Lufkin
Around Lufkin
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Town and around · Texas · 88k people
Lufkin
Locals say Deep East Texas · “Lumber Capital of Texas”, “Piney Woods Capital”
Where the pines meet the water
Deep Pine GreenAngelina GoldTimber Brown
Welcome to Deep East Texas, where the pines are tall and the sweet tea is cold. Whether you're here for the fishing, the hunting, or just the friendly folks, you'll find a home in Lufkin.
Clubs for Lufkin
No clubs for Lufkin yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Lufkin. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Lufkin. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Ellen Trout Zoo Family-friendly zoo with native and exotic animals.
- Texas Forestry Museum Museum dedicated to the region's timber industry.
- Sam Rayburn Reservoir One of the largest lakes in Texas, great for fishing and boating.
- Davy Crockett National Forest Piney woods forest with hiking, camping, and hunting.
- Angelina County Expo Center Hosts rodeos, concerts, and events.
- Museum of East Texas Art and history museum in downtown Lufkin.
- Outdoors Fishing on Sam Rayburn
- Outdoors Hiking the Davy Crockett National Forest
- With kids Ellen Trout Zoo
- With kids Fishing with kids at the lake
- Evenings Live music at local venues
- Evenings Dancing at a honky-tonk
- Locals love hunting camps
- Locals love fishing piers
Through the year
- Angelina County Fair spring County fair with livestock shows and carnival rides.
- Texas Forestry Festival fall Celebrates the region's timber heritage with parades and events.
- Sam Rayburn Bass Tournament spring Major bass fishing competition on Sam Rayburn Reservoir.
- Lufkin's Downtown Art Walk monthly Monthly art and music event in historic downtown.
- Jasper County Fair fall County fair in Jasper with rodeo and exhibits.
Humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and mild winters. Best time to be out is spring and fall. Best: Spring and fall are ideal, with mild temps and lower humidity.
Talk like a local
- “fixin' to”
- About to do something.
- “over yonder”
- Over there.
- “piney woods”
- The forested area of East Texas.
- “catfishin'”
- Fishing for catfish.
Getaways
- Nacogdoches Historic town with a walkable downtown and Stephen F. Austin campus.
- Tyler Known for the Tyler Rose Garden and Caldwell Zoo.
- Palestine Scenic dogwood trails and a historic downtown.
- Huntsville Home of Sam Houston State and the Sam Houston statue.
Local flavour
Teams
- Angelina College Roadrunners NJCAA
Also rooting for Dallas Cowboys (NFL), Houston Astros (MLB), Houston Rockets (NBA), Dallas Stars (NHL), Texas A&M Aggies (NCAA), Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks (NCAA)
Eat and drink
- Chicken-fried steak A Southern staple, often served with cream gravy.
- Texas barbecue Slow-smoked brisket, ribs, and sausage with tangy sauce.
- Fried catfish Caught fresh from local lakes like Sam Rayburn and Toledo Bend.
- Sweet tea The default drink, served over ice with plenty of sugar.
- Tex-Mex Enchiladas, fajitas, and queso, a regional favorite.
Where people go
- Piney woods forests Dense stands of loblolly and longleaf pine that cover the region.
- Reservoir lakes Sam Rayburn and Toledo Bend, popular for fishing and boating.
- Hunting camps and leases Deer and duck hunting are a way of life, with rustic camps scattered throughout.
- Barbecue smokehouses Family-run joints where brisket is smoked low and slow.
- Small-town diners Home-style cooking and a cup of coffee, where everyone knows your name.
Heritage and traditions
Deep East Texas is proud of its piney woods heritage, small-town friendliness, and the blend of Southern and Cajun traditions that come from its proximity to Louisiana.
This time of year in Lufkin
- Deer hunting season Fall Opening day is a major event for locals.
Say it like a local: “fixin' to” — about to do something
Festivals
- Jasper Dogwood Festival April Celebrates spring with dogwood blooms and local crafts.
- Lufkin Bluegrass Festival April Features local bluegrass bands and jam sessions.
Landmarks with a story
- Angelina County Courthouse A historic courthouse in Lufkin.
- Jasper County Courthouse Historic courthouse in Jasper.
- First Baptist Church of Lufkin Historic church with deep community roots.
- First United Methodist Church of Lufkin Another historic church in Lufkin.
- Sabine County Courthouse Historic courthouse in Hemphill.
- Lufkin Depot Historic railroad depot from the timber era.
Food traditions
- Crawfish boils Cajun influence from Louisiana; a springtime social event.
- Wild game dinners Deer, squirrel, and other game from hunting are cooked in stews or fried.
- Pecan pie Southern dessert made with local pecans.
- Chicken and dumplings Comfort food passed down through generations.
- Catfish stew A hearty dish made with fresh catfish from local rivers.
Music and arts
- Country music Deep East Texas has a strong country music tradition.
- Bluegrass Bluegrass festivals and jam sessions are popular.
- Gospel music Church choirs and gospel singing are common.
- Piney Woods folk art Woodcarving and folk crafts reflect the forest heritage.
A little history
- 1882 Lufkin founded as a railroad town
- 1835 Jasper established as a county seat
- early 1900s Timber boom with sawmills and logging
- 1960s Sam Rayburn Reservoir constructed
- 1860s Civil War era saw some East Texas skirmishes
Rivalries
- Lufkin vs Nacogdoches High school football rivalry.
- Angelina College vs Stephen F. Austin College sports rivalry.
- Game day Friday night lights
- Game day Bass fishing tournaments
- Outdoors Kayaking on the Angelina River
- Outdoors Camping at a lake park
- With kids Attending a high school football game
- With kids Going to a local festival
People speak with a Southern drawl, often using 'y'all' and 'fixin' to'. There's also a touch of Cajun French influence from nearby Louisiana.
Only here
- Lufkin is known as the 'Pine Capital of the World'.
- Sam Rayburn Reservoir is the largest lake entirely within Texas.
- The Texas Forestry Museum is the only one of its kind in the state.
- The Ellen Trout Zoo is a popular attraction.
New here? A few tips
- Expect hot, humid summers and mild winters.
- People are friendly; don't be afraid to say hello.
- Try the barbecue and fried catfish.
- Learn to pronounce 'Lufkin' as 'Luff-kin'.
- Be aware of hunting season; wear orange if hiking in the fall.
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Nearby
Every areaNacogdochesTexasWhere Texas history meets the Piney WoodsCrockettTexasPiney woods, river bottoms, and good people.Big ThicketTexasWhere the pines whisper and the cypress stand tall.Deep East TexasTexasWhere the pines meet the waterJacksonvilleTexasWhere the pines meet the tomatoesPalestineTexasWhere dogwoods bloom and the pines whisperHuntsvilleTexasWhere Texas history meets the piney woodsTylerTexasWhere roses bloom and pines whisper.
Lufkin, TX. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.