While Jefferson, TX, has some of the best historical museums, quaint beds & breakfasts, and charming downtown, the town has many outdoor adventures for outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you’re interested in history, experiences, or shopping, Jefferson has something unique to offer everyone who visits. Here’s my solo road trip to Jefferson, Texas, and all the fun I had outdoors.
A solo road trip to Jefferson, Texas, may be just what you need!
I spent two nights and three days in Jefferson, and I wanted to find fun things to do outside. Though it rained the entire time I was there, I did manage to get in two outdoor adventures I went there to do. But first, let me tell you where I stayed. I loved it…and the breakfast is worth going back to!
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White Oak Manor Bed & Breakfast
For many years, I’ve known that you try to book a B&B when you go to Jefferson. At least that was what we did back in the day. But just so you know, there are plenty of cabin rentals and RV Parks nearby as well. After searching high and low for a quaint B&B, I chose to stay at the White Oak Manor Bed and Breakfast. And was I glad! Their breakfast both mornings was top-notch. Keep scrolling to see a photo of one of my delicious breakfasts.
Breakfast At White Oak Manor B&B In Jefferson, TX
Below is showing my first breakfast at the White Oak Manor B&B. It’s a German pancake topped with blueberries. I’ve never had a pancake made this way – it was impeccable! And as of late, because I’m doing intermittent fasting, I’m not much of a breakfast eater, but I’m not passing it up when right in front of me. The next morning’s breakfast was a stuffed croissant with bacon, cheese, and egg. YUM!
Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge
So, I lost a day of activities because of the rain. The rain came out of nowhere and didn’t stop all day. Everything I had planned that morning and into the day got canceled. Instead of just sitting around, a couple I met at the B&B asked if I wanted to tour the Caddo Lake National Wildlife Refuge with them in their car. I took them up on it, and through the rain, we managed to enjoy the scenery and the deer we saw, and we also spotted a few birds native to the refuge. There’s an actual marked Auto Tour Route you can take in your vehicle.
This is one solo trip that I’ll never forget. East Texas is so beautiful, and I didn’t realize how much history is in Jefferson. WOW!
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Outdoor Things To Do In Jefferson, TX
Below are a few things you can do outdoors on a solo road trip to Jefferson. I didn’t get to do any of them because of the rain or my time ran out.
Take a Guided Shuttle Bus – Enjoy a 1-hour narrated scenic tour in a covered shuttle from a local. You’ll get a look at some of Jefferson’s most adorned historic homes, bed and breakfast homes, historical structures, as well as the downtown shopping area while learning about the history of Jefferson. >>>> tourjefferson.com.
Rent a Golf Cart To Tool Around Town – Grab a map and brochures at the Visitor Center and tool around town at your leisure. Ask the Visiting Center what the phone number is to rent the cart, or you might spot a cart with the phone number on it.
Historic Jefferson Railway – An 8-mile narrated ride through the scenic Big Cypress Bayou. This excursion is great for the whole family. Visit the Historic Jefferson Railway for more information. It’s only opened on Saturdays, so I miss this one.
Rent a Kayak or Canoe – There are several places in town where you can rent kayaks and canoes. Made In The Shade is one place. Their’s is $25/per person and comes with life jackets, oars, plastic phone cases, and an ice chest full of water—all for $25 a person for 2 hours.
Ghost Walk Tour – The Historic Jefferson Ghost Walk Tour is a 1.5 hours historic haunted walk tour at night through dark alleyways and courtyards, all the while listening to vivid accounts of historical tragedies, murder, and ghostly encounters. It’s the most requested tour in town.
Everything I mentioned here, you can do alone. You can pick and choose what you want to do, and no one can tell you no!
Caddo Lake Bayou Tours
Caddo Lake is the only natural lake in Texas (our tour guide says) and is home to the world’s largest Bald Cypress Forest. There’s something spooky about 400-year-old Cypress trees. I felt like I was in a scary movie as we were strolling through the swamp right next to a haunted house. Maybe I stretched that a little, but there have been quite a few movies filmed at Caddo Lake, including The Legends of Boggy Creek and the TV show, True Bloods. Rick, the owner of Caddo Lake Bayou Tours told us some people saw Bigfoot there. This is a must-see tour when planning a trip to Jefferson, Texas.
If you look close, you’ll see a Blue Heron between the Cypress Trees in the photo below. Do you see it?
Karma Farms Horseback Riding
I love horseback riding. I always seek out the nearest place to ride where ever I go. There’s something about being on a horse out in nature that I can’t explain. But if you love it too, then you know. I found Karma Farms on Facebook, which is a short drive from Jefferson in Marshall. They offer trail riding on Colonial Horses by reservations only, and it was truly an unforgettable horse ride. Karma Farms received excellent reviews on TripAdvisor and in several newspapers. Seriously, it was the best solo road trip I’ve been on this year!
Isn’t he a beauty?
When taking a road trip to Jefferson, Texas, be sure to look these places up for a fun and memorable experience.
Related: Tips for Traveling Solo in Today’s World(Opens in a new browser tab)
If you’d like to see another version of what to do in Jefferson, TX that I wrote, feel free to mosey over to TravelAwaits-Jefferson, TX by Kim Croisant to get a little more taste what to do in the town.
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