Angelina National Forest offers dispersed camping areas with established primitive sites, designated camping areas, and equestrian facilities across 153,000 acres of East Texas wilderness. The forest surrounds portions of Sam Rayburn Reservoir and features pine-hardwood forests with relatively flat terrain. Campgrounds range from basic tent sites to equestrian-focused facilities with trail access. The forest experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F and mild winters with occasional freezing temperatures.
What to do
Fishing at Sexton Pond: Access this secluded fishing spot via a hard-packed gravel road with several dispersed camping areas nearby. Anglers report good fishing with specific timing patterns. "They seem to sit dormant at 10pm and 3am for a hour each. No biting," notes one Sexton Pond Dispersed camper who spent nearly two weeks at the location.
Swimming opportunities: While swimming is available, access points require some effort to reach. "Swimming area is designated but kind of hard to get to," explains a camper at Ebenezer Park, one of the established horse campgrounds near Angelina National Forest.
Water recreation: The proximity to Lake Sam Rayburn creates multiple water activity options beyond the forest boundaries. "We enjoyed hiking in the morning, and then playing in the lake mid morning-afternoon. There were tons of people swimming, boating, tubing, kayaking and stand up paddle boarding," shares a visitor to Brookeland Lake Sam Rayburn KOA.
What campers like
Wide, accessible trails: The equestrian camping areas feature specially designed trail systems. "The trails are nice and wide. Tent spots are spacious, although most sites do require a decent walk from the car," explains a spring visitor to Ebenezer Park, highlighting the dual-use nature of the facility.
Extended stay options: Some dispersed camping areas allow longer stays. "I got lucky enough had the place to myself for almost 2 weeks," reports a camper at Sexton Pond Dispersed, though they remind visitors to "Please clean behind as you found it."
Water proximity: Campsites near water features provide both recreation and scenery. "This KOA has trails leading to a river which empties into Lake Rayburn. The campground has a couple of small ponds," notes a Brookeland Lake Sam Rayburn KOA visitor who appreciated the natural setting.
What you should know
Limited facilities: Many camping areas have minimal amenities, especially in dispersed areas. "No bathrooms or water. Would be a 5 with just water," explains a visitor to Alazan Bayou, where the 14 sites include concrete slabs with picnic tables, fire rings, and lantern poles.
Permit requirements: Access to some forest areas requires permits. "You need a Texas parks Limited use permit. It costs as little as $12 a year. If you want to fish or hunt the price goes up a little," advises an Alazan Bayou camper, noting the permit works for any National Forest or Wildlife Management area.
Bug protection: The forest's humid environment supports significant insect activity. "Definitely bring bug spray because there were so many mosquitos near the campground. I left with a few pretty big welts," warns a summer visitor to the Brookeland area.
Tips for camping with families
Bathroom planning: Facilities vary significantly between campgrounds. "There is only 1 bathroom within the campground, or at least what we could find. It was a porta-potty style, and smelt so bad... bring your own toilet paper," recommends a family camping at Brookeland Lake Sam Rayburn KOA.
Campsite selection: For families with equestrian needs, specialized campgrounds provide necessary facilities. "There aren't many sites for basic tent camping here, maybe 10-15 tent sites, and the rest are equestrian," explains a visitor to Boles Field Campground, one of several horse campgrounds near Angelina National Forest.
Off-season advantages: Campground experiences change significantly with season and occupancy. "Probably won't come back unless in off season. But it's good enough," suggests a camper at Ebenezer Park who encountered crowded conditions and neighboring groups with large fires.
Tips from RVers
Site layout considerations: RV sites in this region often feature more natural settings than standard campgrounds. "We stayed at a site with raised concrete pads. This place is not parking lot camping," explains a visitor to Brookeland Lake Sam Rayburn KOA who appreciated the spread-out property design.
Road conditions: Access roads to primitive camping areas can present challenges for larger vehicles. "Down a hard packed gravel road. A few potholes but nothing major," reports a camper at Sexton Pond Dispersed, suggesting the area remains accessible for properly equipped vehicles despite its remote location.
Staff assistance: Campgrounds with on-site staff provide valuable local information. "The staff is excellent. We were given a tour of the property via golf cart," notes an RV camper who visited Brookeland Lake Sam Rayburn KOA and benefited from the orientation to facilities.
