Open year-round first-come, first-served. No advance reservations accepted. A closure alert from August 2025 due to low lake levels remains posted on the USFS website, though current reservoir levels have recovered to over 70% capacity and availability shows sites accessible.
Know Before You Go, Davy Crockett and Sam Houston National Forests Road Work
Know Before You Go.Visitors to the Sam Houston and Davy Crockett National Forests should plan ahead and use extra caution as the first phase of Heavy Road Maintenance associated with disaster recovery efforts across the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas begins the week of June 23.Work will…
National Forests and Grasslands Burn Ban Information
The National Forests and Grasslands in Texas would like to remind all our visitors to check with their local, county or city authorities for any ordinances on outdoor burning and to follow any restrictions which may be in place while visiting the national forests and grasslands. These counties…
National Forests and Grasslands in Texas -Occupancy and Use
This Forest and Grasslands Order is in regard to prohibitions while occupying or using the national forests and grasslands in Texas.
About
Townsend Recreation Area is a primitive lakeside campground in the heart of east Texas, situated on the 114,500-acre Sam Rayburn Reservoir within Angelina National Forest. The 153,179-acre forest spans Angelina, Nacogdoches, San Augustine, and Jasper counties in the Neches River Basin. The campground offers 10 standard nonelectric sites available strictly on a first-come, first-served basis at $3 per night. Payment is by cash or check, though some sites may offer QR code payment via the Recreation.gov mobile app. A four-lane concrete boat ramp provides access to Sam Rayburn for all boat types, making this a popular staging point for anglers and boaters. Facilities are minimal: portable toilets and picnic tables are provided, but there is no potable water, so campers must bring an adequate supply. The boat ramp may become unusable during periods of low lake levels.
Directions
Located off CR 2923, 2 miles west of the junction with FM 1277.
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | — |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | — |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | — |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $3 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | — |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | No |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (936) 897-1068 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | Yes |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
Availability
Photos
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