Davy Crockett National Forest

About Davy Crockett National Forest

Named after a legendary pioneer, Davy Crockett National Forest covers 2.2 million acres in the Texas Panhandle. The forest is centrally located in the Neches - Trinity River catchment area and lies between Houston and Trinity counties. It is one of the largest national forests in Texas and the second largest in North America.

On October 15, 1936, President Franklin Roosevelt declared the forest a national forest, and the Ranger District Office is located on the north side of the Neches - Trinity River catchment, north of Corpus Christi. The work center is also located at the National Forest Service Office in Houston, Texas, about 30 miles west of downtown Houston.

Davy Crockett National Forest is home to a wide variety of wildlife, and red cockatoos and woodpeckers, both endangered species, live in carefully managed forest habitats. Major game include deer, elk, coyotes, wild boar, foxes, turkeys, raccoons, bears, owls, elk, pheasants, squirrels, birds of prey and other wildlife.

The Neches Bluff Overlook, located at the northern end of the trail, offers views of the highland forest, highland forest and river valley. Camping further north on the trail has two tents and a refuge, and the Walnut Creek campsite is about halfway. Start at Ratcliff Lake and hike to Walnuts Creek Campground, about half a mile north of Rat Cliff Lake.

Streucamping is permitted, but limited to designated hunting camps to provide a safe hunting experience. A map of the camps is available at the district office until the beginning of September, further information on the website of the National Park Service.