Tyler State Park
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.
Activities include picnicking; camping; boating (motors allowed - 5 mph speed limit); boat
rentals; fishing; birding; hiking; mountain biking; lake swimming (in unsupervised
swimming area); and nature study.
The
Park's Facilities:
Facilities include restrooms with and without showers; picnic
sites (including 3 group picnic areas); 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.
Flora/Fauna:
Situated in 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.
Directions:
Tyler State Park is located 2 miles north of Interstate 20 on FM 14 north of Tyler on Park
Road 16.
Elevation, Weather, and Schedule Information:
Elevation: 558 ft. Weather: July average high is 97 degrees, SW breeze; January average
low is 32 degrees; first/last freeze: Nov. 25/April 3. Open: 7 days a week year-round; 2
p.m. checkout for overnight guests. Busy Season: March through Thanksgiving.
Area Attractions:
Nearby attractions include Texas State Railroad State Historical Park; Martin Creek and
Purtis Creek 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.
Camping fees vary; entrance fee. For reservations, call 512/389-8900. For more details,
call the park or Park Information at 1-800-792-1112.