Davy Crockett Paddling Trail
Get up close and personal with the Neches River; the last wild river in Texas. Paddle down the Neches, through the Davy Crockett Forest along the paddling trail named after the great pioneer, Davy Crockett. The Neches River is one of Texas’ wildest and least-discovered natural assets. Pine trees, dogwoods, and blackgum trees jut out from the heavily wooded banks and bluffs. The Neches River is the perfect place to experience wildlife in East Texas.
The Davy Crockett Paddling trail is nearly 10 miles of scenic wild beauty. This stretch of the Neches is well known for the Neches River Rendezvous, an annual float trip. Despite the occasional log jam, this river segment is excellent for family fun outside. If you want to try your hand at fishing from your canoe or kayak, the Neches River is home to many native freshwater fish in East Texas. Catfishing on the Neches can give way to monster catches.
Access Sites
Put-in – CR 1155 (Anderson Crossing)
- From Lufkin, take State Highway 103 west. It will merge with State Highway 7 just before the Neches River. Approximately 4.6 miles west of the Neches River on SH7, turn right on Forest Service Road 511 (you will pass several roads with locked gates before this. Road 511 has no gates). There is a small sign denoting the road at the treeline, but it is not obvious. Take Forest Road 511 until you come to County Road 1155. Turn right on CR 1155 and go straight until you come to the river. You will pass one minor bridge over an oxbow; the bridge for the river is just past that smaller bridge. Anderson Crossing has a small boat launch area on the right with a couple of parking spaces. Look for the paddling trail sign. The drive from Highway 7 up Forest Road 511 and CR 1155 takes about 15 minutes and is a good dirt road.
Take-out – State Highway 7
- From Lufkin, take State Highway 103 west. It will merge with State Highway 7 just before the Neches River. The turn-off is on the lefthand (south) side of the road at the Frank Ashby Road turn-off. The turnoff is approximately 12.3 miles west of Loop 287/SH103 intersection in Lufkin.
Trail Description
Trail Length – 9.2 miles
Float Times – 3 to 6 hours, depending on water level, flow rate and wind speed.
This trail was made possible through a partnership between Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Lufkin Convention and Visitors Bureau, and The Conservation Fund.
Take a road trip and escape to the Pineywoods and reconnect with history and the beauty of nature!
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