Brookeland is a Texas community on the Sam Rayburn Reservoir
Brookeland lies on the shore of the Sam Rayburn Reservoir in southeast Texas, about 85 miles north of Beaumont. The community is made up of smaller cities and places like Browndell and Sam Rayburn, which locals call Rayburn Country. While the combined year-round population hovers around 1,700, visitors and seasonal residents bump up that number. “It’s a big second-home market and retirement community,” says Crystal Heigley, Realtor with Sam Rayburn-Toledo Bend, who’s lived in Brookeland since 2007. “Lake Sam Rayburn is one of the top fishing lakes in the nation.”
Lake Sam Rayburn is a hub for anglers and nature lovers
“What really attracts people to this area is the professional fishing,” says Dean Stricklin, a Realtor with Sam Rayburn-Toledo Bend who’s been selling in the area for about five years. Lake Sam Rayburn — the largest man-made lake that lies entirely within the state’s boundaries — is home to an abundance of largemouth bass, crappie and catfish. Waterfront campsites dot the shoreline at Twin Dikes Park, which features a sizable boat ramp and a picnic pavilion for large gatherings. Mill Creek Park is another lakeside green space with a boat launch, campsites, picnic areas, fire pits and a playground for younger visitors. Campers should note that fire restrictions might be in effect during especially dry seasons. The 27-hole golf course at Rayburn Resort is open to the public, and the region lies in the migration path of warblers and many other bird species, making it a popular birdwatching destination. Hikers can lace up at the west trailhead of Trail Between the Lakes, a 28-mile trail that weaves through the southern half of the Sabine National Forest. Toledo Bend Lake, another top-ranked fishing spot, lies about 20 miles away on the Texas-Louisiana border.
Cabins and luxury properties drive the market in a resort community
Several of Brookeland’s forested country roads lead to the shoreline, where properties offer lake views or access. Many homes near the golf course have views of the fairway. Small ranch-style and manufactured homes cost $90,000 to $160,000, and cozy cabins and condos sell for $180,000 to $300,000. Larger contemporary homes go for $325,000 to $625,000, while most luxury homes on the lake or golf course sell for $550,000 to $975,000. Some upscale estates fetch prices in the $1.3 million to $2 million range. Build dates typically range from the mid-1970s to the mid-2020s. Most lots measure around 1 acre with spacious yards and wooded areas, but some properties include more acreage. Homes usually linger on the market for about 136 days, nearly three times the national average of 53. “A lot of these homes are short-term rentals,” Stricklin says. Brookeland has a CAP Index Crime Score of 2 out of 10, below the national average of 4.
Brookeland restaurants offer lake views and live music
Two of Brookeland’s most popular restaurants are at Rayburn Resort, formerly known as the Rayburn Country Club. “They’re trying to get away from the country club branding,” Stricklin says. “It was purchased by a new owner a few years ago, and they’re trying to rebrand it into more of a resort. There’s no membership — anyone can go.” Grind in the Pines serves coffee blends, smoothies, pastries and breakfast sandwiches, and Sammy Ray’s offers a funky, laid-back atmosphere with live music on Friday nights. Other local favorites include The Stump Restaurant & Club and Spicoli’s Beach Bar, another Rayburn Resort feature that sits right at the lakeside. Fresh produce and premium cuts of meat are available at Kaine’s Meat Market & Smokehouse, but most residents shop for groceries at Walmart or Brookshire Brothers in Jasper, about 15 miles away.
Fishing tournaments anchor the community calendar
Lake Sam Rayburn hosts fishing tournaments throughout the year. Sealey Outdoors produces the Big Bass Splash at Twin Dikes Park every April, and highlights from the Outlaw Outdoors series include the Average Joe and Father’s Day tournaments. Rayburn Country residents decorate their golf carts to display patriotic pride during the annual Fourth of July Parade.
Brookeland High offers a dual-credit program to eligible upperclassmen
Students attend Brookeland Elementary School from prekindergarten through Grade 5 before moving to Brookeland High for grades 6 through 12. Both schools receive B grades from Niche. The district partners with Angelina College for its dual-credit program, available to eligible juniors and seniors. The Texas Education Freedom Act, signed into law in 2025, provides students with funding for private school tuition and other educational expenses.
Route 96 connects to health care and airports in Jasper and Beaumont
U.S. Route 96 is Brookeland’s primary thoroughfare leading south to Jasper and Beaumont. Medical services are available in Jasper at CHRISTUS Southeast Texas – Jasper Memorial. Jack Brooks Regional Airport in Beaumont offers free parking and daily flights to Dallas - Fort Worth, but most travelers make the 140-mile drive to George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston.
