Forest Information
The Sam Houston National Forest, located in eastern Texas, is comprised of 161,654 acres. There are four developed campgrounds, three of which meet the selection criteria.
The Sam Houston National Forest, located a one-hour drive north of Houston, Texas, offers a wide range of recreational opportunities to its visitors. The opportunities available for the weekend visitor or vacationers range from bird-watching to berry-picking, hiking to fishing, and Off-Road-Vehicle (ORV) driving to camping.
The Sam Houston National Forest, located a one-hour drive north of Houston, Texas, offers a wide range of recreational opportunities and some delightful camping locations. The opportunities available for a weekend visit or a family camping vacation range from bird-watching to berry-picking, hiking to fishing, and Off-Road-Vehicle (ORV) driving to plain old relaxing.
The primary source of various water activities is the 22,000-acre Lake Conroe. The Forest Service maintains several boat ramps around the Lake and two campgrounds,Stubblefield and Cagle, at the north end and east side of the Lake, respectively. This northern area of the Lake is too shallow for most power boats so Stubblefield tends to attract campers who enjoy bank-fishing, canoeing, and hiking. To enjoy full hookups at every campsite, visit Cagle campground. Although privacy is minimal between campsites, Cagle provides two easy trails along the shore and access to Lake Conroe. It is a comfortable campground with all the amenities.
On the western side of the Sam Houston National Forest is a campground called Double Lake which was built in 1937 by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). Although upgrades since then, including full-hookups, have modernized the campground, Double Lake retains a good bit of its rustic CCC charm.
While staying at Double Lake, a trip (either by foot south on the Lone Star Trail or by car on Forest Route 217) to the Big Creek Scenic Area, is a must. While not "virgin" timber, the forest in the Big Creek Scenic Area provides the visitor with an idea of the beauty and richness of the area before the ravages of early 1900 logging practices.
An excellent and challenging hiking experience, the Lone Star Hiking Trail, can be accessed from either campground and several other trail heads throughout the Forest. The 120-mile long Lone Star Hiking Trail meanders through the Forest, offering the hiker opportunities to observe a variety of wildlife, changing topography and vegetation of the Forest. The Trail leads the hiker through such pristine areas as the Little Lake Creek Wilderness (located 8 miles west of Stubblefield Recreation Area) and the Big Creek Scenic Area (located 7 miles south of Coldspring, Texas).
For the boater, hiker, berry picker, bird watcher, ORV'er or someone just looking for a way to "get-back-to-nature," the Sam Houston National Forest has something for each. Campgrounds will accommodate car, tent, recreation vehicles (RV) and motorhome camping enthusiasts for a week end or a longer vacation. Within a comfortable one-hour drive from Houston, Texas, Sam Houston National Forest is a good destination for a weekend get-away or an extend vacation stop.
ADDRESSES
SUPERVISOR ADDRESS
415 South First St.
Suite 110
Lufkin, Texas 75901-3801
936-639-8501
RANGER DISTRICT ADDRESSES
Sam Houston
394 FM 1375 West
New Waverly, Texas 77358
936-344-6205 |
