This Texas State Park has a variety of recreational opportunities to go along with its large size. Let’s take a tour around this park. PARK MAP
AREA 1: Cedar Point Camping
We loved camping in this area. It has both water and electric along with a variety of site sizes. This area can accommodate anything from a tent to a large motorhome. It’s the first area you come to after you enter the park and you can’t beat the location.
Northside Day Use Area
Just passed area 1, you’ll find the Northside day use area. The area includes a swimming area, playground, boathouse, bathhouse, restrooms, park store, fishing pier, and several picnic areas. This spot has everything! AND..it’s all really nice. The playground is really great, the swimming area is large, the fishing piers are lighted so you could fish at night, and there are picnic tables all around. What more could you ask for?!
Lakeshore Trail
Within the Northside day use area, there is a picnic area called Lake Springs. From here, you can start on the Lakeshore Trail. This 2 mile trail is flat and grants you beautiful views as you hike around the lake. You’ll pass through every area of the park on this trail, but be aware of where you are. In one section along the lake shore, you are basically hiking through someone’s campsite. Be respectful!
AREA 2: Lakeview Camping
This camping area lives up to its name with beautiful lake views. It has full hook ups and a variety of back-in and pull through campsites. Be advised that if you get a site right on the lake, this is where the Lakeshore Trails goes through. You may have a few hikers every now and then. Otherwise, these sites are amazing.
AREA 3: Big Pine Camping
Big Pine is the largest of the camping areas. It has ALL pull through sites and full hook ups. This are is for Trailers and RVs ONLY – NO TENTS. It’s the only place in the park with that stipulation. This area is very similar to Lakeview except that the sites here are closer together. It’s not a jammed packed feeling, but they are a little closer than I care for. Still, I would camp there.
AREA 4: Blackjack Savannah
Blackjack Savannah is a camping area that I would consider to be a group area. It has a circular, grassy spot in the middle, with a pavilion. All around it are parking spots and water/electric hook ups. It seems like a great spot for a group of scouts or someone in a truck camper who could just pull right up to it. A great option if you fall into one of those categories. We came over to this area for the nature trail.
Blackjack Nature Trail
This nature trail is less than half a mile (only 0.4mi) long. It has beautiful wildflowers and signs that educate on all the wonders of nature at Tyler State Park. Head to the bird blind and see if you can spot anything. We didn’t have any luck, but I hope you will. TRAIL MAP
Southside Day Use Area
Another day use area, this time on the south side, is significantly smaller than the first. It has a fishing pier, access to the Lakeshore Trail, and an Overlook. Don’t waste your time going to the overlook though. All of the trees have grown up so tall that there isn’t much a view anymore. I’m sure when the CCC first built it, it was a beautiful view.
AREA 5-8: Tent Camping
You will not be without a tent camping site at this State Park. They have 4 designated areas for tent campers. You could probably take a very small camper, like a tear drop, into this area, but that’s about it. This area has very sharp, tight turns so I would not advise taking a trailer in any of these areas. Each of these areas does have access to the lake and great views. A great option!
AREA 9: Shortleaf Camping
Don’t have a tent, but still want to camp. Rent one of the screened in shelters this park offers. They have A LOT. I was impressed with this area. It has great access to the Northside day use area and the lake. Screened in Shelter INFO
AREA 10: Creekside Camping
If you need a little bit more than a screened in shelter, you can rent one of their 2-person cabins. These do not have a bathroom or kitchen, but they are nearby. There is also a Dining Hall in this area that you can rent. A great option for large group gatherings. Cabin INFO
Whispering Pines Nature Trail
You can hike the Whispering Pines Nature Trail from the cabins. This 1 mile, moderate hike is a great choice for any trail lover. It’s nicely shaded and has a lot of CCC history on it. There is also a little waterfall and who doesn’t love that!
Consider the Wonders is not affiliated with Tyler State Park, Texas State Parks, or Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
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