Swede Johnson Recreation Area And North Toledo Bend Wildlife Mgt. Area
With its vast forests, one of the world’s largest lakes and great avian resources, Shelby County
offers rich and varied opportunities for birding experiences. While this region is famous for its birds,
Shelby Countians are also known for their hospitality.
This guide includes an array of sites where birders will find a colorful collection of birds, estimated to
be more than three hundred species. So, welcome to the trail. We hope you enjoy a leisurely,
relaxed journey.
Country Road East
Directions: From Center, East on FM 699, left on FM 2468 to end of pavement, right on CR
3736, leading back to FM 699
Description: Farm road connected by beautiful country lanes winding through pine and hardwood forests, wildflowers
Owner: Shelby County
Notable Species: Indigo buntings, kestrels, eastern bluebirds, hawks
Season: Year Round
Country Road West
Directions: From Center, West on FM 138, right on FM 1645, right on Hwy 87 back to Center
Description: Farm road connected by beautiful country lanes winding through pine and hardwood forests, wildflowers
Owner: Shelby County
Notable Species: Wild Turkeys, red-shouldered hawk, red-bellied woodpecker; indigo
buntings, kestrels, eastern bluebirds, road runners, Bobwhite Quail
Season: Year Round
Mill Creek
Directions: From Center, South on U.S. 96, left on CR 1006, about 2 miles on right
Description: Pine forest, lake, wildflowers
Owner: City of Center
Notable Species: Great blue heron, red-shouldered hawk, red-bellied woodpecker
Season: Year Round
Lake Pinkston
Directions: From Hwy 7 W, turn onto CR 1234 then right onto CR 1510
Description: Canoeing, boating and fishing.
Owners: City of Center
Notable species: White ibis, woodpecker, blue jays, mocking birds, gray egrets, cardinals,
finches, robins, martens, blue birds, thrushes, road runners, cranes, bald eagles
Season: Year Round
JOI Ranch
Directions: From Hwy 96 North, turn west on FM 2026, known as Folsom Chapel Road, go
five miles to the corner of CR 4293 and FM 2026.
Description: Picturesque country setting with pond and RV hookups
Owners: The Byrnes family – 936/598-3442 or 936/254-3907
Notable species: Great blue herons, whip-poor-wills, hawks, owls, bobwhite quails, kestrels,
Eastern bluebirds, red-bellied woodpeckers
Season: Year Round
SoSo Park, Timpson
Directions: Off US 59 southwest of downtown Timpson
Description: hiking area, camping, motor home accommodations
Owners: City of Timpson
Notable species: A variety of East Texas birds
Season: Year Round
Huxley Bay Marina
Directions: FM 2694 on Toledo Bend Lake. See www.huxleybay.com
Description: Paddle boating, inner tubing, canoeing, fishing, and boating
Owners: Buck Jordan & Sandy Driver - 936/368-2494
Notable species: woodpecker, blue jays, mocking birds, gray egrets, cardinals, finches,
robins, martens, blue birds, thrushes, road runners, cranes, bald eagles
Season: Year Round
Directions: From Center, East on Texas 7 E, right on FM 139 approximately 5 miles, left on
FM 2572 to end of road - runs into Toledo Bend
Description: 3,600-acres of Hardwood and pine forests, open water, sloughs
Owner: Sabine River Authority of Texas
Notable Species: White ibis, blue-gray gnat-catchers, migrating warblers, pileated
woodpecker
Season: Year round
Special Notes: Picnic area, boat ramp, playground equipment and restrooms.
SRA Recreation Site #2
Directions: From Center, East on Texas 7 E, right on FM 139 to Tenaha Creek, park is on
south side of creek
Description: boat ramp in shallow fishing area, dispersed camping, picnic tables,
small parking lot
Owners: Sabine River Authority of Texas
Notable species: Anhinga, Prothonotary warbler, woodpecker, blue jays, mocking birds,
gray egrets, cardinals, finches, robins, martens, blue birds, thrushes, road runners, cranes,
bald eagles
Season: Year Round
Haley’s Ferry
Directions: From Center, South on Texas 87 to Shelbyville, Left on FM 417 1.3 miles then
veer right onto 2694, right at FM 139/FM 2694 then veer left with 2694; right on FM 3172, left
of Forest Service Road-FS100 to end of gravel road
Description: Hardwood and pine forest, Toledo Bend Lake, wildflowers
Owner: U.S. Forest Service
Maintained by: Sabine River Authority
Notable Species: Anhinga, Prothonotary warbler, evening grosbeak, wood thrush, whip-poorwill, woodpecker, blue jays, mocking birds, gray egrets, cardinals, finches, robins, martens,
blue birds, thrushes, road runners, cranes, bald eagles
Season: Year Round
Special Notes: Back water, swimming, primitive camp sites, boat ramp
Ragtown Recreational Area
Directions: From Center, South on Texas 87 through Shelbyville about 14 miles, left on FM
139 at Hurstown Grocery, follow about 6 miles, at fork take FM 3184, 4 miles to Ragtown
Description: Hardwood and pine forest, Toledo Bend Lake, wildflowers
Owner: U.S. Forest Service
Maintained by: Sabine River Authority
Notable Species: Anhinga, Prothonotary warbler, evening grosbeak, wood thrush, whip-poorwill, woodpecker, blue jays, mocking birds, gray egrets, cardinals, finches, robins, martens,
blue birds, thrushes, road runners, cranes, bald eagles
Season: Year Round
Special Notes: Open water, swimming, camp sites, boat ramp
East Hamilton
Directions: From Center, South 20 miles on Texas 87 through Shelbyville, left on FM 2261 in
Patroon, then East 9 miles
Description: Hardwood and pine forest, Toledo Bend Lake, wildflowers
Owner: U.S. Forest Service
Maintained by: Sabine River Authority
Notable Species: Anhinga, Prothonotary warbler, evening grosbeak, wood thrush, whip-poorwill, woodpecker, blue jays, mocking birds, gray egrets, cardinals, finches, robins, martens,
blue birds, thrushes, road runners, cranes, bald eagles
Season: Year Round
Special Notes: Open water, two-lane boat ramp and limited facilities
100 Courthouse Square, A-101
Center, Texas 75935
Phone: (936) 598-3682
[email protected]