Area Guidebook
Sightseeing
877-444-6777
$3 day-use fee per vehicle per day
Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area was built in 1936 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. It surrounds a picturesque 45-acre lake that was once a log pond and a source of water for the Central Coal and Coke Company sawmill which operated from 1902 to 1920. The area offers opportunities for camping, picnicking, and swimming, fishing and hiking. The Four C National Recreation Trail is 20 miles and originates in the Ratcliff Recreation Area and goes to the Neches Bluff Overlook.
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Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area
Texas 7877-444-6777
$3 day-use fee per vehicle per day
Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area was built in 1936 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. It surrounds a picturesque 45-acre lake that was once a log pond and a source of water for the Central Coal and Coke Company sawmill which operated from 1902 to 1920. The area offers opportunities for camping, picnicking, and swimming, fishing and hiking. The Four C National Recreation Trail is 20 miles and originates in the Ratcliff Recreation Area and goes to the Neches Bluff Overlook.
The Ellen Trout Zoo is a small zoo founded by Walter Trout in 1967 and located in Lufkin, Texas, United States. The zoo gets about 150,000 visitors a year. It is currently owned and operated by the City of Lufkin, with Friends of Ellen Trout Zoo supporting it with funding for major expansion and renovation projects in the Zoo's master plan. See Lufkin city web page for admission fees.
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Ellen Trout Zoo
402 Zoo CirThe Ellen Trout Zoo is a small zoo founded by Walter Trout in 1967 and located in Lufkin, Texas, United States. The zoo gets about 150,000 visitors a year. It is currently owned and operated by the City of Lufkin, with Friends of Ellen Trout Zoo supporting it with funding for major expansion and renovation projects in the Zoo's master plan. See Lufkin city web page for admission fees.
Hike the 20-mile-long Four C National recreation Trail begins at Ratcliff Lake and winds through a diverse forest of towering pines, bottomland hardwoods, boggy sloughs, and upland forests. Midway down the trail is the Walnut Creek campsite with five tent pads, a shelter, and pit toilet. Neches Bluff Overlook, located at the north end of the trail, offers a panoramic view of pine-hardwood forests in the Neches River bottomlands with picnic and primitive camping facilities. No horses, bikes, or off-road vehicles are permitted on the Four C National Recreation Trail. A portion of the trail traverses the Big Slough Wilderness Area.
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Davy Crockett National Forest
18551 Texas 7Hike the 20-mile-long Four C National recreation Trail begins at Ratcliff Lake and winds through a diverse forest of towering pines, bottomland hardwoods, boggy sloughs, and upland forests. Midway down the trail is the Walnut Creek campsite with five tent pads, a shelter, and pit toilet. Neches Bluff Overlook, located at the north end of the trail, offers a panoramic view of pine-hardwood forests in the Neches River bottomlands with picnic and primitive camping facilities. No horses, bikes, or off-road vehicles are permitted on the Four C National Recreation Trail. A portion of the trail traverses the Big Slough Wilderness Area.
Please check online for hours due to Covid restrictions.
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Texas Forestry Museum
1905 Atkinson DrPlease check online for hours due to Covid restrictions.
Please check online for hours due to Covid restrictions.
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Naranjo Museum-Natural History
5104 S 1st StPlease check online for hours due to Covid restrictions.
Nearby towns
Lufkin is 34 miles from the cabin and has all the major known restaurants, shopping places, and things to do.
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Lufkin
Lufkin is 34 miles from the cabin and has all the major known restaurants, shopping places, and things to do.
Located 38 miles from the cabin. From antiquing to nature walks, Nacogdoches has something to offer everyone. We invite you to stroll the red brick streets of historic downtown and experience the hospitality and charm of the Oldest Town in Texas, hike miles of historic trails that once served as trade routes for Native Americans or break for tea in a Victorian mansion . Nacogdoches is filled with photo opportunities and so many reasons to come back to see us again.
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Nacogdoches
Located 38 miles from the cabin. From antiquing to nature walks, Nacogdoches has something to offer everyone. We invite you to stroll the red brick streets of historic downtown and experience the hospitality and charm of the Oldest Town in Texas, hike miles of historic trails that once served as trade routes for Native Americans or break for tea in a Victorian mansion . Nacogdoches is filled with photo opportunities and so many reasons to come back to see us again.
Approximately 17 miles from the cabin. Crockett is home to many historical attractions. Crockett is the seat of Houston County, the first County in Texas. You can enjoy boutique shopping downtown, visit beautiful historic homes, or experience the natural beauty of the nearby Davy Crockett National Forest.
Crockett
Approximately 17 miles from the cabin. Crockett is home to many historical attractions. Crockett is the seat of Houston County, the first County in Texas. You can enjoy boutique shopping downtown, visit beautiful historic homes, or experience the natural beauty of the nearby Davy Crockett National Forest.
Food scene
Always a local favorite. Please call for hours. 936-655-4025
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Larry Bruce Gardens
3198 County Road 4600Always a local favorite. Please call for hours. 936-655-4025
Amacebiso ngesixeko
Amasiko nenkcubeko
January Annual Events
Old Fashioned Sugar Cane Event, Nacogdoches
1st StrEAT Feast (food truck) Nov-Apr, 10-2pm, Saturday, Lufkin
Amasiko nenkcubeko
February Annual Events
Film Festival, Nacogdoches
Wine Swirl, Nacogdoches
Taste of New Orleans, Palestine
1st StrEAT Feast (food truck) Nov-Apr, 10-2pm, Saturday, Lufkin
Amasiko nenkcubeko
March Annual Events
Azalea Trail, Nacogdoches
Nacogdoches Pro Rodeo and Steer Show, Nacogdoches
1836 Chuckwagon Races, Neches (1st weekend)
Dogwood Trails Celebration, Palestine
Angelina County Youth Fair, Lufkin
1st StrEAT Feast (food truck) Nov-Apr, 10-2pm, Saturday, Lufkin
Amasiko nenkcubeko
April Annual Events
Davy Crockett Festival, Crockett
Multicultural Festival, Nacogdoches
Old Stone Fort Bike Ride, Nacogdoches
SFA Spring Garden Gala, Nacogdoches
Texas National Art Exhibition, Nacogdoches
Tour of Gardens, Nacogdoches
Red Dirt Mud Run, Nacogdoches
Easter Egg Express Train Ride, Palestine
Angelina Benefit Rodeo, (last full weekend in April), Lufkin
1st StrEAT Feast (food truck) Nov-Apr, 10-2pm, Saturday, Lufkin
Amasiko nenkcubeko
May Annual Events
Nac Brew Club Brew Fest, Nacogdoches
Sandyland Bluegrass Reunion, Nacogdoches
Zoo Brew, Lufkin
1st StrEAT Feast (food truck) May-Oct, 3rd, 4-8pm, Saturday, Lufkin
Amasiko nenkcubeko
June Annual Events
Texas Blueberry Festival, Nacogdoches
Blueberry Bluegrass Concert, Nacogdoches
Neches River Rendezvous (Canoe trip), Lufkin
1st StrEAT Feast (food truck) May-Oct, 3rd, 4-8pm, Saturday, Lufkin
Amasiko nenkcubeko
July Annual Events
Freedom Fest, Nacogdoches
Christmas in July, Palestine
1st StrEAT Feast (food truck) May-Oct, 3rd, 4-8pm, Saturday, Lufkin
Amasiko nenkcubeko
September Annual Events
Sandyland Bluegrass Reunion, Nacogdoches
Texas State Forest Festival, Lufkin
1st StrEAT Feast (food truck) May-Oct, 3rd, 4-8pm, Saturday, Lufkin
Heritage Festival, Lufkin
Amasiko nenkcubeko
October Annual Events
East Texas Farm Ranch Expo, Crockett
SFA Fabulous Fall Festival, Nacogdoches
Ghosts of Millard’s Crossing, Nacogdoches
1st StrEAT Feast (food truck) May-Oct, 3rd, 4-8pm, Saturday, Lufkin
Pioneer Day, Nacogdoches
Lufkin’s Bistro-First Saturday of October, Lufkin
Angelina County AirFest (Air Show), Lufkin
Farm Fest (elegant dinner), Lufkin
Peanut Festival, Grapeland
Amasiko nenkcubeko
November Annual Event
Old Mill Music Festival, Kennard
Christmas in Crockett, last Saturday in Nov, Crockett
Dia de los Muertos Fiesta, Nacogdoches
Downtown Art Walk, Nacogdoches
Fall Foliage Trails, Nacogdoches
East Texas Half Marathon, Nacogdoches
Holiday in the Pines, Nacogdoches
Wassail Fest, Nacogdoches
1st StrEAT Feast (food truck) Nov-Apr, 10-2pm, Saturday, Lufkin
Amasiko nenkcubeko
December Annual Event
Christmas & Trades Day, Kennard
Nine Flags Festival & Lighted Christmas Parade, Nacogdoches
Millard’s Crossing’s an Old Fashioned Christmas, Nacogdoches
Tour of Homes, Nacogdoches
Festival of Trees, Lufkin
Christmas in the Pines, Lufkin
1st StrEAT Feast (food truck) Nov-Apr, 10-2pm, Saturday, Lufkin