asper, Texas, the Jewel of the Forest. Located 130 miles northeast of Houston and in the Pineywoods of the Deep East Texas region, it’s a peaceful escape from the crowded city and offers fantastic experiences for the nature lover and outdoors person. Visiting Jasper transports you to the exquisite forest country of East Texas. With a population of approximately 7,500, this town makes a perfect quiet escape, and the residents there are welcoming and friendly.
Jasper, Texas, "The Jewel of the Forest".
Established in the late 1800s, Jasper is the seat of Jasper County and named for Sgt. William Jasper, hero of American Revolution. The area terrain ranges from hilly to level and is eighty-five percent forested by pines and hardwoods. Jasper’s historic town square features the courthouse built in 1889, two bed & breakfasts, art galleries, outdoor art sculptures, antique shops, murals, and the old county jail that houses the county archives.
There are many places to explore, hike, and adventure near Jasper. We discovered many treasures when we visited these area attractions:
1. Sam Rayburn Reservoir
Sam Rayburn Reservoir is a 114,000-acre lake in Big Thicket country nestled within the Angelina and Sabine National Forest. The reservoir is nationally renowned for its largemouth bass fishery and hosts numerous tournaments each year. Sam Rayburn Lake is the largest man-made lake in the state of Texas. With 750 miles of shoreline, there are many areas around the lake to picnic, fish, boat, camp, and enjoy the water. Other activities to enjoy at Sam Rayburn include waterskiing, wake boarding, swimming, birdwatching, hiking, hunting, and scenic drives around the lake. Local marinas offer concessions.
2. Ebenezer Park
Ebenezer Park features beautiful horseback riding trails. It’s the only park on Sam Rayburn Reservoir with equestrian campsites and some trails even have beach access that allow the rider and horse to cool off on summery days. Other activities include boating, fishing, picnicking, water sports, hunting, camping, and swimming. There is a dedicated swimming site. Birding is popular and you can spot resident wood ducks and migratory birds on their journey to and from the Gulf Coast.
3. Martin Dies Jr. State Park
Managed by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, this heavily forested park is a 705-acre recreation area along U.S. Route 190 on the shores of B.A. Steinhagen Reservoir in Jasper and Tyler counties. The park sits on the northern edge of the Big Thicket and south of where the Angelina River and Neches River meet. The two ecosystems contribute to the wide variety of plants and animals in the park. The park offers numerous recreational opportunities, including hiking, canoeing, biking, picnicking, camping, fishing, swimming, and boating. At the park, there is a unique mix of animals and an abundance of wildlife for viewing, including alligators. At this special place at the edge of the Big Thicket you can explore the lake, sloughs, forest trails, or paddle the waters of the rivers. This is one you don’t want to miss.
4. Boykin Springs Recreation Area
This recreation area offers many activities, including hiking, swimming, non-motorized boating, fishing, camping, picnicking, and just relaxing in nature. On Boykin Spring Lake in the Angelina National Forest, you will find yourself surrounded by towering pines and hardwoods. Sam Rayburn Reservoir is nearby and the Boykin Creek and the nine-acre Boykin Spring Lake both pass through the recreational area. The area is a hot spot for migratory birds and nature is abundant for wildlife viewing. Boykin Springs serves as the trailhead for the Sawmill Hiking Trail, which leads to the Aldridge Sawmill Historic Site. The trail is a 4.3-mile loop.
5. The Aldridge Sawmill Historic Site
Located deep in the forest, the Aldridge Sawmill Historic Site is one you don’t want to miss. There is so much to explore, and as you wander through the grounds, it feels as if you’ve lost yourself in a ghost town. It’s an incredible experience passing through the maze of foundations and the crumbling buildings with their concrete walls overgrown, crumbling, and splotched with graffiti. This historic site sends you back to a lost time. While the town itself is gone, the abandoned shells of the four concrete mill buildings, various concrete foundations, the millpond, and portions of the old railroad tram remain. Trust me, don’t miss this one!
For more details and photos from our adventure at the Aldridge Sawmill Historic Site, click here.
Final Thoughts
If you are a nature lover and enjoy the outdoors, add Jasper to your destination list. It offers a variety of experiences and sites in the Pineywoods of the Deep East Texas region. We had memorable experiences at each place we explored that I still think about to this day, and the locals are the friendliest bunch I’ve encountered in a while. The forests and thickets take you to an enchanting world, and Jasper offers a get-away from the busyness of everything.
And if you have time, drive those back roads around Jasper and see what you discover. We found a multitude of hidden gems and treasures.
Travel and Wander…
