Eisenhower

Eisenhower SP https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/eisenhower https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eisenhower_State_Park_(Texas) Eisenhower State Park is located northwest of Denison, Texas on the shores of Lake Texoma. The park is named for the 34th U.S. president, Dwight D. Eisenhower, who was born in Denison. The park offers nature programs throughout the year. The park has facilities for picnicking, nature study, hiking, biking, fishing, swimming, boating, water skiing, wildlife observation, All-terrain vehicle (ATV) use, and camping. Facilities at the park are picnic sites, playground areas, campsites, screened shelters, recreation hall, a campground pavilion, boat dock, an amphitheater, a lighted fishing pier, an ATV/mini bike area of 10 acres (40,000 m2), and 4.5 miles (7.2 km) of hike and bike trails. Also located within the park is the Eisenhower Yacht Club, a privately operated full-service marina.

U.S. ARMY PHOTO, COURTESY OF EISENHOWER LIBRARY INTERPRETIVE GUIDE EIS ISEENHOWER S TAT E PPA ARK THANK YOU FOR VISITING! EISENHOWER STATE PARK HONORS WORLD WAR II HERO DWIGHT DAVID EISENHOWER. PROUD OF THE TEXAS-BORN G E N E R A L , T H E T E X A S LEGISLATURE VOTED IN 1947 TO CREATE A NEW PARK BEARING HIS NAME ON THE SOUTH SHORE OF LAKE TEXOMA NEAR HIS BIRTHPLACE IN DENISON. THE PARK OPENED WITH GREAT FANFARE ON MAY 18, 1958 WITH BANDS PLAYING PATRIOTIC SONGS AND A WATER CARNIVAL FEATURING BOAT ARMADAS, We hope you enjoy your visit to Eisenhower State Park. Please help us care for the natural and cultural resources of the park by leaving things as you found them. All the animals, plants and fossils are protected so that everyone can enjoy them. Visit the State Park Store to find souvenirs of your visit. We hope you will visit these other state parks while visiting North Texas: Bonham State Park 1363 State Park 24, Bonham • (903) 583-5022 Ray Roberts Lake State Park – Johnson Branch 100 PW 4153, Valley View • (940) 637-2294 Lake Tawakoni State Park 10822 FM 2475, Wills Point • (903) 560-7123 Visit www.tpwd.texas.gov for more information on these and other Texas state parks and historic sites. Eisenhower State Park 50 Park Road 20, Denison, TX 75020 (903) 465-1956 • www.tpwd.texas.gov/eisenhower/ NAVY FROGMEN AND WATERSKIING EXHIBITIONS. © 2021 TPWD. PWD BR P4503-0032K (7/21) TXDOT TPWD receives funds from the USFWS. TPWD prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, disability, age, and gender, pursuant to state and federal law. To request an accommodation or obtain information in an alternative format, please contact TPWD on a Text Telephone (TTY) at (512) 389-8915 or by Relay Texas at 7-1-1 or (800) 735-2989 or by email at accessibility@tpwd.texas.gov. If you believe you have been discriminated against by TPWD, please contact TPWD, 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, TX 78744, or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office for Diversity and Workforce Management, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041. E I S E N H O W E R S T A T E P A R K THE RED RIVER TEXOMA CROSSROADS Lake Texoma provides an abundance of recreational opportunities, from camping and hiking to boating and fishing. Visitors enjoy the wooded campsites, the rugged bluffs, scenic coves and the rocky lakeshore. This intriguing landscape results from a blending of prairie openings within the woodlands of the Oak Woods and Prairies region. Opportunities for excellent fishing can be found along the scenic coves where largemouth and smallmouth bass, striped bass and channel catfish thrive. Texoma is the only lake in Texas where striped bass spawn. A lucky angler caught the 121.5-pound Texas state record blue catfish in Lake Texoma. Remnants of tallgrass prairie with stands of little bluestem and Indiangrass can be found in open areas of the park, while the more wooded areas offer shade and shelter underneath oaks, elms, and the bois d’arc tree. The Red River adds a riparian element to the mix. The shoreline attracts over 170 species of birds, including the great blue heron and osprey. Bald eagles winter in the park from October through March. The final dramatic feature creating this landscape is an upside-down bowl-shaped buckle in the earth known as the Preston Anticline that thrusts several layers of clays, shales and limestones to the surface, revealing the layers left by an ancient Cretaceous ocean dating to the days of the dinosaurs. Spiral shaped ammonites and other fossils embedded in these layers provide clues to the ocean life of the past. T he Red River marks the northern entrance to Texas. It is more than a mere river, serving as a border, a boundary, a transportation corridor, and a source of sustenance for people and wildlife. The Red River flows from the Texas Panhandle to the Mississippi River, carrying the rich red colors of the Permian sandstones of Palo Duro Canyon toward the sea. Early Spanish explorers called the river “Rio Rojo.” On an 1853 U.S. Army expedition, W. B. Parker observed that “the river takes its name from the color of the water, which is a dark maroon, full of sediment and very unpalatable.” Here the river marked the international boundary between Spain and France and later between the United States and Spain, Mexico, and the Republic of Texas. Later the river separated the new state of Texas from Choctaw and Chickasaw lands in Indian Territory which eventually became the new state of Oklahoma. Many early settlers entered Texas by crossing the Red River at Colbert’s Ferry to the east or Preston to the west. Trail drivers on the Shawnee Trail herded cattle north across the Red River at Preston Bend, now hidden under the waters of Lake Texoma. In 1944, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers completed Denison Dam, creating the 89,000-acre Lake Texoma. The dam captures the waters of the Red River and its Oklahoma tributary, the Washita, creating the 12th-largest

For assistance using this map, contact the park. Eisenhower For additional trail information, ask for more detailed, activity-specific maps. State Park 178 175 173 177 171 176 169 174 172 167 170 168 166 81 180 1 182 1 8 3 184 185 186 Overflow Camping 9 18 7 8 9 10 6 5 11 12 N 4 BOAT LAUNCH PROTOCOL 22 20 23 19 24 25 18 26 17 27 16 15 28 29 14 30 13 31 32 12 33 11 10 34 9 8 35 7 37 36 Armadillo Hill 6 Camping Area 38 5 39 4 Dump Station Screened Shelter 35 Amphitheater Group Building Hike and Bike Trail 50 51 53 52 Picnic Area 3 Group Picnic Pavilion 2 40 1 41 42 43 44 57 45 56 55 54 Designated Swimming Area Parking Boat Ramp • Have your vessel ready to launch before getting to ramp area. Launch your vessel and clear the ramp area. Do not block ramp area. WATER ACTIVITIES y dar oun • Stop the spread of zebra mussels. CLEAN, DRAIN, and DRY your boat. kB • Valid permit is required on windshield of each vehicle in park. All vehicles are to remain on pavement. Fishing Pier Par • No boat clean-up or swimming in the ramp area. • Swim at your own risk. NO LIFEGUARD on duty. • Gathering of firewood is prohibited. • No pets or glass containers allowed in swimming area. • Campfires are permitted only in fire rings provided at each site. No ground fires are permitted. Please, use extreme caution with any burning materials during the high fire danger summer brings. • No vessels (boats, kayaks, canoes, paddle boards, etc.) and no fishing in swimming area. Limited Cabin Interpretive Trail 46 478 4 9 4 64 66 62 68 59 60 70 67 84 6983 58 72 82 73 71 81 757779 80 74 76 78 a Bou 61 Are Park y ndar e Wak ary und Cedar Hollow • Pets must be kept on leash. Please pick up after them. TPWD receives funds from the USFWS. TPWD prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, disability, age, and gender, pursuant to state and federal law. To request an accommodation or obtain information in an alternative format, please contact TPWD on a Text Telephone (TTY) at (512) 389-8915 or by Relay Texas at 7-1-1 or (800) 735-2989 or by email at accessibility@tpwd.texas.gov. If you believe you have been discriminated against by TPWD, please contact TPWD, 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, TX 78744, or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office for Diversity and Workforce Management, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041. © 2021 TPWD PWD MP P4503-032F (2/21) No k Bo 98 97 95 99 100 10194 93 102 103 92 91 104 105 90 Bois D'Arc 106 8688 89 Ridge Camping 107 87 Area 85 63 65 • If your vessel will not start, clear the ramp area. FIRES Ar Full Hookup Sites 21 rea 96 • Public consumption or display of any alcoholic beverage is prohibited. • Numbered sites for overnight camping only. NO PICNICKING. e ak oW No W ake A N • CHECK OUT time for cabins is 11 a.m.or renew permit by 9 a.m. (pending site availability). CHECK IN time is 2 p.m. • Campsite must be kept clean; all trash must be picked up before you leave. Trash dumpsters are conveniently located on all camping loops. ea 20 • CHECK OUT time for campsites and shelters is 12 p.m. or renew permit by 9 a.m. (pending site availability). CHECK IN time is 2 p.m. • Excess parking fee is required at campsites with more than two vehicles. Water and Electric Sites Eisenhower Yacht Club PLEASE NOTE • A maximum of eight people permitted per campsite. Cabin maximum is five people. Guests must leave the park by 10 p.m. QUIET TIME is from 10 p.m. – 6 a.m. Showers Water Only Sites 26 20 21 22 23 25 18 19 33 32 31 24 34 14 17 15 35 3 16 2 1 Par ATV Trails Restrooms 13 PARK ROAD ATV Area Parking Park Store 29 30 27 28 165 187 188 Headquarters Full service gas dock, and ship’s store with cold drinks, snacks, deli items, clothing, boating and picnic supplies. Deer Haven Screened Shelters #BetterOutside LEGEND Fossil Ridge Camping Area 153 152 151 154 15 150 5 149 6 15 7 15 14 158 8 159 14 160 6 147 161 14 4 145 162 163 164 #TxStateParks TexasStateParks.org/SocialMedia Stop the spread of zebra mussels. CLEAN, DRAIN and DRY your boat. 179 Elm Point Camping Area TexasStateParks.org/App Texas State Parks is a division of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. PARK ROAD 20 ry nda ou rk B Pa Fish Cleaning Playground Residence Park Store Firewood, T-shirts, caps and oneof-a-kind gift items are available at the headquarters building. PARK RESERVATIONS TexasStateParks.org ParquesDeTexas.org (512) 389-8900 Maintenance 50 Park Road 20 Denison, TX 75020-4878 (903) 465-1956 Proud Sponsor of Texas State Parks 

For assistance using this map, contact the park. For a web version of the map text, visit our Trails Information page. 

TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE BIRDS OF EISENHOWER S T A T E P A R K A FIELD CHECKLIST 2018 INTRODUCTION E isenhower State Park, located on the edge of Lake Texoma, is part of the Cross Timbers and Blackland Prairies regions of Texas. The hillsides and ravines of the park are heavily wooded with eastern red cedar, ash, and cedar elm trees. Older trees in the park include red oak, chinquapin oak, post oak, and bois d’arc. Small areas of pocket prairies feature colorful wildflowers and tall grasses. The rocky limestone shoreline represents a third of the habitat in the park and offers the best vistas for seeing shorebirds. This checklist represents species seen on Eisenhower Road leading into the park, from the park’s shoreline, and within the park boundaries. Because we are interested in maintaining and revising this checklist, we solicit your help and ask that you share new and unusual sightings and/or comments on the status of the park’s birdlife with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. You may leave your sightings at the park headquarters (Eisenhower State Park, 50 Park Rd. 20, Denison, Texas 75020) or mail them to the Natural Resource Program, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, Texas 78744. The nomenclature and organization of this listing follow the American Ornithologist’s Union Check-list of North American Birds, 7th edition as currently supplemented. This list was first compiled by Terry Ferguson in 2003 and updated by Texas Master Naturalist Jack Chiles in 2018. Please help us protect the natural avian communities in our parks by refraining from using playback tapes of bird songs. Frequent use of these tapes disrupts normal avian activity patterns and essential territorial behavior, and may lead to nest failure. Thank you for your cooperation. 1 LEGEND Abundance c – Common (Present, easy to find) f – Fairly common (Present, should see or hear) u – Uncommon (Present, harder to find) r – Rare (Present, hard to find, or may not occur every year) x – Accidental (not usually present, lost, result of an event) Seasons Sp – Spring (March, April, May) S – Summer (June, July, August) F – Fall (September, October, November) W – Winter (December, January, February) Cover: Illustration of Great Blue Heron by Rob Fleming. 2 CHECKLIST Sp S F W ____ Greater White fronted Goose...................... r r SWANS, GEESE, DUCKS ____ Snow Goose................................................ x ____ Canada Goose............................................. r r ____ Wood Duck................................................ r r ____ Gadwall...................................................... u u u ____ American Wigeon....................................... u u u ____ Mallard...................................................... c f c ____ Blue winged Teal........................................ r r r ____ Northern Shoveler...................................... u u u ____ Northern Pintail.......................................... u u u ____ Green winged Teal...................................... u u u ____ Canvasback................................................ u u u ____ Redhead..................................................... u u u ____ Ring necked Duck...................................... u u r r ____ Lesser Scaup.............................................. u r u ____ Common Goldeneye................................... r ____ Bufflehead.................................................. u u ____ Hooded Merganser..................................... u u ____ Red-breasted Merganser............................ r r ____ Ruddy Duck............................................... u TURKEYS, QUAIL ____ Northern Bobwhite..................................... r ____ Wild Turkey................................................ u 3 u u u Sp S F W u u u GREBES ____ Pied billed Grebe........................................ ____ Western Grebe............................................ x PIGEONS, DOVES ____ Rock Dove.................................................. u u u u ____ Eurasian Collared Dove.............................. u u u u ____ White-winged Dove...................................... u u u u ____ Inca Dove.................................................... u u u u ____ Mourning Dove.......................................... f u u u ____ Yellow billed Cuckoo.................................. u u u ____ Greater Roadrunner................................... u u u ____ Common Nighthawk................................... u u u ____ Chuck-will’s-widow.................................... f f r u u u f f f CUCKOOS, ROADRUNNERS u GOATSUCKERS SWIFTS ____ Chimney Swift............................................. HUMMINGBIRDS ____ Ruby throated Hummingbird...................... GALLINULES, COOTS ____

TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE Recipes for the Birds � EISENHOWER STATE PARK • DENISON, TEXAS Rec i pes fo r t he B i rds The following recipes have something special for all the guests who will visit your feeders. Your visitors will be delighted with their favorite menus, no matter the season. Ingredients Information Seeds & Grains The following can be bought at your local feed stores: mixed wild bird seed, millet, cracked corn, peanut hearts, thistle and sunflower seeds. Grit Grit is necessary to grind and digest the coarse foods that birds eat. You can purchase commercial bird gravel, or if available, coarse beach sand will serve the purpose. Raw Beef Suet Suet provides energy and warmth during the cold months. When prepar­ ing suet, to make a smoother liquid, put it through a meat grinder before melting. To make a solid suet cake, reheat. For those concerned about spoilage of beef suet in our summer heat, a reasonable alternative is a mixture of equal portions of shortening and peanut butter. Kitchen Scraps Keep cake, doughnuts, pie crust or anything with sugar in a covered con­ tainer. Use a separate container for crusts and stale breads. Granola Treat One cup of each of the following: wheat germ, peanut hearts, white millet, raisins, crushed dog bones and sunflower seeds. Heat 1/2 cup honey separately. Add to dry mixture. Mix well, bake at 375° for ten minutes. Refrigerate. Mixture can be fed as granola treat or mixed with suet. 1 Rec i pes fo r t he B i rds 2 Nesting Season While nesting, birds will not need to depend on humans for food. Providing them with nesting materials and housing will entice visitors. Houses should be made out of natural materials, well ventilated and hung on the shady sides of trees. Cut nesting materials such as wool, twine and string into 3-inch lengths and put into your suet containers. String Foods se ee h c rn co p po ins s i ra s be u c pe an ut si n sh ell do ug hn ut s dr ied fru it Rec i pes fo r t he B i rds 3 Feeding Station A feeding station is any area that has a bird feeder set up. These may consist of a platform mounted on a pole, commercial plastic feeders or something as simple as feed scattered on the ground. Feeding stations can be designed to attract certain types of birds or a wide variety of feathered friends. Seed Dispensers Use at least two seed dispensers, one for wild bird seed mix and one for sunflower seed. If House Sparrows are a problem, mixes that contain millet should be avoided. If possible, locate these near brush or trees to provide a place to perch and preen. Once you begin feeding, it is impor­ tant that you continue through the winter. Check your feeders early in the mornings and again before dusk. Rec i pes fo r t he B i rds 4 Ground Feeders To complete your feeding station, be sure that you provide at least two ground feeders. These can be wooden or plastic, approximately 3 inches deep with drain holes in the bottom. Add parakeet gravel or clean sand as needed to provide grit. Do this espe­ cially after a rain. Suet Containers All your feathered guests will eat suet during the cold weather to provide energy and warmth. You should pro­ vide several types of containers. Small clinging birds use netted bags and wire baskets. Woodpeckers prefer logs with holes at various points, and coconut shells are used by all. Rec i pes fo r t he B i rds 5 Winter Warmth Your guests are creatures of habit. Once you begin feeding, it is important to continue through the winter. Check your feeders at least twice a day. Ideal times are very early morn­ ing and again before dusk. Birds will take shelter for the night and do not feed again until dawn. Return of Spring By mid-March there will probably be fewer birds at your feeders. Sprouts, insects and worms are pushing through the warm moist ground. It is now time to stop suet feeding and continue seed feeding until the end of April. Summertime Summer season provides all the natural food that your yard guests need. They thrive on insects, weed seeds and grains. However, water is essential. A birdbath can be a wonderful addition to your yard. For an added treat quarter fresh fruit (leave the skin on) and either hang from branches or put on feeding trays. Soon the migration will begin and the resident guests will return to your feeders. Rec i pes fo r t he B i rds 6 Hummingbird Punch � 1 cup sugar 4 cups water Boil four cups water and remove from heat. Add sugar and stir until disolved. Let cool and feed. Store remaining syrup in covered container in refrigerator for up to two weeks. Boiling water is not necessary but may extend the shelf life of the syrup. TIPS: • Red food coloring should not be used. Feeders have enough color on them to attract the birds. • Make sure your feeders are clean. • Hang feeders in a shady area near windows or around patio. Your guests will provide many happy memories. • Keep feeders active year-round. Waxwing Wedge Raw beef suet 1 large apple 2

TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE JUNIOR RANGER PROGRAM E I S E N H O W E R S TAT E PA R K PARK SAFETY RULES Hike with a buddy and always let an adult know where you are going. Carry water with you as you hike. Take at least one quart of water for each hour you plan to be out. Wear appropriate clothing and comfortable walking or hiking shoes. Wear a helmet when riding your bike. Always wear a life jacket while boating. The weather can change rapidly. Check the weather forecast and be prepared. Stay on the trails and in mowed areas where you can see snakes or poison ivy. Be careful near the bluffs and steep slopes. The geology of the area creates unstable areas that can crumble and fall. Obey park rules and all fishing and boating laws. Swim only in designated areas and never alone. Federal and state laws protect all plants, animals and artifacts. Please leave everything as you found it. JUNIOR RANGER PROGRAM at Eisenhower State Park Welcome to Eisenhower State Park – where Life’s Better Outside! You and your family and friends can explore the nature and history of the park on your visit using this booklet. You may want to take a camera with you to record your discoveries and accomplishments. You will need to complete the following activities to earn your Eisenhower State Park Junior Ranger badge. Nature Discovery Ages 7 and younger – pick 2 plus the maze. Ages 8 and older – pick 4. ___Use Your Senses Hike ___Track ID ___A to Z on Armadillo Hill Nature Trail ___Interpretive Program ___Bird List ___Maze Be Like Ike ___Historian ___Fisherman ___Outdoor Cook ___Gamer Ages 7 and younger – pick 2; ages 8 and older – pick 3. Stewardship ___ What If? ___ Make a Difference All ages must do. Career Exploration ___Ranger Interview Ages 8 and older must do. When you have finished, take your finished booklet to the park office to show to the park staff. Be ready to say the pledge as you are sworn in as an Eisenhower State Park Junior Ranger. NATURE DISCOVERY | Activity 1 Use Your Senses Nature Hike You’ll be using your senses to explore Eisenhower State Park. Pick a trail or area around your campsite and find answers to the following questions. As you explore, watch out for poison ivy. Remember: “Leaves of three, let it be.” I am exploring ________________________________________________________. Sight Look around you and write down things that you see. __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ Smell Your nose knows! Use your nose to sniff out an answer. How many smells can you detect? __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ Hearing Sit down and close your eyes while you listen for sounds. Record the sounds you hear. Your list may include both natural and human-made sounds. __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ Touch How does nature feel? Find something that feels: Soft_____________ Smooth ______________ Rough___________ Squishy ______________ Slimy____________ Grainy _______________ NATURE DISCOVERY | Activity 2 Track ID See if you can match the tracks to the animals that made them. Fill in the name of the animal and the letter by the picture. All of these animals are found at Eisenhower State Park, so you might even find these tracks on a trail or around your campsite. A B (______) ___________________ (______) ___________________ C D (______) ___________________ E F (______) ___________________ (______) ___________________ (______) ___________________ NATURE DISCOVERY | Activity 3 A to Z on the Armadillo Hill Nature Trail Take a self-guided hike on the Armadillo Hill Nature Trail. Pick up a trail guide at the trailhead (Marker 1) or at the park office. As you hike, try to find things that begin with each letter of the alphabet. Your words must describe natural things that you can see, hear, touch or smell. A ______________________________ N ______________________________ B ______________________________ O ______________________________ C ______________________________ P ______________________________ D ______________________________ Q ______________________________ E ______________________________ R ______________________________ F ______________________________ S ______________________________ G ______________________________ T ______________________________ H ______________________________ U ______________________________ I ______________________________ V ______________________________ J ______________________________ W ______________________________ K ______________________________ X ______________________________ L _____

T E X A S S T A T E P A R K S Eisenhower S TAT E PA R K PRAIRIES AND LAKES Eisenhower ST A T E PA RK Eisenhower State Park, perched on the rocky bluffs above Lake Texoma, is the most popular attraction at this North Texas reservoir. Many visitors come to cast a line for striped bass and other fish. The large lake also offers plenty of room for sailboats, powerboats and water skiers. Swimmers can splash in a protected cove, and hiking enthusiasts can enjoy 4.5 miles of trail with excellent views of the lake. Camping: Campsites with water only, water/electricity or full hookups. Screened shelters. Group Facilities: Group camp with electric sites and pavilion (capacity 50). Recreation hall with kitchen. Picnicking: Picnic sites, playgrounds. Swimming: Protected cove in lake. Boating: Sail, powerboat and ski in Lake Texoma. Boat ramp, marina. Fishing: Possible catches include striped bass, catfish, smallmouth bass, black and white crappie, largemouth bass, white bass and alligator gar. Fishing piers. Trails: 4.5 miles of trails wind along bluff and through campgrounds. Texas State Park Store: Unique gifts, books, etc. LAKE TEXOMA Denison Dam P20 69 1310 RED RIV ER Eisenhower State Park RANDELL LAKE 91 84 Texas Denison 120 Oklahoma 75 Located in Grayson County, five miles northwest of Denison, State 91 to F.M. 1310, then 1.8 miles to Park Road 20. www.tpwd.state.tx.us/parks Rates and reservations, call (512) 389-8900. For information only, call (800) 792-1112. Eisenhower State Park 50 Park Road 20, Denison, Texas 75020 (903) 465-1956 In accordance with Texas State Depository Law, this publication is available at the Texas State � Publications Clearinghouse and/or Texas Depository Libraries. � © 2008 TPWD PWD CD P4502-032G (8/08) Printed on recycled paper. � 

-Official- FA C I L I T I E S MAPS Get the Mobile App: ACTIVITIES texasstateparks.org/app 2022 Toyota Tundra Official Vehicle of the Texas Parks & Wildlife Foundation Introducing a truck that needs no introduction. The new Tundra was born from a legacy of invincibility. And designed to take on everything the great state of Texas has to offer. toyota.com/Tundra Built Here Lives Here: Assembled in Texas with U.S. and globally sourced parts. Contents 4 6 8 10 Activities and Programs Parks Near You Places to Stay Recreational Vehicles 12 Tips for Time in Nature Eisenhower 14 Visitor Fees and Passes Directory 18 Big Bend Country Fort Davis 28 Gulf Coast 34 Hill Country 48 Panhandle Plains 56 Pineywoods 64 Prairies and Lakes 80 South Texas Plains 86 Facilities and Activities TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT Carter P. Smith Executive Director Rodney Franklin State Parks Director Mischelle Diaz Communications Director TPW COMMISSION Arch “Beaver” Aplin, III, Chairman Lake Jackson Dick Scott, Vice-Chairman Wimberley James E. Abell Kilgore Oliver J. Bell Cleveland Paul L. Foster El Paso Anna B. Galo Laredo Jeffery D. Hildebrand Houston Robert L. “Bobby” Patton, Jr. Fort Worth Travis B. “Blake” Rowling Dallas T. Dan Friedkin, Chairman-Emeritus Houston Lee Marshall Bass, Chairman-Emeritus Fort Worth Index 44 State Parks Map Special thanks to Toyota and advertisers, whose generous support made this guide possible. Texas State Parks is a division of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Cover photo: Tyler State Park, Chase Fountain Texas State Parks Official Guide, Eighteenth Edition © TPWD PWD BK P4000-000A (3/22) TPWD receives funds from the USFWS. TPWD prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, disability, age, and gender, pursuant to state and federal law. To request an accommodation or obtain information in an alternative format, please contact TPWD on a Text Telephone (TTY) at (512) 389-8915 or by Relay Texas at 7-1-1 or (800) 735-2989 or by email at accessibility@tpwd.texas.gov. If you believe you have been discriminated against by TPWD, please contact TPWD, 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, TX 78744, or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office for Diversity and Workforce Management, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041. In accordance with Texas State Depository Law, this publication is available at the Texas State Publications Clearinghouse and/or Texas Depository Libraries. WELCOME from Rodney Franklin, State Parks Director It’s an exciting time in Texas State Parks. The challenges of the last few years have led many people to explore the outdoors in new and adventurous ways. Many Texans discovered their state parks for the first time, while longtime users have discovered new parks to visit. The variety of Texas’ lands is unmatched; from the mountains of west Texas to the gulf shores, the Texas State Park system celebrates and preserves the natural and cultural treasures that make Texas such a special place. You might say that the 630,000-plus acres that make up the state park system is nearly as diverse as the people of Texas. Since 1923 our mission has been to help connect our visitors with the outdoors. Every day we look for new and better ways to live that mission and make sure state parks are welcoming to every Texan, regardless of their background or experience with being outside. I hope you’ll visit soon and often, while bringing your friends and family along. I’m glad you’re here and we’re looking forward to celebrating the 100year anniversary of state parks with you very soon. What’s new in state parks? >> New facilities to welcome visitors at Ray Roberts Lake – Johnson Branch, Franklin Mountains, and Galveston Island State Parks >> R  epairs completed at Stephen F. Austin’s group facilities, McKinney Falls’ visitor center, Goose Island’s fishing pier and bayfront campsites and Lake Livingston’s fishing pier and marina >> Improvements and major repairs are planned for Tyler, South Llano River, Cedar Hill and several other state parks >> B  almorhea State Park reopened their pool and day use area following repair and reconstruction. Over 600 acres of land was also added to the park. >> Construction has begun at Palo Pinto Mountains State Park. texasstateparks.org/whatsnew ACTIVITIES & PROGRAMS What is there to do in state parks? Enjoy a family picnic, tour a hallowed historic site or choose from some of these visitor favorites: Bike Pedal across parks at any speed, in any style, with any group. Choose the routes, surfaces and distances that fit your comfort zone. Walk Start with a shorter loop, tackle tougher terrain or join a guided tour. Fish Fish without a license in as many as 70 state parks. Many offer tackle loaner programs and special learnto-fish events. Boat or Paddle Rent canoes and kayaks, explore a Texas Paddling Trail or launch a boat. View Wildlife Discover the birds, mammals and p

Guía de Parques INSTALACIONES Descarga la Aplicacíon Móvil MAPAS ACTIVIDADES texasstateparks.org/app ¡Los niños entran gratis! La entrada es gratis para los niños de 12 años y menores. Encuentra un parque: parquesdetexas.org Contenido Estero Llano Grande SP 2 Actividades y Programas 4 Parques Cercanos 6 Lugares para Quedarse 8 Tarifas y Pases 9 Directorio 10 Mapa de Parques 18 Instalaciones y Actividades BIENVENIDO Rodney Franklin, Director de Parques Texas tiene algunas de las tierras públicas más diversas del país, con una gran riqueza natural y cultural. La vida silvestre está por todas partes, los paisajes florecen con belleza, y la historia es abundante. Sus parques estatales son parte del legado que nos enorgullece. La gente de Texas ayuda a asegurar ese legado para las generaciones futuras al visitar y ser voluntarios. ¡Gracias! Estos más de 630,000 acres exhiben algunos de los grandes tesoros del estado. Los parques nos ayudan a crear recuerdos con la familia y a encontrar consuelo en la naturaleza. Los parques fortalecen las economías locales y unen a las comunidades. Sobre todo, los parques nos permiten pasar tiempo al aire libre para recargar energías, estar saludables y relajarnos a nuestra manera. Les invito a disfrutar de sus parques estatales, explorando lo mejor de Texas con amigos y familia. Los parques están aquí para todos. Nos pertenecen a todos. ¡Visítelos, diviértase y ayude a protegerlos para siempre! Foto de portada: Estero Llano State Park, Chase Fountain © 2021 TPWD PWD BK P4000-000A (5/21) TPWD recibe fondos del Servicio de Pesca y Vida Silvestre de EE.UU. (USFWS por sus siglas en ingles). TPWD prohíbe la discriminación por raza, color, religión, nacionalidad de origen, discapacidad, edad y género, conforme la ley estatal y federal. Para solicitar un acomodo especial u obtener información en un formato alternativo, por favor contacte a TPWD en un Teléfono de Texto (TTY) al (512) 3898915 ó por medio de “Relay Texas” al 7-1-1 ó (800) 735-2989 ó por email a accessibility@tpwd.texas.gov. Si usted cree que TPWD ha discriminado en su contra, favor de comunicarse con TPWD, 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, TX 78744, o con el Servicio de Pesca y Vida Silvestre de EE.UU., Office for Diversity and Workforce Management, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22041. De acuerdo con la Ley de Depósito del Estado de Texas, esta publicación está disponible en el centro de Distribución de Publicaciones del Estado de Texas y/o las Bibliotecas de Depósito de Texas. ACTIVIDADES Y PROGRAMAS ¿Qué puedo hacer en los parques estatales? ¡Disfruta de un día de campo, visita un sitio histórico o elige entre muchas otras opciones! Bicicletas Pedalea a lo largo de los parques a cualquier velocidad, en cualquier estilo, con cualquier grupo. Elige las rutas, el tipo de terreno y las distancias que cumplan con tu zona de confort. Caminatas Empieza con un circuito más corto, avanza a terrenos más difíciles o únete a una caminata guiada. Pescar Puedes pescar sin licencia en tantos como 70 parques estatales. Muchos parques ofrecen equipo para pescar a manera de préstamo y eventos especiales para aprender a pescar. Barcos Renta canoas y kayacs y explora uno de los senderos acuáticos en Texas. Nadar Animales Silvestres Acampar Descubre aves, mamíferos y plantas que tienen su hogar en Texas. Muchos parques tienen señalamientos y listados que te ayudan a aprender más. Encuentra un lugar que cumpla con lo que quieres. Prueba nuevas recetas, comparte historias favoritas y disfruta de las estrellas. 2 Más información y reservaciones: parquesdetexas.org Escape del calor en arroyos, ríos, lagos, manantiales, piletas y playas del mar. Tu seguridad en el agua es muy importante. Lleva el chaleco salvavidas. Aprende a nadar. Guarda a los niños. (512) 389-8900 ¡Pregunta en tu parque cuáles están disponibles! Los niños de 12 años y menores entran GRATIS Cielos Estrellados Escapa de las luces de la ciudad y goza de maravillosas vistas del cielo que no encontrarás en ninguna otra parte. Ven a una fiesta de estrellas o toma una excursión de constelaciones auto-guiada. Familias en la Naturaleza Elige un taller o diseña tu propia aventura. ¡Monta una tienda de campaña, cocina al exterior, prende una fogata y juega al exterior! Nosotros te Toma una publicación gratuita de actividades o pregunta por los paquetes gratuitos con los parques proporcionamos todo el equipo. No es necesario tener experiencia. participantes. Usa los binoculares, lupas, libros de bosquejos y libros de guías para explorar el parque. Mochilas para Exploradores Soldados Búfalo de Texas Descubre la historia con cuentos, vestuarios y herramientas. Sigue la pista de un animal, pesca con caña, cocina sobre una fogata, visita los fuertes y más. Adéntrate en las historias de vida de aquellos que sirvieron valientemente en los primeros regimientos Áfrico-Americanos de las Fuerzas Armadas. ! Seguridad en el Parque Ten cuidado con el agua Pre