Explore: The Forest Trail Region
Explore a map of the region, perform a search, or browse themes, sites, and cities.
Highlights
Ghost in the Woods
Deep in the Angelina National Forest, the remains of Aldridge Sawmill Town represent the rise and fall of the East Texas timber industry from turn-of-the-20th century boom to 1920s bust. Hikers can tackle a 3-mile trail from the Boykin Springs...
Wildcatters on the Prowl
Do you recognize the name Daisy Bradford? That's the gusher that turned East Texas into Boomtown, USA overnight. The East Texas Oil Museum takes you back to the era of the Wildcatter with dioramas,...
Plan Your Trips with the Texas Heritage Travel Guide
Start your next adventure with the statewide heritage travel guide, featuring historic destinations in all 10 Texas Heritage Trail regions. Download or order a free copy today!
Upcoming Events
May 24, 2019 - 8:00am to May 26, 2019 - 5:00pm
Steam week is when the big machines of Texas State Railroad's early days are on display at the Palestine depot. Come out Memorial Weekend May 24 through 26 and take the moment of a lifetime to see this display of notable steam and diesel...
May 25, 2019 (All day) to May 26, 2019 (All day)
Enjoy family-fishing time on Pleasure Island in Port Arthur, also home to great birding.
May 26, 2019 - 12:00pm to 4:00pm
As Americans everywhere take time to remember military members on Memorial Day, Texas State Railroad offers the tradition of a Sunday afternoon barbecue lunch on board the most American known mode of transportation...a train!
About the Forest Trail Region
The Forest Trail Region was the “Gateway to Texas” for Caddo Indians, Spanish and French explorers, Anglo pioneers, European immigrants, and enslaved and freed African Americans. Shadows of early Caddo and Spanish occupation linger, and the stories of Texas’ emergence from a wilderness to a great state unfold in the region’s numerous towns, many among the state’s oldest.
Spanning 35 counties from the Oklahoma-Arkansas border to the Gulf of Mexico, the region encompasses great stories of boom and bust in oil and timber, the early rebellion leading to the Texas Revolution, the El Camino Real de los Tejas, and the mystery and manners you’d expect from the lush, sweet spot between the Old South and the Wild West.
Our Partners
The Forest Trail Region works with a variety of organizations to promote heritage travel throughout the region.
