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Texas
62

Texas State Parks

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USA Parks
Texas
Piney Woods Region
Sam Rayburn Reservoir
Sam Rayburn Reservoir © Ricraider / CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Sam Rayburn Reservoir
Mockingbird © stateparks.com
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SAM RAYBURN RESERVOIR
SAM RAYBURN RESERVOIR
Rt 3 Box 486   75951
(lat:31.0611 lon:-94.1061) map location

Phone: 409 384-5716
A 114,000-acre lake in the Big Thicket country of Texas, with native flora including orchids, insect-eating plants and scores of animal species. At 114,000+ acres, Sam Rayburn is the largest man-made lake located totally within the boundaries of the state of Texas. The lake is located deep in the Piney Woods of Southeast Texas, nestled within the Angelina and Sabine National Forest. Sam Rayburn Reservoir is nationally renowned for its large mouth bass fishery, hosting numerous tournaments each year. Recreation opportunities include camping, fishing, swimming, boating, and hunting as well as concessions offered by marinas.
Nature of the Area
The Sam Rayburn Reservoir, located in Deep East Texas, is a sprawling freshwater lake nestled within the Piney Woods region. This area boasts gently rolling hills covered with dense forests of pine and hardwood trees that provide lush greenery year-round. The reservoir itself was created by impounding the Angelina River and now serves as one of the largest lakes wholly situated within Texas' borders at approximately 114,500 acres (463 km2). Its meandering shoreline stretches for miles offering numerous coves and inlets which are home to diverse wildlife habitats. With its rich aquatic ecosystems featuring submerged vegetation along shallow banks transitioning into deeper waters teeming with fish species such as largemouth bass, this body of water has become an angler's paradise while also providing ample opportunities for boating and recreational activities amidst serene natural landscapes.
History of the Area
Constructed in 1965, the reservoir named after Speaker of the House Sam Rayburn is located in Deep East Texas. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built it for flood control, hydroelectric power generation, and recreational purposes.

Prior to its creation as a water conservation project, this area consisted largely of rural farmland and woodlands owned by local residents and timber companies. Some land was acquired through purchase while other parcels were obtained via eminent domain proceedings.

Historically significant features within the park include remnants from early settlers such as old cemeteries tucked away among trees near lake shores-silent witnesses to former communities now submerged or displaced by waters' rise.

The surrounding lands have seen various uses over time including logging activities due to dense pine forests prevalent before inundation; post-creation has witnessed an increase in recreation-oriented development like marinas alongside continued forestry management practices outside designated protected zones around shorelines.


Location
Sam Rayburn Reservoir is located near Jasper


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Area Campgrounds
Rayburn RV Hideout
197 Private Road 6067
Brookeland, TX
409-698-3137
Double Heart Ranch
Route 3 Box 555 Hw 63W
Jasper, TX
409-489-1958
Area Accommodations (over 20 miles away)
businesss listing main photo
Cottages and Cabins
Whether you are taking advantage of the spectacular fishing and boating on Toledo Bend Lake, hosting a special event, planning a family reunion or holding a business/corporate meeting or retreat, Wildwood can work with you to make sure your stay at the resort is a complete success. Your satisfaction is our goal.
42.5 miles from park*

Directions
From Jasper, 15 miles northwest on TX 63, then east on TX 255.

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Texas
62

Texas State Parks

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