National Forests and Grasslands in Texas

09/05/2026

☀️🏊 Public Access Notification: Heads up....Season Closures 🏊☀️
Sam Houston National Forest-

Scott’s Ridge Swim Beach and Double Lake Swim Beach will officially close for the season effective Tuesday, September 8.

Explore trails, fishing, boating, camping, and more by visiting our website for recreation opportunities: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/texas

09/04/2026

The decision identifies lands on the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas that are available for potential oil and gas leasing.
It also:
➡Clears up rules to keep timelines predictable.
➡Ensures local involvement continues.
➡Provides a pathway for protecting aquifers and streams, wildlife habitat and migration corridors, cultural and historic sites, and high‑use recreation areas.

Learn more here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/texas/projects/285596

https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/texas/newsroom/releases/taking-action-ensure-responsible-efficient-energy-development-federal

09/04/2026

Join us along with our friends at the Fort Worth District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Lake Sam Rayburn and The Texas Forestry Association to celebrate National Public Lands Day!

Together, our mission is to help make our public lands a cleaner and safer place for all to enjoy and to protect our waterways.

🛥Project sites include: Caney Creek Recreation Area/boat ramp and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Lake Sam Rayburn, Monterey Boat Ramp.

🤝Volunteers are welcome, encouraged and needed. Volunteers will assist with various projects: include picking up trash, clearing invasive and overgrown vegetation, and painting.

📆 Saturday, September 26
⏰ 7:30 a.m. - Noon
📍 Angelina Ranger District Office 111 Walnut Ridge Road Zavalla, TX

For more information, contact:
👉 USFS, Mandy Chumley
[email protected]

👉 USACE, Emma Crumbaugh
[email protected]

👉 Texas Forestry Association, Kimberly Wagner
[email protected]

We can't wait to see you there!

09/02/2026

🌧️ Tropical Storm Eduardo: Know Before You Go 🌲

With Tropical Storm Eduardo bringing the potential for increased rainfall across Texas, visitors should plan ahead and be prepared for changing conditions.

Recent rainfall, combined with additional rain expected today and tomorrow, may impact Forest Service roads, trails and recreation areas across the NFGT.

🌲 Know Before You Go:
• Check the latest weather forecast before you plan to visit.
• Call the local Ranger District office for current conditions before heading out. https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/texas/offices

• Use caution on Forest Service roads. Wet conditions can quickly make roads muddy, slippery or impassable.
• Pack rain gear, sturdy footwear, extra water and other essentials.
• Never drive through flooded roadways. Turn Around, Don’t Drown.
• Respect all gates, closures and posted signs.

Conditions can change quickly during periods of heavy rainfall. Have a backup plan, let someone know where you’re going and when you expect to return, and use good judgment if conditions deteriorate.

We will update this post with closure notices or other important visitor information as conditions warrant.

Enjoy your public lands, plan ahead and stay safe! 🌲🌧️

Edouard continues to bring ongoing hazards from heavy rainfall and flooding.

Remember:

🚷Just six inches of water can knock you down.
🚗A foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away.

Check Road Conditions: DriveTexas.org

09/01/2026

Double Lake Recreation Area: OPEN
Sam Houston National Forest | Double Lake Recreation Area

Update as of 9/2/2026: Double Lake Recreation Area has been assessed, cleanup completed and the gates are now open.

Please stay weather aware, avoid storm-impacted areas and be safe, Texas!

09/01/2026

📍Reminder for all hunters (Adult & Youth) interested in applying for an Antlerless and/or Buck Deer Permit for a Wildlife Management Area on the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas.

Application Deadline: September 15, 2026.

Follow the TPWD link below to apply.
❗️Be sure to purchase a 2026 - 2027 Annual Public Hunting Permit, this is required to apply.

👉USFS ANTLERLESS DEER PERMIT Adult-
https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/hunt/public/public_hunt_drawing/hunt-category-details.phtml?OCat=FSY

👉USFS ANTLERLESS DEER PERMIT Youth-
https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/hunt/public/public_hunt_drawing/hunt-category-details.phtml?OCat=FSY

❗️NEW THIS YEAR
USFS BUCK DEER PERMIT - ADULT
https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/hunt/public/public_hunt_drawing/hunt-category-details.phtml?OCat=FBA

USFS BUCK DEER PERMIT-YOUTH
https://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/hunt/public/public_hunt_drawing/hunt-category-details.phtml?OCat=FBY

For more information about hunting on the NFGT check out our website and be sure to Follow us on Facebook.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/r08/texas/recreation/explore-forest/hunting-nfgt

08/31/2026

🔥 WILDLAND FIRE JOBS ARE OPEN! 🌲

Ready to build your career in wildland fire? The National Forests and Grasslands in Texas is recruiting for career permanent, full-time fire positions:

📅 Apply now through September 22, 2026!

👉 Search current Forest Service fire vacancies and apply today at USAJOBS.gov⁠.

Don’t wait. National vacancy announcements are open for a limited time!

08/29/2026

🔥 EXTREME FIRE CONDITIONS ACROSS TEXAS 🔥

Hot, dry conditions continue to increase wildfire risk across Texas.

Whether you’re headed to a National Forest or National Grassland for the day or just traveling through, please do your part to help prevent wildfires.

🌲 Recreate responsibly and stay fire aware:
• Secure towing chains so they don’t drag. Chains striking pavement can create sparks and ignite roadside vegetation.

• Before your visit, check for current burn bans, fire restrictions and closures for the National Forest or Grassland you plan to visit.

• Use extra caution with anything that could create a spark or flame.

• Stay alert for smoke. See smoke? Report it! Early reporting can make a big difference.

• Never leave a fire unattended and make sure it is dead out before leaving.

Protecting our public lands also means looking out for the communities, homes, private lands and natural resources that surround them. Wildfires don’t recognize property boundaries.

👀 Stay alert.
🔥 Prevent wildfires.
🌲 Recreate responsibly.

Be safe, enjoy your public lands and help us keep Texas green!

Over the past week, 156 wildfires have burned 94,067 acres statewide. Texas A&M Forest Service and all assigned resources have responded to 89 of those wildfires for 93,615 acres.

Rain chances are ending today as a weak cold front moves out of Texas. This weekend, drier conditions return, with breezy winds of 15-20 mph expected across portions of the High Plains on Saturday.

🔥 Initial attack potential will remain moderate in East Texas due to ongoing dryness and dry surface fuels. However, the lack of a significant fire weather trigger should help keep resistance to control low to moderate.

Looking ahead, above-normal temperatures and dry weather are expected to increase wildfire activity across the state next week. Fuels are expected to dry quickly, and elevated to significant fire potential could develop as early as Sunday and persist through next week, especially across the Rolling Plains, Cross Timbers, and Eastern Hill Country.

Stay aware of local conditions and use caution with activities that could spark a wildfire.

08/27/2026

Time to collect them all. 🌲

The National Forests and Grasslands Passport is a free way to turn every visit to a National Forest or Grassland into something you can keep in three easy steps:

🗺️ Join the passport at https://ow.ly/9yLT50ZCIgF
✅ Check in on your next visit to a National Forest or Grassland
🏞️ Earn a unique, collectible badge

All 154 National Forests. All 20 National Grasslands. One passport to hold it all. Already visited a few? Add them to your passport today and start your collection now!

Your journey starts now. Which forest or grassland will you visit first?

U.S. Forest Service

08/27/2026

National forests and grasslands are the headwaters for many important rivers as well as local and regional aquifer systems.

They are the largest source of municipal water supply in the nation, serving over 60 million people in 3,400 communities in 33 States.

📸 USFS Stubblefield Lake on Sam Houston National Forest