The City of Montgomery is but a stone’s throw away from the call of the wild.

     Nearby forests, preserves, trails and campgrounds offer visitors some of the most spectacular birdlife, wildlife, hiking and nature trails in the county.

     Bird watchers can train their binoculars on the red-cockaded woodpeckers, as the endangered birds safely nest among 100-year-old loblolly pines in the W. Goodrich Jones State Forest.

(Left: The endangered red cockaded woodpecker thrives in the W. Goodrich Jones State Forest, just minutes away from Montgomery. Right: States now populated by the red cockaded woodpecker.)

     Montgomery is one of the only places where the Texas Bluebell (Eustoma Grandiforum) can still be seen growing in the wild. Widely considered the most beautiful native-Texas wildflower, after the State Flower, the Bluebonnet, it is close to extinction in the wild due to over picking. Come to Montgomery to see the Texas Bluebells, but please don't pick them.

     Nature lovers might also tackle the challenge of identifying all 17 species of butterflies that abound in the virtually untouched bottomland habitat of hardwoods, plant life and wildlife in the nature-protected Montgomery County Preserve.

     Local nature offerings include:

     Montgomery County Preserve – Located off Pruitt Road, near Sawdust Road and The Woodlands, Montgomery County Preserve offers 71 acres of tranquil, pristine bottomlands. Where Panther Branch meets Spring Creek on the county’s southern border, the preserve is home for beaver, rabbits and white-tailed deer, in addition to unusual plant life, such as Walter’s Violets, that are not commonly found in this area. The annual June “butterfly count” yielded 17 different species this year, with at least 70 different seasonal bird species, such as hawks and woodpeckers identified. The preserve has 2 hiking trails, with the main trail measuring 1.1 miles. The Legacy Land Trust manages the preserve and schedules a major educational event each October, entitled "Take a Walk on the Wild Side." For hours of operation or more information, contact the preserve at 713-524-2100 or 281-367-7283.

     Cedar Brake Park – Located in Montgomery on Texas Highway 105, and a few blocks west of the historic downtown district, Cedar Brake Park is a favorite for families and visitors. One of the few parks in Texas designated specifically for handicap accessability. The park was designed and adapted for the enjoyment of wheelchair bound and physically challenged visitors. Park features include a playground for the kids and a covered pavilion for larger groups, with numerous picnic tables and grills located throughout the park.

     W. Goodrich Jones State Forest – Located one mile west of I-45 along FM 1488 is where the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker calls home. Listed on the Great Coastal Birding Trail-Upper Coast map, the 1,725-acre preserve is a haven for bird watching, hiking and nature study. Forest features include the self-guided Sweetleaf Nature Trail, a picnic area, and 2 small ponds. The Jones Forest has been designated by the Texas Forest Service as a "demonstration forest", thereby dedicating certain areas of the land to testing and researching various forest management techniques, forest genetics and forest product utilization.

     Sam Houston National Forest – Located just a few miles North of Montgomery and stretching to 2 miles west of I-45, visitors can enjoy a wide variety of activities on the 47,609 acres of Montgomery County forested area, which is operated by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Fishing, trapping and public hunting of white-tailed deer, feral hog, waterfowl, dove, migratory game birds, squirrel, quail, rabbit, and frog are permitted. Stubblefield Lake Campground is a fully-developed camping area, or for more primitive camping, try Kelly’s Pond Campground. Cagle Recreation Area and Scott’s Ridge provide boat launches, and the 140-mile Lone Star Hiking Trail is a fabulous spot for hiking enthusiasts. The trail is divided into five loops which offer a multitude of day hikes or long, overnight backpacking trips. For information and reservations, call the park office at 936-344-6205.