Explore the Great Outdoors of Texas with a Wealth of Recreation Activities Beaches and Boat Ramps
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
United States Department of Agriculture TheWelcome breathtaking beauty! of the great outdoors is evident throughout the Outdoor Adventures National Forests and Grasslands in Texas. The Texas Pineywoods stretch from the urban landscape of Houston to the Louisiana border and are home to the Angelina, Davy Crockett, Sabine and Sam Houston national forests. These four national forests have an amazing diversity of plant and animal life scattered across gently rolling hills, hardwood bottomlands and world-class fishing lakes. North of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex are the Lyndon B. Johnson and Caddo National Grasslands. Purchased by the government in the 1930s, these lands are made up of abandoned farms and ranches that suffered severe soil erosion, but are now a thriving testament to proper land management. Whether it’s boating, fishing and swimming in the numerous lakes and reservoirs, or camping off the beaten path, the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas offer an experience like no other. Explore the Great Outdoors of Texas With a wealth of recreation activities beaches and boat ramps. Grasslands, recreation is a big draw within easy driving distance, more and The Davy Crockett and Sam to the 6.3 million people who live just more vacationers are discovering the Houston national forests are located minutes away in the Dallas-Fort Worth beauty and affordability of the National where the pine forests of the Deep South metroplex. Forests and Grasslands in Texas. join the blackland prairies. The result is The TADRA Point campground The Forest Service, U.S. Department a mix of eastern and western species of is the trailhead to a 75-mile network of Agriculture, manages more than birds and other wildlife found nowhere which includes five different loop trails 675,000 acres of public land in Texas else in the state. and attracts equestrian enthusiasts from consisting of four national forests and The Sabine and Angelina national accross the state. These trails cover land two national grasslands. forests are on the shores of Toledo where once the Chisholm trail was used The four national forests in Texas are Bend and Sam Rayburn Reservoirs, two to move huge herds of cattle northward the Angelina, Davy Crockett, Sabine large lakes featuring fishing and other and the Comanche people roamed. and Sam Houston. water sports. Lake Conroe and Lake Black Creek Lake, with its adjacent The national grasslands are north of Livingston offer water-related outdoor campground and huge oaks, is popular the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and recreation opportunities on and near the for fishing, as well as tent camping and include the Caddo and the Lyndon B. Sam Houston National Forest. boating. Johnson. Primitive camping is allowed Coral bean adds a splash The National Forests and Grasslands anywhere in the general forest area, of red to the forest. in Texas provide a variety of outdoor except during hunting season or unless recreation opportunities with 25 posted otherwise. All campers are developed recreation areas, nearly 200 encouraged to practice “leave no trace” Look Inside miles of hiking trails, scenic areas, camping, leaving an area in the same Angelina .............................2 wilderness areas, an off-road vehicle trail natural condition in which it was found. Davy Crockett ....................3 and more than 100 miles of horse trails. During Spring, Caddo National Camping reservations for the four Grasslands visitors can enjoy the Sabine ...............................4 national forests may be made by calling spectacular experience of viewing Sam Houston .....................5 1-877-444-6777, or on the web at www. migratory neo-tropical birds from Caddo/LBJ .........................6 recreation.gov. A daily use fee is charged Central and South America. The display Experimental Forest ...........7 at most areas. of these winged visitors to the Caddo Campgrounds generally include tent compete with the springtime show of Safety Information ..............8 pads, picnic tables, parking spurs for wildflowers. Contacts .............................8 trailers, lantern posts, campfire rings, Photographers and nature lovers OHV Regulations ................8 potable water and toilets. Some areas agree, spring in Caddo is magnificent. also have showers, electricity, swimming In the Lyndon B. Johnson National Forest National Forests and R8-RG 479 Service Grasslands in Texas July 2020 2 National Forests & Grasslands in Texas Angelina National Forest ocated in the heart of the Pineywoods, the 153,160-acre LAngelina National Forest spans Angelina, Nacogdoches, San Augustine and Jasper counties. The forest lies in the Neches River Basin and on the north and south shores of Sam Rayburn Reservoir. Old Aldridge The Aldridge Sawmill site is located on a spur of the Sawmill Hiking Trail there are also camping and picknicking south of Boykin Springs Recreation spots. Area. Additional boat ramps are located at The 20,700-acre Bannister Wildlife The sawmill was built in 1905 and U.S. Army Corps of Engineer parks. Management Area is located north of Lake Sam Rayburn and is a prime was active until it closed in 1923. Wilderness Logging was the economic base for The 5,473-acre Turkey Hill and the hunting area. the community, but when the trees were 13,390-acre Upland Island wilderness Texas Parks and Wildlife acts gone the sawmill closed and the town areas are set aside to allow the earth’s as an advisor concerning wildlife was abandoned. spillway have been restored to their natural processes to shape and influence management and it is a designated Although most of the buildings are classic 1930s-era look. It is a favorite the land. Hunting, horseback riding and Eastern Wild Turkey restoration site. gone, the shells of four concrete mill spot for camping, picnicking, hiking and hiking are allowed, while bicycles and Endangered Species buildings, various foundations, the mill photography. motorized equipment are not. During winter and early spring, bald pond and portions of the old railroad Sam Rayburn Reservoir In these wilderness areas, visitors eagles can been seen soaring over the tram still remain. While many come to the Angelina will discover Texas the way it was 100, lake, perched on a flooded snag or in As a structure listed on the National National Forest to enjoy the camping maybe 200 years ago. pines along shorelines. Registry of Historic Places, no digging, experience, it is Sam Rayburn Reservoir Wildlife The red-cockaded woodpecker is collecting of artifacts, use of metal that brings folks back time and Principal game in the forest are deer, also found throughout the forest. This detectors, damaging or defacing the site again. hog, squirrel, wild turkey, woodcock, small bird makes its home by pecking is allowed. At 114,500 acres, “Big Sam” is a quail, dove and duck. cavities in large, older living pine trees, Boykin Springs fishing, boating and skiing paradise in Fish and waterfowl abound in Sam and was designated an endangered Boykin Springs Recreation Area the largest lake wholly located within Rayburn Reservoir and the area is also species in 1973. has undergone extensive renovations Texas. resting grounds for migratory birds Wherever these birds are found, since it was damaged by Hurricane Forest Service boat ramps are located before they fly south toward the Gulf emphasis is directed toward providing Rita in 2005. The picnic shelter and at Townsend and at Caney Creek where Coast. the special habitat they require. www.fs.usda.gov/texas 3 Davy Crockett National Forest amed for the legendary pioneer, Davy Crockett NNational Forest contains more than 160,600 acres of woodland streams, recreation areas and wildlife habitat. Located in Houston and Trinity counties, the forest is centrally located within the Neches River and Trinity River basins. Ratcliff Lake Built in 1936 by the Civilian Conservation Corps, Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area surrounds a 45-acre privately owned land, the Four C Trail A $10 per day fee covers camping at lake that was a log pond for the Central stays on national forest land. either of the two horse camps and use Coal and Coke Company Sawmill that Walnut Creek Campsite is located of the horse trail system. A self-service logged the area from 1902 to 1920. on a small ridge about midway on the pay station is available at the site. An The area offers visitors camping, trail, and the Pond Campsite is near annual permit can be purchased for $50 picnicking, a swimming beach and mile 13. per vehicle at the ranger’s office. bathhouse in a beautiful forest setting Spring and fall are the best times Trail riding groups of more than 74 often featured in travel magazines. of year to experience the trail, but persons (including spectators) need a The picnic shelters and camping the trail can be hiked year round. special-use permit and should contact sites may be reserved from the Wearing bright orange is a must when the ranger’s office three months prior National Reservation System online at hiking during hunting season (October to the event. www.recreation.gov or by calling 877- through January). Horses, bikes and During rainy weather, parts of the 444-6777. off-road vehicles are not allowed on trail may flood. Four C Hiking Trail the trail. The best seasons for using the trail The Four C Hiking Trail begins at are during the mild weather of the fall Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area and ends and spring. Vault toilets are at both at the Neches Bluff Overlook. It was horse camps, but potable water and named one of the top 10 trails in Texas designated campsites are at the Piney by Texas Monthly magazine. Creek camp. Named for the Central Coal and Big Slough Wilderness Area Coke Company, it follows abandoned The 3,639-acre Big Slough tramways through the national forest. Wilderness was set aside under the Except for a one-mile segment through Texas Wilderness Act of 1984 to Principal game includes white- provide opportunities for solitude and tailed deer, turkey, feral hog, challenge and remains natural and waterfowl, dove, squirrel, quail and pristine.