With week zero of the college football season in the books, we turn our attention to the main course: week one.
Dozens of college football games will be played this weekend in a ton of amazing cities across the country, and many of you will be making your way out to these venues to take in some of the action.
Much like with week zero, we here at OutKick OutDoors wanted to give you some of the best hiking spots in some of the most unique and picturesque destinations, and this weekend on the docket is Lubbock, Texas.
The 12th-ranked Texas Tech Red Raiders will be taking on the Abilene Christian Wildcats, and if you are making the trip to see this game in person, chances are you are going to want to explore all the natural beauty that the area has to offer.
Much like with our week zero hiking spots highlight for Tallahassee, this one comes with a heat warning.
West Texas in September is an oven, and it’s a dry heat at that.
You won’t sweat quite as much as you might in the Florida Panhandle, but that just means the dehydration will sneak up on you, so make sure you’re staying hydrated and dress appropriately.
With all that said, let’s unpack everything Lubbock has to offer.
Consider this one the “must do” for anyone not from the Lubbock area.
Lubbock Lake Landmark offers quintessential West Texas views and wide open spaces for a relatively easy hike.
The entire trail includes nearly five miles of hiking and sits right along the Yellowhouse Draw, combining mixed-grass prairies with an archeological dig site.
If you’re into history, the trail takes you right past the excavation site and gives hikers a view of thousands of years of human occupation.
And if the combination of West Texas views and archeological history doesn’t sell you on Lubbock Lake Landmark, here’s the real kicker: admission is free!
You can’t beat that price point.
If you’re looking for less of a “touristy” destination, Dunbar Historical Lake is the pick.
The East Loop of the trail offers a two-mile hike that is a solid workout for beginning hikers, while the West Loop offers a more hilly, five-mile experience that will put your glutes and quads to the test.
The actual elevation changes and dirt trails all winding around a lake will challenge you while also giving you some great views of the natural beauty that Lubbock has to offer.
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If you’re a mountain biker, this site has some added appeal for you as well, as the trail is super popular among the biking community.
Dunbar Historical Lake is super convenient to get to, sandwiched between several major thoroughfares, but it never feels too close to the urban sprawl.
I promise they won’t all be lakes!
For anyone looking for the best scenery that Lubbock has to offer without venturing too far outside the city limits, Buffalo Springs Lake offers outstanding canyon and lake views.
The 1.7-mile nature trail built by the Llano Estacado Audubon Society is definitely something to write home about, as you start out on the bluffs before making your way down towards the shores of the lake.
Bird watchers will also get an added bonus, as there are plenty of different aviary species that call this park home.
One thing to note, the trails aren’t super well-manicured nor are they regularly groomed, so this is an example of “roughing it” for a hike.
With that said, the trails are well worth it, and with the added camping, fishing, and water activities provided here, Buffalo Springs Lake should absolutely be on your list.
Are you looking for wilderness vibes without straying from the city? Mae Simmons Park has you covered.
You can get your fill of the Yellowhouse Canyon without ever having to leave the comfort of Lubbock at this local hidden gem.
Both hikers and mountain bikers swear by Mae Simmons Park, and the trail network offers great views and wild terrain that ditches the conventional walking paths of most city hikes.
Locals swear by this park, as hikers from the area give Mae Simmons Park high marks, and the Outer Loop Trail in particular is one worth checking out.
Consider this an option if you don’t want to burn an entire half a day driving to enjoy the great outdoors.
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This last one is a bit off the beaten path, but I promise it’s worth it.
For those of you making an extended stay in Lubbock, Caprock Canyons State Park is 90 miles outside the city limits, so make sure you dedicate a day for this one.
With that said, the trail is simply astounding.
Caprock Canyons offers 25 miles of trails, red-rock canyons, and challenging hikes for even the most seasoned veterans.
If you happen to be one of those veteran hikers, might I suggest the Haynes Ridge Overlook, a 2.3-mile trail that is a serious workout and features a 600-foot ascent with some of the best views in the entire state.
Wildlife lovers will have plenty to cheer about too, as the park boasts a large population of bison roaming throughout the area.
There are so many trails to pick from, it’s almost like a “choose your own adventure” in hiking form, so load up the car and don’t miss out on this stunner of a state park.
