The Outdoors in Nacogdoches, Texas
Nacogdoches sits in the heart of the Piney Woods, and as the home of Stephen F. Austin State University's renowned forestry school, it takes its trees and trails seriously. Between a scenic city lake, an urban creek trail, the university's gardens and woods, and the national forests just down the road, there's plenty of ground to cover outdoors.
Here's how to get outside in and around Nacogdoches.
Lake Nacogdoches
Lake Nacogdoches, about 10 miles west of town, is the city's main water-recreation spot. The roughly 2,200-acre reservoir is known as a solid bass-fishing lake, and it also offers crappie and catfish, along with boating, kayaking, and a public boat ramp and park. It's a quiet, scenic lake that doesn't get the crowds of the bigger reservoirs, which is part of its appeal for anglers and paddlers looking for a calm day on the water.
For bigger water, the major East Texas reservoirs — including Sam Rayburn to the south and Toledo Bend on the Louisiana line — are within an hour or so, giving Nacogdoches anglers access to some of the best bass fishing in the country.
Trails and the University Grounds
Within town, the Lanana Creek Trail is the signature urban path, winding along the creek and connecting the SFA campus with parts of the city. It's a popular route for walking, running, and biking, shaded by the East Texas pines and hardwoods.
The SFA campus itself is a destination for the outdoors-minded. The Ruby M. Mize Azalea Garden, the Mast Arboretum, the Pineywoods Native Plant Center, and the surrounding university woods showcase the work of one of the top forestry and horticulture programs in the South. These gardens and natural areas are open to the public and make for excellent walking, especially when the azaleas bloom in spring.
The National Forests and Piney Woods
Nacogdoches is surrounded by classic East Texas forest country. The Angelina National Forest and the Davy Crockett National Forest are both within an easy drive, offering hiking, camping, hunting, and lake access deep in the pines. The region's mild climate and dense woods make it prime territory for outdoor recreation most of the year.
This is hunting and fishing country, with deer season a fixture of the local calendar, and the rivers and creeks of the area — including the Angelina and Neches — add paddling and river fishing. For anyone who wants to live close to the woods and the water, Nacogdoches's location in Deep East Texas is hard to beat.
FAQ: Outdoors in Nacogdoches
Lake Nacogdoches, about 10 miles west of town, is the main lake — a roughly 2,200-acre city reservoir known for bass, crappie, and catfish fishing, plus boating and kayaking. The much larger Sam Rayburn and Toledo Bend reservoirs are within about an hour.
Yes. The Lanana Creek Trail is the main urban trail, running along the creek and connecting the SFA campus with the city. The SFA gardens, arboretum, and surrounding woods also offer walking paths, and the nearby national forests have more extensive trails.
Fishing and boating at Lake Nacogdoches, walking and biking the Lanana Creek Trail, strolling SFA's azalea garden and arboretum, and hiking, camping, and hunting in the nearby Angelina and Davy Crockett national forests are all popular.
Very. As the home of SFA's nationally known forestry program, Nacogdoches has exceptional public gardens and arboreta, an urban creek trail, a scenic city lake, and easy access to two national forests in the surrounding Piney Woods.
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