Tyler State Park Admission Information
Tyler State Park is a very affordable park to visit. Admission to Tyler State Park is $6 for adults and free for children under 12.
The main entrance to Tyler State Park is off the state park highway . This is where youll find the entrance station where you can get park information and pay your entry fee.
Its worth noting that when we last visited, you had to buy your tickets online here ahead of time.
You can also make reservations by phone at 389-8900, though I wouldnt recommend it. Thats the number for the whole Texas State Park system, so reserving online is much faster and more convenient!
You get a map when you go in, showing you where you can hike, mountain bike, drive, etc. The main driving road makes a giant loop, with different points of interest branching off.
Alerts And Important Information
Prescribed burns are planned during this timeframe , depending on weather and other factors. Prescribed fire operations and associated smoke may impact your visit. Some camping areas, lodging facilities, trails, and day-use areas may be closed for public safety. Contact the park to learn how this may affect your stay.
Construction has begun on a new Park Headquarters and Visitors Center. Construction is taking place directly adjacent to the Cedar Point Camping loop. Campers in Cedar Point should be aware that construction noise is expected during day light hours after 7 am.
Grills and deep fryers are prohibited in portions of the day use area to include the designated swim area/bath house/parking lot, the park store area and the area directly adjacent to the playground.Diving or swimming from and directly around the fishing piers and boat ramp is prohibited. Divers must check in and out at the park headquarters and must display a floating dive flag in the area they are diving in. The floating dive flag may be loaned out from the park headquarters.
DAY USE FEE: OFFICE AND GATE INFORMATION:SWIMMING:FIREWOOD:PARK PHONE NUMBER:
Our Visit To Tyler State Park:
Tyler State Park Tour
For years folks have been telling us that Tyler State Park up in Northeast Texas is an absolute must visit Texas State Park. After our first visit here, we absolutely agree! Tyler State Park has a little bit of something for everyone: hiking, mountain biking, swimming, paddling, fishing, geocaching, dutch oven cooking, bird and wildlife watching or just plain relaxing… you can do it all at Tyler State Park. And bonus: this beautifully forested park with its own spring-fed lake is located just off of Interstate 20 halfway between Dallas, Texas and Shreveport, Louisiana. It’s a great place to spend a week, a weekend or even one night as you’re passing through on a roadtrip.
View of Historic Tyler State Park Bathhouse from Across the Lake
Tyler State Park features 143 campsites. Some are tent only, some are RV only, and some loops are shared by tents and RVs. Pull-through and back-in sites are available. There are 2 dump stations within the park, and some sites offer full hook-ups. There are campsites within Tyler State Park that can accomodate any size rig.
Our Campsite at Tyler State Park
The View Across the Big Pine Camping Loop
Our Campsite at Night
Thank you so much to everyone who recommended we visit Tyler State Park. We can’t wait to visit again!
Old Mossy Steps at Tyler State Park
Hiking Old Park Road
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Screened Shelters At Tyler State Park:
Shortleaf Camping Area
Water and Electricy at Site
Park at the Cabin
Each cabin includes air conditioning and heating, lights, a microwave oven, refrigerator, table, chairs and one queen bed. There is additional room for a cot or small inflatable mattress, but you must bring that with you. You must also bring your linens and cookware. Each cabin also features an outdoor picnic table, lantern hook, fire pit and grill. One cabin is wheelchair accessible. The cabin loop has its own comfort station with restrooms and showers. No tents, RVs or pets are allowed at the cabin sites. And just like the campsites and shelters, a 2 night minimum stay is required for any Friday or Saturday night a 3 night minimum stay applies to the Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends.
Fishing On Tyler State Park Lake
Tyler State Park is a popular place for anglers. Whether you prefer fishing onshore or on a boat, there are plenty of options here!
If you want to take a boat out, there is a boat ramp available to use. Dont have your own? No problem- you can also rent a boat!
If you prefer fishing from dry land, Tyler State Park has three fishing piers. Expect to find catfish, crappie, perch, and bass in the lake.
And if you are a newbie to fishing, you can rent fishing equipment, such as rods, tackle boxes, and reels from Tyler State Park.
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Visit Kilgores East Texas Oil Museum
Kilgore boasts the popular East Texas Oil Museum, which discusses how oil was found in the area, and how it became such an important industry in Texan culture. Its a fun, interactive museum with something to interest everybody! The East Texas Oil Museum costs $10 for adults, $7 for kids 3-12, and is free for ages 2 and under.
Rv Resorts & Campsites In Tyler State Park
Camping is available at Tyler State Park, with premium sites that have water and electric hookups and nearby showers. If you choose to rent an RV, consider renting with RVshare. Each rental vehicle comes with nationwide insurance coverage, 24/7 roadside assistance, and a dedicated team that will work to make sure you have the perfect RV for your travel plans and unique needs.
There are also several nearby campgrounds where you can stay while you visit the park:
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Top 10 Campgrounds And Rv Parkstyler Texas
When Texans describe the town of Tyler, they talk about rose bushes in hundreds of varieties and the annual Texas Rose Festival. They often make references to attractions like the Goodman-LeGrand House & Museum and Caldwell Zoo. Whether youre young or old, youll enjoy Tyler and the other small towns of Northeast Texas.
Vacationing in the Lone Star State is always fun, but its absolutely delightful when you do it by RV. Head down to the nearest RV dealership and pick a unit that works for you. Then, start making plans to stay at some of Tylers top-notch campgrounds.
- Laundry Facilities: Yes
What People Are Saying About The Trails At Lavender Road
A new RV park with easy access off of Interstate 20. This park is a work in progress with the owners continually adding and improving what use to be the family farm. The sites are gravel with full hookupsWalmart, restaurants and shopping are just down the road TexasRVer, RV Park Review
Location
- The Trails at Lavender Road
- 13553 County Road 35
- Discounts: Good Sam and Military
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Inside Tyler State Park
There are a number of things to do at Tyler State Park, both on the water and on the shores of the lake!
Geocaching: Looking for a geocache is like a modern-day treasure hunt! Head to geocaching.com, or use an app to find caches near where you are in the park, and use GPS coordinates to find the cache.
Hiking: Explore more than 13 miles of trails throughout the Pineywoods, and be sure to hike the Whispering Pines Nature Trail, which was laid out more than 70 years ago by the Civilian Conservation Corps.
Biking: You can also check out the 13 miles of trails on a mountain bike. Try the 3.1-mile B Loop Trail to see the parks many different kinds of forest.
Fishing: Fish for crappie, perch, catfish, and bass at one of the parks three fishing piers or from a boat. The park loans fishing rods, reels, and tackle boxes, and you do not need a fishing license to fish at any Texas state park.\
Boating: You can also fish from a boat. Rent one at the park, or bring your own. Motors are allowed, but there is a 5 mph speed limit.
Swimming: You can swim in the lake as well.
Amenities And Fun Things To Do:
Tyler State Park has 57 sites with water, electricity, and sewer – 18 of which are are premium sites with 30/50 amp service and a majority of these are right on the water. Another 20 sites have water and electricity. The majority of the sites are spacious and treed, however some sites are short and some are not level.
There are 37 campsites for tents only in 3 areas with water, picnic tables, lantern holders, a grill, and fire pit. There also 30 sites with water/electricity in a group area with a group pavilion.
Some of the other amenities at Tyler State Park include: dining hall with kitchen, 2 group picnic areas, amphitheater, playground, swimming lake with bathhouse, and boat ramp and dock – no wake when boating. Tyler State Park also has pedal boat, canoes, kayak, hydrobike, and jon boat rentals.
Tyler State Park has 15.5 miles of excellent and challenging mountain bike or hiking trails. Some portions of the trail are very demanding and technically difficult. There is a short quarter mile nature trail and a very good hiking trail that goes around the lake.
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Brazos Bend State Park
21901 FM 762, Needville, TX 77461
Just outside of the Houston metropolitan area, Brazos Bend State Park is an underrated gem that deserves your attention. This nature lovers paradise encompasses 5,000 acres of wetlands, woodlands, and coastal prairie. Thousands of species of plants and animals thrive in its diverse ecosystem. A nature center, interpretive trails, and ranger programs all enhance the wildlife viewing experience, from alligators to storks and pelicans. RVers wont be disappointed with the campgrounds more than 60 large, level, and well-spaced sites.
The History Of Tyler State Park:
According to Tyler State Park’s website, people are known to have lived in this area beginning as early as 10,000 BC. They came here for the area’s natural resources, which included forests, and to hunt large mammals that existed here at the time. Approximately, 1,000 years ago the Caddo Indians began clearing the forest to farm the land. Farming continued here until the 1930s when land owners decided that the rolling hills, deep ravines and lack of access to transportation routes made farming this land more difficult than other areas. The area which would become Tyler State Park was purchased from 16 private land owners and the City of Tyler beginning in 1934. The Civilian Conservation Corps arrived to begin developing the park in 1935.
When the CCC arrived, they found that the generations of land clearing and farming had taken a big toll on the natural resources of the land. At that time, the natural forest was almost non-existent. The men of CCC company 2888 worked to rehabilitate the soil, repair and control erosion and built a nursery here on site to begin growing trees that were once native to the area. We’ve read that during their time here, the CCC workers carried in over 11,000 heavy stones which were placed around the lake they created by constructing an 850 foot earthen dam. The stones were placed in an effort to control erosion until the trees and other plant life could begin to grow in.
Cool Bench with a View
Fall Colors are Beautiful Here
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A Typical Texas Outsider Day:
After a hearty breakfast, we start the day by biking some of the best trails in Texas, which are easily accessible from multiple locations within the park. After getting some good exercise, we love to cool off in the lake. The afternoon is spent relaxing and playing ladder golf, washers, dominoes, or other games in the campground.
Some of the options for Sunday include golf in Tyler, renting a kayak and exploring the lake, enjoying some of the Tyler attractions, hiking the trail along the lake, hanging out on the sandy beach or swimming, fishing, or just relaxing and playing games.
The Trails At Lavender Road
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Sometimes, RVers prefer campgrounds in Tyler, Texas, that offer tiny house rentals in addition to campsites. The pint-sized houses at this small facility add an interesting twist to an otherwise traditional camping experience. When you hook up your RV at The Trails at Lavender Road, youll feel as though youre way out in the country.
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Why Youll Love #1 Rv Park Of Tyler
When you arrive at this RV park, youll be pleased with the paved roads and level concrete pads at each site. You can buy propane right at the campground rather than driving around searching for a gas station that carries it. This park has a lovely gazebo with an outdoor grill where you can gather with friends and fellow RVers.
Everything You Need To Know About Tyler State Park
If youre looking for a place in Texas to enjoy some beautiful nature, head to Tyler State Park! This popular state park has a lot to offer locals and tourists alike. It is located just north of Tyler, about 97 miles from Dallas. Though about an hour and a half away, Tyler State Park is easily accessible from Dallas, making it a great nature break from the city.
The park is about thirty minutes north of central Tyler. After having visited twice, Ive decided that it is worth the drive from Tyler. And its also worth making a weekend out of from Dallas, if youre exploring the Tyler area, too!
Centered around its lake, Tyler State Park is perfect for fishing, swimming, and watersports. Ill tell you everything you need to know about visiting Tyler State Park in this blog post!
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Caprock Canyons State Park & Trailway
850 Caprock Canyon Road, Quitaque, TX 79255
Located in the states panhandle, between Lubbock and Amarillo, this stunning state park is worth a detour. The scenery alone is enough of an attraction, with red rock cliffs rising up from green canyon floors and sweeping views in all directions. Nearly 90 miles of trails are available for hikers and cyclists of all levels. Swimming, fishing, and no-wake boating are available on Lake Theo. Wildlife viewing includes coyotes, pronghorn antelope, and prairie dogs, but the real draw is the Texas State Bison Herd that roams the park. Youre almost guaranteed to safely spot these magnificent beasts during your visit. There are 31 campsites with water and electricity available at Honey Flat Campground near Lake Theo. Campground facilities include playgrounds, a store, and a dump station.
Texas Outside Campground Rating System
Texas Outside uses a tough rating scale and its difficult for a campground to get a 10. Each park is rated on:
- Scenic Beauty: a campground that is flat with no trees or character gets a 1 and hills, lots of trees, beautiful lake site, and lush ground cover gets a 10
- Park Condition: the cleaner, well kept, and maintained campgrounds receive high scores
- Amenities: we are looking for lots of amenities like restrooms, dump stations, playgrounds, boat ramps, shelters, concession stand, rental toys, and more.
- Campsites: low scores are given for sites that are right next to each other have no lantern holder, no water or electricity, no fire pit, no grill, or no picnic table have no trees and no view the ground cover is crushed rock and they require a lot of work to get your rig level.
- Things To Do: Bonus points are given for campgrounds that offer lots of fun things to do at the park or very nearby this includes: biking, hiking, climbing, boating, entertainment, golf, swimming, fishing, volleyball, horseshoes, and more
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Fort Boggy State Park
Even though it lies close to Interstate 45, Fort Boggys 1,800 acres comprises one of the state park systems hidden gems. A quiet 15-acre lake fringed with oaks and other trees offers fishing, swimming, and no-wake boating. Hikers and mountain bikers can explore the parks 3.5-mile network of trails. Although Fort Boggy doesnt have a formal drive-in campground for tents and RVs, it does offer five very secluded hike-in tent sites for visitors willing to carry gear a short distance. If you want quiet camping, Fort Boggy delivers. For visitors who want to enjoy the park overnight but arent prepared to hike to a campsite, three new wooden cabins are available for rent. They have air conditioning, a minifridge, and a microwave . Each one has a large, partly screened porch with plenty of comfortable deck furniture. After hiking, boating, or fishing, you can put your feet up in your own private cabin tucked away in the woods.
Tyler State Park Overview:
Tyler State Park is surrounded by stately pine and hardwood trees and this 985 acre park is centered around a small spring fed 64 acre lake. This is one of our favorite parks with rolling hills, great campsites, and outstanding biking and hiking trails. Tyler State Park is located a couple miles off Highway 20 and 7 miles from downtown Tyler.
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Village Creek State Park
Village Creek is best-known for its paddling trails.
Lush Village Creek State Park lies on the southeastern edge of the Big Thicket, a once-vast wild area of East Texas known for its multitude of habitats. The terrain ranges from sandy hills with prickly pear cactus and pine trees to swampy cypress-tupelo sloughs. The park offers 25 RV campsites with partial hookups and 16 walk-in tent sites, plus a rental cabin. The intrepid can rent a canoe from nearby outfitters, paddle down Village Creek on the 21-mile canoe trail, and primitive-camp on sandbars with the clear, tea-colored creek waters lulling weary travelers to sleep. The canoe trail offers multiple access points allowing trips of a few hours to two or three days. The lowland creek doesnt have rapids, but its tannin-stained, flat water moves steadily, making travel easy. Although the park is best known for its paddling opportunities, it also has 8 miles of hiking and mountain-biking trails that wind through dry sandylands and along swampy sloughs. Theres also a nice sandy swimming beach on the banks of Village Creek downstream from the main part of the park.
Much of the park was damaged by flooding from Hurricane Harvey, so it may be several months before the parks facilities are fully restored.
Wimberley-based writer and photographer Laurence Parent lives to hit the open road in search of Texas natural wonders. He specializes in landscape, travel, and nature photography.