Huntsville State Park

Huntsville State Park sits south of Huntsville inside the Sam Houston National Forest, and the ground was Bidai country. Texas Parks and Wildlife says Europeans first came in the 1500s, an epidemic killed half the Bidai in 1776 and 1777, and the last Bidai left for a Brazos River reservation in 1854. By 1905 the Walker County Lumber Company owned the 1,445 acres that became the park.

Construction began in 1937, when a Civilian Conservation Corps company made up of African American veterans built the dam, the group recreation hall and the boat house. The corps withdrew in 1942, and in November 1940 about 12 inches of rain over two days collapsed the dam. The 2,083-acre park opened to the public on May 18, 1956. Lake Raven now covers 210 acres, where only idle-speed motor boats are allowed.

The park is at 565 Park Road 40 West. It has 21 miles of trails, a bird blind, a Nature Center and 160 campsites, and alligators live here. The 129-mile Lone Star Hiking Trail can be reached from the park. Entry is $7 for ages 13 and up and free for those 12 and under. The park is open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., and the swimming area has no lifeguards. Reserve ahead, since it often reaches capacity.