Ray Roberts Lake

Ray Roberts Lake SP https://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/ray-roberts-lake https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Ray_Roberts Lake Ray Roberts is an artificial 29,350-acre (119 km2) American reservoir located 10 miles (20 km) north of Denton, Texas, between the cities of Pilot Point, Texas and Sanger, Texas. It is filled by a tributary of the Trinity River. It was named after Ray Roberts (a local congressman who supported creation of the lake) in 1980. The reservoir is located in, and supplies water to, Cooke, Grayson, and Denton counties. Ray Roberts is also used for recreation and is home to the Ray Roberts Lake State Park.

For assistance using this map, contact the park. Ray Roberts Lake State Park Complex TexasStateParks.org/App TexasStateParks.org/SocialMedia Tioga FM 922 N FM 3002 Buck Creek Johnson Branch Lone Star Lodge & Marina Pond Creek Isle du Bois Johnson Branch Jordan Sanger Greenbelt– FM 455 Access Greenbelt– FM 428 Access Greenbelt– US 380 Access Pond, Pecan, Buck Stop the spread of zebra mussels. CLEAN, DRAIN and DRY your boat. Jordan FM 1192 #BetterOutside RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FM 372 Pecan Creek #TexasStateParks Pilot Point FM 455 IH 35 Sanger FM 1190 Isle du Bois Lake Ray Roberts Marina RAY ROBERTS LAKE Sanger FM 455 FM 455 Access FM 455 US 377 Isle du Bois Unit HQ 100 PW 4137 Pilot Point, TX 76258 (940) 686-2148 FM 2153 FM 2164 FM 3524 CR 288 FM 1385 CR 147 FM 428 FM 428 Access FM 3163 Greenbelt Johnson Branch Unit HQ 100 PW 4153 Valley View, TX 76272 (940) 637-2294 Jordan Unit Lone Star Lodge & Marina 2200 FM 1192 Pilot Point, TX 76528 (940) 686-0261 SL 288 FM 2931 Denton US 77 US 380 Access Sanger Unit Lake Ray Roberts Marina 1399 Marina Circle Sanger, TX 76266 (940) 458-7343 US 380 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. © 2023 TPWD PWD MP P4503-137A (2/23) This publication can be found at tpwd.texas.gov/spdest/parkinfo/maps/park_maps/ PARK RESERVATIONS TexasStateParks.org ParquesDeTexas.org (512) 389-8900 Proud Sponsor of Texas State Parks 

For assistance using this map, contact the park. Ray Roberts Lake State Park – Isle du Bois Unit TexasStateParks.org/App 4. Yield To Kid Fish Pond el he W ng n o si ag s les W Cro mi 3.5 cen ter lo mile Sites 1-40 FM 455 Trail Underpass Quail Run 17 0 16 157 9 6 5 1 168 159 160 167 150 161 14 9 3 62 16 164 166 141 8 165 0 14 1412 Quail Run 14 Sites 132-170 158 15 Wild Plum 4 15 14 7 14 6 14 5 DORBA Trailhead Parking 81 Area 25 26 27 74 Primitive Bluestem Grove Area 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. This publication can be found at tpwd.texas.gov/spdest/parkinfo/maps/park_maps/ #BetterOutside 90 89 Headquarters Restrooms Vault Toilets Showers Primitive Sites Water and Electric Sites Equestrian Parking Equestrian Camping Watering Area Water Spigot Fishing Pier Fish Cleaning Hiking Trail Horse Trail Biking Trail Picnic Area Group Picnic Pavilion Designated Swimming Area Parking Wheelchair Accessible Boat Ramp Playground Volleyball Court Food Concession Lodging Paddling Area Amphitheater Interpretive Center Dump Station Residence Maintenance Concrete Trail Dirt Trail Improved Trail 1 10 117 118 120 121 122 123 102 67 68 69 70 28 29 17 178 7 4 30 40 24 75 56 57 23 31 52 53 54 55 38 37 39 128 124 119 12 9 12 126 7 130 131 2 1 35 36 Wild Plum Area Water & 50 amp 32 125 4 3 20 19 21 22 33 17 17 6 17 5 1 4 1773 2 17 1 NOTE 5 17 18 17 18 9 18 0 18 1 18 2 18 3 4 16 84 85 86 87 88 r, I-35 7 Hawthorn Area 34B 34A 8 9 6 77 76 To Sange 11 10 79 78 42 43 44 15 14 13 12 80 73 82 83 1 72 11 16 11 5 92 91 71 4 93 11 3 94 66 45 11 65 11 2 64 46 95 11 1 63 10 0 Deer Ridge 96 9 62 Area 47 108 61 97 98 107 60 48 99 59 10 106 100 5 49 3 10 50 58 51 41 • Possession or discharge of fireworks prohibited. • Numbered sites for overnight camping only. Greenbelt – FM 455 Access Sites 117-131 5 14 3 14 4 139 Sites 41-116 Per person entry fee required at all parks. 153 137 138 134 Deer Ridge 133 132 151 152 135 136 • Discharge gray and black water at dump station. © 2023 TPWD PWD MP P4503-137N (2/23) el he W g on sin ag s W Cro • Maximum eight people per campsite. Equine must have proof of a negative EIA (Coggins) test within the past 12 months. The form VS 10-11 is proof of testing. s ine tP Los Trail • Quiet hours – 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. (no music or generators). • Valid permit required on windshield of each vehicle. Chimney Site Hawthorn op Randy Bell Scenic Trail • Campsite check-out – noon. • Gathering firewood prohibited. Re 2. 2 • Park hours – 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. • All vehicles must remain on pavement. Eagle Activity Trail un dR u dB (Equestrian) PLEASE NOTE • Pets must be on a leash not exceeding six feet in length. FM Sites 171-178: Water & 50 amp Sites 179-184: Primitive Ray Roberts Lake • It is an offense to possess, display or discharge any firearm. to Bluestem Grove Jordan Park • Public consumption or display of any alcoholic beverage is prohibited. es 9 11 10 Trail Courtesy Firewood for Sale; Recycling 2 il 5m N To Pilot Point, US 377 , Lone Star Lodge & Marina To Pilot Point U.S. 377 Spur T rail 3.5 m turn-a iles to round #TexasStateParks LEGEND Stop the spread of zebra mussels. CLEAN, DRAIN and DRY your boat. No potable water available on Jordan Park Trail north of Bluestem Grove. FM 1192 Rocky TexasStateParks.org/SocialMedia PARK RESERVATIONS TexasStateParks.org ParquesDeTexas.org (512) 389-8900 100 PW 4137 Pilot Point, TX 76258 (940) 686-2148 Proud Sponsor of Texas State Parks 

For assistance using this map, contact the park. Ray Roberts Lake State Park – Johnson Branch Unit TexasStateParks.org/App TexasStateParks.org/SocialMedia #TexasStateParks #BetterOutside LEGEND N 02 FM Headquarters Stop the spread of zebra mussels. CLEAN, DRAIN and DRY your boat. 30 Restrooms Showers Vault Toilets Dump Station Primitive Tent Sites Water Tower Water and Electric Sites rs Trail Cross Timbe DORBA Trailhead Dogwood Canyon 141 139 38 140 1 4 32 1 6 97 9 20 Volleyball Court Parking 4 3 Wheelchair Accessible 16 • All vehicles must remain on pavement. Dogwood Canyon Primitive Hiking Trail Boat Ramp 2.6 s le mi Blackland Prairie Designated Swimming Area Paddling Area Sycamore Point Day Use Area 107 106 08 1 13213 1 105 09 122 124 130 113 1 121 125 129 111 110 6 2 0 1 8 2 1 12 119 117 12711112 4 118 116 115 • Pets must be on a leash not exceeding six feet in length. 134 133 132 29 28 • It is an offense to possess, display or discharge any firearm. • Numbered sites for overnight camping only. 5 16 • Public consumption or display of any alcoholic beverage is prohibited. • Valid permit required on windshield of each vehicle. Playground Sites 1-39 95 94 3 155 6 Willow Cove 6 9 92 15 7 Sites 155-165 38 39 98 3 91 5 7 24 2 3 3 16 1 158 2 7 0 2 4 1 5 2 10 5 1 36 2 1 159 9 4 9 2 3 4 5 4 6 0 6 8 44 64 35 16 16 3 6 6 6 9 9 1 34 161 88 89 67 68 62 18 Post Oak Beach 26 33 87 10 162 27 17 Day Use Area 32 1 69 3 30 6 8 0 7 5 5 4 8 6 1 1 7 84 83 59 11 2 72 1 13 14 15 82 46 47 58 81 48 73 7 80 74 5 Kid Fish 79 76 75 56 Pond Trail Walnut 49 78 77 55 Sites 40-104 50 54 51 3 52 5 • DISCHARGE GRAY AND BLACK WATER ONLY AT DUMP STATION. • Possession or discharge of fireworks prohibited. 137 Group Picnic Pavilion Juniper Cove 135136 • Maximum eight people per campsite. • Gathering firewood prohibited. Picnic Area 100 10 101 2 • Quiet hours – 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. (no music or generators). Biking Trail Firewood for Sale 60 6 1 • CAMPSITE CHECK-OUT – NOON. Hiking Trail 147 154 3 146 51 15 152 1 148 150 149 145 144 142 143 • Park hours – 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fish Cleaning 90 PLEASE NOTE Nature Center Recycling 40 Sites 135-154 er loop iles cent 2.8 m Oak Point Sites 105-134 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. © 2023 TPWD PWD MP P4503-153A (2/23) This publication can be found at tpwd.texas.gov/spdest/parkinfo/maps/park_maps/ PARK RESERVATIONS TexasStateParks.org ParquesDeTexas.org (512) 389-8900 Windsurfing Amphitheater and Kid Fish Pond Residence Maintenance Concrete Trail Dirt Trail 100 PW 4153 Valley View, TX 76272 (940) 637-2294 Proud Sponsor of Texas State Parks 

For assistance using this map, contact the park. Ray Roberts Lake State Park – Greenbelt TexasStateParks.org/App To Isle du Bois Unit – Ray Roberts Lake State Park #BetterOutside LEGEND Ray Roberts Lake State Park is a game preserve. No hunting or firearms permitted. Entrance permit required. To US 377, Pilot Point #TexasStateParks TexasStateParks.org/SocialMedia N Rest Rooms To Aubrey, US 377 Vault Toilets No water available south of the FM 428 access point. Wheelchair Accessible To US 377, McKinney, US 75 Hiking Trail Biking Trail Wagon Wheel Crossing Horse Blaze Trail Equestrian Trail Scenic Overlook Trail Equestrian Water FM 428 Access Trail Underpass Bluebird Trail FM 455 Access Coyote Run 4.5 FM 4 miles to 55 A cces s Elm Cut US 380 Access Swallowtail Trail Cottonwood Crossing Equestrian Parking Parking 6.5 miles to FM 428 Access Water Spigot Picnic Shelter 428 Canoe Launch To Denton, Loop 288 to I-35 380 Concrete Trail Trail Courtesy TRAIL ETIQUETTE Yield To 455 NOTE Equine must have proof of a negative EIA (Coggins) test within the past 12 months. The form VS 10-11 is proof of testing. Primitive Trail Consideration and polite behavior are essential in order to ensure the enjoyment of all trail users. Please observe the following guidelines: • Leave no trace: if you pack it in, pack it out. • Please stay on the trail. • Ride with a friend. Wear a helmet. • All users must yield to handicapped users. • Cyclists should pass other trail users slowly and considerately. Hikers and cyclists should always yield to horses and make their presence known well in advance, then move aside to allow horses to pass, if passing from the opposite direction; if passing horses from behind, hikers and bikers should pass on the left after making the rider aware of their presence. • Pets are permitted on the trails, but must be under control and on a leash at all times. • EMERGENCY DIAL 911. To Sanger, I-35 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. © 2023 TPWD PWD MP P4503-176A (2/23) Scenic Overlook This publication can be found at tpwd.texas.gov/spdest/parkinfo/maps/park_maps/ PARK RESERVATIONS TexasStateParks.org ParquesDeTexas.org (512) 389-8900 To Denton, Loop 288 to I-35 Improved Trail Park Boundary 100 PW 4137 Pilot Point, TX 76258 (940) 686-2148 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. For information on #TexasStateParks, visit texasstateparks.org Sign up today for free email updates: texasstateparks.org/email /TexasStateParks @TPWDparks @TexasStateParks Sponsor: Whole Earth Provision Co. 

For assistance using this map, contact the park. For a web version of the map text, visit our Trails Information page. For information on #TexasStateParks, visit texasstateparks.org Sign up today for free email updates: texasstateparks.org/email /TexasStateParks @TPWDparks @TexasStateParks Sponsor: Whole Earth Provision Co. 

For assistance using this map, contact the park. For a web version of the map text, visit our Trails Information page. For information on #TexasStateParks, visit texasstateparks.org Sign up today for free email updates: texasstateparks.org/email /TexasStateParks @TPWDparks @TexasStateParks Sponsor: Whole Earth Provision Co. 

KENNETH SAINTONGE, TPWD INTERPRETIVE GUIDE RAY ROBERTS LAKE With over a quarter of the state’s population living in the North Central Texas area, natural wild spaces become even more precious. Ray Roberts Lake State Park provides a safe haven for native wildlife and a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. While enjoying this natural beauty, please remember that everything you see in the park is protected. Artifacts, rocks, plants, and animals (even snakes) are all part of the region’s rich cultural and natural heritage. Help us keep recreational use sustainable for the future and protect these resources by leaving things as you find them. STATE PARK COMPLEX We hope you also explore these other North Texas natural wonders: ISLE DU BOIS UNIT JOHNSON BRANCH UNIT GREENBELT UNIT Eisenhower SP, 50 Park Road 20, 75020; (903) 465-1956 Bonham SP, 1363 State Park 24, 75418; (903) 583-5022 Cedar Hill SP, 1570 FM 1382, 75104; (972) 291-3900 TUCKED AWAY ON NORTH SIDE OF THE DFW METROPLEX, RAY ROBERTS LAKE STATE PARK IS A HIDDEN GEM WAITING TO BE Lake Mineral Wells SP, 100 Park Road 71, 76067; (940) 328-1171 EXPLORED. HERE YOU’LL Visit www.tpwd.texas.gov for more information on these and other Texas state parks and historic sites. DISCOVER Ray Roberts Lake State Park Complex Offices: Isle du Bois Unit Johnson Branch Unit 100 PW 4137 100 PW 4153 Pilot Point, TX 76258 Valley View, TX 76272 (940) 686-2148 (940) 637-2294 www.tpwd.texas.gov/rayrobertslake A BLEND BEAUTY UNIQUE TO NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS AND A RICH Texas State Parks is a division of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. KENNETH SAINTONGE, TPWD 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. OF PRAIRIE AND WOODLAND CULTURAL HISTORY. © 2019 TPWD. PWD BR P4503-137V (7/19) In accordance with Texas State Depository Law, this publication is available at the Texas State Publications Clearinghouse and/or Texas Depository Libraries. THE A variety of outdoor recreational opportunities such as hiking, biking, and camping are accessible from the park’s different units: the Isle du Bois unit on the southeast shore, the Johnson Branch unit on the north shore, and a greenbelt corridor along the Elm Fork of the Trinity River. The park also has five satellite units around the lake with boat ramps at Buck Creek, Jordan, Pecan, Sanger, and Pond parks. Ray Roberts Lake provides water for the cities of Dallas and Denton. Originally known as Lake Aubrey, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built the dam in 1987 to impound the 29,000-acre reservoir. The lake’s name changed in 1980 to honor the accomplishments of Denton’s legendary U.S. Congressman, Ray Roberts, who represented the area from 1962 to 1982. Roberts was affectionately known as “Mr. Water” for his leadership and foresight in managing and conserving the water resources of Texas. Ray Roberts Lake is the first in a series of reservoirs that captures the waters of the Trinity River watershed, the largest and most populated watershed in Texas. Congressman Ray Roberts L A K E S T A T E P A R K CROSSROADS OF DIVERSITY “A grassland is in many ways an upside-down world . . . Life thrives in an underworld of roots, which are the living heart of grasses and perennial plants.” Mary Taylor Young, Land of Grass and Sky – A Naturalist’s Prairie Journey Eastern Cross Timbers LAKE RAY ROBERTS Grand Prairie Blackland Prairie C O M P L E X Imagine life in North Texas hundreds of years ago, before cars, subdivisions, and malls. Picture vast prairies, rich forests, and clear running rivers and streams. As you explore the natural beauty that is Ray Roberts Lake State Park, you are taking a step back in time. Here you can observe picturesque landscapes and, if you’re lucky, spot some of their inhabitants; Ray Roberts Lake State Park is an oasis for wildlife. you can find coyotes, armadillos, roadrunners, and scissortailed flycatchers. The park’s incredible biological diversity comes from its crossroads of ecological regions. Most of the park lies within the Eastern Cross Timbers, a thin band of forest spanning 500 miles from southeast Kansas to Waco like a river of trees. The forest is home to white-tailed deer, bobcats, squirrels, cottontail rabbits, raccoons, and striped skunk. You’ll spot mockingbirds and painted buntings flitting among the trees. Interspersed throughout the fo

G U Í A I N T E R P R E TAT I V A KENNETH SAINTONGE, TPWD LAGO RAY ROBERTS Dado que más de un cuarto de la población del estado vive en la región norcentral de Texas, los espacios naturales silvestres adquieren aún más valor. El Parque Estatal del Lago Ray Roberts ofrece un refugio seguro para los animales salvajes autóctonos y un tranquilo espacio a donde escapar del bullicio de la ciudad. Mientras disfrutas de esta belleza natural, no olvides que todo lo que ves en el parque está protegido. Los objetos, las rocas, las plantas y los animales (incluso las serpientes) son todos parte del rico patrimonio cultural y natural de la región. Ayúdanos a mantener un uso recreativo sustentable para el futuro y a proteger estos recursos dejando las cosas donde las encuentres. COMPLEJO DEL PARQUE ESTATAL Esperamos que también explores estas otras maravillas naturales del norte de Texas: UNIDAD DE ISLE DU BOIS UNIDAD JOHNSON BRANCH UNIDAD GREENBELT Eisenhower SP, 50 Park Road 20, 75020; (903) 465-1956 Bonham SP, 1363 State Park 24, 75418; (903) 583-5022 Cedar Hill SP, 1570 FM 1382, 75104; (972) 291-3900 Lake Mineral Wells SP, 100 Park Road 71, 76067; (940) 328-1171 ESCONDIDO AL NORTE DEL DALLAS/ FORT WORTH METROPLEX, EL PARQUE ESTATAL DEL LAGO RAY ROBERTS ES UNA JOYA OCULTA QUE AGUARDA A SER EXPLORADA. AQUÍ DESCUBRIRÁS LA BELLEZA Visita www.tpwd.texas.gov para obtener más información sobre estos y otros parques estatales y sitios históricos de Texas. DE LAS PRADERAS Y LOS BOSQUES, UNA COMBINACIÓN QUE SE DA Unidad de Isle du Bois 100 PW 4137 Unidad Johnson Branch 100 PW 4153 Valley View, TX 76272 (940) 686-2148 (940) 637-2294 www.tpwd.texas.gov/rayrobertslake EXCLUSIVAMENTE EN LA REGIÓN NORCENTRAL DE TEXAS, ASÍ COMO © 2021 TPWD. PWD BR P4503-137AB (7/21) 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) 389-8915 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. AYÚDANOS A CONSERVAR DEVUELVE ESTE FOLLETO PARA SU REUTILIZACIÓN KENNETH SAINTONGE, TPWD UNA RICA HISTORIA CULTURAL. El parque ofrece una variedad de oportunidades recreativas al aire libre, como senderismo, ciclismo y acampada, a las que se puede acceder desde sus distintas unidades: la unidad Isle du Bois en la orilla sudeste, la unidad Johnson Branch en la orilla norte y un cinturón verde a lo largo del Elm Fork del río Trinity. El parque cuenta también con cinco unidades secundarias alrededor del lago con rampas para botes en los parques Buck Creek, Jordan, Pecan, Sanger y Pond. El lago Ray Roberts abastece de agua a las ciudades de Dallas y Denton. Conocido originalmente como lago Aubrey, el cuerpo de ingenieros del Ejército de los Estados Unidos construyó la represa en 1987 para crear el embalse de 29,000 acres. El nombre del lago se cambió en 1980 para homenajear los logros del legendario congresista de Denton Ray Roberts, quien representó a la región entre 1962 y 1982. Roberts recibió el afectuoso apodo de “El Sr. Agua” por su liderazgo y poder de previsión en la gestión y conservación de los recursos hídricos de Texas. El lago Ray Roberts es el primero de una serie de embalses que contienen las aguas de la cuenca del río Trinity, la más grande y poblada de Texas. Congresista Ray Roberts D E L P A R Q U E E S T A T A L INTERSECCIONES DE DIVERSIDAD “Una pradera es, en muchos sentidos, un mundo del revés… La vida prospera en un mundo subterráneo de raíces, que son el corazón con vida de los pastos y las plantas perennes”. Mary Taylor Young, Land of Grass and Sky – A Naturalist’s Prairie Journey Cross Timbers oriental LAGO RAY ROBERTS Gran pradera Pradera Blackland D E L L A G O R A Y R O B E R T S Imagina la vida en el norte de Texas hace cientos de años, antes de que existieran los carros, las subdivisiones y los centros comerciales. Imagina las vastas praderas, los densos bosques y los ríos y arroyos cristalinos. Al explorar la belleza natural del Parque Estatal del Lago Ray Roberts, estás viajando atrás en el tiempo. Aquí observarás pintorescos paisajes y, si tienes suerte, avistarás algunos de sus habitantes; el Parque Estatal del Lago Ray Roberts es un oasis para la vida silvestre. La increíble diversidad biológica del parque se debe a la intersección de regiones ecológicas. La mayor parte del parque se encuentra dentro de la región conocida como Cross Timbers oriental

Southwestern Tablelands Central Great Plains Texas Blackland Prairies Cross Timbers (Post Oak Savannah) Edwards Plateau East Central Texas Plains (Post Oak Savannah) Western Gulf Coastal Plain (Piney Woods) Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes Southern Texas Plains Blue Water Leaf Ray Roberts Lake State Park Isle du Bois Unit 100 PW 4137 Pilot Point, Texas 76258 (940) 686–2148 For more information, visit www.tpwd.texas.gov/rayrobertslake B I G B E N D R A N C H S TAT E P A R K A Walk T hrough Time RayRobertsLakeStatePark Ray Roberts Lake State Park is located in the Cross Timbers, a subregion of the Post Oak Savannah ecoregion. This 2.2-mile trail takes you through some of the finest examples of habitat in the Post Oak Savannah ecoregion. The land under the lake might have looked like this before the lake was constructed in the 1980s, covering the area with water. As you hike along the trail you will see dense woodlands and playful, open prairies. Follow along with this trail guide to learn more about the communities of the Cross Timbers and the Post Oak Savannah and take a walk through time. @RayRobertsLake Cover photo and photo above courtesy of “Nature’s Stage,” a contributor to the Ray Roberts Lake photo contest on Flickr. RAY ROBERTS LAKE STATE PARK 4200 Smith School Road, Austin, Texas 78744 www.tpwd.texas.gov © 2014 Texas Parks and Wildlife Department PWD BR P4503-0137Y (10/14) In accordance with Texas State Depository Law, this publication is available at the Texas State Publications Clearinghouse and/or Texas Depository Libraries. TPWD receives federal assistance from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other federal agencies and is subject to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and state anti-discrimination laws which prohibit discrimination the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex or disability. If you believe that you have been discriminated against in any TPWD program, activity or facility, or need more information, please contact Office of Diversity and Inclusive Workforce Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 5275 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church VA 22041. Explore the woodlands and prairies as they were before Ray Roberts Lake was developed, and experience the many stories the Randy Bell Scenic Trail has to share. 1 Precious Prairie Pocket prairies like the one you see here were once common features of the Post Oak Savannah. Travelers would often use prairie openings like this one to stop and rest. In 1716, Capitan don Domingo Ramón wrote, “We advanced seven leagues with great difficulty, arriving in the afternoon in an open spot that God had placed there for us to rest after such a painful journey.” Besides providing a good stopping place, these prairies support insects, birds and mammals. The native grasses that grow here are tough and hardy. Some have roots extending 16 feet deep into the soil, helping them survive even the worst drought. 2 Monte Grande 5 Irving wrote about his adventures exploring the west including a stay in the Cross Timbers. “After a tedious ride of several miles, we came out upon an open tract of hill and dale, interspersed with woodland. Here we were roused by the cry, Buffalo! Buffalo! Three or four of those enormous animals were visible to our right[,] grazing on the slope of a distant hill.” 4 As you look around, you will notice that this part of the trail crosses dense woodlands. The dominant trees are primarily oaks and elms, common for the Post Oak Savannah. The earliest written descriptions of this region came from Spanish explorers. They called it Monte Grande, which means “large forest.” “We crossed the Monte Grande. The name fits it, since it is necessary to bring a guide in order to go through it, because it is so wooded and entangled,” wrote Fray Francisco Céliz in 1718. 3 Days Gone Bye Wildlife such as deer, armadillos and roadrunners are often observed from the Randy Bell Scenic Trail. Would you believe that bison and bear used to live here, too? In his 1832 bestselling book, A Tour on the Prairies, Washington Like a Thousand Tiny Crystals Little Bluestem grass (Schizachyrium scoparium) is one of the “big four” tallgrass prairie species common to this region. Bunch grasses like Little Bluestem, Big Bluestem, Indiangrass and Switchgrass once grew abundantly in the Post Oak Savannah ecoregion. There are many accounts of settlers and travelers having to stand on their horses to gain a view above the tall grasses. Little Bluestem gets its name from the bluish color of the stems in spring. As summer turns to fall, the grass will take on a deep rusty color. The white, fuzzy flowers of the Little Bluestem stay on the grass over the winter months, the seeds providing vital food for birds. When lit by the sunshine, a prairie of Little B

RAY ROBERTS LAKE SP JOHNSON BRANCH UNIT BIRD CHECKLIST This checklist is a list of common and specialty birds seen in the park. Staf and volunteers have used previous checklists as well as eBird data to compile these lists. This list should not be used as a comprehensive list of birds seen in this park. Please help us protect the natural avian communities by refraining from using playback tapes of bird songs. Thank you for your cooperation. Waterfowl ___ Canada Goose ___ Wood Duck Pelicans ___ American White Pelican Herons, Ibis, and Allies ___ Blue-winged Teal ___ Great Blue Heron ___ Gadwall ___ Great Egret ___ American Wigeon ___ Snowy Egret ___ Mallard ___ Cattle Egret Grebes Vultures, Hawks, and Allies ___ Pied-billed Grebe ___ Black Vulture ___ Horned Grebe ___ Turkey Vulture Pigeons and Doves ___ Osprey ___ White-winged Dove ___ Mississippi Kite ___ Mourning Dove ___ Cooper’s Hawk Cuckoos ___ Bald Eagle ___ Greater Roadrunner ___ Red-shouldered Hawk ___ Yellow-billed Cuckoo ___ Red-tailed Hawk Rails, Gallinules, and Allies ___ American Coot Shorebirds ___ Killdeer ___ Least Sandpiper ___ Spotted Sandpiper Owls ___ Eastern Screech-Owl ___ Barred Owl Kingfshers ___ Belted Kingfsher Woodpeckers Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers ___ Yellow-bellied Sapsucker ___ Bonaparte’s Gull ___ Red-bellied Woodpecker ___ Ring-billed Gull ___ Downy Woodpecker ___ Forster’s Tern ___ Hairy Woodpecker Loons ___ Pileated Woodpecker ___ Common Loon ___ Northern Flicker Cormorants and Anhingas Falcons and Caracaras ___ Double-crested Cormorant ___ Neotropic Cormorant ___ American Kestrel Tyrant Flycatchers: Pewees, Kingbirds, and Allies ___ Eastern Phoebe ___ Eastern Kingbird ___ Scissor-tailed Flycatcher Vireos Waxwings ___ Cedar Waxwing Wagtails and Pipits ___ American Pipit Finches, Euphonias, and Allies ___ House Finch ___ White-eyed Vireo Jays, Magpies, Crows, and Ravens ___ Blue Jay ___ American Crow Tits, Chickadees, and Titmice ___ Carolina Chickadee ___ Tufed Titmouse Martins and Swallows ___ Barn Swallow ___ Clif Swallow Kinglets ___ American Goldfnch New World Sparrows ___ Chipping Sparrow ___ Field Sparrow ___ Lark Sparrow ___ Fox Sparrow ___ Dark-eyed Junco ___ White-crowned Sparrow ___ Harris’s Sparrow ___ White-throated Sparrow ___ Savannah Sparrow ___ Ruby-crowned Kinglet ___ Golden-crowned Kinglet Treecreepers ___ Brown Creeper Gnatcatchers ___ Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Wrens ___ Song Sparrow ___ Lincoln’s Sparrow ___ Spotted Towhee Blackbirds ___ Western Meadowlark ___ Eastern Meadowlark ___ Red-winged Blackbird ___ House Wren ___ Carolina Wren ___ Bewick’s Wren Starlings and Mynas ___ European Starling Catbirds, Mockingbirds, and Thrashers ___ Brown Thrasher ___ Northern Mockingbird ___ Brown-headed Cowbird ___ Common Grackle Wood-Warblers ___ Orange-crowned Warbler ___ Common Yellowthroat ___ Pine Warbler ___ Yellow-rumped Warbler Cardinals, Grosbeaks, and Allies ___ Northern Cardinal Thrushes ___ Eastern Bluebird ___ Indigo Bunting ___ Hermit Thrush ___ Painted Bunting ___ American Robin ___ Dickcissel © 2022 TPWD PWD CD P4503-0153C (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. 

RAY ROBERTS LAKE SP ISLE DU BOIS UNIT BIRD CHECKLIST This checklist is a list of common and specialty birds seen in the park. Staf and volunteers have used previous checklists as well as eBird data to compile these lists. This list should not be used as a comprehensive list of birds seen in this park. Please help us protect the natural avian communities by refraining from using playback tapes of bird songs. Thank you for your cooperation. Waterfowl ___ Canada Goose ___ Wood Duck ___ Blue-winged Teal ___ Northern Shoveler ___ Gadwall ___ American Wigeon ___ Mallard ___ Northern Pintail ___ Green-winged Teal ___ Canvasback ___ Ring-necked Duck ___ Lesser Scaup ___ Common Goldeneye Grouse, Quail, and Allies ___ Wild Turkey Grebes ___ Pied-billed Grebe ___ Horned Grebe Pigeons and Doves ___ Rock Pigeon ___ Eurasian Collared-Dove ___ White-winged Dove ___ Mourning Dove Cuckoos ___ Greater Roadrunner ___ Yellow-billed Cuckoo Nightjars ___ Chuck-will’s-widow Swifs ___ Chimney Swif Hummingbirds ___ Ruby-throated Hummingbird Rails, Gallinules, and Allies ___ American Coot Shorebirds ___ Killdeer ___ Least Sandpiper ___ Wilson’s Snipe ___ Spotted Sandpiper ___ Greater Yellowlegs Gulls, Terns, and Skimmers ___ Bonaparte’s Gull ___ Franklin’s Gull ___ Ring-billed Gull ___ Forster’s Tern Loons ___ Common Loon Cormorants and Anhingas ___ Double-crested Cormorant ___ Neotropic Cormorant Pelicans ___ American White Pelican Herons, Ibis, and Allies ___ Great Blue Heron ___ Great Egret ___ Snowy Egret ___ Cattle Egret ___ Green Heron Vultures, Hawks, and Allies ___ Black Vulture ___ Turkey Vulture ___ Osprey ___ Mississippi Kite ___ Northern Harrier ___ Sharp-shinned Hawk ___ Cooper’s Hawk ___ Bald Eagle ___ Red-shouldered Hawk ___ Broad-winged Hawk ___ Swainson’s Hawk ___ Red-tailed Hawk Owls ___ Eastern Screech-Owl ___ Great Horned Owl Kingfshers ___ Belted Kingfsher Woodpeckers ___ Yellow-bellied Sapsucker ___ Red-bellied Woodpecker ___ Downy Woodpecker ___ Hairy Woodpecker ___ Northern Flicker Falcons and Caracaras ___ American Kestrel Tyrant Flycatchers: Pewees, Kingbirds, and Allies ___ Least Flycatcher ___ Eastern Phoebe ___ Great Crested Flycatcher ___ Eastern Kingbird ___ Scissor-tailed Flycatcher Vireos ___ White-eyed Vireo ___ Blue-headed Vireo ___ Warbling Vireo ___ Red-eyed Vireo Shrikes ___ Loggerhead Shrike Jays, Magpies, Crows, and Ravens ___ Blue Jay ___ American Crow Tits, Chickadees, and Titmice ___ Carolina Chickadee ___ Tufed Titmouse Martins and Swallows ___ Purple Martin ___ Barn Swallow ___ Clif Swallow Kinglets ___ Ruby-crowned Kinglet ___ Golden-crowned Kinglet Nuthatches ___ Red-breasted Nuthatch Treecreepers ___ Brown Creeper Gnatcatchers ___ Blue-gray Gnatcatcher Wrens ___ House Wren ___ Winter Wren ___ Carolina Wren ___ Bewick’s Wren Starlings and Mynas ___ European Starling Catbirds, Mockingbirds, and Thrashers ___ Brown Thrasher ___ Northern Mockingbird Thrushes ___ Eastern Bluebird ___ Hermit Thrush ___ American Robin Waxwings ___ Cedar Waxwing Old World Sparrows ___ House Sparrow Wagtails and Pipits ___ American Pipit Finches, Euphonias, and Allies ___ House Finch ___ Red Crossbill ___ Pine Siskin ___ American Goldfnch New World Sparrows ___ Chipping Sparrow ___ Clay-colored Sparrow ___ Field Sparrow ___ Lark Sparrow ___ Fox Sparrow ___ Dark-eyed Junco ___ White-crowned Sparrow ___ Harris’s Sparrow ___ White-throated Sparrow ___ Savannah Sparrow ___ Song Sparrow ___ Lincoln’s Sparrow ___ Swamp Sparrow ___ Spotted Towhee ___ Eastern Towhee Blackbirds ___ Western Meadowlark ___ Eastern Meadowlark ___ Orchard Oriole ___ Red-winged Blackbird ___ Brown-headed Cowbird ___ Brewer’s Blackbird ___ Common Grackle ___ Great-tailed Grackle Wood-Warblers ___ Black-and-white Warbler ___ Orange-crowned Warbler ___ Nashville Warbler ___ Yellow Warbler ___ Pine Warbler ___ Yellow-rumped Warbler ___ Black-throated Green Warbler Cardinals, Grosbeaks, and Allies ___ Summer Tanager ___ Northern Cardinal ___ Indigo Bunting ___ Painted Bunting ___ Dickcissel © 2022 TPWD PWD CD P4503-0137AC (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. 

TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE RAY ROBERTS LAKE STATE PARK RAY ROBERTS LAKE STATE PARK Wildlife Lost Pines Nature Trail and their Tracks Lake Birding Area BOBCAT FORE 12 10 11 13 Chimney HIND 9 14 FORE 8 15 HIND RACCOON 7 rail Horse T 16 FOX SQUIRREL FORE 6 17 FORE HIND 5 HIND RINGTAIL 18 COYOTE 19 2 3 4 1 Trailhead FORE HIND HQ SKUNK FORE WHITE-TAILED DEER HIND As you follow the 1/2-mile loop trail, you will see numbered marker posts that correspond to this trail guide. DEWCLAWS SHOW WHEN RUNNING FORE HIND PLEASE: BEAVER FORE OPOSSUM HIND FORE • Pack out what you pack in. • Remain on the trail at all times. • Do not remove or damage any specimens. • Take your time, listen and look for nature’s wonders, be safe and enjoy your walk! HIND PWD BR P4503-137Z (9/09) Ray Roberts Lake State Park is located in the Eastern Cross Timbers vegetation region, a narrow strip of dense woodlands bisecting a broad area of the Blackland and Grand Prairie in north-central Texas. To learn more about the flora, fauna and natural regions of Texas, visit our Web site at www.tpwd.state.tx.us/kids/ 1. The Forest Floor Under the canopy of oaks and elms lies the seasonal layering of each autumn’s leaves. With one inch of topsoil formed about every 500 years, the decomposition of organic matter is a slow, steady process. A mixture of rock, clay, silt, and sand, as well as living and dead organisms, moisture and air spaces, makes up the sandy loam soil, the foundation of life on Earth. 2. Yucca A member of the lily family, yuccas have been used by native people and early settlers for baskets, mats, sandals and rope. The flowers attract hummingbirds and may be eaten raw. Soap can be made from the roots. Every part of the yucca can be utilized. 3. Blackjack Oak Blackjack oaks are the co-dominant species in the Cross Timbers region. The wood is used for railroad cross-ties, firewood and charcoal. Drooping limbs are characteristic of this oak. 4. Bull Nettle Look but don’t touch! This plant has tiny needles that can irritate your skin. Underground is a tuber root, much like a potato, that the Native Americans and early settlers cooked much like our modern day French fries. 5. Mexican Plum This species is a common wild plum in North Texas. The sweet purplish-red fruit is eaten fresh or made into preserves; it is enjoyed by a variety of wildlife as well. Chickasaw plum thickets may also be encountered along the trail. 6. Post Oak Post oaks are the dominant tree species in this region. The wood is marketed as white oak and is used for railroad ties, posts and in construction. The tree is sometimes referred to as “ironwood.” This particular tree is very old and may have been enjoyed by the settlers that once lived in the pre-Civil War log cabin. 7. Live Oak Named for its evergreen foliage, live oak timber was once important for building ships. The nation’s first publicly owned timber lands were purchased as early as 1799 to preserve live oaks for this purpose. 8. Hercules-Club This plant is also called toothache tree or tingle-tongue. Chewing the bitter, aromatic bark or foliage is a home remedy for numbing the pain of a toothache. This tree is a host plant for the giant swallowtail butterfly. 9. Gum Bumelia (or Chittamwood) Early settler children once chewed sap from cuts in the trunk like gum. The fruit is edible but can cause nausea. The wood can be used for making tool handles and cabinets. 10. Poison Ivy Beware of this plant! Some plants, though beneficial to the entire ecosystem, can be harmful to humans. Birds and wildlife forage this plant without adverse effects. Remember: leaves of three, let them be. 11. Coralberry Coralberry is a short, deciduous shrub which grows thickets. The longpersisting fruit clusters are eaten by numerous songbirds, bobwhite quail and wild turkey. 12. Eastern Redcedar The aromatic wood from this evergreen is used for fence posts, cedar chests and furniture. This invasive species replaces better wildlife habitat when fire is prevented. 13. American Elm This large handsome tree was once very abundant, but Dutch elm disease, caused by a fungus and spread by bark beetles, has hurt the population. The wood is used for containers, furniture and paneling. Notice the American beautyberry growing next to the elm. 14. Cedar Elm This tree is a native elm and has wings on the limbs like winged elm. It also has rough-surfaced, very small leaves and sometimes grows next to cedars. 15. Winged Elm This is a dominant species in the park. The tree has distinctive corky wings on the limbs. The early settlers used the fibrous inner bark for rope to tie cotton bales. Creek Indians called this tree “wahoo.” 16. Slash Pine and Greenbrier Known at Ray Roberts as the Lost Pines, these pines were first planted about 1950 and they have done very well. The greenbrier thicket may be painfully prickly, but it provides good cover for wildlife. The small berries provide

TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE RAY ROBERTS LAKE STATE PARK RAY ROBERTS LAKE STATE PARK Wildlife Lost Pines Nature Trail and their Tracks Lake Birding Area BOBCAT FORE 12 10 11 13 Chimney HIND 9 14 FORE 8 15 HIND RACCOON 7 rail Horse T 16 FOX SQUIRREL FORE 6 17 FORE HIND 5 HIND RINGTAIL 18 COYOTE 19 2 3 4 1 Trailhead FORE HIND HQ SKUNK FORE WHITE-TAILED DEER HIND As you follow the 1/2-mile loop trail, you will see numbered marker posts that correspond to this trail guide. DEWCLAWS SHOW WHEN RUNNING FORE HIND PLEASE: BEAVER FORE OPOSSUM HIND FORE • • • • Pack out what you pack in. Remain on the trail at all times. Do not remove or damage any specimens. Take your time, listen and look for nature’s wonders, be safe and enjoy your walk! HIND PWD BR P4503-137Z (9/09) Ray Roberts Lake State Park is located in the Eastern Cross Timbers vegetation region, a narrow strip of dense woodlands bisecting a broad area of the Blackland and Grand Prairie in north-central Texas. To learn more about the flora, fauna and natural regions of Texas, visit our Web site at www.tpwd.state.tx.us/kids/ 1. The Forest Floor Under the canopy of oaks and elms lies the seasonal layering of each autumn’s leaves. With one inch of topsoil formed about every 500 years, the decomposition of organic matter is a slow, steady process. A mixture of rock, clay, silt, and sand, as well as living and dead organisms, moisture and air spaces, makes up the sandy loam soil, the foundation of life on Earth. 2. Yucca A member of the lily family, yuccas have been used by native people and early settlers for baskets, mats, sandals and rope. The flowers attract hummingbirds and may be eaten raw. Soap can be made from the roots. Every part of the yucca can be utilized. 3. Blackjack Oak Blackjack oaks are the co-dominant species in the Cross Timbers region. The wood is used for railroad cross-ties, firewood and charcoal. Drooping limbs are characteristic of this oak. 4. Bull Nettle Look but don’t touch! This plant has tiny needles that can irritate your skin. Underground is a tuber root, much like a potato, that the Native Americans and early settlers cooked much like our modern day French fries. 5. Mexican Plum This species is a common wild plum in North Texas. The sweet purplish-red fruit is eaten fresh or made into preserves; it is enjoyed by a variety of wildlife as well. Chickasaw plum thickets may also be encountered along the trail. 6. Post Oak Post oaks are the dominant tree species in this region. The wood is marketed as white oak and is used for railroad ties, posts and in construction. The tree is sometimes referred to as “ironwood.” This particular tree is very old and may have been enjoyed by the settlers that once lived in the pre-Civil War log cabin. 7. Live Oak Named for its evergreen foliage, live oak timber was once important for building ships. The nation’s first publicly owned timber lands were purchased as early as 1799 to preserve live oaks for this purpose. 8. Hercules-Club This plant is also called toothache tree or tingle-tongue. Chewing the bitter, aromatic bark or foliage is a home remedy for numbing the pain of a toothache. This tree is a host plant for the giant swallowtail butterfly. 9. Gum Bumelia (or Chittamwood) Early settler children once chewed sap from cuts in the trunk like gum. The fruit is edible but can cause nausea. The wood can be used for making tool handles and cabinets. 10. Poison Ivy Beware of this plant! Some plants, though beneficial to the entire ecosystem, can be harmful to humans. Birds and wildlife forage this plant without adverse effects. Remember: leaves of three, let them be. 11. Coralberry Coralberry is a short, deciduous shrub which grows thickets. The longpersisting fruit clusters are eaten by numerous songbirds, bobwhite quail and wild turkey. 12. Eastern Redcedar The aromatic wood from this evergreen is used for fence posts, cedar chests and furniture. This invasive species replaces better wildlife habitat when fire is prevented. 13. American Elm This large handsome tree was once very abundant, but Dutch elm disease, caused by a fungus and spread by bark beetles, has hurt the population. The wood is used for containers, furniture and paneling. Notice the American beautyberry growing next to the elm. 14. Cedar Elm This tree is a native elm and has wings on the limbs like winged elm. It also has rough-surfaced, very small leaves and sometimes grows next to cedars. 15. Winged Elm This is a dominant species in the park. The tree has distinctive corky wings on the limbs. The early settlers used the fibrous inner bark for rope to tie cotton bales. Creek Indians called this tree “wahoo.” 16. Slash Pine and Greenbrier Known at Ray Roberts as the Lost Pines, these pines were first planted about 1950 and they have done very well. The greenbrier thicket may be painfully prickly, but it provides good cover for wildlife. The small berries provide

-Official- FACILITIES Get the Mobile App: MAPS ACTIVITIES TexasStateParks.org/app T O Y O T A T U N D R A The Toyota Tundra is built to explore the great outdoors. No matter what the weekend throws at you, your Tundra takes it on with ease. | toyota.com/tundra Official Vehicle of the Texas Parks & Wildlife Foundation CONTENTS 4 100 Years of Texas Parks 6 Parks Near You 8 90 Checklist DIRECTORY TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT 52 68 20 38 60 30 84 68 David Yoskowitz, Ph.D. 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 52 Panhandle Plains 48 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 illustration: Brad Woodard, bravethewoods.com Texas State Parks Official Guide, Nineteenth Edition © TPWD PWD BK P4000-000A (3/23) TPWD receives funds from DHS and USFWS. TPWD prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin (including limited English proficiency), disability, age, and gender, pursuant to state and federal law. If you believe you have been discriminated against by TPWD, visit tpwd.texas. gov/nondiscrimination or call (512) 389-4800 for information on filing a complaint. To obtain information in an alternative format, contact TPWD on a Text Telephone (TTY) at (512) 389-8915, by Relay Texas at 7-1-1, (800) 735-2989, or by email at accessibility@tpwd.texas.gov. If you speak a language other than English and need assistance, email lep@tpwd.texas.gov. You can also contact Department of the Interior Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and Civil Rights, 1849 C Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20240, and/or U.S. Department of Homeland Security Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL), Mail Stop #0190 2707, Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave., S.E. Washington, D.C. 20528. 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 This year is very special for Texas State Parks: We are celebrating our 100-year anniversary in 2023. More and more Texans are discovering the beauty of State Parks and exploring the outdoors in new and adventurous ways. Our teams across the state are incredibly excited to welcome outdoor enthusiasts, especially those who have yet to discover what our parks have to offer. 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. The 640,000-plus acres that make up the state park system are nearly as diverse as the people of Texas. Since 1923, our mission has been to help connect our visitors with the outdoors. As we honor those who have come before us, I invite a new generation to be a part of the story of the lands that connect us all. There is more to enjoy in our parks than you know, so please join us in our celebrations and activities. Every day we look for new and better ways to ensure your state parks are welcoming to every Texan, regardless of their background or experience being outside. I hope you’ll visit soon and often, while bringing your friends and family along. YOU are a natural and we’re looking forward to celebrating the 100-year anniversary of state parks with you! WHAT’S NEW IN STATE PARKS Galveston Island State Park reopened the beachside of the park with a new headquarters, campsites, restrooms, and more. Bastrop State Park unveiled an extensive new group of trails, the “Tree Army Trails,” many of which are ADA-accessible. Improvements and major repairs are planned for Indian Lodge, Tyler, Inks Lake, Cedar Hill, South Llano River, Eisenhower and several other state parks All-terrain “GRIT” wheelchairs are now available at 10 parks with more adaptive equipment on the way to help people of all abilities experience Texas State Parks. Learn more about our accessibility efforts, page 14. More information: TexasStateParks.org/whatsnew 100 Years of Texas Parks The crown jewels of Texas road trips started as an unfunded wish list before the Depression. Back in 1923, Governor Pat Neff realized rising numbers of new car travelers needed places to camp overnight on multi-day trips. Neff convinced the state legislature to create a six-member State Parks Board, half men, half women. Isabella, the Governor’s mother, and her family donated acreage on the Leon

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