Sawmill Hiking Trail is a 6.5 mile lightly trafficked loop trail located near Jasper, Texas that features a river. The trail is good for all skill levels offers a number of activity options. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
dogs on leash
kid friendly
camping
fishing
hiking
mountain biking
trail running
walking
forest
river
wild flowers
blowdown
bridge out
muddy
Directions from Zavalla, TX: Follow Highway 63 east from Zavalla, TX for 11 miles; turn right (south) on County Road 348A for 2.5 miles to Boykin Springs Recreation Area and follow signs. Trailhead located on the southern side of recreation area.
Didn't actual hike but the lake part was great
I enjoyed the beach with the mountain views
I took my kids out to enjoy the hike, it was around 70 degrees on a mid January day...perfect temperature. The trail begins at the bottom of the hill after you enter the Boykin Springs Rec area. Completely single track and with little elevation change, the trail traverses along a creek for the majority of the hike. There had been some recent rains which left the creek moderately full and flowing. Due to the rain portions of the trail in lower areas were soggy or had standing water. There were a few bridges that have been washed out by high waters, some appeared to be more recent than others. I would recommend the expectation of wet shoes...especially if you have young kids with you. The washed out bridges would make it difficult for some people, depending on their ability. The hike is absolutely worth the effort once you reach the incredibly photogenic sawmill. My biggest criticism regards the trash left at the sawmill by people who think its a good drinking spot.
It was a good hike. The saw mill is really spooky. I wouldn't joke out there by myself. Also, there isn't really a waterfall. I'm guessing what everyone is referring to as a "waterfall" is near the beginning of the hike there is a small spillover on the creek. Pretty disappointing for my 9 year old daughter who was expecting much more.
Nice out and back trail along a small stream. Easy walk with a lot of woods, tall forest trees and water beside the trail.
Located in Cassels-Boykin Park and easy to get too. Well worth the hike.
Was a fun trail with creeks all along the trail. Enjoyed getting in the cold water and washing off for the walk. End results was a spooky mill that would be awesome to walk to during halloween
Great trail, easy to follow. Beautiful landscape with a small creek bed. Sawmill was a unique thing to see, trail needs a little work though, one bridge was washed away but dried up making it not too hard to get across :
Advertised sawmill and waterfall were beyond disappointing.
In addition to the picturesque waterfall and abandoned sawmill, this trail keeps you entertained with a few creek crossings and (lovely) landscape changes. As of September 2015, I wouldn't take the Bouton Lake trail that splits to the west along the train grade when the Sawmill Trail forks to head toward the Old Aldridge Sawmill. It's pretty dense with downed trees and overgrown brush .5 miles down.
Well marked easy trail. Good first hike for my kids. They loved the creek and all the bridges and liked exploring the sawmill.
Lots of fun. Really enjoyed the creek with the small waterfalls. Would love to go back and go swimming! The abandoned sawmill is worth the walk!