Upland Island Wilderness

Upland Island Wilderness is a protected area in Angelina National Forest spanning roughly 13,300 acres of varied landscape. It includes longleaf pine forests, pitcher plant bogs, hardwood bottomlands, and open palmetto flats that border the Neches River.

Heavy logging operations removed most commercial pine timber by the 1930s, reshaping the original forest composition. Today's vegetation includes second-growth pines and hardwoods that have regrown since those harvesting periods.

The name honors conservationist Edward Fritz, whose work helped shape wilderness protection in East Texas. Visitors walking here connect with a landscape that reflects decades of advocacy for natural preservation.

The northern entrance is reached via Forest Road 303 from State Highway 63, while the southern access uses Forest Road 314. Trail and road conditions vary by season, so checking local conditions before visiting helps with planning.

The area hosts four genera of carnivorous plants, rare orchids, and the largest documented Florida basswood tree in the country. This botanical collection makes it a noteworthy spot for those interested in unusual plant life.

Website: http://fs.usda.gov/detail/texas/specialplaces/?cid=stelprdb5291445

GPS coordinates: 31.06944,-94.35861

Latest update: December 14, 2025 17:04