TX · South Central
4 forest guides within driving distance
Sam Houston National Forest covers 163,000 acres of East Texas Piney Woods just north of Houston, offering the Lone Star Hiking Trail, lake recreation, and the closest national forest to one of America's largest cities.
6 min read
162,000 acres of East Texas Pineywoods named for the frontier hero, with the Four C National Recreation Trail, Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area, and longleaf pine restoration in the heart of the Texas timber country.
5 min read
154,000 acres of East Texas longleaf and loblolly pine forest surrounding Sam Rayburn Reservoir, with the Big Slough Canoe Trail, Boykin Springs recreation area, and quality recreational fishing.
5 min read
161,000 acres of East Texas Pineywoods along the Texas-Louisiana border, with Toledo Bend Reservoir shoreline, longleaf pine restoration, and the Sabine River corridor forming the forest's eastern edge.
5 min read
Kelly's Pond Trail is a quiet 3.8-mile backcountry trail in the western portion of Sam Houston National Forest, following a small pond and creek through East Texas Piney Woods bottomland habitat.
3 min read
The Stubblefield Lake Trail circles a quiet forest lake over 4.8 miles through pine-hardwood forest in the northwest section of Sam Houston National Forest, with fishing access and bird activity throughout.
3 min read
The Lone Star Hiking Trail North Section covers 18 miles through the most scenic portion of Texas's longest trail, passing longleaf pine restoration areas, creek bottomlands, and backcountry Piney Woods terrain in Sam Houston National Forest.
3 min read
The Cagle Recreation Area Loop explores 5.2 miles of pine-hardwood forest at the north end of Sam Houston National Forest, near Lake Conroe, with views across the lake and access to the Lone Star Hiking Trail.
3 min read
The Big Creek Scenic Area Trail follows 5.6 miles through the most ecologically diverse section of Sam Houston National Forest, traversing a Big Thicket-influenced creek bottom forest with unusual botanical richness.
3 min read