>>2342965Not from here but most of my family is and I've lived here for several years.
It depends what past of the SW you are in. Some have a really high density of empty wilderness and hiking and other parts don't. You are never more than 30 minutes from a good hiking trail regardless. It isn't as good as out west but overall you should be happy with it. Ticks were nonexistent here when I was a kid but now you do need to check yourself. Still not nearly as bad as coastal area.
Check out Grayson Highlands.
