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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, forest visitors may see the bald eagle soaring over the lake, perched on a flooded snag or in a tall pine along the shoreline.
Sam Rayburn 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. It's used as a 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.
The park is open year-round and features 46 campsites with water and electric hookups ranging from 30 to 50 amps. A boat launch and playground are also available.
At 114,000 surface acres, Sam Rayburn is the largest man-made lake that is 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.
From Pineland, TX, take FM 83 west 10 miles, then go south on FM 705 for 11 miles to FM 3127, then west for 1.5 miles and make a left into the park entrance.
