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.
Understand
[edit]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
[edit]By car
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]- 1 Patricia Huffman Smith NASA Museum (NASA's Columbia Museum), 375 Sabine Street, Suite B, ☏ +1 409 787 4827. Tu-Sa 10 AM-5PM, Closed Su M. 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. Admission $5 adults, $3 students.
Do
[edit]- 1 Sabine National Forest. Outdoor recreation opportunities in the include fishing, hunting, camping, hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking.
- 2 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.
- 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 blossoms and colorful leaves.
Buy
[edit]Eat
[edit]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
[edit]Drink
[edit]1 United Coffee / Serenity Books & Gifts, 1130 Worth St. (1 mile due west of downtown, near the FM 1175 intersection), ☏ +1 409 787 0070. M-F 7:30AM-5 PM, Closed Sa-Su. 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. $3 to $7 USD for varying types of coffee drinks. 
Sleep
[edit]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.
1 Sandals & Spurs Resort, 3150 Palo Gaucho Xing (south side of Palo Gaucho Bayou on Farm Road 3121), ☏ +1 409 787 3212. Lakeside motel, cabins, and campground with convenience store attached. Offers views of Palo Gaucho Bayou and Toledo Bend Reservoir. Onsite boat ramp for water access. $95 per night for a single room, and up.
Connect
[edit]Go next
[edit]| Routes through Hemphill |
Jct N  S ← Center ←
|
N  S
|
→ Orange → Port Arthur |