Tyler State Park

Tyler State Park covers 985.5 acres on Farm Road 14, eight miles north of Tyler, around a 64-acre spring-fed lake. Texas Parks and Wildlife lists trees 100 feet tall, and visitors swim, fish, hike, ride mountain bikes, rent canoes, kayaks, paddleboats and johnboats, and camp in sites that run from water only to full hookups. The park also has cabins and screened shelters.

The Handbook of Texas says Smith County and the city of Tyler bought the land in 1934 and 1935 from sixteen private owners, and that the National Park Service drew up the plans. Civilian Conservation Corps crews built the park between 1935 and 1941: roads, buildings, planted trees, check dams, culverts, bridges and the earthen dam that made the lake. They also built a bathhouse, a concession building, a dance pavilion, a boathouse and a caretaker's home. In 1963 heavy rain broke a 100-foot section of the dam and the lake drained; the department rebuilt the dam and finished updating the park in 1975.

The park is at 789 Park Road 16. Adults pay $6 and children 12 and under are free. There are more than 13 miles of trails, including the Whispering Pines Nature Trail, and a fishing pier and boat ramp. Boats with motors are allowed on the lake at 5 mph. The park store and boat rentals open Thursday through Monday. The park often fills from March to Thanksgiving, so reserve ahead.