Plan for wildlife, hiking, and picnics in East Texas State Parks!
East Texas, also known as the Piney Woods Region, boasts lush pine forests, diverse wildlife, and beautiful flowering dogwood trees during the spring season. And the more you see, the more you’ll want to see. State parks in this region reign supreme, but with their own unique specialties. Explore these East Texas state parks and start planning your visit. When you get the time, read all about these East Texas towns worth visiting repeatedly!
East Texas State Park Tips:
Every Texas State Park has its rules that we all need to follow. It helps keep our parks clean and family-friendly.
- Fishing from a pier or shore, a fishing license is not required in Texas state parks. But on a boat – you’ll need one.
- Most state parks reach capacity for day trips and camping, so be sure to call ahead for reservations or make them online.
- Every state park charges admission. Most allow children 12 and under for free.
- A Texas State Park membership allows everyone in your car free admission.
- All state parks celebrated 100 Years of Texas State Parks a couple of years ago.
- Most parks offer a Ranger program for kids.
- Geocaching in state parks is fun because what you are looking for will be in its designated spots, unlike some wild rides you encounter via the app.
East Texas State Parks To Visit
Most state parks offer cabins for rent or areas to pitch a tent, but I may need more than a screened cabin with no restroom, especially if you’re like me. When I do, I look for East Texas lakes with cabins.
1. Atlanta State Park – Atlanta, TX
Atlanta State Park is situated on the shores of Wright Patman Lake in the far northeastern corner of Texas. Pine trees and hardwoods shade the park, providing a vibrant color palette throughout the year.
Things To Do In the Park
- fish for catfish
- camp
- birding
- waterskiing
- swim
- picnic
- wildlife viewing
- geocache
- hike on roads, trails, & shoreline
What To Know
Entrance Fee: $3
The busy season is summer, and it is best to make reservations online, especially for camping.
Park store: Yes
Attractions Nearby
- O’Farrell Country Winery
- Atlanta Historical Museum
- Lake Wright Patman
2. Caddo Lake State Park – Jefferson, TX
Caddo Lake State Park is considered one of Texas’s most beautiful state parks. It’s different than any other state park we have and so surreal with all the cypress trees and Spanish moss hanging all over the trees. It’s kind of spooky at night.
Things To Do
Canoe, fish, and boat to explore the picturesque bayou and the many bald cypress trees that sprawl along its banks. You can also picnic, camp, and geocache. Yes, alligators are out there …but you’ll probably never see them. Canoe rentals are available for rent at the park.
Hike the Caddo Forest Trail.
What To Know
Entrance Fee: $4
Park Store: Yes
A boat tour is one of the best ways to see and get to know the bayou. It’s pretty darn cool. Several outfitters do this. The one I used is no longer in business.
Attractions Nearby
- The town of Jefferson has many historic homes, beautiful, quaint B&Bs, and an excellent general store.
- Scarlett O’Hardy’s Gone With The Wind Museum
- Lake O’ The Pines
- The Excelsior House Hotel
- Historic Jefferson Railway
3. Daingerfield State Park – Daingerfield, TX
Daingerfield State Park, located southwest of Texarkana, offers a blanket of beautiful autumn colors with its tall trees and lush forest. The park is located in Morris County, one of the smallest counties in the state of Texas. Many magazines have noted that Daingerfield State Park is one of the most gorgeous state parks in the fall. It’s worth a trip to see.
Things To Do
Wander the trails, paddle Little Pine Lake, camp, hike, geocache, fish on the pier, rent a pavilion, and more.
What To Know
Entrance Fee: $4; make a reservation online, even for a day trip.
Park Store: Yes, and get your worms there!
Attractions Nearby
- Country club
- Cinema
4. Huntsville State Park, Huntsville, TX
Huntsville State Park is a wooded recreational area southwest of town. Enjoy yourself among the majestic pine trees and natural beauty of East Texas, just a short drive north of Houston, in the Sam Houston National Forest.
Things To Do
Rent a canoe, explore the trails, and relax by the lake for a fabulous day. Picnics, water sports, and fishing for crappie, perch, catfish, and bass are popular outdoor activities, too.
Screen shelters for camping are available.
What To Know
Entrance Fee: $7
Park Store: Yes. Gator Junction has plenty of things in case you forget something.
Attractions Nearby
- Lots of museums
- Visiting Center
- Scenic drives
- Wineries
5. Lake Bob Sandlin State Park – Pittsburg, TX
Lake Bob Sandlin State Park is renowned for its excellent fishing, massive trees, lush tall grasses, and diverse native plants and animals.
Things To Do
Swim, fish, paddle, and boat on the lake. Or picnic, hike, camp, geocache, mountain bike, and enjoy the great outdoors. There is a stocked trout pond, and anglers can try their luck fishing for largemouth bass, catfish, and crappie. When you’re done with all that, it’s time to explore the town of Pittsburg (with no h).
What To Know
Entrance Fee: $5
Park Store: Yes, as well as souvenirs, bug spray, and camping supplies.
Become a Junior Ranger – grab a free activity journal and complete the tasks to earn a badge.
Attractions Nearby
- The Farmstead – home, barn, antiques
- Museum
- Governor Hogg Shrine in Quitman, TX
- winery
- shopping
- restaurants
6. Lake Livingston State Park – Livingston, TX
Lake Livingston is one of the largest lakes in the state of Texas. You’ll find that Lake Livingston State Park is a refreshing place to get away from Houston, about an hour north.
Things To Do
The lake offers a good catch of white bass for everyone to fish, as well as hiking trails through the forest, and you can camp under the trees. Alligators live there! If you’re looking for a fun place to stay the night or a weekend, check out this East Texas resort – Two Creeks Crossing. It’s only about 20 minutes from the state park.
What To Know
Entrance Fee: $6
Pioneer and Settler Day – A frontier-themed park day with programs covering how people lived and worked in the pioneer era.
Attractions Nearby
- Big Thicket National Preserve
- Sam Houston National Forest
- Polk County Museum
- Lake Livingston
7. Martin Creek Lake State Park – Tatum, TX
Martin Creek Lake State Park is just twenty miles southeast of Longview, where the fishing is good and the hiking trails await your arrival!
Things To Do
Year-round waterskiing, paddling, lake swimming, 4 miles of hiking and biking, waterskiing, picnicking, geocaching, and nature photography.
What To Know
Entrance Fee: $4
Reserve a picnic pavilion for your next group gathering.
Attractions Nearby
- Starr Family Home State Historic Site
- Texas State Railroad
- Pecan Pie Festivals
- Jingle Bell Bop & Shop
- Marshall, Texas
8. Martin Dies, Jr. State Park – Jasper, TX
Neches and Angelina rivers meet deep in the piney woods, creating wild and diverse forest habitats. Explore the lake, sloughs, and forest trails of Martin Dies, Jr. State Park at the edge of the Big Thicket—an excellent place for family reunions.
Things To Do
Paddle, hike, bike, geocache, and camp under the stars. Ranger programs include nature and night hikes, learning about the forest’s animals, plants, and trees, as well as art activities, paddling tours, star parties, and other engaging experiences.
What To Know
Entrance Fee: $4
Attractions Nearby
- Historic Jasper
- Angelina National Forest
- San Rayburn Reservoir
- Bird & Butterfly Inn
- Jasper’s Fireman’s Museum
- Museums and art centers
- Town of Woodville
9. Mission Tejas State Parks – Grapeland, TX
Enjoy the peaceful piney woods at Mission Tejas State Park, located at the north end of the Davy Crockett National Forest. While you’re here, look for remnants of settlers who claimed the area, see the home built by pioneers in the early 1800s, and more.
What To Know
Entrance Fee: $3
Bring plenty of water for the 8.5 hiking trails. Also, be sure to check out the guided tours offered.
Attractions Nearby
- Caddo Mounds State Historic Site
- Varner-Hogg Historic Site
- Texas State Railroad
- Davy Crockett National Forest
- Texas Forestry Museum
10. Tyler State Park
Tyler State Park features a spring-fed lake, tall trees, and historic structures. You will love this peaceful getaway in East Texas!
Things To Do
Canoe the lake, fish, walk through the woods, or hike the trails, and don’t forget your binoculars to watch for birds. You can tent camp or camp in screen-in shelters, which I did many years ago – the kids loved it.
What To Know
Entrance Fee: $6
Attractions Nearby
- Tyler – the “America’s Rose Capital” of Texas
- Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens
- 1st Monday Canton
11. Village Creek State Park – Lumberton, TX
The heavily forested park sits along Village Creek, one of the few free-flowing creeks in Texas.
Things To Do
Camp, picnic, fish, hike, mountain bike, geocache, and study nature. Tent camp, bring your RV, or rent an 8-person cabin.
What To Know
Entrance Fee: $4
Park Store: Yes
Attractions Nearby
- 12. Big Thicket National Preserve
- Sabine Pass Battleground State Historic Site
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