Sawmill Hiking Trail is a 4.3 mile lightly trafficked loop trail located near Jasper, Texas that features a river and is good for all skill levels. The trail offers a number of activity options and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
Free for day use.
Texas Tourism Division, P.O. Box 12728 , Austin, TX, 78711-2728, Phone: 800-452-9292
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.
Very light people traffic. Restroom facilities at the trailhead with camping opportunities around the area. The trail was mostly marked well, could use updates in a few areas where you must detour. Fairly dry, a few creek crossings that could be wet after a rain. You can feel the history of the sawmill when approach the buildings. 3 total buildings in pretty good shape for being 115 years old. The creepiest one still has the roof in tact... it felt a little heavy to me. Overall very peaceful and beautiful creek runs along most of the trail
The sawmill at the end makes it worth it but there are definitely some maintenance issues like out bridges and bridges too skinny for biking... May be better as a hiking trail...
We went on this trail with friends yesterday. We had not been here for 2 years. It was truly beautiful in the park. I was saddened to see the decline of the trail. We knew we should walk along the creek, but that was difficult at times. The trail has fallen trees and no markings. It took us several tries to see where the beginning of the trail was. The park is beautiful.
Loved it! Would recommend anyone to go, especially in good weather because it was super pretty.
Not many options in this area so I went to this because had a lot of good feedback. Took maybe an hour and a half to hike to the Mill and that was stopping several times. Trails pretty until you pass the road halfway through then afterwards things get a little overgrown. It's not bad but wear pants or at least bug spray. The Mill is pretty cool. The overgrowth plus the graffiti and being alone made me feel like I was in the opening scene of a horror movie
We had such fun today! There is a creek and several little waterfalls. The terrain was a bit rough in spots, ups and downs. The abandon mill was pretty cool. A lot of graffiti, though. On the way back we stopped at the creek and cooled off. The trail to the Aldridge Sawill and back is actually 6 miles.
Great trail, been coming out here since I was a kid. First half of the trail is great. It follows along a nice cool spring fed creek just about to the halfway point, where it’s going to diverge off into a forest trail. Definitely best in the fall when things are cooling off and the leaves are changing. A lot of people are complaining about the graffiti but it really adds a lot to the experience in my opinion. Also if you want to see a couple bats you should stick around until dark.
First half of trail is great. Nice views of the stream, some small waterfalls, open spaces. At the halfway point, you cross a street and everything changes. Lots of overgrowth, not much to see, downed trees, poorly marked at times. There are a few elevation changes which was nice however. Unfortunately The sawmill and the structures near it are covered graffiti. Not a waste of a day, but not on my list to return.
The second half of this trail no longer exists. Found out the hard way when the trail just ended and had to find my way back through a swampy, vine infested area. Once you get to County road 34 (where there is a metal barrier that leads to a road) turn around and back track the same way you came.