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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 StatusOpen

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.

Trail Map... Nearby ATV Trails...

REGULATIONS

Permit RequiredYesTX OHV Decal
Dates OpenYear-Round
Other ATV Stickers AcceptedNoAt this time, there are no reciprocity agreements between Texas and any other states. All visiting riders must purchase a Texas OHV decal.
Spark ArrestorYesA spark arresting exhaust silencer or end cap is required for all vehicles.
Noise LimitYes (96 dB)
Whip FlagsNot Required
Maximum Vehicle WidthYes (50 inches)has entrance gate or posts
Allow Dirt Bikes, Trail Bikes and Motorcycles Motorcycles & Dirt BikesPermitted
Allow All Terrain Vehicles / Quads / Four Wheelers ATVsPermitted(maximum width 50 inches)
Allow Utility Terrain Vehicles, Side by Sides (SXS), RZR UTV & SXSPermitted(maximum width 50 inches)
Allow 4x4 Jeeps, SUVs and 4 x 4 Trucks with License Plates SUVs & Jeeps (registered)Prohibited
Dune Buggy & Sand Rail
4x4 (unregistered)
Prohibited
2 Stroke EnginesNo Restriction
MX Helmet RequiredYeshelmets required by state law
Camping / Overnight RV Parking CampingSome Areas(camp in developed sites only)
Campfire Restrictions CampfiresSome Areas(permitted in developed campsites only)
Night RidingUnknown
Trail BlazingProhibitedstay on the trail
Rule Enforcement
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TERRAIN

Approx Size162,984 acres (255 sq mi)
Miles Of Trail85
Climate TypeForest
Elevation200 to 350 ft.
Trail MaintenanceMarked, Not Rated, Heavily Maintained
Loose DirtThis trail has some loose dirt.Some
Hard PackThe trail has mostly hard pack terrain.Mostly
SandThis trail has no sandy areas.None
MudThe trail has little mud after it rains.Little
DustThe trail has little dust on typical days.Little
RocksThis trail has little rocks.Little
TreesThe trail has almost all trees.All
Steep HillsThis trail has some steep hills.Some
Water CrossingsThe trail has few water crossings.Few
Small JumpsThis trail has no small jumps.None
Large JumpsThis trail has no large jumps.None
BermsThe trail has some berms.Some
Sand/Gravel PitsThis national forest has no sand or gravel pits.None
Single TrackThis national forest has many single track trails.Many
RoadsThis national forest has some roads.Some
ShadeThis national forest has some shaded areas.Some
HazardsThis trail has few hazards.Few(hazards assumed marked but use caution)
Easy Terrain NoviceThis trail has some beginner terrain.Some
Moderate Terrain AmateurThis trail has mostly intermediate level terrain.Mostly
Difficult Terrain ExpertThis trail has little expert terrain.Little

TYPE OF AREA

AreaMotorized Trails
LandNational Forest

KEY SERVICES

Gasoline Gasoline5-20 Miles (NE)Exxon (936) 291-938
Diesel Diesel5-20 Miles (NE)Exxon (936) 291-938
Potable Water Water1-5 Miles (S)Cagle Recreation Area Campground (936) 344-6205
RV Hookups RV Hookup1-5 Miles (S)Cagle Recreation Area Campground (936) 344-6205
RV Dump Station RV Disposal1-5 Miles (S)Cagle Recreation Area Campground (936) 344-6205
Primitive Camping CampgroundOn SiteKelly's Pond Campground (936) 344-6205
Convenience Store Conv Store5-20 Miles (NE)Exxon (936) 291-938

FEES & PASSES

Parking(None)
EntryYes ($5.00 per person)
self pay kiosks at trailheads
Riding(None)
Camping(None)
CommentAnnual Pass - $25

RATINGS

Our RatingRatingGood
Recommended StayFull Day
Comments(Scroll Down For Rider Reviews & Comments)

DRIVING DIRECTIONS

Nearest CityNew Waverly, TX
Go Back To Texas List
Trail MapGo To Trail Map
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 InfoSam 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
Commentselect option 2 for trail conditions
Contact InfoTrey 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
CommentTexas OHV Decal Info
Contact InfoCycle Shack North
1101 I-45 South
Conroe, TX 77301
(936) 756-9711
(281) 353-1705
info@cycleshacknorth.com
www.cycleshacknorth.com
Commentsells Texas OHV Decal

RIDER COMMENTS & REVIEWS

Sam Houston NF Trail Photo

Sam Houston National Forest Trail

Sam Houston NF Trail Photo

Two men standing behind a Honda XR, Honda CRF and other trucks parked in staging area.

Photo Submitted 4/22/2012 (Thanks!)

Sam Houston NF Trail Photo

Father and son with two Honda dirt bikes and red pickup truck parked at trailhead.

Photo Submitted 4/23/2014 (Thanks!)

Sam Houston NF Trail Photo

Two Honda dirt bikes crossing wooden bridge.

Photo Submitted 8/15/2012 (Thanks!)

Sam Houston NF Trail Photo

Man with MSR riding gear and green Kawasaki dirt bike parked off trail.

Photo Submitted 10/4/2013 (Thanks!)

Sam Houston NF Trail Photo

Young girl on pink ATV and small boy on blue ATV navigating easy trail.

Photo Submitted 3/25/2013 (Thanks!)

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