Wilderness
What is a Wilderness area:
Congressionally designated land managed to allow the earth's natural processes to shape and influence the area. The 3,639 Big Slough Wilderness was set aside under the Texas Wilderness Act of 1984 and since then, these areas have been managed to remain natural, pristine, and provide opportunities for solitude and challenge. The forest cover in the area is primarily hardwood, including white oak, red oak, hickory, chestnut oak, cherry-bark oak, sweetgum, nutall oak, and willow. Hardwood areas account for 66 percent of the area; about 26 percent of the area is shortleaf and loblolly pine. Mixed hardwood and pine account for 4 percent, with water in the slough accounting for 4 percent of the wilderness area.
What activities are allowed in a Wilderness area:
hunting and fishing according to state regulations
hiking and horseback riding
campfires when not under fire ban, call office for details
What activities are not allowed...
roads and structures (except to private inholdings)
timber harvesting
bicycles and other wheeled vehicles
motorized vehicles and equipment
aircraft landings
removal of plants, stone, moss for personal or commercial use
removal of historical or archeological artifacts
Leave no trace...
is a set of outdoor ethics to encourage wilderness visitors to keep areas pristine:
- KNOW BEFORE YOU GO - Be prepared with proper map(s), information, and equipment.
- CHOOSE THE RIGHT PATH - Use existing trails and avoid trampling seedlings or flowers. Camp 200 feet away from trails and water sources.
- KEEP WATER CLEAN - Do not put soap, food or human waste in water. Bury human waste 4-8 inches deep and at least 200 feet from water, camp or trails.
- STASH YOUR TRASH - Take trash home to dispose of properly.
- LEAVE IT AS YOU FIND IT - Leave vegetation, rocks and historical items as you found them.
- BE CAREFUL WITH FIRE - Use gas-fueled camp stoves. Don't build new fire rings or build fires next to large rocks. Collect loose pieces of wood from the ground, and don't break limbs off of trees or cut trees. Be sure your campfire is completely out before leaving.
National Forests and Grasslands in Texas-Wilderness Areas
Directions to Upland Island
From Woodville follow Highway 69 north for 13 miles to the Neches River; continue on Highway 69 another 1.5 miles to Wilderness sign; turn right (east) on Forest Road 314 for 2.5 miles to designated wilderness parking area.
From Lufkin follow Highway 69 south for 27 miles to Wilderness sign; turn left (east) on Forest Road 314 for 2.5 miles to parking area.
Directions to Turkey Hill
From Broaddus follow Highway 147 north for 6 miles to Wilderness.
For official maps or more information contact:
Angelina National Forest
111 Walnut Ridge Road
Zavalla, TX 75980
(936) 897-1068
Directions
From Lufkin: Take Hwy. 103 west for 16 miles where it merges with Hwy 7. Continue west for 5 miles to Forest Service Road 511 North. Continue north on FSR 511 for 8 miles.
From Crockett: Take Hwy. 7 east for 22 miles to FSR 511 North for 8 miles.
For official maps or more information contact:
Davy Crockett National Forest
18551 State Highway 7 East
Kennard, TX 75847
(936)-655-2299
Directions
From Hemphill follow Highway 83 east for 3.5 miles to designated wilderness parking area.
For official maps or more information contact:
Sabine National Forest
5050 Hwy 21 East
Hemphill, TX 75959
(409) 625-1940
Toll free: 1-866-235-1750
Directions
From Conroe, follow I-45 north for 8 miles to Willis, TX; turn west onto FM 1097 for 12 miles, turn north onto FM 149 for 3.5 miles to designated wilderness parking area.
Parking areas are located as follows: (1) on the west side of the wilderness, at the intersection of Forest Road 211 and the Lone Star Hiking Trail, about 2 miles south of FM 149; (2) on the eastern side of the wilderness, on FM 149, about 3.5 miles south of FM 1375; and (3) on FM 149, at the southern boundary of the Sam Houston National Forest.
For official maps or more information, contact:
Sam Houston National Forest
394 FM 1375 West
New Waverly, TX 77358
(936) 344-6205
1-888-361-6908 toll free