Angelina County is densely forested with pine and hardwood trees and characterized by gently rolling hills. It is also home to Sam Rayburn Reservoir, the county’s largest body of water at 114,500 acres. Forest and water are two defining features of the landscape: in addition to its extensive forests, the region is also distinguished by its shores and shallow waters.
Forest Landscapes and Waterfowl
Upland Island Wilderness covers 13,331 acres of pine forest, wetlands, and wooded bottomlands that lead to the Neches River. This gives the forest landscape its own diversity: wooded areas give way to wetter areas and bottomlands. Another natural feature can be found near the SH-147 bridge over Lake Sam Rayburn. The shallow waters at the north end of the bridge provide habitat for overwintering waterfowl and species that are present year-round. For those interested in bird habitats, this offers both a seasonal and a year-round connection.
Cassels-Boykin Park is located on the lake in its central section. Cassels-Boykin County Park has five boat ramps on the south shore and four on the north shore. Park facilities may change, so check the details before setting out.
Museums Between Forest History and Art
In Lufkin the Texas Forestry Museum presents the history of Texas forests. Exhibits, machinery, photographs, and other memorabilia offer different ways to explore the subject. Exhibits include an outdoor train, the story of a sawmill town, the Urban Wildscape Trail, a paper mill, and a logging town. The exhibits on display may change.
The Museum of East Texas was originally housed in a historic church dating from 1906. Today, it preserves paintings and sculptures by artists from East Texas, as well as by American, Latin American, and European masters. Regional art is presented alongside works from different parts of the world. The museum offers free field trips for teachers and organized groups; if you are interested, check the program’s current availability.
At the Naranjo Museum of Natural History, exhibits range from ancient cultures to nature and the universe. The collection includes several thousand fossils, including a 26-foot-tall hadrosaur and an adult woolly mammoth. The items on display may change. Alongside cultural and natural history, the fossils make Earth’s history another distinct focus.
The History Center features Engine 13, a 68-ton Baldwin steam locomotive dating from 1920, as well as a freight car and a caboose. The locomotive and the two other rail vehicles provide a technical focus alongside the art and natural history collections.
City Culture and Trails in Diboll
Downtown Lufkin offers a historic walking tour and murals. These urban attractions may change; check the latest information beforehand. Lufkin also hosts annual tourism events such as SpringFest, the Neches River Rendezvous, the Texas State Forest Festival, and the Lighting of Rudolph. Since event dates may vary, it is worth checking the dates before your trip.
In Diboll Old Orchard Park combines several recreational amenities: a walking trail, two playgrounds, a fishing pond, a Little League baseball complex, volleyball and basketball courts, three pavilions, and picnic tables and benches. The Hike and Bike Trail is approximately five miles long and runs through town. The route leads from the Boykin Springs recreation area through the forest to the historic Aldridge Sawmill site. Comparing the two trails highlights their different settings—a route of approximately five miles through town and a forest route ending at a historic site.
Discover more destinations: Caldwell County, Polk, Hall County, Wood County, Parker, Hunt County.
For the main travel overview: Texas.
