Outdoors / National Forest
Angelina National Forest provides camping, hiking, and forest access near Lufkin
The 153,179-acre Angelina National Forest surrounds much of Sam Rayburn Reservoir and offers free and fee-based camping, the Sawmill Hiking Trail, fishing, and wildlife viewing managed by the U.S. Forest Service.
Angelina National Forest covers 153,179 acres across Angelina, Nacogdoches, San Augustine, and Jasper counties. It lies in the Neches River Basin along the north and south shores of Sam Rayburn Reservoir. The U.S. Forest Service manages the forest from an office in Lufkin.
Key recreation sites include Boykin Springs Recreation Area, which has a campground, picnic shelter, and serves as the trailhead for the Sawmill Hiking Trail — a 2.75-mile trail leading to the Aldridge Sawmill Historic site and continuing to Bouton Lake. Bouton Lake offers primitive camping, fishing, and non-motorized boating in a bottomland hardwood and cypress setting. Caney Creek Recreation Area on Sam Rayburn provides a boat ramp and primitive campsites.
Reservations for developed sites can be made through Recreation.gov. Some sites are first-come, first-served. No facilities are available at primitive sites — pack in and pack out. Contact the Forest Service at 936-639-8501 for current conditions and any fire restrictions before your visit.
Source to confirm: USDA Forest Service — Angelina National Forest Recreation