Angelina National Forest Backcountry Circuit

Deep in the Piney Woods, this network of forest service roads and hunting trails cuts through longleaf pine stands and bottomland hardwoods where Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow once laid low between bank jobs. The circuit starts near Zavalla and winds through Angelina National Forest’s most remote sections, crossing Attoyac Bayou multiple times and navigating sandy washes that can swallow a truck in wet weather. The notorious Mud Creek crossing has claimed more than a few bumpers over the years.

Easy to moderate difficulty depending on recent rain—sandy sections become impossible when saturated, while dry conditions make this accessible to stock SUVs with decent tires. Best tackled fall through early spring when water levels drop and the sand firms up. No permits required, but check fire restrictions and hunting seasons before heading out. Dispersed camping is allowed throughout the forest, and you’ll find some of the darkest skies in East Texas along with solid fishing in the deeper creek pools.