Piney Woods, Texas travel guide: things to do, food & where to stay

Overview

The Piney Woods is the name of the region encompassing east and northeast Texas. This region of Texas often defies traditional views of the state having a mountainous desert landscape or brush-covered hills. Large pines and other evergreen trees cover this area of the state, with forestry and oil/gas mining being large industries for area residents.

Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage

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.
GGG East Texas Regional Airport, Longview — 5 mi away. Directions
TYR Tyler Pounds Regional Airport, Tyler — 38 mi away. Directions
DAL Dallas Love Field, Dallas — 127 mi away (major hub). Directions

Full “Get in” guide ↓

Sample 3-day trip

Day 1: Central Piney Woods — explore the town.
Day 2: Deep East Texas — explore the town.
Day 3: Northeastern Texas — explore the town.

Built from the best-covered destinations in this region; open each for its own day plan.

Places in Piney Woods

Central Piney Woods

Region

Deep East Texas

Region

Northeastern Texas

Region

Regions

Northeastern Texas

This area serves as the only point where Texas and Arkansas meet, featuring a blend of influences from both sides of the state line. Known for its rolling hills and Red River plains, this area is centered by Texarkana, which is a key cultural and economic center of the region.

Central Piney Woods

Positioned roughly along the Interstate 20 corridor, this subregion is characterized by its expansive pine forests and numerous lakes and rivers, including the enchanting Caddo Lake, famous for its cypress trees and rich biodiversity. The cities of Tyler and Longview anchor this particular region.

Deep East Texas

Covering the southern two-thirds of the Piney Woods region and known for its deep, dense forests and cultural heritage, this region is the most rural part of the Piney Woods. Nacogdoches, reputed to be the oldest town in Texas, offers a rich history and connection to Spanish, French, and Southern traditions.

Cities

Gladewater — known for its rich oil history and antique shopping scene.
Huntsville — home of Sam Houston State University and the Texas State Penitentiary.
Kilgore — renowned for its oil boom and the home of the Kilgore Rangerettes, the first woman's precision drill team in the world.
Longview — regional hub and host of the Great Texas Balloon Race.
Lufkin — a central city in Deep East Texas, known for its forestry industry.
Nacogdoches — historic city important to Texas' early development, the oldest city in the state.
Texarkana — straddles the Texas-Arkansas State Line and has a unique two-state community.
Tyler — regional city known for its gardens of roses and the largest Civil War prisoner-of-war camp west of the Mississippi River.
The Woodlands — a suburban bedroom community of Houston that hosts the Houston Symphony during the summer.