The Lanana Creek Trail is approximately 3.5 miles long from E. Austin Street into the youth soccer complex just south of Main Street. The trail is an ongoing project of the Sesquicentennial Celebration of 1986. The trail and Stephan F. Austin State University Abroretum are the result of a cadre of volunteers and enthusiasts that want to make Nacogdoches a better place to live.
Some of the trail at both ends is handicap accessible with the northern end winding through beautiful university gardens. The southern end promotes an exercise loop running through youth soccer and youth softball complexes. The trail winds through the campus of SFA, Pecan Park, and beautiful shady areas next to Lanana Creek. It borders a historical cemetery, Oak Grove, and makes a loop through youth athletic fields. The mostly shady trail is open all year.
Nacogdoches is located 2 hours north of Houston on Hwy 59/259. Main access to the trail is behind Liberty Hall at 805 East Main Street just a few blocks east of the downtown square and directly across from the youth athletic complexes.
Anytime I’m in nac, I like to go walking/running this trail. You can go all the way from the Hoya soccer fields to almost Kroger on university (one of the sfa buildings you can see Kroger from).
I moved to Nacogdoches a few months back and started walking for exercise more recently. As a result I have been exploring the many trails that Nac offers. Lanana Creek Trail is an excellent trek however there are things to factor in if you are planning to walk/jog/bike it. It actually runs from the north end of town to the south end of town and you can walk the entire length. The entire Trail between Starr Ave. and Austin St. is bike/stroller (and any other wheeled transport) friendly. It is entirely paved with the exception of a short stretch between Tucker Woods and the SFA grounds. That too though is wheel friendly. South of Starr Ave. is a different story. While it is still an excellent hike, there are natural steps formed by tree roots and rocks and such that make it difficult if not nearly impossible for wheeled transports.
Have been on this trail twice in the last month. There are areas on the South end that have been damaged due to flooding and we were not able to get through. I have a Trek cruiser and my husband is disabled and has a hand bike so the major ruts and stairs prevented us from riding the entire trail. There are a few areas that have an area you can go around the bridges/stairs so hopefully when the water is down we can try again. Would appreciate any comments when it clears up! The northern part of the trail that goes through the campus and gardens is beautiful! Can't wait to try it again!
This trail has sun, shade, mud, grass, birds, squirrels, a beautiful creek, and so much more. I enjoy walking and running on it.
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