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| Home > Texas > Sam Houston NF |
Sam Houston National Forest
Friday, February 2, 2024
| Other Names | Kelly's Pond Campground, 208 OHV Trailhead, 233 Trailhead, 234 Trailhead, Northwest Trailhead, Lake Conroe |
| Last Known Status | Open |
This popular area actually consists of two separate trail systems located on the western and eastern sides of northern Lake Conroe. The Sam Houston National Forest offers about 85 miles of designated multiple-use trails that is a mix of hard pack, sand, mud, and several creek crossings.
Camping with direct trail access can be found at Kelly's Pond Campground, which has eight sites, each with a picnic table, fire ring and lantern post. The campground is located in the center of a flat, grassy field, so there is plenty of turn around room for large trailers. There is no fee charged for camping but a permit is required if using the trails.
There are several day use staging areas that have self pay kiosks. Please note that unless street legal, there is no direct offroad access to connect the eastern and western trail systems.
The trails are open year-round but will close on short notice due to inclement weather, so call first before heading out.
REGULATIONS
| Permit Required | Yes | TX OHV Decal |
| Dates Open | Year-Round | |
| Other ATV Stickers Accepted | No | At this time, there are no reciprocity agreements between Texas and any other states. All visiting riders must purchase a Texas OHV decal. |
| Spark Arrestor | Yes | A spark arresting exhaust silencer or end cap is required for all vehicles. |
| Noise Limit | Yes (96 dB) | |
| Whip Flags | Not Required | |
| Maximum Vehicle Width | Yes (50 inches) | has entrance gate or posts |
 Motorcycles & Dirt Bikes | Permitted | |
 ATVs | Permitted | (maximum width 50 inches) |
 UTV & SXS | Permitted | (maximum width 50 inches) |
 SUVs & Jeeps (registered) | Prohibited | |
| Dune Buggy & Sand Rail 4x4 (unregistered) | Prohibited | |
| 2 Stroke Engines | No Restriction | |
| MX Helmet Required | Yes | helmets required by state law |
 Camping | Some Areas | (camp in developed sites only) |
 Campfires | Some Areas | (permitted in developed campsites only) |
| Night Riding | Unknown | |
| Trail Blazing | Prohibited | stay on the trail |
| Rule Enforcement |
TERRAIN
| Approx Size | 162,984 acres (255 sq mi) | |
| Miles Of Trail | 85 | |
| Climate Type | Forest | |
| Elevation | 200 to 350 ft. | |
| Trail Maintenance | Marked, Not Rated, Heavily Maintained | |
| Loose Dirt |  Some | |
| Hard Pack |  Mostly | |
| Sand |  None | |
| Mud |  Little | |
| Dust | Little | |
| Rocks | Little | |
| Trees |  All | |
| Steep Hills | Some | |
| Water Crossings |  Few | |
| Small Jumps | None | |
| Large Jumps | None | |
| Berms | Some | |
| Sand/Gravel Pits | None | |
| Single Track |  Many | |
| Roads | Some | |
| Shade | Some | |
| Hazards | Few | (hazards assumed marked but use caution) |
 Novice | Some | |
 Amateur | Mostly | |
 Expert | Little |
TYPE OF AREA
| Area | Motorized Trails |
| Land | National Forest |
GPS POINTS
KEY SERVICES
 Gasoline | 5-20 Miles (NE) | Exxon (936) 291-938 |
| Diesel | 5-20 Miles (NE) | Exxon (936) 291-938 |
 Water | 1-5 Miles (S) | Cagle Recreation Area Campground (936) 344-6205 |
 RV Hookup | 1-5 Miles (S) | Cagle Recreation Area Campground (936) 344-6205 |
 RV Disposal | 1-5 Miles (S) | Cagle Recreation Area Campground (936) 344-6205 |
| Campground | On Site | Kelly's Pond Campground (936) 344-6205 |
 Conv Store | 5-20 Miles (NE) | Exxon (936) 291-938 |
FEES & PASSES
| Parking | (None) |
| Entry | Yes ($5.00 per person) self pay kiosks at trailheads |
| Riding | (None) |
| Camping | (None) |
| Comment | Annual Pass - $25 |
RATINGS
| Our Rating |  Good |
| Recommended Stay | Full Day |
| Comments | (Scroll Down For Rider Reviews & Comments) |
DRIVING DIRECTIONS
| Nearest City | New Waverly, TX | ||
| From: Conroe, TX
1) Take I-45 North to Exit 102 2) Turn left (west) on FM-1375, continue 3.6 miles 3) Turn right (north) on NF-233, continue 2.8 miles For the West Side Staging Area: 4) Continue west on FM-1375 for about 6 miles 5) Turn right (north) on FS-208, continue about 1 mile 6) Staging area is on the left (west) For the Northwest Staging Area: 7) Continue north past the Westside Staging Area about 5 miles 8) Staging area is on the left (west) For Kelly's Pond Campground: 9) From FM-1375 turn south on NF-204, continue .75 miles 10) Turn right (south-west) on Kelly's Pond Road, continue 1.5 miles toward campground. |
OFFICIAL CONTACTS
| Contact Info | Sam Houston National Forest 394 FM 1375 West New Waverly, TX 77358 (936) 344-6205 (888) 361-6908 mailroom_r8_texas@fs.fed.us www.fs.usda.gov |
| Comment | select option 2 for trail conditions |
| Contact Info | Trey Cooksey (OHV Program Manager) Texas Parks And Wildlife 4200 Smith School Road Austin, TX 78744 (512) 389-8743 trey.cooksey@tpwd.texas.gov tpwd.texas.gov |
| Comment | Texas OHV Decal Info |
| Contact Info | Cycle Shack North 1101 I-45 South Conroe, TX 77301 (936) 756-9711 (281) 353-1705 info@cycleshacknorth.com www.cycleshacknorth.com |
| Comment | sells Texas OHV Decal |
Sam Houston NF Trail Photo
Sam Houston NF Trail Photo
Photo Submitted 4/22/2012 (Thanks!)
Sam Houston NF Trail Photo
Photo Submitted 4/23/2014 (Thanks!)
Sam Houston NF Trail Photo
Photo Submitted 8/15/2012 (Thanks!)
Sam Houston NF Trail Photo
Photo Submitted 10/4/2013 (Thanks!)
Sam Houston NF Trail Photo
Photo Submitted 3/25/2013 (Thanks!)
RIDER COMMENTS & REVIEWS