Rayburn

Rayburn Park lies on the north shore of Sam Rayburn Reservoir, a popular family destination with boating and fishing and access to hunting less than a mile away. Sam Rayburn Reservoir and the surrounding Angelina National Forest provide a wintering habitat for the bald eagle; during the winter months, visitors may see one soaring over the lake, perched on a flooded snag or in a tall pine along the shoreline. The reservoir is well-known for its largemouth bass, with numerous tournaments hosted here each year. Among the most impressive catches ever recorded is a 74-pound flathead catfish. The lake is also popular for jet skiing, water skiing, swimming and birding, and is used as feeding and resting grounds for migratory birds on their path to the Gulf Coast. A resident population of wood ducks remains in the forest year-round. Rayburn Park is open year-round and features 16 campsites with water and 50-amp electric hookups. The park also offers 9 non-electric sites, one of which is a group site. Two boat ramps, a swim beach and a playground are also available within the campground. At 114,000 surface acres, Sam Rayburn is the largest man-made lake completely within the boundaries of Texas. The reservoir is fed by the Angelina River, a major tributary of the Neches River. The piney woods region boasts native flora like orchids, insect-eating plants and scores of animal species. From the eastern edge of the lake, hikers can embark on a 28-mile trail that heads east to the Toledo Bend Reservoir.