Copyright: Texas State Parks & Historical Sites Boating on the 64 acre lake

Description - Tyler State Park is 985.5 acres in Smith County, north of Tyler. The park includes a 64-acre lake. The land was deeded by private owners in 1934 and 1935; original improvements were made by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). The park opened in 1939.

Attractions - Much of the attraction to this park is its diverse range of recreational activities, together with it natural and beautiful setting within the Pineywoods. The steep dissected hillsides and the lake, with its associated vegetation, provides considerable habitat variety. Wildlife species are characteristic of east Texas: deer, squirrels, raccoons, opossums, as well as numerous species of birds. Popular fish include crappie, perch, catfish, and bass.

Facilities within the park include restrooms with and without showers; picnic sites; 2 group picnic areas without shelters; 1 group picnic pavilion; campsites with water; campsites with water and electricity (pull-through and back-in); campsites with water, electricity, and sewer (pull-through); screened shelters; and a group camp with 6 screened shelters for overnight use and a dining hall with a full kitchen for day-use only; shelters and dining hall can be rented together or separately. Other facilities include a trailer rally area (30 water and electric sites with a group picnic pavilion); trailer dump stations; a group dining hall; a 2.5 mile hiking trail; an 13-mile mountain bike trail; a .75-mile nature trail; an amphitheater on the lake shore; a seasonal grocery store that sells souvenirs and fishing supplies and rents canoes, paddle boats, kayaks, and fishing boats; a laundry tub; and a concrete launching ramp with a courtesy dock. Premium sites are available.

Nearby attractions include Texas State Railroad State Historical Park; Martin Creek and PurtisCreek State Parks; Tyler Municipal Rose Garden, famous as rose capital of world; Tyler Junior College and planetarium; Brookshire World of Wildlife; Carnegie History Center; Kilgore Oil Museum; Morton Salt Mines in Grand Saline, 40 miles from park; Canton Trade Days (1st Monday monthly); Spring Flower Trail (March); Rose Festival (October); Tyler Zoo; and the Goodman Museum. Only 20 to 30 minutes away is Gladewater, "The Antique Capital of East Texas."

Camping fees vary; entrance fee. For reservations, call 512/389-8900. Current weather conditions, including fire bans and water levels, can vary from day to day. For more details, call the park or Park Information at 1-800-792-1112.

Recreation - Recreation within the beautiful park includes boating (motors allowed - 5 mph speed limit), swimming within a designated area (unsupervised ) and fishing in the park's 64 acre lake. Additionally there are opportunities to hike and mountain bike along the trail. Also camping and picnicking. For nature lovers there are ample chances for birding and nature study.

Climate - Tyler State Park is located at an elevation of 558 feet. Temperatures within the park range from an average July high of 97 degrees with a SW breeze, to a January average low of 32 degrees. The first/last freeze are Nov. 25/April 3. Current weather conditions can vary from day to day. For more details, call the park or Park Information at 1-800-792-1112.

Location - Tyler State Park is situated within the Pineywoods area of Texas. The park is located 2 miles north of Interstate 20 on FM 14 north of Tyler on Park Road 16.

LAT: 32.4776444
LONG: -95.2924512