Sam Houston National Forest

Warning

Wild Animal Warning:
Our national forests are a refuge for wild animals, including dangerous animals like bears, alligators and venomous snakes. Wild animals can be upset by human presence and can unexpectedly become aggressive. Do not give them a reason or an opportunity to attack. Always keep your distance. Your safety is your responsibility.

Our office is located 2 miles west of Interstate 45 (and New Waverly, TX) on FM 1375. If you have any questions or just want to visit, feel free to stop by. Office hours are Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Our address is 394 FM 1375 W., New Waverly, TX 77358 and our phone number is (936) 344-6205, ext. 221 or toll free at 1-888-361-6908.

Recreation is one of many uses offered in the Sam Houston National Forest. There are many opportunities available to the forest visitor. This information is designed to briefly outline the various developed facilities that have been provided to the general public on the Sam Houston Ranger District. It is not meant to be an exhaustive source of information for each facility or opportunity.

Please become familiar with the Code of Federal Regulations and Forest Supervisor's orders governing the various uses of National Forest land and facilities. These regulations are strictly enforced and are punishable by law if violated. Above all, have a safe and enjoyable visit to your National Forest.

GENERAL FOREST AREA

The general forest area is open and available for a multitude of recreation-oriented activities for the forest visitor unless otherwise posted on the ground or within special sections of the forest under more restrictive regulations (developed recreation areas, wilderness areas, and red-cockaded woodpecker colonies are a few examples). The forest visitor may pursue activities such as fishing, camping, hiking, taking photographs, berry picking, bird watching, picnicking and general sight-seeing. These are free-use activities unless organized groups of 75 or more individuals are involved or the activity generates income to the user. The activity must then be covered by a special-use permit and is subject to approval by the Forest Service before conducting the event or activity.

As always, each individual is responsible for becoming familiar with State and Federal laws, regulations and forest orders governing use of National Forest land for each activity they are interested in pursuing. The general forest area is open to free-use camping except during deer firearm season, when camping is restricted to designated hunter camps. If there is any doubt about a certain activity, the forest user is encouraged to call or write the Sam Houston Ranger District Office for detailed information.

STUBBLEFIELD LAKE CAMPGROUND

This is a fully developed campground area located along Forest Service Road 215 on the south shore of Stubblefield Lake, an oxbow lake on the upper reaches of Lake Conroe. The vegetation in the campground consists primarily of southern pine, oaks, gums, and dogwoods. It is a fairly open campground; however, portions of the area contain thick vegetation between campsites providing a private atmosphere. It has 30 campsites with picnic tables, fire rings, lantern posts and tent pads.

Campsites at Stubblefield can accommodate a recreation vehicle up to 20 feet in length. There are no electrical or water hookups available. Potable water is available from hydrants throughout the campground area. The Stubblefield area has toilet facilities with running water and hot showers. There is one sheltered pavilion with picnic tables, located close to the entrance and it is available for general use.

The Lone Star Hiking Trail transects the campground, and the Stubblefield Interpretive Trail is located directly to the north. Fishing is popular on the nearby San Jacinto River bridge, Stubblefield Lake and Lake Conroe. Information about the Sam Houston National Forest and regulations are posted on a bulletin board at the entrance of the campground.

The fee for this campground is $10.00 per night per campsite (includes 2 vehicles), payable upon arrival at your chosen site. There is a limit of eight persons per campsite. The sheltered pavilion is $15.00 for up to 25 persons and $25.00 for 25 to 50 persons. All other sites are on a first come, first serve basis. The entrance station has a receptacle for fee deposit.

KELLY'S POND CAMPGROUND

This is a primitive (no fee) campground area located at the end of Forest Service Road 271. Kelly's Pond has an open-air feeling with sparse vegetation consisting primarily of southern pine and oak within the camping area. It has eight campsites with picnic tables, fire rings and lantern posts.

Tent camping here is available here. Individuals must utilize the adjacent parking area and walk into the camping units. The area is very primitive with no potable water or electricity. There is a vault toilet, but no shower facility. The closest water is located at Stubblefield Lake Campground, approximately 4 miles to the north.

Fishing is available in the three small ponds located directly south of the camping area. The Lone Star Hiking Trail is located within a mile to the north. Information about the Sam Houston National Forest and regulations are posted at a bulletin board within the camping area. No reservations are taken, and use is on a first, come first served basis.

CAGLE RECREATION AREA

Cagle Recreation Area, located on Lake Conroe, has two camping loops with 47 full-service RV sites. Each site will accommodate vehicles up to 45 feet in length and offers drinking water, electricity and sewer. Each site also has a tent pad, lantern post and fire ring.

Sweet Gum Loop has 19 sites with one restroom. Sycamore Loop has 28 sites and two restrooms. All three restrooms are equipped with flush toilets, sinks and hot showers.

A 2-mile hiking trail surrounds the camping loops. The southernmost mile of the trail is paved, for a less primitive hiking experience.

Camping sites are available for a fee of $20.00 per night. This fee includes parking for up to two vehicles per campsite. Some sites must be reserved and some are first come, first served. Sites may be reserved online at www.recreation.gov. Campers may also use the day-use facilities. Day use is $5.00 per day. Parking for day use is near the 2-lane boat ramp.

Cagle Recreation Area is part of the Fee Demo Program for the Sam Houston National Forest, and fees are used for improvements in the Sam Houston National Forest. Please let us know if you have any questions or comments about the Fee Demo Program or other programs.

SCOTT'S RIDGE

This is a boat launch area located on the west edge of Lake Conroe approximately 2 miles north of FM 1097 on Forest Service Road 212. Available facilities include public boat ramps to access Lake Conroe and an adjacent parking area that will accommodate most types of boat trailers and vehicles. No overnight camping is allowed in this area. Except for two portable toilets, there are no other facilities at this area.

Information about the Sam Houston National Forest and regulations are posted at a bulletin board near the boat ramps. Use of the boat ramps and parking area is on a first come, first served basis.

LONE STAR HIKING TRAIL - West side Map - East side Map (Winters Bayou Bridges Map - Double Lake / Road FS 217 Bridges Map)

The Lone Star Hiking Trail (LSHT) and associated loops are approximately 129 miles long and open to foot travel only (no pack animals, motor vehicles or bicycles). The trail transects the entire Sam Houston National Forest from near Richards, in the west to near Cleveland, in the east. Marked by 2" x 4" aluminum tags, the trail takes the hiker through a multitude of vegetative and geographical experiences to afford a diversified observation of the East Texas forest ecosystem.

The trail has five loops that, in conjunction with the main trail, offer a multitude of day hikes or overnight backpacking trips. Trailheads and parking areas are strategically located throughout the trail system to accommodate various starting points and parking of vehicles. Information and regulations regarding trail use are posted at bulletin boards at the trailheads. Potable water is not available except at Stubblefield Lake and Double Lake Campgrounds. Trail maps and brochures available at the New Waverly office providing detailed information about the LSHT. It is highly recommended individuals obtain this information before planning hikes on the LSHT.

STUBBLEFIELD LAKE INTERPRETIVE TRAIL

MULTI-USE TRAIL SYSTEM - East Side Map - West Side Map

The dirt bike, equestrian, and mountain bike system consists of approximately 80 miles of marked trails. The trails are available for motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles less than 45 inches wide, bicycles, and horseback riding.

The marked trail (4" x 4" tags with red arrows) is divided into two separate series of loops. Each loop series has a trailhead and parking area. Information relating to ORV and other use on the Sam Houston Ranger District is posted at bulletin boards at each trailhead. Trail maps and brochures are available at the Sam Houston District Office. There is a $5.00 per user/day fee collected for all users 16 years of age and older which is payable at Kelly's Pond and at the Forest Service Road 208 & 233 parking areas. A Multi Use Trail Annual Pass is also available for $25.00 at the Sam Houston District Office.

There are strict State and Federal laws regulating off-road vehicle use in the Sam Houston National Forest. These laws and regulations are posted on trailhead bulletin boards and are available at the Sam Houston District Office. It is each user's responsibility to become familiar and adhere to these laws and regulations.

LITTLE LAKE CREEK WILDERNESS AREA

The 3,810-acre wilderness area is located in the southwestern section of the Sam Houston Ranger District and is bounded by FM 149 to the east and Forest Service Road 244 to the southwest. Wilderness areas have been established to preserve ecosystems in their natural condition. Little Lake Creek (LLC) Wilderness Area was established in 1984.

Little Lake Creek is a perennial streamcourse that bisects the area. Its hardwoods are indicative of the forest type found in this portion of East Texas. The remaining portions of the area are broken up by pine-dominated ridge tops interrupted by tributaries of Little Lake Creek.

Access into the wilderness area is easiest by utilizing the Lone Star Hiking Trail which transects it in a series of loops. There are ample areas for camping overnight along the trail. Three LLC Wilderness Area/LSHT trailheads and parking areas are available for access into the wilderness area. One is located along the east side of FM 149 approximately 4 miles south of its intersection with FM 1375, one is located along the west side of County Road 211 (Bethel Road) approximately 2 miles south of the intersection of FM 149 and FM 1791, and another trailhead is located on the west side of FM 149 at the southernmost corner of the wilderness.

Activities within wilderness areas are subject to Federal law as dictated in the Wilderness Act of 1964. Information, restrictions and regulations relating to wilderness areas and Little Lake Creek in particular are posted at bulletin boards at the LLC/LSHT trailhead and parking areas. LLC Wilderness Area maps and brochures are also available at the Sam Houston Ranger District Office. There is no fee to utilize the wilderness area.

National Forests & Grasslands in Texas

Recreation Opportunities