Palestine, TX 75801(Anderson County)

Neches Refuge Tract 70 Acres of Premier East Texas Hunting, Recreation, and Homesite Land Available as a Single 70 Acre Tract or separated into a 44 acre Neches Refuge West Tract and a 26 acre Neches Refuge East Tract. The Neches Refuge Tract represents a rare opportunity to acquire a high-quality recreational and hunting property in one of East Texas’s most desirable natural settings. Encompassing approximately 70 acres of diverse forestland, this property offers exceptional wildlife habitat, outstanding access, and direct adjacency to thousands of acres of permanently protected land. Whether purchased as a single contiguous holding or divided into two thoughtfully configured tracts, the Neches Refuge Tract is ideally suited for hunting, outdoor recreation, a secluded homesite, or a long-term legacy investment. Set at high elevation with well-drained soils, the land provides year-round accessibility and multiple attractive building locations. Electricity is available on site, and the property is completely unrestricted, allowing future owners the freedom to use and improve the land according to their goals. From a private hunting retreat to a family getaway or full-time rural residence, this property offers the flexibility and natural features that discerning land buyers seek.Location, Access, and Regional Appeal One of the defining strengths of the Neches Refuge Tract is its combination of seclusion and accessibility. The property fronts U.S. Highway 84, providing excellent accessibility and convenient year-round access. In addition to highway frontage, the property benefits from paved internal and boundary road access, a feature that significantly enhances ease of use, property management, and long-term value. Despite its peaceful, private setting, the property is centrally located relative to several East Texas communities and major metropolitan areas: 18 miles from Palestine 19 miles from Jacksonville 47 miles from Tyler Approximately 125 miles from Dallas Approximately 150 miles from Houston This location makes the property equally attractive for weekend recreation or permanent living, offering a manageable drive from major population centers while maintaining a true rural atmosphere.Topography, Soils, and Overall Landscape The Neches Refuge Tract sits at a high elevation relative to surrounding lands, a feature that provides several practical and recreational advantages. Well-drained soils allow for dependable access even during wet periods and reduce concerns associated with seasonal flooding. These characteristics are especially valuable for hunters and landowners who want reliable year-round access to stands, trails, and camp or homesite locations. The property’s gently rolling terrain enhances both aesthetics and usability. Elevated areas provide ideal locations for homes, cabins, or camps, while lower hardwood corridors and natural drains create scenic diversity and prime wildlife habitat. This combination of elevation change and varied vegetation gives the property a larger, more dynamic feel than many tracts of similar size.Timber Resources and Habitat Diversity From a land stewardship and wildlife perspective, the Neches Refuge Tract offers an excellent mix of timber types and age classes. The property includes: Mixed hardwood and pine forests along creek channels and drains Merchantable pine plantation, providing immediate and future timber value Pre-merchantable pine plantation, offering long-term growth potential and excellent cover Hardwood corridors along natural drains are dominated by species commonly found in East Texas bottomlands, providing mast production, , species diversity, edge effect, and travel corridors for wildlife. Pine plantations add structure and edge effect, which are critical components of productive hunting land. The transition zones between pine stands and hardwood draws naturally concentrate game and provide ideal locations for stand placement. This diversity of timber and habitat not only supports strong wildlife populations but also enhances long-term land value and management flexibility.Hunting, Wildlife, and Recreational Value The Neches Refuge Tract is exceptionally well positioned as a hunting and wildlife property, offering features that allow it to perform far beyond its acreage. Bordering the Neches River National Wildlife Refuge A truly rare attribute of this property is its border with the 7,000-acre Neches River National Wildlife Refuge. This adjacency provides several critical benefits: Long-term protection from neighboring development Consistent wildlife movement across property boundaries Enhanced privacy and quiet enjoyment Expanded recreational and aesthetic value The refuge land remains undeveloped, it effectively increases the functional size of the property from a wildlife standpoint. Game animals routinely travel between the refuge and the property, creating excellent hunting opportunities and sustained population health. Nearby Public Lands In addition to bordering the refuge, the property lies just 2 miles from the 2,788-acre I.D. Fairchild State Forest. This concentration of public and protected lands further strengthens wildlife numbers and ensures the surrounding area remains rural and conservation-oriented.Game Species and Habitat Use The area is well known for healthy populations of: Whitetail deer Feral hogs Eastern wild turkey Small game including squirrel and rabbits Natural drains and hardwood corridors act as travel funnels, while pine stands provide bedding cover.The layout allows hunters to establish stands that take advantage of prevailing winds and quiet access routes, minimizing disturbance and maximizing success. The property also offers ample opportunity for food plots, supplemental feeding programs, and long-term wildlife habitat enhancement.Unrestricted Use and Improvement Potential The absence of deed restrictions is a major advantage for future owners. This freedom allows for: Construction of cabins, homes, or barndominiums Establishment of hunting camps or equipment storage Timber management and improvement activities Recreational infrastructure such as trails and shooting lanes Electricity available on site further reduces development costs and simplifies future improvements.Purchase Flexibility The Neches Refuge Tract can be purchased in one of three configurations, each offering unique advantages while maintaining the core benefits of access, habitat quality, and location.Neches Refuge West Tract 44 acres | Refuge-Bordering Hunting & Homesite Tract The 44-acre Neches Refuge West Tract is a standout recreational property with exceptional access and direct adjacency to the Neches River National Wildlife Refuge.Access and Frontage Approximately 460 feet of frontage on U.S. Highway 84 Approximately 1,700 feet of paved road access along the northeast boundary This combination of highway frontage and paved boundary access provides flexibility for multiple entrances, internal road systems, and future improvements. Hunting and Wildlife Value With refuge land directly adjacent, this tract benefits from consistent wildlife movement and unmatched long-term privacy. Hardwood drains and pine cover create ideal travel corridors, making this tract highly effective for deer and hog hunting. The size allows for multiple stand locations and well-planned access routes that minimize pressure on game. Homesite and Cabin Potential High elevation and well-drained soils provide excellent building locations for a cabin or permanent residence. With electricity available and paved access, this tract offers a rare blend of build-ready features and high-quality recreational land.Neches Refuge East Tract 26 Acres | Exceptional Access & Manageable Recreational Property The 26-acre Neches Refuge East Tract is an outstanding option for buyers seeking a smaller tract without sacrificing quality or access.Access and Frontage Approximately 1,800 feet of frontage on U.S. Highway 84 Approximately 1,700 feet of paved road access along the southwest boundary This level of access is exceptional for a tract of this size and provides long-term flexibility for use and value appreciation.Recreational and Wildlife Use: Although smaller in acreage, the East Tract benefits from proximity to refuge and state forest lands, allowing it to hunt larger than its size. Pine plantations and hardwood corridors create excellent cover and movement patterns for wildlife. Ideal Weekend Retreat With electricity available and no restrictions, the East Tract is well suited for a hunting cabin, weekend retreat, or low-maintenance recreational property with excellent access and strong wildlife presence.A Legacy East Texas Property Opportunities to acquire land with this combination of access, protected borders, wildlife habitat, and flexibility are increasingly rare. Whether purchased as a single 70-acre holding or as one of the individual tracts, the Neches Refuge Tract offers long-term recreational enjoyment, investment potential, and the chance to own a truly special piece of East Texas land. This is a property designed to be enjoyed today and preserved for generations to come.