Sam Houston National Forest

SAM HOUSTON NATIONAL FORREST

Although this lovely spot is just an hour from downtown Houston, it feels like a whole new world.

Sam Houston National Forest promises dense, tranquil woodlands, meandering lakeshores, and tons of wildlife. 

Bald eagles can be spotted in the winter, while deer, woodpeckers, and other native species are year-round residents of the area.

Up for a challenge? The longest continuous hiking trail in Texas and one of our favorite trails near Houston (stretching a whopping 129 miles!) runs straight through the national forest.

Although you won’t have time for all of it, the route has numerous points where you can hop on and off, perfect for day hikers.

RECREATION

Hiking - Hiking is a popular way to enjoy the forest and its beauty. The 128-mile Lone Star Hiking Trail, a portion of which has gained National Recreation Trail status, winds through the Sam Houston National Forest. The trail, marked with two-inch by four-inch aluminum markers to guide hikers, has recreation areas available at three different points. Except during deer hunting season when camping is restricted to designated camps, primitive camping is allowed off the trail. Potable water is available at Double Lake and Stubblefield recreation areas.

Lone Star Hiking Trail consists of three major sections. The 40-mile Lake Conroe section, lying west of Lake Conroe, begins near the intersection of FS 219 and FM 149 and has four connecting loops.

The Central Area of the trail runs eastward from Stubblefield Recreation Area, through the Four Notch area to Evergreen and then south down FM 945 to the trailhead parking lot. The Four Notch Loop, a 9.2 mile section, is in the middle of this 60-mile area of trail. The Winters Bayou/Tarkington Creek Area of the trail runs from FM 945 east to Double Lake Recreation Area, then south through Big Creek Scenic Area and then southwest through Winters Bayou. This 27-mile section of the trail has National Recreation status.

The Lone Star Hiking Trail may be hiked year round, but winter and spring are the most popular seasons due to the mild southeast Texas climate. During deer hunting season in November and December, hikers should wear highly visible clothing. Usually the trail is not crowded, and hikers may observe a multiple-use managed forest with many ages and kinds of trees, plants and wildlife. Trail visitors may also view rivers, creeks, lakes and streams that meander through and around the Sam Houston National Forest. Off-road vehicles are prohibited.

Little Lake Creek Wilderness - The 3,855-acre Little Lake Creek Wilderness is on the western edge of the pineywoods of East Texas about five miles north of the City of Montgomery. It was designated wilderness in 1984 under the Texas Wilderness Act. The area derives its name from the perennial creek of the same name that flows south through the center.

The wilderness area is bisected by three major creek drainages: Little Lake Creek, Pole Creek, and Sand Branch. Those drainages create a rich ecological mosaic. Loblolly and shortleaf pines dominate ridgetops that are separated by a wide variety of hardwoods along the creek channels. The area is bounded by private land to the south, FM 149 to the east, FS 211 and an abandoned pipeline right-of-way to the west, and FS 231 to the north.

Big Creek Scenic Area - The 1,420-acre Big Creek Scenic Area was established in 1962 as a special interest area. Noted for its vegetative diversity and scenic qualities, the area was set aside primarily for recreational enjoyment. No camping is allowed in Big Creek Scenic Area. The Lone Star Hiking Trail goes through the scenic area offering four trail loops of various lengths for hikers to enjoy. Big Creek Scenic Area is approximately six miles west of Shepherd, and a parking lot is conveniently located off FS 217.

Camping - There are three developed campgrounds in the Sam Houston National Forest (Cagle, Double Lake & Stubblefield Recreation Areas). Cagle and Double Lake facilities are available by reservations or on a first-come, first-served basis if not previously reserved. Reservations for Cagle may be made at the recreation area or by calling the National Recreation Service. Stubblefield is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Reservations can be completed by calling the National Recreation Service at 1/877/444-6777 or by internet at www.recreation.gov.

Cagle Recreation Area is located along the shoreline of Lake Conroe on the west fork of the San Jacinto River. Cagle is a new campground with full service hook-ups. It has a boat ramp with large parking lot, 48 camping spurs with electric, fresh-water & sewer connections, hot showers with restrooms, lakeshore hiking & bicycle trails, wildlife viewing, Lake Conroe boating and water sports, fishing, a picnic area overlooking Lake Conroe, shoreline wading, 85 miles of OHV, equestrian and mountain bike trails close as well as 129 miles of hiking on the Lone Star Hiking Trail. Swimming is not allowed. This area is covered with beautiful large pine and hardwood trees plus thousands of colorful wildflowers. Mid February redbud tree blossoms followed by dogwood tree blossoms in early March are a spectacular outdoor flower show.

Cagle is five (5) miles west of Interstate 45 on state road FM-1375 at New Waverly, Texas.

Double Lake Recreation Area is located on the east side of the Sam Houston near Coldspring, Texas, surrounding a 24-acre lake and includes whispering pines and hardwoods one mile south on FM-2025. Built initially in 1937 by the Civilian Conservation Corps, Double Lake Recreation Area facilities includes family camping units, group camping, picnicking units, a picnic shelter, swimming area and beach, and a concession stand with bathhouse. Each family camping unit has a table, fireplace, tent pad, parking spur, and lantern-holder post. There are units with water, sewer, and electrical hook-ups. Picnic units have tables and fireplaces.

Canoes and paddleboats can be rented at the concession stand at Double Lake which also has groceries, ice, and other items for sale. Bass, bream, and catfish have been stocked in Double Lake, and fishing is permitted under applicable state laws. Only small electric motors are allowed on the lake. Double Lake Recreation Area also provides access to the Lone Star Hiking Trail.

Scotts Ridge Day-Use Area is located on the west edge of Lake Conroe approximately 2 miles North of FM 1097 on Forest Service Road 212. Facilities include public boat ramp on Lake Conroe, an adjacent parking area that will accommodate most boat trailers and vehicles and 1 vault toilet. No overnight camping is allowed. The boat launch area is open year-round, and the day-use area is open during the spring and summer months. Call the district office for open season dates. Use of the boat ramp, parking area, and picnic shelters are on a first come, first serve basis.

Stubblefield Recreation Area located on the west side of the Sam Houston National Forest along Lake Conroe where Forest Service Road (FSR) 215 cross the west fork of the San Jacinto River. Located on the north shore of Lake Conroe, Stubblefield has 28 camping units and also provides access to the Lone Star Hiking Trail. Hot showers with restrooms are available for all campers and day-use visitors. Stubblefield is a beautiful forest setting for fishing, hiking, birding, hunting or camping for an enjoyable outdoor experience in the National Forest.

Kelly Pond Recreation Area and Multiple-use Trailhead is located west of Interstate 45 approximately eight (8) miles along FM-1375 west of New Waverly. This site offers close locations to the multi-use (dirt bike, equestrian & mountain bike) trails and Lone Star Hiking Trail and has a restroom available. Picnic tables and campsites with lantern post and grills are available. Kelly Pond offers more primitive camping experience and is surrounded by Sam Houston National Forest and all it’s splendor.

Fishing - On the northeast boundary of the forest lies the 82,600-acre Lake Livingston. Lake Conroe, to the southwest, offers 22,000 acres of water-oriented recreation. Both lakes are noted for black bass and year round fishing. The Forest Service provides three access points to Lake Conroe. A boat slip on the San Jacinto River near Stubblefield Recreation Area north on the lake, a boat ramp along the northeastern shore of Lake Conroe at Cagle Recreation Area, and another boat ramp is at Scotts Ridge on the southwestern shore of the lake.

Hunting - The entire Sam Houston National Forest is designated as a wildlife management area through a cooperative agreement between Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the U.S. Forest Service. This special designation provides benefits to those who use the Sam Houston National Forest, including hunters, and to the wildlife that live or forage there. Extra fees paid by hunters who use wildlife management areas are collected by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and are returned to the Forest Service for use in those areas. These funds pay for a variety of programs to improve wildlife habitat and other enhancement programs such as wild turkey restoration, creation of wildlife openings and additional law enforcement. They can also be used to gather and analyze data to improve wildlife habitat. Those who wish to hunt deer or small game in the Sam Houston National Forest must purchase the appropriate wildlife management area hunting permit available where state hunting license are sold. Hunters and those who accompany them must wear hunter orange while hunting with a firearm in the Sam Houston National Forest. Hunters and fishermen are required to have a Texas license and follow State regulations.

Boating - Both Lake Conroe and Lake Livingston offer fine pleasure boating and water sports. Lake Conroe and the southern section of Lake Livingston offer open water for sailing.

Multiple-use Trails – The Sam Houston National Forest offers 85 miles of multiple-use trails designated and developed for hiking, biking, horses, and registered Off-Highway Vehicles (OHVs). Offering a variety of unique riding conditions, the multiple-use trail in the Sam Houston is the only trail open to OHVs in the National Forests in Texas. To promote sustainable and safe riding opportunities, trails are closed when conditions such as soil moisture could lead to trail damage. Before visiting please call the Ranger’s Office at 936-344-6205 or 888-361-6908 and select option 2 for trail status.