Recreation


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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.  

 

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 |  Hunting FAQs   | Annual Day-Use Pass Brochure | Outdoor Tips

Links of interest:

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

Current Recreation Conditions

Area Name Status Area Conditions
208 OHV Trailhead: (936) 344-6205 Open Open  Contact the district office for current status of this trail. (936)-344-6205.
233 Trailhead: (936) 344-6205 Open Open Contact the district office for current status of this trail. (936)-344-6205.
234 Trailhead: (936) 344-6205 Open Open Contact the district office for current status of this trail. (936)-344-6205.
514-D White Rock Horse Camp: (936) 655-2299 Open Open
566 Piney Creek Horse Camp: (936) 655-2299 Open Open
ANGELINA (Sam Rayburn Reservoir Area) 936-897-1068 None None   Other closures:
  • Harvey Creek Boat Ramp - Closed due to damage.
  • SFA Experimental Forest - Trail is open. Toilet is closed.
Bayou Boat Ramp: (936) 897-1068 Open Open
Big Creek Scenic Area Trailhead: (936) 344-6205 Open Open
Black Creek Lake: (940) 627-5475 Open Open
Bois D' Arc Trailhead: (940) 627-5475 Open Open
Boles Field: (409) 625-1940 Open Open
Bouton Lake: (936) 897-1068 Open Open
Boykin Springs: (936) 897-1068 Open Open The bath house is currently not available and the water inside the park is off due to ongoing repairs.  Vault toilets are still available for use.   
CADDO/LBJ (Dallas/Fort Worth Area) 940-627-5475 None None
Cagle Recreation Area: 877-444-6777 Open Open
Caney Creek: (936) 897-1068 Open Open
Clear Lake: (940) 627-5475 Open Open
Coffee Mill Lake Recreation Area:940-627-5475 Open Open
Cottonwood Lake: (940) 627-5475 Open Open
DAVY CROCKETT (Lufkin/Crockett Area): 936-655-2299 None None 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 Open Please note the following areas within the recreation area remain CLOSED: 🔺 Campsite 5 🔺 Group site F  ** Double Lake Mountain Bike trail is OPEN, except a small section of Henry Lake south.**
East Hamilton Boat Ramp: (409) 625-1940 Open Open
East Lake Crockett: (940) 627-5475 Open Open
Four C National Recreation Trail : (936) 655-2299 None None The Trail is CLOSED from CR 1170 to Neches Bluff in Houston County, Texas is TEMPORARILY CLOSED. ~ Closure Map ~
 
Haley's Ferry Boat Ramp: (409) 625-1940 Open Open
Indian Mounds: (409) 625-1940 Open Open
Kelly's Pond Campground: (936) 344-6205 Open Open Dispersed Camping and Day Use are open, for trail status please contact the District Office (936)-344-6205.
Kickapoo: (936) 655-2299 Open Open
LBJ Multiuse Trail System: (940) 627-5475 Open Open
Lakeview Campground: (409) 625-1940 Open Open
Lone Star Hiking Trail : (936) 344-6205 Open Open Contact the district office for current status of this trail. (936)-344-6205.
Neches Bluff Overlook: (936) 655-2299 Open Open
Northwest Trailhead: (936) 344-6205 Open Open Contact the district office for current status of this trail. (936)-344-6205.
Piney Creek Horse Trail: (936) 655-2299 Open Open
Ragtown: (409) 625-1940 Open Open
Ratcliff Lake: (936) 655-2299 Open Open
Red Hills Lake: (409) 625-1940 Closed Closed Closed for the Season. Effective 11/01/2024
Rhodes Lake: (940) 627-5475 Open Open
Richards-Raven Equestrian Trail None None The Richards-Raven Equestrian trail is open with the exception of the ability to cross at Caney creek on the Raven 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 None None For current status of trails and campgrounds, please contact the Sabine Ranger District Office at 409-625-1940.
SAM HOUSTON (Houston/Conroe/Huntsville Area) None None 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 None None  Contact the district office for current status of this trail. (936)-344-6205. Effective 11/06/2024: All of westside MUT and trailheads are OPEN. Part of the Eastside MUT is now OPEN Trail sections OPEN on the east side are:
  • Zebra
  • Fern
  • Northwest
The rest of the eastside will remain CLOSED until repairs can be completed.   Please refer to the Map for areas that are still currently CLOSED.
Sawmill Hiking Trail: (936) 897-1068 Open Open
Scott's Ridge Boat Ramp: (936) 344-6205 Open Open
Scott's Ridge Swim Site: (936) 344-6205 Closed Closed Scotts Ridge Swim Beach is CLOSED for the Season Effective September 3, 2024. 
 
Stubblefield Lake Recreation Area: (936) 344-6205 Open Open  
TADRA Point: (940) 627-5475 Open Open
Valley View Group Use: (940) 627-5475 Open Open
West Lake Crockett: (940) 627-5475 Open Open
Willow Oak: (409) 625-1940 Open Open

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 ~ 

 

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.