The Outdoors in Center, Texas
Center sits in the deep Piney Woods of far East Texas near the Louisiana line, surrounded by lakes and forest. From one of the best bass-fishing reservoirs in the country to a national forest and a quiet city-owned lake, the outdoor options around Center are first-rate — a big part of the appeal of life in Shelby County.
Here's how to get outside in and around Center.
Toledo Bend Reservoir
The crown jewel of the area's outdoors is Toledo Bend Reservoir, the giant lake on the Texas–Louisiana border east of Center. Bassmaster Magazine has repeatedly ranked Toledo Bend among the top bass-fishing lakes in the entire country, and anglers come from across the nation to chase its trophy largemouth. Beyond fishing, the reservoir offers boating, water skiing, camping, and hiking along its vast shoreline.
The lake country even has golf: Cypress Bend Resort, on the Louisiana shore near Many, offers a championship course with lodging and dining. For a fishing-and-outdoors getaway, Toledo Bend is hard to beat — and Center is one of the larger Texas towns within a short drive of its shore.
Lake Pinkston and the Sabine National Forest
Closer to home, Lake Pinkston offers a quieter alternative — a smaller city-owned lake with fishing and camping, perfect for an easy local outing without the crowds. And the Sabine National Forest, stretching along the Texas side of Toledo Bend, protects more than 160,000 acres of Piney Woods.
The national forest is a playground for fishing, hunting, hiking, and camping, with deep woods, creeks, and the lake's shoreline to explore. Between the big reservoir, the city lake, and the forest, Center residents have an enormous outdoor backyard.
Birding and the Piney Woods
Shelby County is a birdwatcher's paradise — graceful waterfowl on the lakes and beautiful songbirds in the deep woods. The mix of forest, lake, and wetland habitats around Center makes it a rewarding area for birding throughout the year.
The surrounding country is classic deep East Texas — towering pines, hardwood bottoms, and quiet backroads. Whether you're casting for bass on Toledo Bend, hiking the Sabine National Forest, or watching for birds along a creek, the outdoors is central to life in Center.
City & County Parks
Municipal and county parks, greenspaces, and recreation areas in and around Center.
- Center Mini Park
- Center Municipal Park
Source: © OpenStreetMap contributors
Lakes Near Center
Lakes and reservoirs within about 30 miles of Center, by approximate straight-line distance. Access, boating rules and camping vary by lake, so check with the operator before you go.
- Pinkston Reservoir · ~12 mi
- Lake Murvaul · ~24 mi
- Lake Naconiche · ~24 mi
- Toledo Bend Reservoir · ~26 mi
State Parks & Natural Areas Near Center
Public lands within reach of Center — state parks, natural areas, and historic sites managed by Texas Parks & Wildlife — with approximate straight-line distance from town.
- Martin Creek Lake State Park · Rusk County ~40 mi
- Caddo Lake State Park · Harrison County ~61 mi
- Mission Tejas State Park · Houston County ~64 mi
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from Center. Source: Texas Parks & Wildlife Department — park locations
FAQ: Outdoors in Center
Center is near Toledo Bend Reservoir (world-class bass fishing, boating, camping, and golf), the quieter Lake Pinkston (fishing and camping), and the Sabine National Forest (hunting, hiking, and camping). The area is also excellent for birdwatching.
Yes — exceptional. Toledo Bend Reservoir, on the Texas–Louisiana border east of Center, has been repeatedly ranked by Bassmaster Magazine among the top bass-fishing lakes in the United States, drawing anglers from across the country.
Yes. The Sabine National Forest stretches along the Texas side of Toledo Bend near Center, protecting more than 160,000 acres of Piney Woods for fishing, hunting, hiking, and camping.
Yes. Lake Pinkston is a quiet city-owned lake near Center offering fishing and camping, and the massive Toledo Bend Reservoir lies a short drive east — one of the best bass-fishing lakes in the country.
East Texas guides
Region-wide guides that put Center in context — where to go, what things cost, and how people actually live here.
Best Lakes in East Texas
A fact-checked guide to 17 East Texas lakes, from Lake Fork's trophy bass and Caddo Lake to Toledo Bend, Sam Rayburn and Lake Tawakoni. Sizes, species, access and rules come from TPWD.
Read Guide →Best Hiking Trails in East Texas
East Texas hiking trails checked against park and Forest Service sources: Tyler, Daingerfield, Mission Tejas and Martin Creek Lake state parks, the Four C Trail and the Sawmill Trail.
Read Guide →East Texas State Parks Guide
Twelve East Texas state parks from TPWD: Tyler, Caddo Lake, Atlanta, Lake Bob Sandlin, Tawakoni, Purtis Creek, Cooper, Martin Dies Jr. and more. Camping, cabins and passes.
Read Guide →Fishing in East Texas: Complete Guide
A sourced guide to fishing Lake Fork, Lake Palestine, Cedar Creek and Lake Athens: bass slot limits, where TPWD says the fish are, and Texas license rules.
Read Guide →Business Owner?
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