Shelters At Cooper Lake State Park
Eagle Point Screened Shelter Area
Total Sites: 17
Site Numbers: 1 – 13, 15, 19-21
20 Amp Electricity
Parking at Shelter
Tents Allowed
RVs and pets are not allowed. Each Shelter includes a picnic table, lantern post and fire ring. Some shelters have lake views. Parking is on pavement. A bathhouse with restrooms and showers is located within the Eagle Point loop.
About The Cooper Lake Rv Park
The Cooper Lake RV Park, located in Interlachen, FL, is an RV Park, or a campground that provides specialized accommodations for Recreational Vehicles. The RV Park allows overnight stays by RV Campers and provides amenities like electrical hookups and water hookups for visitors.
You may contact an RV Park for questions about:
- Interlachen RV campsites
- Putnam County fees, rules, and regulations
Cooper Lake State Park South Sulphur Unit Is Big Rig Friendly
To this point, the South Sulphur Unit of Cooper Lake State Park is the MOST big rig friendly state park that we have visited. The park roads are fantastic and easy to drive. You can choose between pull-through and back-in sites. There are not a lot of large rocks or “gotchas” along the sides of the road. And the trees in the campgrounds and along the main roads were very well trimmed and maintained during our visit.
There are two boat launch areas in the park with parking areas large enough to easily disconnect or connect your tow vehicle if you are traveling in a motorhome like us. And the campgrounds have a good amount of overflow parking sprinkled throughout the campground. So if you don’t quite fit within your campsite, there are plenty of options for parking your truck or tow vehicle safely in nearby overflow parking.
And perhaps because this park opened in 1996, the campsites are huge! The smallest RV campsite listed on the Cooper Lake State Park South Sulphur reservations page is a whopping 54 feet long!
Find a Book at the Park Library
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Contributor: Trail Review And Pictures Provided By Contributor Ann Sides Thank You Ann
Contacts: Reservations for camping: 512-389-8900. Ranger Station: 903-945-5256 . Reservations can also be made on-line at http://texas.reserveworld.com/
Directions: Two separate units comprise Cooper Lake: South Sulphur Unit and Doctors Creek. The South Sulphur Unit is closer to Sulphur Springs, and has the equestrian campground, Buggy Whip Equestrian Area. The address is 1690 FM 3505, Sulphur Springs, TX 75482. Latitude: 33.28772 Longitude: -95.65792
Cooper Lake Ranger Station.
From Greenville, take I30 East toward Sulphur Springs. Take the Hwy 19 exit and cross over I30 and go north. This is also called Loop 301. You will loop around Sulphur Springs, and will go through several stop signs. When you come to the intersection of Loop 301 and Hwy 19, go to the left . At Birthright, turn left on FM 71 and go 4 miles, then turn right on FM 3505. Youll see signs that say Cooper Lake when youre back on Hwy 19. After you go past the Rangers station, take the first left. This is a long winding road that will take you to Buggy Whip Equestrian Camping Area. The last sign for Buggy Whip Equestrian Camping is on the left side of the road. If you miss it you can keep going straight and easily turn around. The camping area is laid out in a large loop, with camp sites all around the loop. There is day parking along the center of the loop. You can also access the South Sulphur Unit from Commerce but the road is more narrow and twisty.
Ann Sides
Cooper Lake State Park Sulphur Springs
About 10 years ago we joined a camping club to meet other families that enjoyed camping. The group we joined LOVED Cooper Lake State Park, which was a brand-new park back then, and it seemed as if most of our camp outs were there. We had some great times here, and met lots of new friends when our kids were still small, then we just got so busy that we didnt have time for the group and didnt head back to Cooper Lake for a long time, so we all looked forward to going back for the long Easter weekend. If anything, the park is even lovelier than it was back then!
Know Before You Go
There are actually 2 parks on Cooper Lake, the Doctors Creek Unit, close to Paris, and Sulphur Springs Unit in Sulphur Springs. Your entry fee gets you into both parks.
Doctors Creek Unit, Cooper
Located near Paris, weve camped at the Doctors Creek Unit twice because of its short drive to Paris! Click HERE to read about our visit to Paris.
Pelican Point Day Use Area
Bring your swimsuits to enjoy the swim beach, and something to throw on the grill!
Fishing
Fishing from the shore or one of the fishing piers is FREE in all state parks, meaning anyone 17 or over doesnt need a fishing license. However, if you bring a boat, you do need a license.
Campsites
Because of its close proximity to Dallas/Fort Worth, only 90 minutes, the park was packed over the Easter Weekend. We still loved our campsite, well-kept on soft ground. We packed a pop up canopy to put over the table.
Screened Shelters
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Things To Do In Sulphur Springs
Play
Americas Only Bathroom with See-Thru Walls is in Sulphur Springs, and something you just HAVE to check off on your Bucket List!
The Potato House not only has good food, but a lot of drama to go with it. Some folks dont like their sign featuring a three-foot-tall anthropomorphic potato. Check it out for yourself. Click HERE to visit their facebook page.
Cooper Lake State Park
1690 FM 3505, Sulphur Springs
Click HERE to visit their website.
Keep Having Fun in the Texas Sun!
Michelle
Having Fun in the TEXAS Sun is on PINTEREST! Use it as a quick resource to find activities in different Texas towns! Click HERE!
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Our Visit To The South Sulphur Unit Of Cooper Lake State Park:
Video: Cooper Lake State Park – South Sulphur Unit
Just about an hour and a half Northeast of Dallas, you’ll find a gem of a state park… Cooper Lake State Park. Like a couple of other state parks in Texas , Cooper Lake State Park is made up of two units. The Doctors Creek Unit is located on the North shore of Cooper Lake near the town of Cooper TX. The larger park unit, the South Sulphur Unit, is located on the Southern shore of the lake closer to the town of Sulphur Springs TX.
We will definitely return to the area to visit Doctors Creek in the future. But on this trip, we are focused on South Sulphur.
Our Campsite at Cooper Lake State Park – South Sulphur Unit
The South Sulphur Unit of Cooper Lake State Park offers 30amp electric with water and 50amp electric with water RV/tent camping sites, as well as 30amp electric with water equestrian sites and tent only walk-in campsites. A unique feature of this park is the availability of “Double Campsites”: two parking pads side-by-side with electric, water, picnic tables and fire rings specifically designed for friends and family traveling together. The Double Campsites are always booked as one site.
We reserved a 30amp electric and water campsite for our stay, but when we arrived at the park we asked about availability of a 50amp electric and water site. As luck would have it, the park had an empty park host site which was 50amp with full hookups . So we were able to upgrade our campsite for our weeklong stay.
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Camping Cooper Lake State Park Texas
Camping at Cooper Lake State Park is a must for anyone obsessed with a little bit of Texas nature.Cooper Lake State Park sits on Jim Chapman Lake. Let me say that again. Cooper lake state park is on Jim Chapman lake.
Are you as confused as I am? I definitely just found that out, due to google. I went here thinking the place I explored, Cooper Lake State Park, was probably on Cooper Lake. because thats what makes sense.
Anyway! I guess its called Cooper Lake because directly north of it is a tiny town called Cooper, not because the actual lake is called Cooper Lake. Or maybe it used to be called Cooper Lake? Or something. I think Ive said the word Cooper so many times now, it has COMPLETELY lost any and all meaning.
Now that we have that out of the way, lets move on.
Alerts And Important Information
Equestrian trails may close due to wet weather or poor conditions. Please contact the park prior to arrival for current information.
When traveling to either the Cooper Lake State Park Doctors Creek Unit or South Sulphur Unit, please check the Texas Department of Transportation’s website or call 1-800-452-9292 for road closures as State Highway 71 often closes when it rains.
The Sunset Cove and Eagle Point piers are closed due to flood damage.
DAY USE FEE: OFFICE AND GATE INFORMATION:ACTIVITY FEE INFORMATION:PARK PHONE NUMBER:
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Cooper Lake State Park Has Something For Everyone
Yes, any size RV can camp here. And yes, there are really nice walk-in tent options and equestrian camping options. But it doesn’t stop there! Folks who prefer shelter camping or cabins have great options as well.
Like the campsites, the shelters and cabins are well spaced out and many offer lake views. All of the cabins are air conditioned and heated. Some offer kitchens and full bathrooms. Other cabins are less expensive with fewer amenities, but are located near full bathhouses.
And that is another feature of this park that we were impressed by… the bathhouses were all exceptionally clean during our stay. And every camping loop and the shelter loop have bathhouses with showers.
There are a lot of options for activities here! We talk about many of them below. Keep reading! You can relax by the campfire watching for passing wildlife, enjoy a beautiful hike, or take the time to check out nearby Sulphur Springs, Texas. Actually, you definitely want to spend enough time here so that you can really enjoy the park and make time to travel into Sulphur Springs. In our opinions, Sulphur Springs is a must-visit town in Texas! If you missed our Sulphur Springs video, you can watch it on our YouTube Channel. We absolutely LOVED our visit.
Welcome To Jim Chapman Lake/cooper Dam
Jim Chapman Lake is a 19,305 acre impoundment that provides water supply storage for the North Texas Municipal Water District, the Sulphur River Municipal Water District, and the city of Irving. This water supply storage exists in the conservation pool between elevations 415.5 ft msl and 440.0 ft msl. The water intake structure is located on the South shore of the lake, which pulls anywhere from 2.0 million gallons per day of water in the winter months to 5.0 million gallons per day in the summer months.
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Cooper Lake Camping Tips
If youre camping at Cooper Lake in Washington, follow advice from the U.S. Forest Service to ensure a safe and happy trip. Because the campground is rustic and a drive away from shops and services, bring your own supplies. Include warm clothing, sunscreen and drinking water and food. Pack a first-aid kit, a map and compass, knife, flashlight, fire starters and a whistle. Check the weather report before you leave home and make plans accordingly. Arrive at the site with plenty of daylight hours to set up camp. To keep bears and other wild animals away from your campsite do not leave trash, food, coolers, or used cooking pots and utensils out in the open. Never approach or feed a bear. Use a flashlight in the dark to warn animals of your presence.
References
Other Amenities At Cooper Lake State Park South Sulphur:
Library: We love finding libraries within our parks! This park features a rather large selection of books to share in the park headquarters. The book shelf looks like a canoe! Bring a book you’re done with to add to the collection and find a new one to enjoy.
Volleyball Court: You’ll find a well-maintained sand volleyball court in the Heron Harbor Day Use Area.
Basketball Court: Heron Harbor is also home to a concrete basketball court and playground.
Park Store: We were really impressed with the organization and choices within the park store at South Sulphur. While it’s not huge, there are some really nice choices and the park t-shirts are designed by staff and volunteers! The park store is located inside the park headquarters. Ice and firewood are also available here.
Amphitheater: Located at the Honey Creek Day Use Area at the Honey Creek Interpretive Trail, the amphitheater is a nice place to take in a Ranger Program of just sit and relax a bit.
Exploring the Park
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Camping At Cooper Lake State Park
Visitors camping at Cooper Lake State Park can choose between two main camping units. Doctor’s Creek features 39 electric sites for RV campers, one of which is ADA-accessible. This campground also offers six group campsites, each accommodating up to 48 guests.
South Sulphur is the largest Cooper Lake State Park campground, consisting of 82 electric sites for motorhomes, including six ADA-accessible sites and 15 walk-in sites. RV sites are clean, level, and offer both water and electrical hookups. Some sites can accommodate rigs up to 95 feet long, but the standard length limit for RV campers is 55 feet.
All sites include a picnic table, fire ring, lantern post, and easy access to restrooms. The park allows pets on a leash no longer than six feet, so feel free to bring the whole family for your RV camping trip.
Cooper Lake State Park South Sulphur Unit Details:
Open Year Round? Yes
Reservations Available: 6 Months Prior to Camping Date
Check-In Time: 2:00 pm
Back-In and Pull-Thru Sites
Some Big Rig Friendly
Many of these sites are shaded and some have direct water views. Campsites 54, 65, 73, and 79 are double campsites. A bathhouse with restrooms and showers is located in the Deer Haven Camping Loop.
Campsites include a picnic table, lantern post and fire pit. Parking is on pavement. Some sites also include a shade structure over the picnic table.
Trash dumpsters are located near each bathhouse. Overflow parking spaces are located throughout the camping loops.
The South Sulphur Unit of Cooper Lake State Park has a dump station on the main park road just outside of the Bright Star Camping Area.
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Kerr Lake State Recreation Area Jc Cooper Overview
Kerr Lake SRA Campground has 98 campsites and is located in the Satterwhite Point area next to Kerr Lake. Sites with hookups include 23, 25, 27-65 and 80-103. Several campsites are water front and most are quite large . Accessible and group campsites are also available.
Campground amenities include drinking water , flush toilets, showers and a dump station. Firewood is also available for sale from the camp host. Each site also has a table, fire ring and grate. The park also has an amphitheater, boat ramp, playground, marina/store, picnic area / shelter and visitor center.
Kerr Lake State Recreation Area J.C. Cooper Activities
Outdoor recreation in the area includes boating, fishing, water skiing, swimming, canoeing, kayaking, hiking, biking, picnicking, volleyball and wildlife viewing.
You may also be interested in Nutbush Bridge Campground at Kerr Lake SRA.
Things To Do At The South Sulphur Unit Of Cooper Lake State Park:
Hiking: Cooper Lake State Park’s South Sulphur Unit is home to more than 15 miles of hiking trails ranging from Easy to Challenging. For an easy introduction to this park, take a stroll on the quarter-mile Honey Creek Interpretive Trail. You’ll find it between the Deer Haven Camping Area and the Honey Creek Day Use Area. The trail categorized as most challenging is the 4.8 mile Lonesome Dove Trail.
The majority of the park’s trails make up the Buggy Whip Trail System. The Little Bluestem Trail begins at the Buggy Whip Equestrian Camping Area and leads to all of these other trails. The park’s trail map includes historical and natural points of interest along the 4.6 mile Coyote Run Trail. You’ll find its trailhead at the Heron Harbor Day Use Area.
Boating: The South Sulphur Unit of Cooper Lake State Park hosts 2 boat ramps: a six lane boat ramp near the Gulls Bluff Day Use Area, and a two lane boat ramp at the Honey Creek Day Use Area. Water Skiing is allowed on Cooper Lake.
Paddling: Bring your own kayak, or rent one from the park and get some exercise on the lake while seeing Cooper Lake State Park from a different perspective.
Biking: A bicycle can be a nice way to get around within the park, particularly during less crowded times. The park roads were in fantastic shape when we visited. The Coyote Run Trail is the only trail in the South Sulphur Unit of Cooper Lake State Park that allows bikes.
Heron Harbor Day Use Area
White-Tailed Deer
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The History Of Cooper Lake:
While Cooper Lake and its associated state parks are newer than most, planning actually goes back a few decades. The Cooper Lake Project was approved to control flooding and supply water to local towns back in 1955. But, construction did not begin on the lake until 1986. Cooper Lake, which is also known today as Jim Chapman Lake, was built by the US Army Corps of Engineers. The lake was completed in 1991 and had collected enough water to open boat access in 1992.
Texas Parks and Wildlife undertook a long-term lease of the state park grounds beginning in 1991 and began development of the parks. The Doctor’s Creek Unit opened in January 1996, with the Sulphur Springs Unit following in April of 1996.
Cooper Lake covers 19,305 acres with a maximum depth of 55 feet.
Well Marked Hiking Trails
Kayak Rentals