Lake Murray State Park

Wow....

I didn't know what to expect when I read about Lake Murray's dirt trails, but this place is really a hidden gem. Most Texas/DFW mountain bikers talk about going to Arkansas or Spider Mountain as premiere biking trips, but Lake Murray should really be included in the same sentence. There are LOTS of trails to explore, and they require some skills.

I had the privilege to visit this place over a weekend, and I barely scratched the surface of what's available to ride. It would probably take a whole week to explore everything here.

The trails are two way and run north/south through the park. I started on the buckhorn trail at Cisco rode and rode south, including the trails south of the park office. Flow is very good, mostly easy to find your way around provided you have a map and take some time to figure out how to read it. Trail wise, it reminds me a lot of the west side of Northshore Trail in Grapevine.

BEWARE!!!!!!! THERE ARE LOTS OF SPIDERS ON THIS TRAIL. Despite being a huge trail system, it looked like no one had rode the sections I was on in a while, and I had to stop often to avoid riding through spiderwebs blocking the trail. Bring a full face helmet if you've got it (to protect from rocks AND spiders).

An excellent trail system. Lots of options. I've been over there several times and am just starting to learn my way around. So far I prefer the trails south of the park office. Well worth the drive from Wichita Falls (~100 miles one way).

There is actually 40 miles of trails Now. Great trail system with lots of technical rock gardens, tough climbs, and fast descents! It's rough.

Rode this trail with BicycleBrad for about 3hrs and probably didn't cover half of it. This is a large network of trails with ups , downs, switch backs, roots and rocks. It was a great workout trying to keep up and had a lot of fun. Ready to go back. Well maintained and not too much traffic. I would classify as intermediate overall but it definitely has some more challenging components.

Rode this trail with BicycleBrad for about 3hrs and probably didn't cover half of it. This is a large network of trails with ups , downs, switch backs, roots and rocks. It was a great workout trying to keep up and had a lot of fun. Ready to go back. Well maintained and not too much traffic. I would classify as intermediate overall but it definitely has some more challenging components.

I love the trails! The trails are a mix of technical and flowy single track. The trail has a north and a south side. The south side is very rocky, technical, and tight. The north side is very flowy and fun! There is some rocks, climbs, and decents. This is my favorite trail in Oklahoma. The trails aren't that well marked, but you are able to get trail and park maps at the Lake Murray State Park office. I highly recommend riding this trail.

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This get ridden at all...not as good as the older stuff at Lake Murry

I ride this trail 2 or 3 times a week and never get tired of it. The whole trail system is great!

Really fun trails, mostly flowy from Pecan Grove south, with just enough rocks and gulley rollers to keep one on his/her toes. Dry and sandy on Sat. Aug. 6, 2016.

We have an extensive network of trails of over 40 miles of single track. It can be a bit disorienting if you aren't familiar with the trail system. Shoot me an email if you are in the area and would like a tour of the trails.

Consider not riding after a rain. I give it a 1 so far. I wasn't forecast to rain last night but it did. There was no mention of wet weather rid-ability, so I thought I would give it a go. I stayed at Cedar cove and rode north. It was a little greasy at first, but the leaves were not too bad, considering it is is November. Then some nice obstacles, that would be fun if it was dryer or if I knew it more.then a few washed out drop in and ups out of gullies that were tough to walk up let alone ride. Probably would be tough dry even. I towards little Moab, for a bit of rock garden, Then trying to follow the big loop arrows, that lead to Duke. I came to a fork that had Duke both ways and went right. It was really getting greasy now, 10 feet in and my front derailleur and chain stays were so packed I could not even force the pedals around. I dug a bunch out and tried to continue, but came up to a big gully that looked like a wash that would have been fun in my 4 wheelin days, but not to slog through on or carrying a bike. I could still hardly pedal. Cleaned some more out. but would pack back up instantly, with clay and leaves and sticks and such. I heard cars on the road so I went back to the other Duke fork, and when I got close to the road I hiked out. I thought it would shake out on the first down hill at speed, NOPE! I had to take the rear wheel off to dig it out. Got back to camp and spent an hour cleaning off the clay and re-lubing. There is a good wind, maybe it will dry up for tomorrow, so I can give it another go. Beautiful lake though.

Pretty good ride but giving it a 4 is a little bit generous. It may be funner if you know the trails but it was my first time out. Started at Pecan Grove and went south to a loop that was really good to ride (except for the more than occasional loose sand corners). I'd try a different trail systems if I go out there again. Overall it was worth the stop.

Loved, loved, loved this trail. I'd give it a 5 but those are reserved for Epic trails and this is not long enough. This trail has a little bit of everything: rock gardens, drops, fast flowy, dirt, sand etc. Not as well marked as other trails I've rode but I liked the adventure.

I wouldn't call this intermediate. It was more of a hard intermediate to advanced level trail, but maybe that's due to the timing in which I went and the routes I had to arbitrarily choose due to lack of signage or current mapping. I took a beginner because I was told it would be okay for them, but it mostly just discouraged them from biking because they had to walk 70% of it. There were steep, highly rooted climbs rittled with large rocks that I couldn't get over myself and I have hundreds of miles of experience mountain biking. There were very loose rocky descents. There was a horrible lack of signage - got lost multiple times. Don't get me wrong, there were some good parts, but I never really got a chance to just ride before I'd have to dismount and foot it up another impossible climb. Didn't feel comfortable or safe in my clips like I do at other trails. The design is cool but it'd be way better if the whole trail wasnt just one big rock garden. There were sections of this trail that I honestly thought might seriously harm me if I attempted to ride them.

Great trail with decent climbs and descents. Some of the rock spines/piles are a blast to session.

Great trail system. Wonderful combination of fast flowing, tight twisty, and technical rock. A few climbs long enough to get the heart rate up, but mostly short up and downs with technical sections through out. Many more miles than the map shows, can be ridden as a big loop, with numerous connector/ short-cut options. Signage is hand written but getting lost is not a option as the trails are sandwiched between the lake, and Rt 77S. Mostly intermediate level trail with some expert options. Beginners will have the least hike-a-bikes by choosing trails closer to the road.

Just tried this trail tonight for the first time. It was great. Someone has really done a good job of maintaining the trail. I did the loops around the Anadarche Trailhead and the Pecan Grove and hope to go back soon and do more of the routes. Great job, whoever is keeping this thing up! Side note: It is exit 29 for Madill, not exit 24. Just so you know

This is more of an update. As of 7-18-10 there is no point in riding any of the trails. All trails are COVERED in spider web and spiders. I started biking at the Anadarche Trailhead and only made it 5 MINUTES before turning back and running for dear life. This is my first time out here biking and from what i could see I cant wait to come back. i pray that next time there's no death spiders

mostly single track, some rock gardens, some hard hills, some tricky sections. Alot of fun. I start at Pecan Grove, and ether ride the 5, 7, or 9 mile loops.