Over 160,000 acres of stunning forested lands await you on your Sam Houston National Forest camping trip!
So time to gear up and get out into that Texan wilderness for days filled with hiking, boating, fishing, and other outdoor activities. And if you’re looking for a true challenge, perhaps you’ll even give the 128-mile Lone Star Hiking Trail a shot!
What to Expect on Your Sam Houston National Forest Camping Trip
Hiking trails that plunge into a vast forest with hidden lakes and ponds scattered throughout make Sam Houston National Forest a perfect place to appreciate the outdoors. Then, head back to your amenity-equipped campgrounds for a night of peace before heading out boating, swimming, biking, or horseback riding the next day!
Fees
Fees vary by recreation area in Sam Houston National Forest. See a breakdown by recreation area below:
- Cagle Recreation Area Campgrounds: day-use $5/day. All-utility camping per site, $30/night.
- Double Lake Recreation Area Campgrounds: $7/day per vehicle. Overnight fees vary greatly by season and accommodation type, ranging from $20/night to $140/night. Check fees and rates here.
- Stubblefield Recreation Area Campgrounds: $15/night for one site and one vehicle.
History of Sam Houston National Forest
The Sam Houston National Forest area has been occupied by humans for over 12,000 years. In more recent times, until the early 1800s, the area is thought to have been home to Atakapan-speaking groups including the Bidai, Patiri, Deadose, and Akokisa.
There are a number of archeological sites, both prehistoric and historic, in Sam Houston National Forest. While exploring the forest, it is important that you leave these sites undisturbed if you happen to come across them.
11 Essential Tips for Your Sam Houston Camping Trip
The Sam Houston National Forest is a massive place with plenty for you to enjoy! To help you plan the best trip possible, we’ve collected 11 essential tips for your Sam Houston National Forest camping trip!
Where to Stay on Your Sam Houston National Forest Camping Trip
1. Explore All the Different Kinds of Camping at Sam Houston National Forest
Sam Houston has everything you need—RV camping, family campgrounds, dispersed camping, and tent grounds. It is a wonderful place to explore a kind of camping you might not be used to.
With three developed campgrounds for you to choose from, this camping trip might be a great opportunity for you to try some tent camping or to glamp-it-up with a full amenity RV site. Learn more about each campground below:
Cagle Recreation Area Campground: a new campground with 48 full-service RV hookups.
Double Lake Recreation Area Campground: 65 sites with water, sewage, and electrical hookups.
Stubblefield Recreation Area Campground: accommodates RVs up to 28 feet long. Tent pads are also available.
If you don’t have an RV – rent one! Learn more about How Much Does it Cost to Rent an RV?
2. Go Camping With a Group
If you’re looking for a spot to go camping in a group, Sam Houston National Forest has you and your posse covered! In the forest, Double Lake Recreation Area is a great place to snag a campsite perfect for your large group or family.
Each family/group site is equipped with its own table, fireplace, tent pad, and parking spur. Some of the units even have water, sewer, and electric hook-ups if you’re looking to elevate your camping experience!
Group activities are also super close, with canoe and paddleboard rentals available right at the Double Lake Recreation Area concession stand. The concession stand also has groceries and other necessities for sale, to keep you and your group comfortable and well-fed during your stay!
3. Try Out Dispersed Camping at Sam Houston National Forest
Have you ever wanted to try camping deep in the wilderness?
Dispersed camping—sometimes known as primitive camping—is when you camp off a designated campground, typically in the wilderness. And Sam Houston National Forest is an ideal place to give this a try!
With amenities easily available in the forest’s recreation areas, you’re able to experience dispersed camping with comfort knowing that there is quick access to necessities nearby if needed.
Dispersed camping is allowed in Sam Houston National Forest anytime outside of hunting season.
Sam Houston National Forest Activities
4. Grab a Forest Map Before You Go
Our fourth essential tip for your Sam Houston National Forest camping trip is to download and print a forest map before you go!
The forest map has all of the key trails, areas, and roads indicated. It’s a great tool for planning your trip or if you ever find yourself a little lost!
5. Hike the Day Away in Sam Houston National Forest
Sam Houston National Forest has an abundance of hiking trails, and you better bet exploring them made our list of 11 essential tips for your Sam Houston Camping Trip. Whether you’re heading to the forest to explore the entirety of the 128-mile Lone Star Hiking Trail or if you’re just looking for some quick hikes, Sam Houston National Forest has a hike for you!
Check out a quick breakdown of some of our favorite trails below:
Beginner-Friendly Trails
- Little Pond Trail (0.8-mile loop): a short trail around a tranquil pond. Great for beginner hikers.
- Lone Star Trailhead #11 (3.5-mile loop): a very well-maintained portion of the Lone Star Trail that leads to a loop around the serene Double Lake.
Moderately Challenging Trails
- Four Notch Loop Trail (9.25-mile loop): generally an easier hike, but challenging for its distance. Meander through tall pines as you explore this well-marked trail.
- Lone Star Trailhead #6 (out-and-back): connects to the Lone Star Trail. An out-and-back hike where you determine how far you’d like to journey. Hike north to reach beautiful views of Lake Conroe.
6. Take Advantage of Unique Trails in Sam Houston National Forest
Looking for adventures beyond hiking? Don’t miss out on 85 miles of multi-use trails that Sam Houston National Forest has to offer!
Whether you’re horseback riding, mountain biking, or wanting to take your off-highway vehicle out for a spin, this forest has something for you! For $5/day purchase your Sam Houston multi-use trail pass before you go, and be sure to check in with the district office for conditions before you head out.
7. Try Out the Long-Distance Lone Star Hiking Trail
The Lone Star Hiking Trail is the longest trail in the State of Texas. With multiple trailheads throughout the Sam Houston National Forest, you can easily try your hand at doing either a smaller portion of the trail or the whole thing!
Being well-marked and only moderate-difficult, the Lone Star Hiking Trail is a great introduction to long-distance hiking for those looking for a new challenge.
The trail is a 96-mile long thru-hike, with an additional 32 miles of loops you can add on along the way. Most hikers take an average of seven days to complete the thru-hike.
A tip if you’re looking to try this amazing trail: plan your water wisely! Stash water along the way or strategically visit campsites with potable water to refill.
8. Boat and Swim at Sam Houston National Forest
Swimming is available in two areas of Sam Houston National Forest, so if you’re looking to splash around on your camping trip, definitely visit the Double Lake Recreation Area or Scott’s Ridge Swim Site.
Both motorized and non-motorized boating are also allowed in Sam Houston National Forest. If you’re planning on boating, make sure you do so in a designated area.
Motorized Boating
Boat launch ramps are concrete in both designated motorized boating areas.
Non-Motorized Boating
9. Remember to Always Wear Safety Orange
A list of essential tips wouldn’t be complete without talking about safety, so let’s get to it!
Hunting in Sam Houston National Forest is a major pastime, so be sure to wear your fluorescent orange while out enjoying the wilderness! Read more about Keeping Kids Safe While Camping.
Safety orange is in high contrast with its surroundings and sets you apart from the nature you’re enjoying. It ensures you’re highly visible so any hunters in the area do not mistake your movement for the movement of an animal.
Though only necessary to have during hunting seasons, locals in the area also recommend wearing safety orange during the offseason as well, just as an extra safety precaution.
Wildlife in Sam Houston National Forest
10. Trek to These Amazing Areas for Spotting Wildlife
Wildlife viewing and bird watching are both popular activities in Sam Houston National Forest. Deer are abundant in the forest and can frequently be spotted around the forest’s waterbodies.
The area surrounding Lake Conroe, in particular, provides essential habitats to many species. The lake provides a key wintering habitat for endangered bald eagles, who are commonly sighted flying above the lake in the winter months.
The endangered red-cockaded woodpecker can also be spotted all throughout the forest.
11. Fish and Hunt in Sam Houston National Forest
If you’re planning to hunt on your Sam Houston National Forest camping trip, you’ll need a few things: a valid hunting license, all the appropriate tags and permits, and an Annual Public Hunting Permit.
Fees paid by hunters are collected by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and are used to pay for a variety of habitat improvement and restoration programs in the forest.
Fishing is also permitted with the appropriate licenses. Sam Houston National Forest is known for its black bass and year-round fishing. So grab your license, your tacklebox, and get out on Lake Conroe!
Tackle the Texas Wilderness on Your Sam Houston National Forest Camping Trip
Whether you’re hiking, hunting, fishing, horseback riding, or embarking on the famous Lone Star trail, it’s time for you to tackle the Texas wilderness on your Sam Houston National Forest adventure!
We’ve given you all you need, so now get out there and enjoy! And if you’re looking for more things to do in the Lone Star State, definitely read our ultimate list of hiking trails in Texas!