Hike Through A Hidden Forest Then Dine At A Small-Town Cafe On This Delightful Adventure In Texas
By Katie Lawrence|Published May 04, 2023
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Katie Lawrence
Author
Katie Lawrence is a Southeast Texas native who graduated 18th in her high school class with a GPA of 4.25. She attended college in the Houston area and began writing for OnlyInYourState in 2015.
Today, Katie writes, edits, and performs several other tasks for OnlyInYourState and has never been more passionate about a job before. Outside of work, you can likely find her curled up on with a hot cup of coffee, practicing yoga, baking, or exploring the beautiful Lone Star State (in particular, the vast and mystical West Texas desert).
Small towns – at least, small towns in Texas – are often anything but boring. In fact, the tiniest blips on the map can offer some of the biggest adventures, and that is exactly what you’ll discover on this incredible day trip. The outing begins in the Angelina National Forest near Zavalla, a lush oasis tucked away in the East Texas Piney Woods region. After working up a sweat on our hike (and exploring an old, abandoned sawmill!), we’ll then stop by the charming 7th Street Restaurant in Cushing for a hearty meal. Doesn’t that sound like the perfect day?
Did you know Texas has four national forests? They're all tucked away in deep East Texas and located within fairly close proximity of one another, and today, we'll be exploring the smallest among them: the Angelina National Forest.
Perhaps "small" isn't the appropriate word - the lush pine forest still sits on over 150,000 sprawling acres, offering plenty of room for each visitor to get a little slice all to themselves.
The forest offers unparalleled hiking opportunities, the most popular being the Sawmill Trail. This 4.5-mile hike along Boykin Creek leads to the last-remaining ruin of Aldridge, a once-thriving town with more than 70 buildings.
Some areas of the forest are so green (such as on the easy, 1.5-mile Stephen F. Austin Interpretive Trail, which is pictured here) that you'll swear you're in the Emerald City from The Wizard of Oz...
...while other sections feature peaceful, babbling brooks with cascading waterfalls. There is even a swimming hole known as the Boykin Springs Recreation Area!
After spending a few hours traipsing through the woods, you're bound to be hungry - I know I'm always starving after a good hike! Thankfully, one of the best restaurants in East Texas, 7th Street Restaurant in Cushing, is just a stone's throw away.
The restaurant is charming as can be, with vintage memorabilia such as old railroad crossing signs peppering the walls. Service is fast and friendly, and everyone who steps inside is made to feel right at home.
Seating is available both indoors and out, so take your pick! The patio is covered, so even on the hottest of days, you can enjoy a comfortable al fresco dining experience.
The menu boasts hearty and filling meals such as burgers, fried and grilled seafood, and chicken-fried steak. The portions are also incredibly generous - for reference, the chicken-fried steak pictured here is a small, if you can believe it.
7th Street Restaurant, 754 7th St, Cushing, TX 75760, USA
Please visit the U.S. Forest Service website for more information about the Angelina National Forest and the Sawmill Hiking Trail.
Would you take this unforgettable hiking and dining adventure? What are your favorite small towns in Texas to explore? Tell us your thoughts in the comments! Don’t forget to check out our previous article to learn all about Nacogdoches. This college town is the oldest city in Texas, and it’s full of attractions, shops, restaurants, and plenty of historic charm.
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