![]() |
Home >> Sabine River Basin >> Recreation & Parks |
Basin Info. & News |
Lakes  |  State and Local Government Campgrounds and Parks  |  Sabine National Forest  | Wildlife Management Areas  |  Canoeing LakesBrandy BranchCity: Marshall, Texas Size: 1,242 surface acres Location: Between Marshall and Longview , eight miles southwest of Marshall on FM 3251. Description: Also known as Hallsville or Pirkey Lake. Facilities: Activities: Web Link: Additional Information Lake ForkCity: Quitman, Texas Size: 27,690 surface acres Location: Five miles west of Quitman and 15 miles south of Sulphur Springs. Description: Lake Fork Creek, Birch Creek and Big Caney Creek are the primary feeder streams along with numerous secondary creeks. Lake Fork is used for water supply and recreation. Lake Fork has gained national recognition because of its trophy largemouth bass fishery. Facilities: One public park with a wheelchair accessible fishing pier. There are 25 commercial marinas. Activities: Web Link: Additional Information Lake GladewaterCity: Gladewater, Texas Size: 800 surface acres Location: Off FM 2685 north of US 80 in City of Gladewater in Upshur County. Description: Lake Gladewater is on Glade Creek and serves as water supply for the City of Gladewater. Facilities: Although most of the shoreline is in private ownerships, boating and fishing access is provided at the city park adjacent to the dam. Activities: Web Link: Additional Information Lake HawkinsCity: Hawkins, Texas Size: 800 surface acres Location: On Little Sandy Creek. Northwest of Hawkins via US 80; also accessible from Mineola via US 80 and FM 2869 Description: One of four small Wood County lakes constructed for flood control and recreation Facilities: Numerous fee or free picnic and camping areas are available. Although there are no public fishing piers, most of the shoreline is accessible by all-weather roads and there is one marina and a County Park. Activities: Web Link: Additional Information Lake HolbrookCity: Mineola, Texas Size: 627 surface acres Location: On Keys Creek, 2 miles northwest of Mineola off US 69; also accessible from US 80. Description: One of the four Wood County lakes constructed for recreation and flood control. It is on a small tributary of the Sabine River and is within the East Texas timberlands. Facilities: A county-operated campground is at lakeside. Water sports, swimming beach, and fishing. Activities: Web Link: Additional Information Lake MurvaulCity: Carthage, Texas Size: 3,800 surface acres Location: Located about seven miles southeast of Carthage off FM 1970 in Panola County Description: Water supply reservoir constructed by Panola County Fresh Water Supply District Facilities: There are two marinas, one located on the west end and one located on the east end. Both have overnight lodging facilities. County park with a picnic area and overnight camping facility are available. Activities: Web Link: Additional Information Lake QuitmanCity: Quitman, Texas Size: 814 surface acres Location: Located about 4 miles north of Quitman via FM 2966 on Dry Creek Description: One of four small Wood County lakes constructed for flood control and recreation Facilities: Lakeside facilities include marinas, boat service and rentals, tent and RV campsites with hookups, swimming area. Activities: Web Link: Additional Information Lake TawakoniCity: Greenville, Texas Size: 36,700 surface acres Location: About 35 miles east of Dallas and 10 miles northeast of Wills Point, Texas. Located on the Sabine River immediately above the old Iron Bridge Crossing on FM 47. Description: Lake Tawakoni is used for water supply and recreation. Facilities: Lakeside parks, campsites, RV hookups, picnicking, swimming, marinas, boat rentals, bait and tackle. Activities: Web Link: Additional Information Lake WinnsboroCity: Winnsboro, Texas Size: 1,100 surface acres Location: Seven miles southwest of Winnsboro via SH 37; also accessible from Quitman. Description: Recreational impoundment with lakeside parks, campsites, RV hookups, picnicking, swimming, marina, boat rentals, bait and tackle. Facilities: Several available around lake Activities: Web Link: Additional Information Martin LakeCity: Tatum, Texas Size: 5,020 surface acres Location: On Martin Creek, a tributary of the Sabine River. Approximately 4 miles southwest of Tatum via SH 43, and local road south from FM 1716 intersection. Description: Steam-electric power generation reservoir Facilities: Martin Creek State Park is located on north shore and offers camping, picnic area, 4-lane concrete boat ramp, bait, tackle. Activities: Web Link: Additional Information Toledo Bend ReservoirCity: Burkeville, Texas Size: 186,000 surface acres Location: Located along the Texas/Louisiana border Description: The lake extends up the Sabine River 65 miles and is surrounded by typical mixed pine, hardwood forests. It is the largest man-made reservoir in the south. The lake was built on the Sabine River and numerous large creeks feed the reservoir. The reservoir is used for water supply, hydroelectric power and recreation. Facilities: There are numerous marinas and camping facilities around the lake. The Sabine National Forest operates several campgrounds. Activities: Web Link: Additional Information State and Local Government Campgrounds and ParksClaiborne West ParkCity: Vidor, Texas Location: From IH-10; Exit 864 and go to north access road, east 2 miles. Description: Ten prepared tent sites, fee. Located on Cow Bayou. Five miles of nature trails, large pavilions equipped with picnic tables, barbecue grills, water, electrical outlets, restrooms, playground, basketball courts, baseball fields. Activities: Web Link: Additional Information Governor Hogg ShrineCity: Quitman, Texas Location: 518 Main Street (SH 37). Description: State historic site with buildings, museum and mementos related to the Hogg family, prominent in Texas history and politics. Hogg was the first native-born governor of Texas. Old Settlers Nature Trail has 23 stops and 4 foot bridges along a half-mile trail. Tours, picnic tables. Activities: Web Link: Additional Information Lake Hawkins County ParkCity: Hawkings, Texas Location: From FM 14: US 80 west 4 miles; CR 3440 north 1 mile. Description: 36 trailer sites or 10 tent sites with electricity and water; 150 primitive camping areas; fee. Open March-November. Dump station, restrooms, showers, bathhouse, tables, grills, beach, swimming, fishing, boat ramp, fishing pier, playground, 1.5-mile nature trail, scenic views. Activities: Web Link: Additional Information Lake Holbrook ParkCity: Mineola, Texas Location: From SH 37: US 80 west 3.6 miles; CR 2231 west 1 mile; CR 2260 north 0.3 mile. Description: Ten trailer sites; other camp areas cover 40 acres; limit 15 days. On Lake Holbrook. Restrooms, no drinking water, snack bar (summer). Swimming, fishing, boat ramp, playground, scenic views. Activities: Web Link: Additional Information Lake Quitman ParkCity: Quitman, Texas Location: From SH 37: SH 154 west 0.4 mile; FM 2966 north 4.8 miles; Lake Quitman Road east 0.9 mile. Description: 12 trailer sites; 8 sites with electricity; fee, limit 15 days; other camp area covers 25 acres. Restrooms, boat rental, bait, grills, ice, grocery. Swimming, fishing, boat ramps, scenic views. Activities: Web Link: Additional Information Lake Winnsboro North ParkCity: Winnsboro, Texas Location: From SH 37: FM 515 west 4 miles; local road south 0.5 mile and east 0.5 mile. Description: 15 trailer sites; two with electricity; fee. Other primitive camp area covers four acres, limit 15 days. Restrooms, snack bar, ice, grocery, boat rental. Swimming, boat ramp, fishing, marina. Activities: Web Link: Additional Information Martin Creek Lake State ParkCity: Tatum, Texas Location: The park may be reached by driving 3.5 miles southwest of Tatum on SH 43, then turning south on CR 2183. Description: The Martin Creek Lake State Park area has a great history. Visitors near the fishing pier can still see the old Trammel's Trace roadbed, an Indian trail that became a major route for Anglo-American settlers moving into Texas from Arkansas. There are two hiking trails, each approximately one mile in length and one bicycling trail that is 6 miles long. Activities include picnicking, island camping, boating, fishing, swimming, water skiing, backpacking and hiking over historic trails that wind through scenic pine and hardwood forests, wildlife observation. Located 20 miles southeast of Longview. Activities: Web Link: Additional Information Sam Forse Collins Recreation AreaCity: Burkeville, Texas Location: Take FM 692 north from Burkeville to RR 255, west on RR 255, 0.5 mile to park. Description: Located on Toledo Bend Reservoir. The park has group facilities, playground equipment, boat ramp, picnic tables, a wheelchair-accessible fishing pier, and restrooms. Activities: Siecke State ForestCity: Kirbyville, Texas Location: Main tract located 5 miles southeast of Kirbyville via FM 82; 100-acre adjunct a mile west. Description: This 1,722-acre forest is named for EO Siecke, State Forester, 1918-1942. Managed by the Texas Forest Service, which is part of the Texas A&M University System. Fishing permitted in small pond near entrance to district headquarters and in Trout Creek; picnic tables. Open year round. Activities: Web Link: Additional Information SRA Recreation Site 2City: Tenaha Creek, Texas Location: Take FM 139 south from Joaquin to Tenaha Creek, park is on south side of Tenaha Creek. Description: Located on Toledo Bend Reservoir, the park has a boat ramp, picnic tables, and a small parking lot. Activities: SRA Swede Johnson Recreation Area (Site1)City: Joaquin, Texas Location: Take FM 139 south from Joaquin to FM 2572, east on FM 2572 to the end of the road. Description: Located on Toledo Bend Reservoir. The park has a boat ramp, picnic tables, playground equipment, and portable toilet facilities. Activities: SRA W.C. Swearingen Recreation AreaCity: Quitman, Texas Location: From SH 37 turn west on SH 154, go 5 miles. The park will be on the right. Description: Located on Lake Fork Reservoir. The park has a wheelchair-accessible fishing pier, restrooms, picnic tables and a playground. Activities: Tyler State ParkCity: Tyler, Texas Location: The park is located 2 miles north of IH-20 on FM 14 north of Tyler. Description: Spring-fed lake surrounded by a mixed pine/hardwood forest in 985-acre Tyler State Park. Facilities include: campsites for tents, trailers; screened shelters, 2.5 miles of hiking trails; amphitheater on lake shore; swimming, three fishing piers, boating and boat ramp, wildlife observation and photography. Activities: Web Link: Additional Information Wind Point ParkCity: Lone Oak, Texas Location: From Lone Oak: FM 1571 west, 4.5 miles to park entrance. Description: On Lake Tawakoni. Concessionaire: 159 trailer sites or tent sites; 90 sites with electricity, water and sewage, 69 sites with electricity and water. 15 sites with screened shelters. Eight sites have cabins with kitchenette; fee. Reservations accepted. Two air- conditioned lodges with kitchens for day use. Dump station, restrooms, showers, grills. Swimming, fishing, bait and tackle, grocery, laundry, bathhouse, boat ramps, minibike area, playgrounds, tennis, softball, basketball, lighted fishing pier and hiking. Activities: Sabine National ForestBoles Field Recreation AreaCity: Center, Texas Location: Follow Highway 87 south from Center for 4 miles; turn left (east) on FM 2694 for 8 miles to entrance. Description: Tent or RV camping, 20 campsites with electricity, water and bathhouse near camp sites. Open all year. Activities: Web Link: Additional Information East HamiltonCity: Center, Texas Location: From Center go south 20 miles on SH 87 to FM 2261 in Patroon, then go east 9 miles on FM 2261. Description: Located on Toledo Bend Reservoir. Includes a one-lane boat ramp, limited facilities. Day-use only. Operated by the Sabine River Authority of Texas. Owned by USFS Sabine National Forest. Activities: Web Link: Additional Information Haley's FerryCity: Center, Texas Location: From Center follow Highway 87 for 4 miles to Shelbyville; left (east) on FM 2694 for 15 miles; right (south) onto FM 3172 for 1 mile; left (east) onto FS100A for 2 miles to ramp entrance sign on the right. Description: On Toledo Bend Reservoir. Primitive camping with no facilities at this time. A boat ramp is located at Haley's Ferry. Operated by the Sabine River Authority of Texas. Owned by USFS Sabine National Forest. Activities: Web Link: Additional Information Indian Mounds CampgroundCity: Hemphill, Texas Location: Follow Highway 83 east from Hemphill for 8 miles; turn right (south) on FM 3382 for 3.5 miles; turn left onto Forest Service Road 130 to entrance. Description: This developed USFS site on Toledo Bend Reservoir offers access to the nearby Indian Mounds Wilderness Area and an alternative to wilderness camping. Facilities include 37 travel trailer or tent sites, picnic tables, grills and portable toilet facilities. Operated by the Sabine River Authority of Texas. Owned by USFS Sabine National Forest. Activities: Web Link: Additional Information Indian Mounds Wilderness AreaCity: Hemphill, Texas Location: From Hemphill follow Highway 83 east for 3.5 miles to designated wilderness parking area. Description: Located in the Pineywoods of East Texas on Toledo Bend Reservoir. Established October 30, 1984, under the Texas Wilderness Act and is 11,037 acres in size. Recreation opportunities include hiking, backpacking, horseback riding, photography, bird watching, fishing, and hunting. The nearby Indian Mounds Campground provides camping facilities and access to the wilderness area for day visitors. No motorized vehicles are allowed in wilderness areas, visitors can only enter the area on foot or by horseback. Activities: Web Link: Additional Information Lakeview CampgroundCity: Hemphill, Texas Location: From Pineland follow FM 2426 east for 10 miles; turn right (south) on Highway 87 for 3 miles; turn left (east) on FM 2928 for 3.5 miles to end of paved road; follow signs to Lakeview (approximately 4 miles). Description: Located on Toledo Bend Reservoir. 10 camping sites with a table, grill, tent pad and garbage can at each site. Trailhead for Trail Between the Lakes. Water is available from two centrally located hydrants. The area has portable toilet facilities. Operated by the Sabine River Authority of Texas. Owned by USFS Sabine National Forest. Activities: Web Link: Additional Information Ragtown Recreation AreaCity: Shelbyville, Texas Location: Follow Highway 87 south from Center for 11 miles; turn left (east) on FM 139 for 6 miles; bear right onto FM 3184 and follow 4 miles to entrance. Description: Ragtown offers something for everyone: camping, hiking, fishing, bird watching and viewing nature at its best. It is on the Texas shore of Toledo Bend. The campground is nestled high on a bluff that faces east. There are 12 double-family camping units, 13 single-family camping units, a double-laned public boat ramp and a parking lot. Ragtown campsites are surrounded by southern pine and hardwood trees. Each is equipped with a picnic table, tent pad, parking spur and a campfire ring which can be used as a cooking grill. Visitors can enjoy Mother Nature's Hiking Trail which loops around the campground for one mile. Ragtown is a bird watcher's paradise. Operated by the Sabine River Authority of Texas. Owned by USFS Sabine National Forest. Activities: Web Link: Additional Information Red Hills Lake Recreation AreaCity: Milam, Texas Location: Follow Highway 21 east from San Augustine for 18 miles to Milam, TX; turn left (north) on Highway 87 for 2.5 mi. Description: Located on 19-acre Red Hills Lake. Facilities include 28 family camping units (9 with electrical hook-ups), 15 single-family picnicking units, and a picnic shelter. There is also a swimming beach and bath house. Visitors who desire to learn more about the living forest will want to stroll down a short interpretive walk within the recreation area. Owned and operated by USFS Sabine National Forest. Activities: Web Link: Additional Information Trail Between the LakesCity: Hemphill, Texas Location: Located in the southern Sabine County, it extends from Lakeview Recreation Area on Toledo Bend Reservoir to State Highway 96 within sight of the easternmost point of Sam Rayburn Reservoir. Description: 28-mile hiking trail that winds through the Sabine National Forest. It extends from Lakeview Recreation Area on Toledo Bend Reservoir to US 96 within sight of the easternmost point of Sam Rayburn Reservoir . The trail is the result of efforts between the Golden Triangle Group of the Sierra Club and the USDA Forest Service in Texas . Hikers can see different plant communities, interesting topography, wildlife, beautiful scenery, and various forest management activities. A portion of the trail is adjacent to Toledo Bend Reservoir, and many portions lie along streams or special wildlife areas. The trail crosses roads at a number of locations, so it's easy to plan shorter hikes of varying lengths. The trail is designated for hiking only; horses, off-road vehicles, and mountain bikes are not allowed. There are many opportunities to camp in primitive or natural settings along the route. Camping is not allowed in the Moore Plantation Wildlife Management Area during deer hunting season or in colonies of red-cockaded woodpeckers, which are an endangered species. Woodpecker colony boundaries are marked with aqua-green paint and boundary signs. Activities: Web Link: Additional Information Willow Oak CampgroundCity: Hemphill, Texas Location: From Hemphill follow Highway 87 south for 11 miles to entrance. Description: This area has 10 tent camping sites located on the shoreline of Toledo Bend Reservoir. Each site has a tent platform, table, cooking grill and lantern post. Water hydrants, garbage cans, and portable toilet facilities are located near the camping sites. Operated by the Sabine River Authority of Texas. Owned by USFS Sabine National Forest. Activities: Web Link: Additional Information  Wildlife Management AreasBlue Elbow Swamp WMACity: Orange, Texas Location: Located at SH 87 and IH-10 on the Sabine River Description: 3,343 acres of wetland area open to the public in August 1996. TPWD plans to offer passport canoe tours, fishing, and hunting with TPWD permits. Activities: Web Link: Additional Information Moore Plantation WMACity: Hemphill, Texas Location: From Jasper take U.S. 96 north 27 miles to Pineland. Take FM 1 then FM 2426 east 3 miles. An information station is located on the north side of the highway Description: The creation of this 27,547-acre WMA was a joint venture between the US Forest Service , TPWD , and Temple-Eastex, Inc. The WMA is part of the Public Hunting Area System (PHA) developed by TPWD. A broad group of wildlife species benefit from the area, such as squirrel, deer, eastern wild turkey, quail and many non-game species. Activities: Web Link: Additional Information North Toledo Bend WMACity: Center, Texas Location: From Joaquin take FM 139 south for approximately 4.7 miles to the intersection of FM 139 and FM 2572. Travel east on FM 2572 1.7 miles to entrance. Description: 3,600-acre area located on Toledo Bend Reservoir in northern Shelby County, the WMA has been preserved by the Sabine River Authority of Texas through a cooperative agreement with the TPWD and Ducks Unlimited for the purpose of creating and restoring waterfowl breeding and wintering habitat. The project includes the impoundment of a 500-acre area on lands owned and made available by the Sabine River Authority of Texas. The dam is designed to hold water at the 172 m.s.l. elevation when Toledo Bend Reservoir is full and waterfowl are migrating southward and to release water back into the reservoir after the northward migration. The shallow wetlands area provides habitat to many species of waterfowl including wintering mallards and wood ducks, dove, quail, non-game birds, wading and shore birds, white-tailed deer, mammals, reptiles and fish. Visitors may access the area by vehicle as well as enter the 500-acre impoundment via a roller boat ramp which has been constructed on the 200-foot-long embankment. Activities: Web Link: Additional Information Old Sabine Bottom WMACity: Tyler, Texas Location: From Lindale take State Highway 2710 5 miles northeast to County Road 4106. Take CR 4106 north 0.5 miles to the WMA entrance. Description: 5,158-acres of hardwood bottomland along the Sabine River in Smith County are being preserved as a natural wildlife habitat. A high diversity of vegetation is found in bottomland forests. These include such species as overcup oak, water hickory, water elm, black willow, and swamp privet in the lowest areas. At mid-level areas, the close observer can identify willow oak, water oak, sweetgum and palmetto. On the higher ridges, sugerberry, sweet pecan and switch cane can be found. Habitat is well-suited for the squirrels, wood ducks, mallards, wild turkeys, and white tail deer that occupy the area. TPWD currently allows fishing along the Sabine River and its tributaries, as well as limited hunting for waterfowl, squirrel and archery for hogs and deer. Future plans include non-consumptive public uses such as trail hiking, bird watching and wildlife observation. Activities: Web Link: Additional Information Tawakoni WMACity: Wills Point, Texas Location: Pawnee Inlet Unit - From Lone Oak travel west on FM 1571 approximately 2 miles. Caddo Creek Unit - From Quinlan travel north on State Highway 34 approximately 1.5 miles. Duck Cove Unit - From Quinlan travel east on FM 35 1 mile to FM 751. On FM 751 travel south approximately 7 miles. Turn west on CR 3827 for 1 mile. Description: Three units totalling 2,335 acres of land, of which 1,561 acres is owned by Sabine River Authority of Texas and provided to the TPWD for their Public Hunting Program. This WMA area provides habitat for duck, whitetail deer, feral hog, dove, waterfowl, non-game birds, other migratory birds, rabbit, quail, squirrel and fish. Primitive camping in designated areas. Activities: Web Link: Additional Information Upper Toledo Bend WMACity: Carthage, Texas Location: Southeast of Carthage Description: The Sabine River Authority of Texas through an agreement with the TPWD has placed over 7,000 acres of land in the Public Hunting Program. Located at the extreme north end of the Toledo Bend Reservoir, this area borders the east and west banks of the Sabine River and is bottomland covered with dense hardwood. The area is one of the best Public Hunting Program areas in the state because of its abundance of whitetail deer, squirrel, waterfowl, turkey and wild hogs. Fishing is also a plus for the area, and it offers year round recreation. Activities: Canoeing
US 271 to SH 43
SH 43 to FM 2517
Toledo Bend to US 190
US 190 to SH 12
SH 12 to Gulf of Mexico
|