National Forests and Grasslands in Texas
 

Recreation

When roads are flooded, turn around - don’t drown!

The National Forests in Texas provide a variety of outdoor recreation opportunities! There are dozens of developed recreation areas and trailheads, offering camping experiences ranging from highly developed to primitive.  Camping is offered on a first-come, first-served basis in developed recreation areas, and some larger or more popular areas (Ratcliff Lake, Cagle, Double Lake), offer reservations through www.recreation.gov.  Forest visitors can now camp up to 28 days at selected recreation areas in the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas.  Click here to see this list of sites that offer the extended 28-day camping.

 

There is a day-use fee at highly developed areas with swimming or boating facilities. Campground facilities generally include tent pads, picnic tables, parking spurs for trailers, lantern posts, grills, potable water, and toilets.

View the  Recreation Matrix  to see the amenities that the campgrounds have to offer.

Other helpful information

Forest Visitor Map Finder | Outdoor Adventures tabloid  |  NFGT Hunting Guide tabloid  |  Hunting FAQs  |  Hunter Camp Maps | Annual Day-Use Pass Brochure | Outdoor Tips

Links of interest:

Recreation.gov | National Park Service | Texas Parks & Wildlife

Recreation Conditions Report

 Area Name Status Area Conditions
208 OHV Trailhead: (936) 344-6205 Open to Visitor
233 Trailhead: (936) 344-6205 Open to Visitor
234 Trailhead: (936) 344-6205 Open to Visitor
514-D White Rock Horse Camp: (936) 655-2299 Open to Visitor
566 Piney Creek Horse Camp: (936) 655-2299 Open to Visitor
ANGELINA (Sam Rayburn Reservoir Area) 936-897-1068    Harvey Creek Boat Ramp - Closed

SFA Experimental Forest - Trail is open. Toilet is closed.

 
Bayou Boat Ramp: (936) 897-1068 Open to Visitor
Big Creek Scenic Area Trailhead: (936) 344-6205 Open to Visitor
Black Creek Lake: (940) 627-5475 Open to Visitor
Bois D' Arc Trailhead: (940) 627-5475 Open to Visitor
Boles Field: (409) 625-1940 Open to Visitor The campground is open, but be advised that there is NO WATER to the area. Water has been temporarily shut off until repairs can be made to damaged water lines.
Shelter and amphitheater remain closed.
Bouton Lake: (936) 897-1068 Open to Visitor
Boykin Springs: (936) 897-1068 Open to Visitor
CADDO/LBJ (Dallas/Fort Worth Area) 940-627-5475   
Cagle Recreation Area: (936) 344-6205 Open to Visitor
Caney Creek: (936) 897-1068 Open to Visitor
Clear Lake: (940) 627-5475 Open to Visitor
Coffee Mill Lake Recreation Area:940-627-5475 Open to Visitor
Cottonwood Lake: (940) 627-5475 Open to Visitor
DAVY CROCKETT (Lufkin/Crockett Area): 936-655-2299    For current status of trails and campgrounds, please contact the Davy Crockett Ranger District Office at 936-655-2299.
Double Lake Recreation Area: (936) 344-6205 Open to Visitor
East Hamilton Boat Ramp: (409) 625-1940 Open to Visitor
East Lake Crockett: (940) 627-5475 Open to Visitor
Four C National Recreation Trail : (936) 655-2299 Open to Visitor The portion of the 4C Hiking Trail north of National Forest System Road 521 to the terminus at Neches Bluff Overlook (NFSR 511A) in Houston County, Texas is TEMPORARILY CLOSED. ~ Closure Map ~
 
Haley's Ferry Boat Ramp: (409) 625-1940 Open to Visitor
Indian Mounds: (409) 625-1940 Open to Visitor
Kelly's Pond Campground: (936) 344-6205 Open to Visitor
Kickapoo: (936) 655-2299 Open to Visitor
LBJ Multiuse Trail System: (940) 627-5475 Open to Visitor
Lakeview Campground: (409) 625-1940 Open to Visitor
Lone Star Hiking Trail : (936) 344-6205 Open to Visitor Contact the district office for current status of this trail. (936)-344-6205.
Neches Bluff Overlook: (936) 655-2299 Open to Visitor
Northwest Trailhead: (936) 344-6205 Open to Visitor
Piney Creek Horse Trail: (936) 655-2299 Open to Visitor
Ragtown: (409) 625-1940 Closed to Visitor Closed due to tornado damage.
Ratcliff Lake: (936) 655-2299    The Ratcliff Lake Day-Use Area, Boat Ramp, Dogwood Camping Loops and Lakeside Camping Loops are now OPEN.

Loblolly Loop and Sawmill Loop will remain CLOSED until further notice.

For current status of trails and campgrounds, please contact the Davy Crockett Ranger District Office at 936-655-2299.
Red Hill Lake: (409) 625-1940 Closed to Visitor Closed for the season.
Rhodes Lake: (940) 627-5475 Open to Visitor
Richards-Raven Equestrian Trail    Before visiting, please call the Ranger’s Office at 936-344-6205 or 888-361-6908 and for trail status. 
SABINE (Toledo Bend Reservoir Area): 409-625-1940    For current status of trails and campgrounds, please contact the Sabine Ranger District Office at 409-625-1940.
SAM HOUSTON (Houston/Conroe/Huntsville Area)    During periods of heavy rain, please contact the district office for current status of trails and campgrounds. (936)-344-6205.
Sam Houston Multiple-Use Trails : (936) 344-6205    Contact the district office for current status of this trail. (936)-344-6205.
Sawmill Hiking Trail: (936) 897-1068 Open to Visitor
Scott's Ridge Boat Ramp: (936) 344-6205 Open to Visitor
Scott's Ridge Swim Site: (936) 344-6205 Open to Visitor
 
Stubblefield Lake Recreation Area: (936) 344-6205 Open to Visitor *NOTE* - Stubblefield Bridge is CLOSED to all use, including vehicles, pedestrians, bikes and fishing.
TADRA Point: (940) 627-5475 Open to Visitor
Valley View Group Use: (940) 627-5475 Open to Visitor
West Lake Crockett: (940) 627-5475 Open to Visitor
Willow Oak: (409) 625-1940 Open to Visitor

Spotlights

Ratcliff Lake: (936) 655-2299

Ratcliff Lake, Davy Crockett National Forest

USFS Volunteer Opportunity

The Davy Crockett National Forest is seeking interested candidates to volunteer as campground hosts at Ratcliff Lake Recreational Area. [Read more]

 

Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area was built in 1936 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. It surrounds a picturesque 45-acre lake that was once a log pond and a source of water for the Central Coal and Coke Company sawmill which operated from 1902 to 1920. The area offers opportunities for camping, picnicking, swimming, fishing and hiking. The Four C National Recreation Trail is 20 miles and originates in the Ratcliff Recreation Area and goes to the Neches Bluff Overlook.

~ Recreation Area Map ~ 

Forest visitors can now camp up to 28 days at selected recreation areas in the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas.   Extended camping is offered at:

Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area - Sites: 7, 9, 16, 20, 26, 32, 43, and 45

For more information call 936-655-2299.

Black Creek Lake: (940) 627-5475

A boater takes time to do some fishing on Black Creek Lake on the LBJ National Grassland.

Located on the north shore of the 35-acre Black Creek Lake, Black Creek Recreation Area has a picnic area and boat launch facility. The area also has walk-in camping sites available.


https://www.fs.usda.gov/recmain/texas/recreation