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How To Explore Sam Houston National Forest

Posted on March 14, 2024   |   Updated on September 30, 2025

City Cast Houston Staff

A photo of bright green and tall branches inside Sam Houston National Forest.

Explore Sam Houston National Forest this summer. (Holger Leue/Getty Images)

If you’re looking for a perfect escape this spring, Sam Houston National Forest offers hiking, camping, fishing, and hunting, about 50 miles north of Houston. Let’s take a look at this oasis.

Let’s Go On A Hike

For those who love getting lost in nature, you’ll enjoy the 129-mile Lone Star Hiking Trail, where you can admire various plants, wildlife, rivers, creeks, lakes, and streams. The most popular seasons to hike here are winter and spring because of the milder weather. As we head into warmer months, beware of the heat, start your hike in the early morning so you can finish before noon, and stay hydrated.

Let’s Go Camping

  • Cagle, located along the shoreline of Lake Conroe, has bike trails, hiking, places to picnic, and campground areas. It’s also great for fishing and water sports. Reserve in advance.
  • Double Lake is near Coldspring, Texas, and includes a swimming area, beach, and well-equipped camping units with a table, fireplace, tent pad, and other items. Some camping units also have water, sewer, and electrical hookups. For bike enthusiasts, try their 21-mile mountain bike trail. Reserve in advance.
  • Stubblefield is available on a first-come, first-served basis. At Stubblefield, you can camp, hike, canoe, fish, bird watch, or picnic.

Let’s Have More Fun

  • Lake Livingston and Lake Conroe have endless water activities, from fishing to your heart’s content, boating, or a water sports activity.
  • If you plan to hunt deer or small game inside the forest, then make sure to buy the appropriate wildlife management area hunting permit. Hunters must also wear orange.

If this got you itching to explore the outdoors, here are more of our favorite outdoor spots around Houston.

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