East Texas has four national forests spread across more than 650,000 acres. These are working forests with public access for camping, hunting, fishing, and hiking. The Angelina, Davy Crockett, Sabine, and Sam Houston National Forests sit in the Piney Woods region between Houston and the Louisiana border.
The forests were established in the 1930s after the timber boom left much of East Texas cut over. The federal government bought up depleted land, and the Civilian Conservation Corps planted trees and built roads, trails, and recreation areas. Today, these forests produce timber, support wildlife, and give people space to get outside. For buyers looking at land for sale in East Texas, properties near these forests offer both recreation access and long-term value through timber and wildlife management.
1. Angelina National Forest
Angelina covers 153,179 acres across Angelina, Nacogdoches, San Augustine, and Jasper counties. The forest wraps around Sam Rayburn Reservoir, a 114,500-acre lake that draws bass fishermen from all over. Sam Rayburn is the largest lake entirely within Texas and hosts over 300 bass tournaments every year. Bassmaster ranked it the number one bass lake in the nation in 2018.
Where to go
- Boykin Springs offers camping, hiking, and picnicking near a natural spring
- Caney Creek and Sandy Creek sit on the shores of Sam Rayburn with boat ramps and primitive camping
- Bouton Lake gives you bottomland hardwoods, cypress trees, and quiet fishing
- The Sawmill Hiking Trail connects Boykin Springs to the old Aldridge Sawmill site
Rolling terrain with loblolly and shortleaf pines covers most of the forest. Land near Angelina National Forest benefits from lake access and timber value. Properties around Sam Rayburn stay in demand because of fishing and boating.
2. Davy Crockett National Forest
Davy Crockett covers 160,647 acres in Houston and Trinity counties between Crockett and Lufkin. Ratcliff Lake, a 45-acre lake built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1936, sits at the center. The lake started as a log pond for a sawmill that operated from 1902 to 1920. You can still see sawmill ruins along an interpretive trail.
The Four C National Recreation Trail runs 20 miles from Ratcliff Lake to the Neches Bluff Overlook. The trail goes through pine stands, hardwood bottoms, and the Big Slough Wilderness Area. The Piney Creek Horse Trail has over 50 miles of developed trails.
Hunting and Wildlife
- White-tailed deer throughout the forest
- Wild turkey in mixed pine and hardwood areas
- Quail and dove around regenerated timberland
- Waterfowl along creeks and wetlands
Land near Davy Crockett works well for hunting properties, family cabins, or weekend retreats. The forest stays less crowded than Sam Houston because it sits farther from Houston.
3. Sabine National Forest
Sabine sits on the eastern edge of Texas along the Louisiana border. The forest covers 160,873 acres across five counties. Toledo Bend Reservoir forms the eastern boundary. The forest has extensive American beech forests mixed with loblolly, longleaf, and shortleaf pine.
The Trail Between the Lakes runs 28 miles between Toledo Bend Reservoir and Sam Rayburn Reservoir. The Indian Mounds Wilderness Area covers about 12,000 acres with old-growth American beech and southern magnolia stands.
Water Access and Recreation
- Red Hills Lake near Toledo Bend for camping and fishing
- Boles Field Campground with a pavilion and amphitheater
- Multiple boat ramps on Toledo Bend
- Good habitat for deer, herons, bald eagles, and waterfowl
Land buyers looking at Sabine National Forest want lakefront access or mixed-use recreational land near Toledo Bend. The water access adds value for fishing, kayaking, and hunting.
4. Sam Houston National Forest
Sam Houston sits about 50 miles north of Houston. The forest covers 163,037 acres across Montgomery, San Jacinto, and Walker counties. The proximity to Houston makes it the most visited of the four forests.
The Lone Star Hiking Trail runs 128 miles through the forest. It is the longest hiking trail in Texas. The Little Lake Creek Wilderness Area covers 3,855 acres with old-growth hardwood bottomlands that have not been logged since the 1920s.
Recreation Areas
- Cagle Recreation Area on Lake Conroe with full hookup campsites
- Double Lake Recreation Area with a 24-acre lake
- Stubblefield Recreation Area on the north shore of Lake Conroe
- 85 miles of multi-use trails for off-road vehicles, horses, and mountain bikes
Lake Conroe sits on the southwestern boundary with 22,000 acres of water. Lake Livingston sits on the northeastern side with 82,600 acres. Both lakes have good fishing for bass, crappie, and catfish year-round.
What This Means for Land Buyers
Private land near these national forests has stayed in demand. Timber generates income through selective harvests. Recreation brings families looking for weekend properties and hunting camps. Proximity to Houston drives buyers to Sam Houston National Forest areas. The distance from major cities makes Davy Crockett and Sabine more affordable.
Land values have gone up near Sam Rayburn Reservoir and Toledo Bend because of fishing and recreation demand. Properties with creek frontage, mature timber, or lake views command higher prices. Hunting land stays strong across all four forests because deer, turkey, and hog populations are healthy.
HomeLand Properties works with buyers and sellers across East Texas near all four national forests. Our team knows which counties have the best timber markets, where recreation land sells fastest, and what makes a property work for hunting or family use. Properties range from small weekend tracts to large timber investments near Angelina, Davy Crockett, Sabine, and Sam Houston National Forests.
