Overview
Hemphill is in Deep East Texas. It is the county seat of Sabine County in the easternmost reaches of Texas. The area is a gateway to Toledo Bend Reservoir, but also has a more pensive recent history, as the area where many of the crashing remains of the Space Shuttle Columbia fell on February 1, 2003. The town has a NASA museum and memorial dedicated to fallen astronauts.
1 sights · 5 things to do · 1 bars & cafés · 1 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Hemphill
Sabine National Forest
Outdoor recreation opportunities in the include fishing, hunting, camping, hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking.
Patricia Huffman Smith NASA Museum
Museum and memorial dedicated to the Space Shuttle Columbia accident in 2003. The museum has multiple exhibits and special events, such as guest speakers and programming for kids throughout the year.
Toledo Bend Reservoir
The fifth largest man-made reservoir in the United States. Private facilities range from fish camps, with marinas and primitive camping, to highly developed lodge and motel type facilities. There are boat ramps at major …
Red Hills Lake
Picnic facilities and a swimming beach.
Deer hunting
Moore Plantation is a 26,500-acre wildlife management area in Sabine County cooperatively managed by these two agencies. It is known for excellent deer hunting.
Trail Between the Lakes
A 28-mile hiking trail that extends from Lakeview Recreation Area on Toledo Bend Reservoir to Highway 96 near Sam Rayburn Reservoir. Hiking is at its best in the early spring and fall when the forest is filled with bloss…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Mar–May, Sep–Nov. Summer highs reach about 93°F; winter lows dip to about 36°F. Very hot (Jun, Jul, Aug) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Mar and Dec. (climate data from nearby Mansfield)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- SHV Shreveport Regional Airport, Shreveport — 76 mi away. Directions
- AEX Alexandria International Airport, Alexandria — 77 mi away. Directions
- IAH George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Houston — 129 mi away (major hub). Directions
Texas Highways 87 and 184 are the primary points of entry into Hemphill. Texas Highway 21 is nine miles to the north, which provides east and west connections to Lufkin and Many, Louisiana.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Patricia Huffman Smith NASA Museum, Toledo Bend Reservoir
- Afternoon Deer hunting
- Evening United Coffee / Serenity Books & Gifts
Day 2
- Morning Sabine National Forest, Red Hills Lake
- Afternoon Trail Between the Lakes
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
The dining scene in Hemphill is modest and reflects its East Texas setting, with a focus on hearty, home-style cooking. You'll find excellent barbecue, classic Southern diners, and authentic Tex-Mex. Don't expect fine dining; restaurants are casual, family-friendly, and offer good value. Most establishments are along Highway 87 or around the courthouse square.
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Hemphill is surrounded by the Sabine National Forest and the Toledo Bend Reservoir.
The Sabine National Forest is notable for extensive forests of American beech and other hardwood trees. Other important tree species include loblolly pine, longleaf pine, shortleaf pine, white oak, southern red oak, sweetgum, and Florida maple.
Get in
By car
Texas Highways 87 and 184 are the primary points of entry into Hemphill. Texas Highway 21 is nine miles to the north, which provides east and west connections to Lufkin and Many, Louisiana.
Get around
Getting around Hemphill is uncomplicated due to its simple layout, but the lack of public transit makes a personal vehicle a necessity. The town's commercial activity is concentrated along Texas Highway 87 (north-south) and Farm Road 83 (east-west).
These same highways provide primary access to the Sabine National Forest and Toledo Bend Reservoir. For travel farther afield, Texas Highway 21 intersects with TX-87 about seven miles north of town, serving as the region's major east-west artery. As of early 2025, construction on the Pendleton Bridge (TX-21) at the Texas-Louisiana border may cause delays, with speeds reduced while crossing the lake. Given that cell service can be unreliable in the national forest, downloading maps for offline use is highly recommended.
By car
A car is essential for visiting Hemphill. Even destinations within the town limits are often too far apart to walk, and all major recreational sites are accessible only by car.
Traffic is generally light, but drivers should be highly cautious of the numerous logging trucks that use the area's highways. Debris can fly from these trucks, so maintaining a safe following distance is advised. Additionally, be alert for deer and other wildlife crossing the road, especially at dawn and dusk.
Parking is plentiful and free throughout the town. There are a couple gas stations available in Hemphill, but they become sparse in the surrounding rural areas, so it's wise to fill your tank before heading out to the lake or forest.
On foot
It is only practical to traverse the downtown/courthouse square on foot or within a handful of blocks of the Sabine County Courthouse. Anything else is too far away and will be time consuming to reach, not to mention there are sidewalks only in a handful of places in town.
See
Do
Do Toledo Bend Reservoir
The fifth largest man-made reservoir in the United States. Private facilities range from fish camps, with marinas and primitive camping, to highly developed lodge and motel type facilities. There are boat ramps at major recreation areas and other spots on the reservoir, giving boaters access points to the lake. Toledo Bend Reservoir is a nationally known bass fishing lake, and numerous tournaments are held here each year. A good access point to the lake from Hemphill is at Indian Mounds Recreation Area, which is 18 minutes east on Farm Road 83 and Indian Mounds Road.
Do Deer hunting
Moore Plantation is a 26,500-acre wildlife management area in Sabine County cooperatively managed by these two agencies. It is known for excellent deer hunting.
Do Trail Between the Lakes
A 28-mile hiking trail that extends from Lakeview Recreation Area on Toledo Bend Reservoir to Highway 96 near Sam Rayburn Reservoir. Hiking is at its best in the early spring and fall when the forest is filled with blossoms and colorful leaves.
Eat
The dining scene in Hemphill is modest and reflects its East Texas setting, with a focus on hearty, home-style cooking. You'll find excellent barbecue, classic Southern diners, and authentic Tex-Mex. Don't expect fine dining; restaurants are casual, family-friendly, and offer good value. Most establishments are along Highway 87 or around the courthouse square.
Budget
Drink
Drink United Coffee / Serenity Books & Gifts
Combination coffee shop and book store with friendly service. No food served, just coffee and Lotus drinks. Casual environment with both indoor and outdoor seating, as well as a drive thru window.
Sleep
The town of Hemphill has no hotel/motel style accommodations in the town limits. The nearest motels are Sandals & Spurs Resort, 7 miles to the northeast, and the Rodeway Inn & Suites, 11 1/2 miles to the northeast on Texas Highway 21, just before crossing the Pendleton Bridge into Louisiana.
However, there are a small handful of bed & breakfast type options in the town, and can be found via B&B booking websites like Airbnb and VRBO.
There are family camping areas in the Sabine National Forest in a natural forest setting. Facilities at each designated camping unit include a parking space, tent pad, grill or fireplace, picnic table, and lantern pole. Several units share a water tap, trash receptacle, and toilet facilities. Most parking spaces are suitable for camping trailers. Red Hills Lake and Boles Field has a sewage dump and electrical hookups at each site. Sites are available on a "first-come, first-served" basis. Developed campgrounds require a fee. There are many opportunities for dispersed or primitive camping throughout the forest.
Nearby
San Augustine
City / town · 5 listings · 20 mi away
Many
City / town · 6 listings · 27 mi away
Jasper
City / town · 8 listings · 30 mi away
Logansport
City / town · 5 listings · 45 mi away
DeRidder
City / town · 3 listings · 47 mi away
Mansfield
City / town · 17 listings · 49 mi away
Nacogdoches
City / town · 18 listings · 51 mi away
Lufkin
City / town · 9 listings · 52 mi away
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