Article Menu
Introduction

Activities
Top Picks

Contacts & Links

Index


Related Resources
GORP Texas

online favorites
PARKS
Angelina National Forest
Texas

Angelina National Forest is part of a patchwork of public lands - and one of four national forests - that protect chunks of a unique part of Lone Star heritage. While Texas is well-known for its dusty, big-country landscapes, here in the Piney Woods, along the easternmost edge of the state, the landscape is really much more a part of the Deep South - this is a watery land of lush vegetation, bald-cypress swamps, gently rolling hills, dense hardwood thickets, tall longleaf pines, and old forests that secret away rare orchids in their depths.

Sandy Creek Campground, Angelina National Forest
Sandy Creek Campground

Angelina is the most waterlogged of the public lands in these parts; it centers on the massive Sam Rayburn Reservoir, a man-made bass-fisherman's paradise with sizable largemouth, crappie, catfish, and white bass populations. Four developed recreation areas - Caney Creek, Harvey Creek (operated and maintained by San Augustine County), Sandy Creek, and Townsend Recreation Area, offer recreation users camping, picnicking, cold-water showers, and boat ramps. Two smaller lakes, Bouton Lake and Boykin Springs, are excellent spots for picnicking, swimming, fishing, and canoeing in a scenic setting of longleaf pines.

The Upland Island and Turkey Hill Wildernesses, both covered by dense pine and hardwood forests, offer plenty of backcountry recreation opportunities, including hiking, wilderness camping, horseback riding, fishing and hunting - just know that you'll likely be sharing at least portions of your trip with chiggers, stinging insects, and a poisonous snake or two.


Return to * Top

RELATED GORP LINKS
* GORP Texas Resources
* GORPtravel Adventure Vacations



Top Trips

Road Trip Guides

National Park Guides

Hiking Guides

Today's Gear Guy

Gear Guides
[from Outside magazine]