Sam Houston National Forest (Double Lake) — Rockhounding in San Jacinto County, Texas
Sam Houston National Forest carries petrified palm wood, the official Texas state stone since 1969, along with agate, jasper, and chalcedony weathered from young Gulf Coastal Plain gravels. The US Forest Service permits personal collection of common lapidary minerals and petrified wood here under a free use permit. Vertebrate fossils and artifacts are excluded. Reported finds include petrified palm wood, petrified wood, agate, jasper, carnelian. Below: coordinates, access notes, nearby spots, and trip-planning links.
Sam Houston National Forest (Double Lake) photos
Public image records connected to this spot or its reported material.
Map showing Sam Houston National Forest (Double Lake) in San Jacinto County, Texas
Quick details
- Access
- Public area
- County
- San Jacinto County
- State
- Texas
- Coordinates
- 30.54855, -95.13058
Land & collecting status
Generally open to casual rockhounding
Most public-tagged spots sit on BLM, U.S. Forest Service, or other federal land where reasonable hand collecting of common rocks and minerals is allowed. Confirm posted rules and active mining claims before you dig.
Public-land rules vary by agency, season, and field office. The RockHoundR app pulls live BLM, USFS, NPS, and tribal overlays so you can see exactly which agency manages the ground at this spot.
Sources & verification
Spot details combine the public RockHoundR location dataset, normalized mineral labels, agency land-status checks in the app, and community submissions. Coordinates are approximate until verified in the field.
State guidance last verified:
- Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
- Bureau of Economic Geology — Texas geology
- Big Bend National Park — Rules
- Community submissions reviewed against published agency rules
Found at Sam Houston National Forest (Double Lake)
Each chip opens all spots that produce that material; the encyclopedia link opens the full ID and field guide.
Nearby rockhounding spots
Other rockhounding spots within driving distance of Sam Houston National Forest (Double Lake).
- N of Lake LivingstonTrinity County, Texas · 23 mi awayPetrified Palm Wood
- E of New CaneyMontgomery County, Texas · 28 mi awayJasper, Petrified Palm Wood
- Btwn Groveton & TrinityTrinity County, Texas · 34 mi awayAgate, Chalcedony, Jasper
- Large area btwn Camden and ChesterPolk County, Texas · 38 mi awayPetrified Palm Wood
- Large area between CrockettHouston County, Texas · 46 mi awayJasper, Agatized Wood
- Broad area around BediasGrimes County, Texas · 51 mi awayTektites, Black Diamond, Fire Pearl
- Gibbons creekGrimes County, Texas · 56 mi awayTektites
- Davy Crockett National Forest (Ratcliff Lake)Top pick in TexasHouston County, Texas · 57 mi awayPetrified Wood, Agatized Wood, Jasper
Sam Houston National Forest (Double Lake) FAQ
Why is Sam Houston National Forest (Double Lake) one of the best rockhounding spots in Texas?+
Where is Sam Houston National Forest (Double Lake)?+
What rocks and minerals can you find at Sam Houston National Forest (Double Lake)?+
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More rockhounding in Texas
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