The Park

Barnwell Mountain Recreation Area — one of America's premier off-highway destinations, nestled in the piney woods of East Texas.

1,800+

Acres of Terrain

2000

Year Opened

5 mi

North of Gilmer, TX

Barnwell Mountain
Recreation Area

Barnwell Mountain Recreation Area (BMRA) is the Texas Motorized Trails Coalition's first property, officially opened in July 2000. Since then it has grown into one of the leading off-highway vehicle destinations in America.

Spanning 1,800 acres approximately 5 miles north of Gilmer, Texas on Highway 155, BMRA offers diverse terrain for all skill levels — from novice-friendly wooded tracks to serious rock crawling and technical climbs.

BMRA's trail system has become a model for off-road parks across the country. Its well-marked, unobtrusive signage has even been adopted by other parks, including Superlift ORV in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

Location

Address

Highway 155
~5 miles north of Gilmer, Texas

Region

East Texas Piney Woods
Gilmer, TX 75644

Facilities & Features

Shower & Bathroom Facilities

Full shower and restroom facilities on-site for multi-day campers.

Port-a-Potties Throughout

Conveniently placed throughout the grounds so you're never far from facilities on the trail.

Well-Marked Trail System

Unobtrusive, clearly signed trails — a system so effective it's been adopted as a model by other parks.

Camping Areas

Primitive camping inside the park for wheeling packages, plus designated areas for overland campers.

1,800+ Acres of Terrain

Massive property with diverse terrain — from flat wooded tracks to challenging climbs and rock obstacles.

Industry Recognition

Acknowledged by Texas Parks & Wildlife, Tread Lightly!, Blue Ribbon Coalition, and more.

Acknowledged by the Best

BMRA has earned recognition from the most respected organizations in off-road recreation, motorsports, and conservation.

Texas Parks & Wildlife

Blue Ribbon Coalition

Tread Lightly!

National Off Highway Vehicle Conservation Council

ATV Safety Institute

American Motorcyclist Association

United Four Wheel Drive Association

Southwest Four Wheel Drive Association

See It for Yourself

April 30 – May 3, 2026 · Barnwell Mountain Recreation Area · Gilmer, Texas