Purtis Creek State Park

Purtis Creek State Park covers 1,582.4 acres in Henderson and Van Zandt counties, around a 355-acre lake. Texas Parks and Wildlife says the state bought the land from private owners in 1977 and opened the park to the public in 1988. The department's history notes that the Wichita and Caddo peoples once roamed this country, and that hunting drew settlers in the early to mid-1800s.

The lake holds bass, catfish and crappie, no fishing license is required, and the park lends rods, reels and tackle boxes. A night fishing permit costs $2 a person on top of the entry fee, though campers do not need one. There are fishing piers and fish cleaning stations. Up to 50 motorized boats may be on the lake at once, at idle speed with no wake, and kayaks and canoes rent from a self-service kiosk on a first-come basis.

The park is at 14225 FM 316 North in Eustace. Adults pay $5 and children 12 and under are free. The Wolfpen Hike and Bike Trail runs 4.1 miles, the Beaver Slide Nature Path follows the lakeshore for 1.7 miles, and a short Solar Trail runs along the dam. Gates are open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. The park has 59 campsites with water and electricity, 5 walk-in tent sites and 13 primitive hike-in sites. It is busiest from March through November, and April and May are the wettest months.