Gilmer on State Highway 155. The property covers 1,850 acres and belongs to the Texas Motorized Trails Coalition (TMTC), a volunteer-run nonprofit that opened the park in 2000 as its first holding. This is private club land run for public riding, not a state or federal recreation area, so access works through a day fee and an optional TMTC membership rather than a government pass. The park is about an hour north of Tyler and roughly two hours east of Dallas.
Trail Overview
TMTC volunteers built and maintain the trail network, and they mark and rate every line with signage at the trailheads. Difficulty runs on a 1-to-5 scale: level 1 and 2 lines are beginner and family terrain, level 3 is intermediate, and level 4 and 5 lines demand high clearance, lockers, and a spotter. A 27-plus-mile motorcycle loop marked with orange arrows carries easy and hard splits, and a 16-mile Adventure Trail marked with blue arrows serves ATVs, dirt bikes, and dual-sport riders. The 4x4 network layers in red-clay hill climbs and sandstone ledges that draw built rigs from across the region.
Points of Interest
- The Chute, rated 5/5, is the hardest single obstacle in the park.
- Chaos Canyon (4/5) mixes steep rocky inclines with tight winding turns.
- Spider Ravine and Wile E. Coyote both rate 4/5.
- Clydes Ravine carries a Jeep Badge of Honor.
- Solitaire (3/5) steps riders up toward the harder lines.
- On Any Sunday and Pine Hill Run (both 2/5) suit newer drivers and stock rigs.
- Desi's Way (1 to 2/5) and the Mini Trail (1/5) work as beginner loops.
Where to Camp
Camping is on-site and open with paid admission. Primitive sites are scattered through the park. An electric campground offers twenty pull-through sites with 30- and 50-amp hookups, and eight premium RV spaces add 50-amp power plus water and sewer. Six rental cabins run from $65 to $95 a night, and bunkhouses run $50 to $100. Full restroom and shower facilities serve the campground. Reserve cabins and premium sites ahead of holiday weekends, when the park fills.
Permits and Regulations
Every vehicle needs a Texas OHV decal, sold at the office for $17. Day use is $30 per vehicle for non-members and $15 per family for TMTC members; a first-year membership is $60, with renewals at $50. Children six and under and active military enter free. DOT-approved helmets are required at all times on ATVs and motorcycles. Alcohol is banned on all trails, a 15 MPH limit applies on park roads, and no trail riding is allowed after 10:00 PM. The park operates Thursday through Sunday and is closed the rest of the week.
Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip
- Buy the OHV decal and day pass at the office before you unload.
- Study the trailhead rating signs and match lines to your build; a 4/5 or 5/5 obstacle can roll an underprepared rig.
- Carry recovery gear, straps, and a spotter for the clay hill climbs and rock ledges.
- Red clay turns slick after rain, so check conditions before committing to a hard line.
- Bring water, sun cover, and tick and snake awareness in the warm months.
- Confirm the office schedule (Thursday noon through Sunday 6:00 PM) and cabin availability before a long tow in.
Fuel and Water
Gilmer, five miles south, is the last stop for fuel and supplies, with gas stations, a grocery store, and general shopping. Top off there before the short run north on SH 155. On-site, the park has full restrooms and showers at the campground and sells the required Texas OHV decal at the office, but plan to arrive with your own drinking water, recovery supplies, and fuel for a full weekend of riding.
Nearby
Gilmer is the Upshur County seat and hosts the East Texas Yamboree each fall. Tyler lies about 30 miles south and Longview about 25 miles southeast, both with full services and lodging. For non-motorized time, Lake o' the Pines sits northeast toward Jefferson, Daingerfield State Park is a short drive north, and Caddo Lake State Park is farther east near the Louisiana line. Barnwell Mountain sits far east of the Big Bend backcountry routes in West Texas, a forest-and-clay riding area rather than open desert.