National Forests & Grasslands in Texas

United States Department of Agriculture WELCOME! The breathtaking beauty of the great outdoors is evident throughout the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas. Outdoor Adventures The Texas Pineywoods stretch from the urban landscape of Houston to the Louisiana border and are home to the Angelina, Davy Crockett, Sabine and Sam Houston national forests. These four national forests have an amazing diversity of plant and animal life scattered across gently rolling hills, hardwood bottomlands and world-class fishing lakes. North of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex are the Lyndon B. Johnson and Caddo National Grasslands. Purchased by the government in the 1930s, these lands are made up of abandoned farms and ranches that suffered severe soil erosion, but are now a thriving testament to proper land management. Whether it’s boating, fishing and swimming in the numerous lakes and reservoirs, or camping off the beaten path, the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas offer an experience like no other. Coral bean adds a splash of red to the forest. Look Inside Angelina ............................. 2 Davy Crockett ..................... 3 Sabine ................................ 4 Sam Houston ...................... 5 Caddo/LBJ .......................... 6 Experimental Forest............ 7 Safety Information............... 8 Contacts.............................. 8 OHV Regulations................. 8 Explore the Great Outdoors of Texas With a wealth of recreation activities within easy driving distance, more and more vacationers are discovering the beauty and affordability of the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas. The Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, manages more than 675,000 acres of public land in Texas consisting of four national forests and two national grasslands. The four national forests in Texas are the Angelina, Davy Crockett, Sabine and Sam Houston. The national grasslands are north of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and include the Caddo and the Lyndon B. Johnson. The National Forests and Grasslands in Texas provide a variety of outdoor recreation opportunities with 25 developed recreation areas, nearly 200 miles of hiking trails, scenic areas, wilderness areas, an off-road vehicle trail and more than 100 miles of horse trails. Camping reservations for the four national forests may be made by calling 1-877-444-6777, or on the web at www. recreation.gov. A daily use fee is charged at most areas. Campgrounds generally include tent pads, picnic tables, parking spurs for trailers, lantern posts, campfire rings, potable water and toilets. Some areas also have showers, electricity, swimming Forest Service beaches and boat ramps. The Davy Crockett and Sam Houston national forests are located where the pine forests of the Deep South join the blackland prairies. The result is a mix of eastern and western species of birds and other wildlife found nowhere else in the state. The Sabine and Angelina national forests are on the shores of Toledo Bend and Sam Rayburn Reservoirs, two large lakes featuring fishing and other water sports. Lake Conroe and Lake Livingston offer water-related outdoor recreation opportunities on and near the Sam Houston National Forest. Primitive camping is allowed anywhere in the general forest area, except during hunting season or unless posted otherwise. All campers are encouraged to practice “leave no trace” camping, leaving an area in the same natural condition in which it was found. During Spring, Caddo National Grasslands visitors can enjoy the spectacular experience of viewing migratory neo-tropical birds from Central and South America. The display of these winged visitors to the Caddo compete with the springtime show of wildflowers. Photographers and nature lovers agree, spring in Caddo is magnificent. In the Lyndon B. Johnson National National Forests and Grasslands in Texas R8-RG 479 February 2019 Grasslands, recreation is a big draw to the 6.3 million people who live just minutes away in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. The TADRA Point campground is the trailhead to a 75-mile network which includes five different loop trails and attracts equestrian enthusiasts from accross the state. These trails cover land where once the Chisholm trail was used to move huge herds of cattle northward and the Comanche people roamed. Black Creek Lake, with its adjacent campground and huge oaks, is popular for fishing, as well as tent camping and boating. 2 National Forests & Grasslands in Texas Angelina National Forest This map is meant to serve as a general guide and does not show exact boundaries or all roads. It is the user’s responsibility to know his or her location in the forest. Users should be aware that some private property exists within the Forest Service boundary. Please respect our neighbors’ rights. Check with the Ranger District regarding special regulations or boundary locations. L ocated in the heart of the Pineywoods, the 153,160-acre Angelina National Forest spans Angelina, Nacogdoches, San Augustine and Jasper counties. The forest lies in the Neches River Basin and on the north and south shores of Sam Rayburn Reservoir. Old Aldridge The Aldridge Sawmill site is located on a spur of the Sawmill Hiking Trail south of Boykin Springs Recreation Area. The sawmill was built in 1905 and was active until it closed in 1923. Logging was the economic base for the community, but when the trees were gone the sawmill closed and the town was abandoned. Although most of the buildings are gone, the shells of four concrete mill buildings, various foundations, the mill pond and portions of the old railroad tram still remain. As a structure listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, no digging, collecting of artifacts, use of metal detectors, damaging or defacing the site is allowed. Boykin Springs Boykin Springs Recreation Area has undergone extensive renovations since it was damaged by Hurricane Rita in 2005. The picnic shelter and spillway have been restored to their classic 1930s-era look. It is a favorite spot for camping, picnicking, hiking and photography. Sam Rayburn Reservoir While many come to the Angelina National Forest to enjoy the camping experience, it is Sam Rayburn Reservoir that brings folks back time and again. At 114,500 acres, “Big Sam” is a fishing, boating and skiing paradise in the largest lake wholly located within Texas. Forest Service boat ramps are located at Townsend and at Caney Creek where there are also camping and picknicking spots. Additional boat ramps are located at U.S. Army Corps of Engineer parks. Wilderness The 5,473-acre Turkey Hill and the 13,390-acre Upland Island wilderness areas are set aside to allow the earth’s natural processes to shape and influence the land. Hunting, horseback riding and hiking are allowed, while bicycles and motorized equipment are not. In these wilderness areas, visitors will discover Texas the way it was 100, maybe 200 years ago. Wildlife Principal game in the forest are deer, hog, squirrel, wild turkey, woodcock, quail, dove and duck. Fish and waterfowl abound in Sam Rayburn Reservoir and the area is also resting grounds for migratory birds before they fly south toward the Gulf Coast. The 20,700-acre Bannister Wildlife Management Area is located north of Lake Sam Rayburn and is a prime hunting area. Texas Parks and Wildlife acts as an advisor concerning wildlife management and it is a designated Eastern Wild Turkey restoration site. Endangered Species During winter and early spring, bald eagles can been seen soaring over the lake, perched on a flooded snag or in pines along shorelines. The red-cockaded woodpecker is also found throughout the forest. This small bird makes its home by pecking cavities in large, older living pine trees, and was designated an endangered species in 1973. Wherever these birds are found, emphasis is directed toward providing the special habitat they require. www.fs.usda.gov/texas Davy Crockett National Forest 3 This map is meant to serve as a general guide and does not show exact boundaries or all roads. It is the user’s responsibility to know his or her location in the forest. Users should be aware that some private property exists within the Forest Service boundary. Please respect our neighbors’ rights. Check with the Ranger District regarding special regulations or boundary locations. N amed for the legendary pioneer, Davy Crockett National Forest contains more than 160,600 acres of woodland streams, recreation areas and wildlife habitat. Located in Houston and Trinity counties, the forest is centrally located within the Neches River and Trinity River basins. Ratcliff Lake Built in 1936 by the Civilian Conservation Corps, Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area surrounds a 45-acre lake that was a log pond for the Central Coal and Coke Company Sawmill that logged the area from 1902 to 1920. The area offers visitors camping, picnicking, a swimming beach and bathhouse in a beautiful forest setting often featured in travel magazines. The picnic shelters and camping sites may be reserved from the National Reservation System online at www.recreation.gov or by calling 877444-6777. Four C Hiking Trail The Four C Hiking Trail begins at Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area and ends at the Neches Bluff Overlook. It was named one of the top 10 trails in Texas by Texas Monthly magazine. Named for the Central Coal and Coke Company, it follows abandoned tramways through the national forest. Except for a one-mile segment through privately owned land, the Four C Trail stays on national forest land. Walnut Creek Campsite is located on a small ridge about midway on the trail, and the Pond Campsite is near mile 13. Spring and fall are the best times of year to experience the trail, but the trail can be hiked year round. Wearing bright orange is a must when hiking during hunting season (October through January). Horses, bikes and off-road vehicles are not allowed on the trail. Piney Creek Horse Trail The Piney Creek Horse Trail meanders 54 miles along Forest Service roads, tram roads, pipeline rights-of-way, game trails and highways. It is mostly on national forest land, but there are crossings on private property and public roads. A $10 per day fee covers camping at either of the two horse camps and use of the horse trail system. A self-service pay station is available at the site. An annual permit can be purchased for $50 per vehicle at the ranger’s office. Trail riding groups of more than 74 persons (including spectators) need a special-use permit and should contact the ranger’s office three months prior to the event. During rainy weather, parts of the trail may flood. The best seasons for using the trail are during the mild weather of the fall and spring. Vault toilets are at both horse camps, but potable water and designated campsites are at the Piney Creek camp. Big Slough Wilderness Area The 3,639-acre Big Slough Wilderness was set aside under the Texas Wilderness Act of 1984 to provide opportunities for solitude and challenge and remains natural and pristine. During wet periods, it is sometimes possible to canoe along a four-mile loop from the Neches to Big Slough and back. Alabama Creek Wildlife Management Area The Alabama Creek Wildlife Management Area provides for intensive wildlife management. Principal game includes whitetailed deer, turkey, feral hog, waterfowl, dove, squirrel, quail and frogs. In addition, the endangered redcockaded woodpecker thrives within a carefully managed old-growth habitat in the forest. This WMA was established to provide improved hunting and to demonstrate how wildlife habitat and ecosystem management are coordinated to the benefit of all. 4 S National Forests & Grasslands in Texas Sabine National Forest abine National Forest is the easternmost of the four national forests in Texas and forms part of the boundary between Texas and Louisiana. The 160,806-acre forest is situated on the western slopes of the Sabine River watershed within Sabine, San Augustine, Shelby, Jasper and Newton counties. This map is meant to serve as a general guide and does not show exact boundaries or all roads. It is the user’s responsibility to know his or her location in the forest. Users should be aware that some private property exists within the Forest Service boundary. Please respect our neighbors’ rights. Check with the Ranger District regarding special regulations or boundary locations. Recreation The eastern part of the Sabine National Forest outlines Toledo Bend Reservoir, the fifth largest man-made reservoir in the U.S. and a nationally known recreation attraction. Recreation developments adjacent to Toledo Bend Reservoir are extensive. Private facilities range from fish camps with marinas and primitive camping, to highly developed lodge and motel-type facilities. Boating Toledo Bend Reservoir offers the best in fishing and scenic shorelines. The Forest Service and private businesses provide boat ramps at all major recreation areas and other selected spots on the reservoir, giving boaters a wide choice of access points to the lake. Hunting and Fishing The Forest Service and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department work together to offer prime habitat for game and fish populations in national forests. Moore Plantation is a 26,500-acre wildlife management area in Sabine County cooperatively managed by these two agencies. It is known for excellent deer hunting. Toledo Bend Reservoir is a nationally known bass fishing lake, and numerous tournaments are held here each year. Wilderness Indian Mounds is a 12,369-acre congressionally designated wilderness area set aside to allow the earth’s natural processes to shape and influence the land. Hunting, horseback riding and hiking are allowed. Bicycles, other wheeled vehicles and mechanized and motorized equipment are not allowed. Camping and Picnicking Family camping areas in the Sabine National Forest are designed for those wanting “elbow room” in a natural forest setting. Several units share a water tap, trash receptacle and toilet facilities. Most parking spaces are suitable for camping trailers. Red Hills Lake has picnic facilities, a swimming beach and dump station along with electrical hookups at several sites. Boles Field has a picnic shelter available for family reunions and other day-use activities; reservations need to be made in advance for shelters and the amphitheater. Boles Field is also home to the National Cemetery Hall of Fame for Foxhounds. Prized hunting dogs from across the country are buried in this picturesque setting. The area is a tradition with local fox hunters who organize hunting events in the area, and it offers excellent opportunities for hunting in the nearby forest. Willow Oak boat ramp is open and provides several walk-in campsites. Developed campgrounds require a fee, but there are many opportunities for dispersed camping throughout the forest. Hiking The forest is the perfect place for hiking, horseback riding and bicycling (no bicycles are allowed in the wilderness), and the many miles of roads through the woods are perfect for a scenic drive especially in the spring and fall. Hiking is best in the early spring when the forest is filled with native wildflowers, or in fall when the hardwood leaves change color. Be sure to wear hunter orange during hunting season. www.fs.usda.gov/texas Sam Houston National Forest 5 This map is meant to serve as a general guide and does not show exact boundaries or all roads. It is the user’s responsibility to know his or her location in the forest. Users should be aware that some private property exists within the Forest Service boundary. Please respect our neighbors’ rights. Check with the Ranger District regarding special regulations or boundary locations. shortleaf pines dominate ridgetops that are separated by a wide variety of hardwoods along creek channels. Big Creek Scenic Area The 1,920-acre Big Creek Scenic Area is noted for its unique plants and scenic qualities. No camping is allowed in Big Creek Scenic Area. The Lone Star Hiking Trail winds through the area and features four trail loops of various lengths. T he Sam Houston National Forest is located 50 miles north of Houston and contains 163,037 acres of land in Montgomery, Walker and San Jacinto counties. The forest is intermingled with private timber lands, small farms and a growing number of subdivisions. Lone Star Hiking Trail The 129-mile Lone Star Hiking Trail, a portion of which has gained National Recreation Trail status, winds through Double Lake, Stubblefield and Kelly’s Pond campgrounds. Except during deer hunting season, when camping is restricted to designated camps, primitive camping is allowed off the trail. Hikers should wear bright orange clothing during hunting season from October through January. Drinking water is available at Double Lake and Stubblefield recreation areas. The trail, which is open to foot traffic only, is open year round, but winter and spring are the most popular seasons for hiking due to the mild climate. Little Lake Creek Wilderness The 3,855-acre Little Lake Creek Wilderness, five miles north of Montgomery, is home to a rich ecological mosaic. Loblolly and Camping/Swimming/Fishing There are three developed campgrounds in the Sam Houston National Forest: Cagle, Double Lake and Stubblefield, and a primitive camping area at Kelly’s Pond. Cagle Recreation Area has 48 family campsites with grills, tent pads, electric hookups and connections for water and wastewater for recreational vehicles. There are restrooms, showers and a boat dock. Paved and natural surface trails wind through the popular campground. Scotts Ridge Recreation Area, on the west side of Lake Conroe, has a boat launch, swimming beach, picnic sites and three picnic shelters. The boat launch is open year-round, and the day-use area is open during the spring and summer. On the east side of the forest is Double Lake Recreation Area, built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. This historic campground includes family and group camping, picnicking, a picnic shelter, swimming area, a concession stand and bathhouse. It is also home to a popular mountain bike trail. Stubblefield Recreation Area, on the north shore of Lake Conroe, has 30 camping sites and access to the Lone Star Hiking Trail. Kelly’s Pond, just off the Multi-Use Trail and west of Lake Conroe, offers primitive camping. Lake Livingston and Lake Conroe are both popular weekend destinations noted for black bass and year-round fishing. Multi-use Trails Riding off-road vehicles (dirt bikes and four-wheelers), mountain bikes and horses are some of the most popular recreational uses of the Sam Houston National Forest. Special areas and trails are designated and developed for these uses. Four trailheads along the multi-use trails provide starting points and parking areas. Please stay on the marked trails. Pipelines, powerlines and other rights- of-way are closed to off-road-vehicle use except at designated crossings. During wet, rainy days the trails are closed, so check with the ranger’s office before planning a trip. Wildlife The Sam Houston National Forest is the largest Wildlife Management Area in Texas. The Forest Service and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department cooperatively manage the forest for game as well as non-game use. Deer is the most popular game animal in the forest followed closely by squirrels, ducks and hogs. Lake Conroe and the surrounding forest provide habitat for the bald eagle and during winter months, they have been seen soaring over the lake, perched on a flooded snag or in a tall pine along the shoreline. The endangered red-cockaded woodpecker also makes its home in the forest and is best seen early morning and late evening. 6 National Forests & Grasslands in Texas Caddo and Lyndon B. Johnson National Grasslands T CR 3355 39 10 CR CR 3900 ¬ « CR3925 Ü ¬ « FM 2990 8 FM 6 he 17,873-acre Caddo and 20,313-acre Lyndon B. Johnson (LBJ) National Grasslands are located in north-central Texas, northeast and northwest of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex in Fannin, Wise and Montague counties. Before the federal government purchased them in the late 1930s, the grasslands were mostly abandoned farms and ranches suffering severe soil erosion from poor agricultural practices. Since 1955, the national grasslands in Texas, along with the national forests, have been managed by the Forest Service. The national grasslands in Texas are part of the western and eastern cross-timbers vegetation type, with both hardwood forests and open grasslands. The national grasslands provide recreation areas and lakes for camping, swimming, hunting, fishing and habitat for wildlife. Grasslands management restores native prairies and These maps are meant to serve as a general guide and does not show exact boundaries or all roads. It is the user’s responsibility to know his or improves wildlife habitat. The Forest Service reseeds her location in the forest. Users should be aware that some private property rangeland, provides water, builds and maintains fences exists within the Forest Service boundary. Please respect our neighbors’ rights. Check with the Ranger District regarding special regulations or and conducts prescribed burning. LYNDON B. JOHNSON NATIONAL GRASSLANDS boundary locations. Windmills and ponds provide water for livestock. Oil and gas wells are a common CADDO NATIONAL GRASSLANDS sight on the Caddo and LBJ National Grasslands. The United States does not own all the mineral rights for these lands because a few of the sellers retained permanent mineral ownership. The counties in which national grasslands lie receive 25 percent of the income from mineral leasing and royalties as well as from grazing permits, special land use fees and recreation fees. These funds are returned to the counties to be used for schools and roads. Wildlife White-tailed deer, small mammals, coyotes, bobcats, red fox, waterfowl, bobwhite quail, turkey and songbirds thrive in the diverse habitats provided by the grasslands. Largemouth bass, blue catfish, channel catfish and perch are common catches in the many lakes. In spring, migratory neotropical birds from Central and South America make their way across the grasslands, and wildflowers CR 3395 blanket the gently rolling hills in color. Recreation - LBJ The LBJ National Grasslands offers various facilities for camping, picnicking and other outdoor activities. Popular areas are Black Creek Recreation Area, TADRA Point 34 Trailhead and Cottonwood Lake. Valley View offers group camping and is CR 34 a designated bird dog training area. There are 390 CR 3930 5 15 campsites, a pavilion with grill, restrooms and water for horses. 0 1 2 Miles There are approximately 400 lakes and ponds, ranging from less than an acre to Windmills are a common sight in the grasslands. more than 40 acres on the LBJ National Grasslands. The trailhead has restrooms, 20 parking spurs, six pull The 35-acre Black Creek Lake is a developed Bois D’Arc Multi-Use Trail - Caddo throughs, 10 stock tethers and water for horses. recreational site with picnic spots, 14 walk-in campsites, The Bois D’Arc Multi-Use Trail offers 12 campsites, Additionally, open areas of the grasslands are popular a concrete boat ramp and a four-mile hiking trail. It is restrooms and three loops that begin and end at the for cross-country horseback riding. located off CR 2360 and CR 2461 with access from FS trailhead. The trail is 28 miles and offers views of Coffee Because soils on the LBJ and Caddo Grasslands are 902. Primitive camping is allowed off FS 922. Mill Lake and Lake Crockett. Cottonwood Lake is 40 acres with a concrete boat ramp susceptible to erosion, vehicle travel is only allowed on Caddo Wildlife Management Area designated roads. and has a trail that connects it to Black Creek Lake. Other The grasses and trees of the Caddo Wildlife Recreation Caddo lakes in the area are Little Cottonwood Lake, Rhodes Management Area attract small mammals, red and gray Popular areas in the Caddo National Grasslands are Lake, Chicken Lake and Dan’s Pond. fox, waterfowl, gulls, quail, white-tailed deer, wild East and West Lake Crockett Recreation Areas, Coffee Visitors to the national grasslands should be extremely turkey and a variety of other birds. The diverse habitat Mill Recreation Area and Bois D’Arc Trailhead. careful with fire because the prairie grasses can be highly offers excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing and In Fannin County, the 750-acre Coffee Mill Lake has a flammable. paved boat ramp, drinking water, tent camping and limited photography. TADRA Multi-Use Trail - LBJ The 16,240-acre area is a favorite spot for hunters, RV space. Lake Crockett, at 450 acres, offers a paved boat The 75-mile TADRA Multi-Use Trail is open to recreational visitors and wildlife. Deer hunters are ramp, fishing pier, picnic area and restrooms on the east horseback riding, mountain biking and hiking. Access to required to have the necessary permits issued by Texas side. The west side can accommodate RVs and has 12 the trail is provided at the TADRA Point Trailhead. Parks and Wildlife Department. campsites, restrooms and hiking trails. www.fs.usda.gov/texas O Stephen F. Austin Experimental Forest ffering a quiet refuge to all who seek the natural enchantment of a forest experience is the Stephen F. Austin Experimental Forest (SFAEF), located eight miles southwest of Nacogdoches. Tucked away in the heart of the Pineywoods, the forest is bordered on its southern and eastern boundaries by the Angelina River and the Alazan Wildlife Management Area. The SFAEF is a 2,560acre tract consisting of approximately 1,800 acres of mature bottomland hardwood with the remainder being southern pine and mixed pine and hardwood. Part of the Angelina National Forest, SFAEF is administered by the Southern Research Station through its Wildlife The Stephen F. Austin Interpretive Trail offers universal accessibility. Habitat and Silviculture Laboratory in Nacogdoches. Since its adoption into the national forest system in 1945, the primary objective of the experimental forest has been wildlife and timber management research. The site is also used as an outdoor classroom in the study of forest ecosystems for students majoring in forestry, wildlife management, forest recreation and environmental science. In 1990, management objectives for the SFAEF were expanded to include educational and recreational opportunities for the general public. The Interpretive Trail System Completed in the summer of 1997, the forest’s innovative interpretive trail system represents the commitment of the Forest Service to meet the changing needs and perspectives of society. Unique in its concept and design, it features the first major trail in this region designed and constructed for universal accessibility. Two separate loops, spanning a distance of 2.9 miles, take visitors into some of the most dynamic and scenic areas of the forest. Jack Creek Loop Jack Creek is a cool, clear, springfed perennial stream which serves as the centerpiece for this loop. Traversing gentle slopes along the banks of the creek, this barrier-free, 0.8-mile surfaced trail provides universal access to a mature mixed forest where 100-year-old pines and hardwoods still stand stalwart But this is not just a path through the against the rush of modern time. forest, the trail is like a corridor through The rich, moist soils along the creek time. Integrated into the management support diverse vegetation dominated objectives for each different area, it by large, old hardwoods that offer a permits visitors to witness firsthand the soothing environment for exercise as forest’s response to various treatments well as opportunities for quiet reflection across the years. and relaxation. General Information Since these trees also provide cover Approximately half of the more than and food, which support many species 300 species of birds which are common of birds and mammals, wildlife viewing to this area of Texas are found in the (especially birding) is an inherent part of forest. the unobtrusive visitor’s experience. More than 80 species of butterflies Management Loop add color and quiet beauty, while the As environmental issues become anticipation of catching a glimpse of increasingly a part of public awareness one of the more than 30 indigenous and concern, the Forest Service is taking woodland creatures makes each visit the initiative to provide and promote exciting for wildlife lovers. conservation education. The temperate climate permits yearExperiential learning opportunities round use of the trail and allows visitors offered in a living outdoor classroom are to appreciate the beauty each season geared toward fostering respect for forest brings. resources and appreciation of sound Binoculars and cameras can enhance accessible and bus spaces, and shaded management principles. lasting memories. picnic tables are adjacent to the parking Winding two miles through five Visitors may wish to bring their own area. different units on the forest, this loop water, as fountains are available only Restrooms are located near the provides visitors a chance to view an near the parking area. Insect repellent is parking area and visitors are asked to array of forest management practices at advised from May through September. keep their pets on a leash and their various stages of process. The parking lot provides both firearms at home. 7 How to Recognize National Forest Land Maps commonly show proclaimed national forest boundaries. However, all land within this boundary is not national forest land; some is privately owned. The land shown in green on the maps indicates national forest land. Red paint and signs mark the boundaries between national forest land and private property. Recognition of these markings and boundary signs helps the visitor to be certain to stay on national forest land. Visitors should comply with state law and the owner’s rules when entering private land. Entrance (portal) signs. These signs can be seen along major roads entering the national forests, usually on the first tract of government land encountered. Generally, portal signs are not used on low traffic volume roads. Welcome signs. These signs are located on or just inside the boundaries or individual tracts of national forest land where the road enters. The sign will be oriented so that the land behind the sign is public land. Generally, they are not used on deadend or woods roads or on small blocks of public land. Upon entering woods on public land, welcome signs will not be present and the visitor should rely on property line markings and boundary signs. Property line marking and boundary signs. The boundaries of individual national forest tracts adjacent to other ownerships are marked with brown and yellow property boundary signs. The small metal boundary signs are fastened either to trees or posts located on the boundary line and at road crossings, and the signs are placed so that public land is behind the sign. Red paint spots on trees define the boundary line through woods. While the majority of boundaries are identified and posted, occasionally visitors may encounter an area where signs have been vandalized or lines are not yet marked. In these cases, visitors should be alert to avoid accidently trespassing on private land. 8 National Forests & Grasslands in Texas For More Information Angelina National Forest 111 Walnut Ridge Road Zavalla, TX 75980 936-897-1068    Davy Crockett National Forest 18551 Hwy. 7 East Kennard, TX 75847 936-655-2299    Sabine National Forest 5050 Hwy. 21 East Hemphill, TX 75959 409-625-1940 Toll Free: 866-235-1750    Sam Houston National Forest 394 FM 1375 West New Waverly, TX 77358 936-344-6205 Toll Free: 888-361-6908    Caddo/LBJ National Grasslands 1400