Angelina National Forest

The smallest of Texas's four national forests, Angelina nestles across 153,179 acres in the Piney Woods of East Texas along the shores of Sam Rayburn Reservoir, one of the largest lakes in the state at 114,500 acres. The forest provides outstanding fishing for largemouth bass, crappie, and catfish, while its upland areas support towering longleaf pine ecosystems that harbor the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker. The Sawmill Hiking Trail winds through diverse habitats including bottomland hardwoods, bald cypress swamps, and pitcher plant bogs that support rare carnivorous plants. Boykin Springs Recreation Area, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, offers a serene spring-fed lake for swimming and picnicking surrounded by old-growth pine. Birdwatchers are drawn to the forest's diverse avian populations, including pileated woodpeckers, wood ducks, and wintering bald eagles along the reservoir shoreline. The forest's mild climate makes it accessible for year-round recreation including hunting, kayaking, and wildlife observation.