Birding Sites In Newton County Texas

(West of Newton, TX on HWY 190, 1 block from the Courthouse Square)

16 acres Caney Creek Nature Park features scenic walking trails and picnic areas along Caney Creek and adjacent to an old mill pond, owned/maintained by City of Newton.

(1 Mile N of HWY 87 & 255R Intersection)

80 acres with Texas Forestry Woodlands Trails (1.6 miles), owned/maintained by Champion

Champion has constructed trails around the rim of the canyon, and a number of Pineywoods breeding birds may be easily seen here during a late spring hike. Louisiana Waterthrushes nest along the creek that flows through the bottom of the canyon, and Blue-gray Gnatcatchers, Yellow-throated and Red-eyed vireos, and Black-and-white Warblers are among the interesting woodland birds that may be found here. If you continue north on TX 87, you will eventually intersect a Red-cockaded Woodpecker group that straddles the highway near the Newton/Sabine county line.

(South of HWY63 on FM1414)

Nature Park

For future generations of natural beauty, education and conservation. Nature's garden of future thinkers and beauty lovers. Pond, covered pavillion, donated by Howard Montgomery, owned and maintained by Newton County.

(3 Miles SE of Newton, TX on HWY 190)

Horse-sugar Trail, maintained by Temple-Inland, Inc. and Newton High School

Additional Info: In the early 1900s this area was once the meeting point of two logging tramways. The scenic trail offers more than 30 species of shrubs, including the State Champion Sweet-leaf (Symplocus tinctoria).

The trail is approximately 1/2 mile and returns to the starting point. Vehicles of any type are prohibited on the trail.

The trail and parking area are open from sunrise to sunset.

(2 Miles West of Newton, TX on HWY 190)

Newton County Chamber of Commerce Nature Preserve, owned/maintained by Newton County Chamber of Commerce

Additional Info: Plans in progress. Parking areas and new signs under construction... Targeted completion date in March 2001.

No visible work started as of June 2003.

(15 miles N of Burkeville, TX on HWY 87)

160,656 acres National Forest. Sabine Ranger District Office is in Hemphill, TX: Jasper County, 64 acres; Sabine County, 95,457 acres, San Augustine County, 4,317 acres; Shelby County, 59,037 acres; Newton County, 1,781 acres

(13 miles East of Newton, TX on HWY 190)

About 0.5 mile before the river there is an old section of the highway where parking is available. Swallow-tailed Kites may be seen floating above the woodlands bordering the Sabine River in late spring and summer. Public boat ramp under Sabine River Bridge is noted for Swallow-tailed Kite sightings.

This 54-mile section of the Sabine River is very scenic and serves as habitat for a wide variety of wildlife species. Hazards on the river are limited to a few downed trees and stumps. One small riffle area is located about 3 miles below the dam. Many fine large white sand bars are present and are often utilized as camping and day-use areas. The river is very isolated since there is only one road crossing along this stretch. This section of the Sabine River is one of the more scenic, high quality and remote waterways in the State.

Additional Trip Info: Sabine River Authority

This 56-mile section of the Sabine River is very similar to the section immediately above it until you reach the Big Cow Creek confluence about 21 miles downstream. The river forms the boundary between Texas and Louisiana and is wide, very scenic, and isolated since there are no roads crossing the entire 60-mile stretch. The Sabine below Big Cow Creek begins to take on a swamp-like appearance with many huge cypress trees covered with Spanish moss as common elements of the riverscape. This area is known locally as the Black Cypress Swamp and provides habitat for a wide variety of wildlife.

Additional Trip Info: Sabine River Authority

This 37-mile section of the Sabine River in Newton and Orange Counties from SH 12 to the mouth of the river where it enters Sabine Lake is feasible for recreational use at all times. In the vicinity of IH-10 crossing, the river is approximately 300 feet wide. Below IH-10, the river is deep enough to allow passage of ocean-going vessels. The scenic qualities are excellent from SH 12 to IH-10. Below SH 12, the river divides into the main river, and Old River.

Additional Trip Info: Sabine River Authority

(14 miles NE of Burkeville, TX on FM 692)

Public forest adjacent to Sabine River Authority Division Offices at dam. The forests below the dam are typical of the riparian woodlands in east Texas, and they may be accessed by driving or walking along the sand road on the west side of the river. Noted for Bald Eagle sightings at tail-race.

(North of Newton, TX on SH 87; 6.7 miles east on FM 1414; 1.8 miles south on unpaved roads. Watch for the signs along the way)

200 acres with Texas Forestry Association Woodlands Trail, owned/maintained by Temple-Inland, Inc. Wild Azalea Canyons is noted for its pine forests, rock canyons, and thickets of wild azaleas (the azaleas bloom from mid to late March). Pileated Woodpeckers, Wood Thrushes, Hooded and Swainson's warblers, and Summer Tanagers may be seen in the surrounding pine forests.