Sam Houston National Forest Guide

Activities in Sam Houston National Forest

Houston National Forest offers a variety of activities that span from hiking to wildlife viewing.

• Hiking and Backpacking:Explore the 128-mile route ofthe Lone Star Hiking Trail through scenic pine forests. For shorter hikes, the Double Lake and Stubblefield Lake Trails offer paths surrounded by lush landscapes.

• Fishing:Enjoy a peaceful day of fishing at Double Lake Recreation Area, where you can cast bass, bream, and catfish in a serene, stocked lake. Canoes and paddleboats are available for rent. A valid Texas fishing license is required though.

• Boating: Enjoy pleasure boating and water sports at Lake Conroe and Lake Livingston. Both lakes provide excellent conditions, with Lake Conroe and southern Lake Livingston offering open waters, perfect for sailing.

• Wildlife Viewing:Sam Houston National Forest is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts. Common sightings include deer, squirrels, and quail, while Lake Conroe serves as a wintering habitat for bald eagles. Visitors may also spot the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker, known for its white cheek patches and unique cavity nests in pine trees. These trees support various other forest species.

• Multiple-Use Trails:Explore 85 miles of designated multiple-use trails in the Sam Houston National Forest, perfect for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and registered OHVs. These trails offer diverse riding conditions and are the only trails open to OHVs within Texas' National Forests.

• Identifying Flora and Fauna

  

  You will discover many trees in Sam Houston National Forest that you might expect to find further east in most cases. Tree species include the fringetrees and black, white, and swamp chestnut oak trees in areas where there is good soil. In areas where the ground has a large amount of clay, you will see shortleaf and loblolly pine, dogwood, black gum, white ash, river birch, persimmon, bitternut, and water hickory as well as southern red, willow, and overcup oak trees.

  Many of the trees here are shorter than the same species growing in the eastern United States. Scientists theorize that is due to the combination of less water and Texas’ intense summer heat. While some of the trees growing in the forest can be over 1,000 years old, it is common to see trees in this location that are between 200 and 400 years old. 

• Fishing

  

  There are several places to go fishing in the Sam Houston National Forest. Lake Livingston is a fantastic place to go white bass fishing, and you can also catch largemouth bass, catfish, and bluegill. This lake that covers more than 90,000 acres has a maximum depth of 77 feet. Another excellent place to fish is Lake Conroe. As of 2021, the largest largemouth bass ever caught in Texas came from this lake. It weighed 14.1 pounds and was caught under the dam. 

• Geocaching

  

  Traditional geocaches have been hidden along the trails in the Double Lake and Kelly’s Pond Recreational Areas. 

• Nature and Bird Watching

  

  Many people come to Sam Houston National Forest to go birdwatching. Waterfowl, wading birds, songbirds, and woodpeckers can often be spotted. The endangered red-cockaded woodpecker is often seen in this forest. Whenever one is sighted, special care is taken to protect its habitat. Bald eagles often use this national forest during the winter months. In addition to birds, you can see various wildlife, including deer and squirrels. 

• Stargazing

  

  Stargazing at Sam Houston National Forest can be tricky because of light pollution from Houston and its northern suburbs. Consider heading to Cut and Shoot and taking some of the Farm to Market Roads out in the country for better viewing conditions.