I. D. Fairchild State Forest | |
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Location | Cherokee County, TX, USA |
Nearest city | Rusk |
Coordinates | 31°46′58″N 95°21′54″W / 31.7828°N 95.3650°W |
Area | 2,760 acres (11.2 km2)[1] |
Established | 1926 |
Governing body | Texas A&M Forest Service |
Website | https://tfsweb.tamu.edu/fairchild-state-forest/ |
I.D. Fairchild State Forest is a 2,760-acre (1,120 ha) nature preserve in Cherokee County, Texas. It is the largest state forest in Texas and includes 10 miles of hiking trails.[2][3] The main unit is located just west of the community of Maydelle on Texas State Highway 84. It is open to the public for hiking, horseback riding, picnicking, wildlife viewing, and biking. The Texas A&M Forest Service uses the area for demonstration and research as well as to conserve southern yellow pine ecosystems.[4] The Texas State Railroad also runs through the forest.[3][5]