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NCAA Division I teams of Sam Houston State University, competing in 7 men's and 10 women's sports. In 2023, the Bearkats left the Western Athletic Conference for Conference USA, in the process upgrading the football team from the second tier of D-I football, FCS, to the top-level FBS. As with most large colleges, football and basketball are the hot-button sports on campus.
The Sam Houston Bearkats are the intercollegiate athletic teams that represent Sam Houston State University, located in Huntsville, Texas. Sam Houston's colors are orange and white. Sam Houston sports teams participate in NCAA Division I in Conference USA (CUSA), having joined that conference on July 1, 2023 after spending 34 years in the Southland Conference and two years in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC). SHSU's primary rival is Stephen F. Austin (SFA) and tensions between the two schools can run high before major sporting events that pit one against the other.
Museum and historical grounds for the Texan patriarch, including the Woodland Home and Steamboat House where he spent his final years, and a blacksmith shop and other buildings.
Dog-run log cabin Sam Houston built and lived in while first senator of the State of Texas, circa 1846.
An interesting, if whitewashed, view of life and death behind bars in Texas. History of criminal correction in Texas with artifacts and documents describing life in "the big house".
Densely wooded park with shady campsites, picnic areas, a lake with fishing and canoe rentals, and a horse riding stable with horses for hire for guided trail rides. RV sites available.
This 96-mile hiking trail connects various tracts of the Sam Houston National Forest. A part of the trail connects to Huntsville State Park. Access in Huntsville is via Trailhead #7, on the I-45 feeder lanes, south of town. This is an excellent place for backpacking and for nature watching. Bring food and water, there are usually no facilities other than parking lots at the trailheads.