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!

• See the different kinds of RVs you can go exploring in

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.

If you know of another state park near East Texas, or see an inaccuracy below, please let us know here.

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

Stay Connected

Stay up to date on all things The East Texas Weekend!

Like us on Facebook | Instagram | Contact us | Download our App (Apple, Google)

Copyright 2023 KLTV. All rights reserved.