Site Selection in LBJ Grasslands?

Question

Hi all,

I'm still pretty new to backpacking and have only used established backcountry sites before. I just did a short trip in the LBJ grasslands on the multi-use trail (orange trail), knowing I'd need to do some site-selection, and I found it really tricky - there weren't really any areas with bare ground. It's been so wet recently that all grassy/flat areas were knee-high in plant life. Finally, tired of wading through the prairie looking for a clear space far enough off the trail, I just picked a spot that was reasonable flat and matted down the plants as best I could. I'm glad this was no-stove trip because there was literally no clear ground (aside from the trail) where I could have set up my stove.

All the advice I see online seems geared at finding flat ground in the mountains, staying away from water, and basic LNT/safety tips. Does anyone else use the LBJ trails? How do you find good sites in the prairie? Is this just spring in north Texas?

Pic of site: LBJ campsite

in ULTexasby a_maker

100%

24d

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2XX2010

24d

This is a fascinating conundrum that I think few Reddit backpackers encounter — a true Texas problem. I once slept in my car in the parking lot of the grasslands (sketchy). I had no idea you could backpack there, but now I have to try it. If you have anything else to share about the trip, I’m all ears.

As for your problem, relative to LNT principles, I think

1) that grass is going to stand back up and in short time no one will notice (your impact is not irreparable or permanent)

2) if you can’t find campsites that suggests it’s a low traffic area and no one is going to be effected by the impact you’ve left — and maybe you are creating a campsite that future hikers can use, thereby reducing future impact

a_maker

24d

It's so hard to find the info online for LBJ that I just called the district office for the rules. Essentially, you can park and camp anywhere outside of the established recreation sites, you just have to be off the road at a pull out of some kind. He told me dispersed camping is allowed everywhere, just follow the burn bans. It's not a popular backpacking locale, but I did find a few trip reports of people using the Multi-use loops. It's mostly used by equestrians, and mostly out of TADRA point.

I've never found any info about water on trail, but there's a lot of water around right now from all the rain - I passed two ponds in two miles, but that may have been a fluke.

For this trip, I parked on FS 908 in a pretty large parking area and walked south along the orange loop for a couple miles, then just hiked out the next day. It's pretty sandy/grassy, but the trail is easy to follow and well-marked.

Trail map: http://lbjtrailmaps.com/

LBJ Forest service map: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5274355.pdf

2XX2010

24d

Outstanding! Thank you.

JRidz

Austin

20d

This would be super cool in the trails database, if you would be up for inputting the details!