Get ready for adventure at these nearby Texas State Parks
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East Texas is a beautiful region in Texas that offers an abundance of natural wonders and outdoor activities. From fishing and hiking to swimming and boating, the state parks in East Texas have it all.
Athens RV Sales makes sure that you can have the right RV for your travels and that your stay in any state park can be full of peace and relaxation. With many different options, features, and models to choose from, you won’t have any trouble finding the right RV no matter where you’re headed!
Let’s take a closer look at some of the best state parks in & around East Texas that offer a range of fun activities for the whole family.
Tyler State Park
Tyler, Texas
Tyler State Park features a cool, 64-acre spring-fed lake, 100-foot tall trees, and historic structures. Play at the lake, wet a hook, wander through the woods, or relax with your binoculars. You will love this peaceful get-away in Northeast Texas!
Fun Things to Do: Boat Rentals, Swimming Area, 13 miles of Trails, Mountain Biking, Three Fishing Piers
Overnight Options: Tent Camping, RV Camping, Cabins, and Screened Shelters
Best Fishing: Crappie, Perch, Catfish, Bass
Martin Creek Lake State Park
Tatum, Texas
Just 20 miles southeast of Longview you’ll find a peaceful place in the East Texas woods: Martin Creek Lake State Park. Fish for bass or catfish, walk the trails, or sit quietly and watch a sunset over the lake.
Fun Things to Do: Canoe Rentals, Winter Fishing Tournaments, 4 miles of trails (includes a Nationally Registered Historic District)
Overnight Options: Tent Camping, RV Camping, Cabins, and Screened Shelters
Best Fishing: Largemouth bass, Catfish, Crappie, and Sunfish
Lake Tawakoni State Park
Wills Point, Texas
Imagine yourself in the shade of tall trees, listening to birds chirping and water lapping on the shores of Lake Tawakoni. Sounds good, right? Let’s go! Gather your fishing pole, your binoculars, your hiking shoes and your camping gear - we’re just 50 miles east of Dallas.
Fun Things to Do: Kayak Rentals, Swimming Area, 5 miles of trails
Overnight Options: Tent Camping and RV Camping
*Note: Wheelchair accessible sites are available
Best Fishing: Crappie, Catfish, Bass
This state park is known for the largest spiderweb ever documented.
Bonham State Park
Bonham, Texas
Northeast of Dallas is a small park filled with natural beauty. At Bonham State Park, you’ll find a serene 65-acre lake, hilly trails, colorful history and a quiet place to relax.
Fun Things to Do: Boat Rentals, Swimming Area, 8.75 miles of trails
Overnight Options: Tent Camping and RV Camping
Best Fishing: Crappie and Catfish
Purtis Creek State Park
Eustace, Texas
Our 355-acre lake is a bass fishing destination, but fishing is not all we offer. Come to swim, boat, paddle, camp, explore nature or relax. We’re just an hour southeast of Dallas.
Fun Things to Do: Kayak Rentals, Swimming Area, 5.8 miles of trails
Overnight Options: Tent Camping and RV Camping
Best Fishing: Crappie, Catfish, Bass
Caddo Lake State Park
Karnack, Texas
Bald cypress trees draped with Spanish moss tower over the maze of bayous, sloughs and ponds of Caddo Lake. Paddle these waterways, stay in a historic cabin, or try your luck fishing. Discover an East Texas treasure!
Fun Things to Do: Canoe Rentals, 50 miles of paddling trails, 2 Miles of trails
Overnight Options: Tent Camping, RV Camping, Cabins, and Screened Shelters
Best Fishing: Crappie, Catfish, Bass, Sunfish, Pickerel
Daingerfield State Park
Daingerfield, Texas
Tall trees reach for the sky in the northeast corner of Texas. Explore life in the forest at Daingerfield State Park as you wander the trails, paddle Little Pine Lake, or relax at your campsite.
Fun Things to Do: Boat Rentals, Swimming Area, 3.4 miles of trails
Overnight Options: Tent Camping, RV Camping, and Cabins
Best Fishing: Crappie, Perch, Catfish, Bass, Chain Pickerel
Atlanta State Park
Atlanta, Texas
Atlanta State Park sits on the shores of Wright Patman Lake in the far northeast corner of Texas. Towering pines and hardwoods shade the park, providing fall and spring color, and beauty year-round.
Fun Things to Do: Canoes and Kayaks Rentals, Swimming Area, 4.8 miles of trails
Overnight Options: Tent Camping and RV Camping
Best Fishing: Crappie, Catfish, Bass, Sunfish
Lake Bob Sandlin State Park
Pittsburg, Texas
Two ecoregions meet here on the shore of Lake Bob Sandlin in northeast Texas. The result: massive trees, tall grasses and a fascinating mix of plants and animals. The fishing is pretty good, too!
Fun Things to Do: Swimming Area, 3.3 miles of trails
Overnight Options: Tent Camping, RV Camping, Cabins, and Screened Shelters
Best Fishing: Crappie, Catfish, Bass, Sunfish, Bluegill
*Note this campsite has spectacular fall foliage during the autumn season
Cooper Lake State Park
Cooper, Texas
With two park units, you’ll find plenty of room to roam. Bring your fishing pole, your hiking shoes, your horse, your swimsuit–or heck, just bring yourself! We’re only 90 minutes northeast of Dallas.
Fun Things to Do: Kayak Rentals, Swimming Area, 10.5-mile Equestrian Trail
Overnight Options: Equestrian Campsites, Tent Camping, RV Camping, Cabins, and Screened Shelters
*Note some campsites are ADA-accessible
Best Fishing: Crappie, Catfish, Bass
Mission Tejas State Park
Grapeland, Texas
Enjoy the peace of the Pineywoods and glimpses of the past at Mission Tejas State Park. Midway between Dallas and Houston, the park is at the north end of the Davy Crockett National Forest.
Fun Things to Do: Explore history, 8.5 miles of trails
Overnight Options: Tent Camping, RV Camping, Cabins, and Screened Shelters
Best Fishing: Catfish, Bass, and Sunfish
Fairfield Lake State Park (Closed 2/28/23, Reopened for Day Visits Only 3/14/23)
Fairfield, Texas
Whether you explore on the trails, play at the lake, set up camp, or look for wildlife, you will appreciate the peaceful setting and natural beauty here. We’re just a short drive from DFW, Houston and Waco.
Fun Things to Do: Boat Rentals, 5.3 Dockery Trail for horses, 10 miles of trails
*Note: the dining hall and some campsites are ADA-accessible
Best Fishing: Perch, Catfish, Bass
Fort Boggy State Park
Centerville, Texas
On the Edge of East Texas lies a tranquil patchwork of woods, fields and water. Come explore Fort Boggy State Park – its trails, primitive campsites, cabins and 15-acre lake. We’re halfway between Houston and Dallas along I-45.
Fun Things to Do: Kayak Rentals, Water sports, 3.5 miles of trails
Overnight Options: Tent Camping and Cabins
Best Fishing: Bass, Catfish, Sunfish, Rainbow Trout (Seasonally)
Fort Parker State Park
Mexia, Texas
On the banks of the Navasota, the past and the present collide. Two ecosystems meet here, too, and you can explore it all on foot, bike or kayak. Fort Parker State Park is just 90 miles south of the DFW Metroplex.
Fun Things to Do: Boat Rentals, Paddling Trail, 7 miles of trails
Overnight Options: Tent Camping, RV Camping, Cabins, and Screened Shelters
Best Fishing: Crappie, Catfish, Bass
Huntsville State Park
Huntsville, Texas
Lose yourself among the majestic trees and natural beauty of the East Texas Pineywoods. Rent a canoe, explore our trails or just relax by the lake. We are a short drive north of Houston, in the Sam Houston National Forest.
Fun Things to Do: Kayak Rentals, Swimming Area, 21 miles of trails
Overnight Options: Tent Camping, RV Camping, Cabins, and Screened Shelters
Best Fishing: Crappie, Perch, Catfish, Bass
Lake Livingston State Park
Livingston, Texas
Fish one of the largest lakes in the state, hike quiet trails through the forest, or camp under the trees. This refreshing retreat from city life is just an hour north of Houston.
Fun Things to Do: Boat Rentals, Swimming Area, 5 miles of trails
Overnight Options: Tent Camping, RV Camping, and Screened Shelters
*Note some campsites are ADA-accessible
Best Fishing: Crappie, Catfish, White Bass, Perch
Martin Dies, Jr. State Park
Jasper, Texas
Two rivers meet here on the eastern edge of Texas, creating wild and diverse habitats. Come explore the lake, sloughs and forest trails of this very special place at the edge of the Big Thicket.
Fun Things to Do: Canoe/Kayak Rentals, Swimming Area, 20 miles of trails
Overnight Options: Tent Camping, RV Camping, Cabins, and Screened Shelters
Best Fishing: Crappie, Perch, Catfish, Bass
Lake Somerville State Park & Trailway
Somerville, Texas
Fishing, camping, mountain biking, horseback riding, birding, hiking – whatever your outdoor passion, you can pursue it here. We’re between Houston and Austin.
Fun Things to Do: Canoe/Kayak Rentals, Nearly 40 miles of trails
Overnight Options: Tent Camping, RV Camping, and Equestrian Campsites
Best Fishing: Crappie, Catfish, Bass, and Hybrid
Stephen F. Austin State Park
San Felipe, Texas
Stephen F. Austin chose this area as home base for establishing Anglo-American colonies in Texas. Learn more of his story and enjoy a time-out in nature on the banks of the Brazos River. We’re just 50 minutes west of the outskirts of Houston.
Fun Things to Do: Historic Sites, 5 miles of trails
Overnight Options: Tent Camping, RV Camping, Cabins, and Screened Shelters
Visit the nearby San Felipe de Austin State Historic Site!
Village Creek State Park
Lumberton, Texas
Amazing diversity of both plants and wildlife makes Village Creek State Park a very special place. We’re 10 miles north of Beaumont on the edge of the Big Thicket. Come to camp, canoe, or just enjoy the quiet – you’ll be glad you did!
Fun Things to Do: Watercraft Rentals, Village Creek Paddling Trail, 8 miles of trails
Overnight Options: Tent Camping, RV Camping, and Cabins
Best Fishing: Catfish, Bass, and Sunfish
Dinosaur Valley State Park
Glen Rose, Texas
Long ago, dinosaurs left footprints in the mud at the edge of an ancient ocean. Today, you can walk in their tracks in the bed of the Paluxy River. This long trip to the past is just a short drive from Fort Worth.
Fun Things to Do: Discover Dino Tracks, Guided Horseback Tour, 20 miles of trails
Overnight Options: Tent Camping, RV Camping
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