Houston trail rides maps: 11 groups riding to city ahead of rodeo parade

HOUSTON - Trail riders are on their way to Houston, ushering in the annual Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo season.

Eleven trail rides will converge at Memorial Park in Houston this week and ride in the Downtown Rodeo Parade on Saturday.

What are the trail rides?

The backstory:

Every year leading up to the rodeo, riders on horseback and in carriages make their way to Houston, their journeys spanning dozens of miles and multiple days.

Trail riders come from diverse backgrounds and span all ages. Some trail riders have multiple generations.

By the numbers:

According to the rodeo, the first trail ride began with four men in 1952 who traveled on horseback from Brenham to raise awareness of the event. Since then, the annual tradition has grown to more than 2,000 trail riders traveling from cities around Southeast Texas.

• The trail rides cover about 1,300 miles combined.
• The Mission Trail Ride is the longest. It begins in Goliad and covers 206 miles.
• Salt Grass Trail Ride is the oldest trail ride, beginning in 1952. It has grown to 1,200 riders.

Mission Trail Ride

This trail ride begins in Goliad, Texas, spanning 206 miles with more than 125 riders and 10 wagons.

Trail ride map: Click here

Northeastern Trail Ride

This trail ride begins in Cheeks, Texas, and covers 110 miles with 55 riders and five wagons.

Trail ride map: Click here

Prairie View Trail Ride

This trail ride begins in Hempstead, Texas, covering 80 miles with 300 riders and nine wagons.

Trail ride map: Click here

Salt Grass Trail Ride

This trail ride begins in Cat Spring, Texas, covering 105 miles with 1,200 riders and 22 wagons.

Trail ride map: Click here

Sam Houston Trail Ride

This trail ride begins in Montgomery, Texas, traveling 70 miles with 50–75 riders and five wagons.

Trail ride map: Click here

Southwest Trail Ride

This trail ride begins in Rosenberg, Texas, covering 120 miles with 294 riders and six wagons.

Trail ride map: Click here

Southwestern Trail Ride

This trail ride begins in West Columbia, Texas, traveling 97 miles with 250 riders, and 11 wagons with three guest wagons.

Trail ride map: Click here

Texas Cattlemen’s Trail Ride

This trail ride begins in Plantersville, Texas, traveling 60 miles with 35 riders and three wagons.

Trail ride map: Click here

Texas Independence Trail Ride

This trail ride starts in Hitchcock, Texas, traveling 75 miles with 75–200 riders and 14 wagons.

Trail ride map: Click here

The Spanish Trail Ride

This trail ride starts in Shepherd, Texas, spanning 109 miles with 125 riders and nine wagons.

Trail ride map: Click here

Valley Lodge Trail Ride

This trail ride begins in Brookshire, Texas, covering 75 miles with 75 riders and four wagons.

Trail ride map: Click here

Houston Livestock Show and RodeoHouston