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Is there anything better than exploring the great outdoors on two wheels? If you love mountain biking, or you just want to bike somewhere other than your neighborhood, you might want to check out some of the best biking trails in Jacksonville, TX. Drive on Over: Five Favorite Biking Trails Near Jacksonville, TX 1. Nichols Green Park Nichols Green Park at 1215 Heritage Drive is a great place to go if you want to enjoy paved bike trails. These trails take you through the entire 43-acre park, which includes various greenways and amenities like picnic tables, playgrounds, and pavilions. This park has a pond with a pier if you want to pause your time on the trail to dip your toes into some refreshing water. 2. Martin Creek Lake State Park Martin Creek Lake State Park, located at 9515 Country Road, is a small state park with four miles of biking and hiking trails. The best trails for biking are the Old Henderson Road Loop and the Harmony Hill Loop, which are one and a half miles long. Along with biking, you can visit this park for photography, boating, fishing, camping, swimming, and much more. 3. Faulkner Park At 410 West Cumberland Road, you will find Faulkner Park, one of the best places to go mountain biking in the area. The mountain bike trails take you through challenging inclines amid towering trees and low hill ranges. There are nine miles of bike trails, as well as five jump lines built by the Tyler Bicycle Club. All the bike trails are free for public use. 4. Purtis Creek State Park Purtis Creek State Park at 14223 FM 316 North in nearby Eustace is an excellent trail for a short biking trip. The Wolfpen Hike and Bike Trail are just over four miles long, while the Beaver Slide Nature Path is a lakeside trail just under two miles long. For an even faster trail, you can try the Solar Trail near the Purtis Creek dam. 5. Mineola Nature Preserve Right along the Sabine River is the Mineola Nature Preserve at 1869 Country Road 2724. The Greer Hill Mountain Bike Trails are great for mountain biking for new riders and experienced bikers alike. After biking through these scenic trails, you can camp at the preserve on Greer Hill. If you want to make your next trip to a biking trail easier, stop by Bacon Auto Country and ask the service center to install a genuine GM bike rack. Get in touch with the dealership today to learn more about how to order a bike rack accessory for your vehicle.

Load your picnic basket and head to the best picnic spots around Jacksonville, TX. With so many scenic parks and picturesque landscapes to choose from, the possibilities for a perfect picnic are endless. Just Down the Road: 3 Favorite Picnic Spots Near Jacksonville, TX 1. Lake Jacksonville Enjoy a scenic picnic overlooking the sparkling 1,325-acre Lake Jacksonville in the Neches River basin at 2700 Byrd Road in Jacksonville. Picnic benches are scattered in the shade under the mixed hardwood and pine trees along the shore, providing sweeping views over the lake's crystal-clear water. The picnic area is near the sandy swimming beach, pier, and campground. There are also three boat ramps, making it an excellent destination for swimming, fishing, paddling, and boating. Linger along the lake until early evening, when the setting sun casts a warm orange glow over the water for the perfect ending to a lovely day on the lake. 2. Love's Outlook Park Enjoy a delicious lunch at Love's Outlook Park on 43822 US 69. At 713 feet, Love's Outlook Park, with its locally sourced iron ore stone wall lining the ridge, has long been renowned for its breathtaking vistas towards the eastern horizon. On days with clear skies, it's possible to see as far as 30 to 35 miles away. Sit at one of the picnic tables and have a delicious lunch while admiring the sprawling, far-flung views over the Texas landscape. The park is also home to one of the last fire towers, listed on the National Historic Lookout Register, built by the Texas Forest Service in 1935 and remained active until 1970. A historical marker reveals the origin of Love's Lookout Park, once owned by Wesley Love at the turn of the century, and there are impeccable restrooms, vending machines, and an information center. 3. Nichols' Green Park Pack your favorite picnic lunch, pile your loved ones in your spacious Chevy or GMC, and head to Nichols' Green Park at 1215 Heritage Drive: Jacksonville's flagship park with lush meadows, beautiful wooded areas, and plenty of fun outdoor activities. After playing a round of disc golf, tennis, or basketball and watching the little ones running through the sprayers at the splash pad and swinging and sliding at the playground, take a leisurely stroll down one of the winding walking paths to find the ideal spot for a bite to eat. You can spread your blanket on the rolling green lawn overlooking the pond or get comfy in the pavilion and enjoy a lovely picnic with family and friends. Picnics are an excellent way to enjoy beautiful surroundings, and whether it's a romantic picnic for two or a fun family outing, there's something special about dining al fresco. After your picnic, drop by Bacon Auto Country to look at the new Chevrolet and GMC models and find your next reliable ride.

If you're looking for some of the best barbecue in Texas, you'll find it in Jacksonville. When we're craving bold, smoky flavors, we head to one of these four top BBQ spots in Jacksonville, TX. 1. JW's Barbecue This family-owned business was started by a 1996 graduate of Jacksonville High School, who learned the craft of barbecue when he lived in Arkansas and couldn't get the dishes he remembered from growing up in Texas. JW's Barbecue serves smoked meats by the pound, including pulled pork, turkey, brisket, house-made sausage, and pork ribs. It also has sandwiches, specialty plates, sides, and desserts. JW's is located at 1015 East Rusk Street in Jacksonville. It's open from 11 a.m. until everything is sold out from Tuesday through Saturday. 2. Sadler's Kitchen If you're looking for down-home Texas favorites including barbecue, Sadler's is the spot. This family restaurant has been feeding the Jacksonville community since 1943. The menu features home style dishes like lasagna and creamy chicken spaghetti alongside your choice of kebabs, sliced pork or beef tenderloin, or bacon-wrapped chicken breasts. If you have room for dessert, don't skip the famous pies. Sadler's Kitchen is located at 101 South Bonner Street in Jacksonville, in a restored historic building. It's open from 4 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, and 5 to 9 p.m. on Saturday. 3. Pop's Country Store and Grill You can find some of the best BBQ in the Jacksonville area at this family-owned fuel station, which offers groceries in addition to smoked meats and a small menu of sandwiches. We recommend the barbecue sandwich featuring Pop's legendary pulled pork, along with a hot link or two if you're in the mood for some spice. Pop's Country Store and Grill is located at 10940 FM 347 North in Jacksonville. It's open from 5:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, with breakfast sandwiches on the grill for the early risers. 4. Commerce Street Drafthouse This Jacksonville staple has a widely varied menu that includes quite a few BBQ favorites. We love the loaded pulled pork baked potato for a fun twist on a classic Texas dish. Smoked chicken stars in Commerce Street's chicken salad sandwich, or you can order bangers and mash with barbecue bratwurst. Commerce Street Drafthouse is located at 401 East Commerce Street. It's open from 4 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. The Chevy Silverado has the work features you want with a comfortable cabin that's perfect for exploring Jacksonville's local barbecue scene. Schedule your test drive at Bacon Auto Country today to experience this powerful pickup. Image by Jacob Johnson from Pixabay