Huntsville was a major stop along El Camino Real de los Tejas in East Texas, and the surrounding Pineywoods region benefited from the stabilizing presence of the Buffalo Soldiers, who used the route for troop movements and supply lines. They also used the route to travel from West Texas to visit their families in the east, or for recruits en route to their new posts. When you visit Huntsville State Park today, picture the soldiers traversing through the dense forest on their way home. Plan on fishing, swimming, or paddling in Lake Raven, or exploring over 21 miles of trails for hiking and biking.