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Location:
The Texas Forest Trail is located in far east Texas. North of Houston
and southeast of Dallas, the trail can be accessed from either gateway
city. Description/Highlights/Points of Interest The Forest Trail Region fascinates and captivates its visitors with four national and five state forests with wide open spaces carpeted with fragrant pine needles, brimming with lakes both mammoth and mysterious, and seasonally rich with radiant roses, delicate dogwoods, and exquisite azaleas. In addition, quaint small towns, culture, heritage, heroes, and history make this a destination that will appeal to all. Suggested Itinerary The trail begins only 90 miles (144.8 km) north of Houston, one of the United States largest metropolitan cities. Step out of the big city and get back to nature. Begin your adventure in the impenetrable woods that were once hideouts for murderers, thieves and Civil War draft dodgers. Big Thicket National Preserve encompasses more than 97,000 acres and was the first Preserve in the National Park System. The Preserve protects an area of rich biological diversity while serving as a living laboratory for the study of the ecological systems. The Big Thicket National Preserve and Visitor Center provides numerous activities including hiking on eight trails totaling more than 45 miles (72.4 km), off-road bicycling, canoeing, kayaking, birding and boating. The Preserve also features naturalist and educational programs. Nearby in Woodville, visit the Heritage Village Museum that features more than 30 relocated and replicated pioneer structures. Continue
90 miles (144.8 km) north to San Augustine. This city
is called “The Cradle of Texas” because it served as the eastern
gateway for settlers from southern states and became one of the first
Anglo communities when Texas was part of Mexico. While in town stop in
at the Mission Dolores Visitors Center. The visitors
center houses an interactive and interpretive display relating to Mission
Nuestra Senora de los Dolores de los Ais, one of the earliest missions
established in Texas. The mission is listed in the National Register of
Historic Places and is a designated State Archeological Landmark. 35 miles
(56.3 km) east of San Augustine is the town of Nacogdoches. One of several
historic sites to visit is the Hoya House Museum. Built by Adolphus Sterne
– a prominent leader of the Texas Revolution – in 1830, the
house was visited by Texas legends Davy Crockett, Sam Houston and Thomas
J. Rusk as they traveled through Nacogdoches to fight
for Texas' independence. Accessible from both San Augustine and Nacogdoches
are the Sabine National Forest and the Angelina National Forest. Slightly south of the Sabine is the Angelina National Forest. At 153,179-acres the forest lies in the Neches River Basin and on the north and south shores of Sam Rayburn Reservoir, a 114,500-acre lake on the Angelina River. With a gently rolling terrain covered with longleaf pine, the forest is a perfect backdrop for enjoying canoeing, fishing, pleasure boating, skiing, biking and hiking. The 5 1/2-mile (8.85 km) Sawmill Hiking Trail follows an old tramway, used until 1920 to haul logs to the sawmills. Portions of old bridges and sawmill ruins can be seen at various points along the trail. The 499-acre Texas State Railroad State Park is located between the towns of Rusk and Palestine, about 36 miles east of Nacogdoches. The railroad, restored by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, passes through the beautiful piney woods of East Texas. Today, the historic state railroad is still maintained as a fully self-contained railroad system maintaining and operating 4 steam engines, 4 antique diesel locomotives, and a complete steam engine restoration shop. The trip takes 1 1/2 hours crossing 25 miles of track and 24 bridges. Passengers may board at either Rusk or Palestine, both with turn-of-the-century style train stations. Palestine’s historic homes, magnolias and dogwoods impart a gracious southern feeling to this small town. Enjoy two National Register Historic Districts on a driving tour of historic homes. A 560-foot bridge, located in Footbridge Park in Rusk, was built in 1889 to enable people living east of the valley to cross the rising waters of One Eye Creek to get to town. Continuing south again you will find the Davy Crockett National Forest. Named for the legendary pioneer, the forest contains more than 160,000 acres of East Texas woodlands, streams, recreation areas, and wildlife habitat. The area offers visitors camping, an interpretive forest trail, boating, and fishing in a beautiful forest setting. Self-guided and audio tours are also available. While in this area visit Crockett. The town was named for the famous coonskin-capped scout who is said to have camped here on his way to the Alamo. There are two significant historic homes in Crockett. The Downes-Aldrich Home and Monroe-Crook Home are open for public tours. From Crockett continue 60 miles (96.6 km) south to Livingston. An old log-hauling locomotive and the 1933 Jonas Davis Log Cabin mark the location of the Polk County Memorial Museum and Heritage Park. Outside of town is the Alabama-Coushatta Indian Reservation. Visitors can view tribal dances, and visit the Living Indian Village. The Sam Houston National Forest is located just outside Livingston. The forest contains 163,037 acres intermingled with privately owned timberlands and small farms. Camping, canoeing, mountain biking trails, fishing, and boating are available. Hiking includes the 128-mile (206 km) Lone Star Hiking Trail which is designated a National Recreation Trail. The trail route may be started at any point along the way, taken in either direction or explored in sections only. Listed above is just a sampling of the entire Forest Trail. The northern section includes the towns of Jefferson, Marshall, Longview, Tyler, and Caddo Lake. Travel Season/Dates The best time to visit the Forest Trail Region is during the drier and milder months of September-October and February-March. Summers are hot and winters generally are short and mild. The average summer temperature is 83°F (28.3°C), but mid-summer temperatures often reach the upper 90s. The average winter temperature is 53°F (11.6°C). The average rainfall is 44 inches (111.8 cm). For more information: Texas
Tourism
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