Your Guide to Purtis Creek State Park
Updated for Summer & Fall 2025
Why Purtis Creek Deserves a Spot on Your Bucket List
🌿 Just 7 Miles Away, a Whole World to Explore
Purtis Creek State Park offers an unbeatable mix of East Texas nature—serene trails, calm waters, and wide-open skies—without the crowds. This 355-acre lake-centered park is perfect for day trips or unplugged weekends with friends and family,
🎣 A Bass-Fishing Destination
Purtis Creek is famous for its catch-and-release largemouth bass, with a well-stocked lake that also includes catfish and crappie (which you can take home). Fishing piers, fish cleaning stations, and boat ramps make it an angler’s dream.
You don’t need a fishing license to fish from shore or pier here, and overnight fishing is allowed for just $2/person (if you're not camping).
Local Tip: Grab bait at Steve’s Bait Shop in Eustace before heading into the park. (address: 304 US Highway 175 E, Eustace, Texas)
🚣 Calm Waters: Kayaking & Canoeing
Motorized boats are allowed but restricted to idle speed only, keeping the lake safe and serene. Bring your own kayak or rent one from the on-site self-service kiosk (includes paddle and life jacket).
🥾 Hit the Trails
There’s a trail for every pace:
Wolfpen Hike & Bike Trail – 4.1 miles of moderate terrain
Beaver Slide Nature Path – 1.7 miles lakeside
Solar Trail – short, flat, and great for kids or anyone needing an easier stroll and places to sit along the way
Accessibility Note: Ask about the park’s free all-terrain wheelchair for guests with mobility needs.
🏖️ Family-Friendly Amenities: Swim, Grill & Play
Looking for a laid-back place to spend the day? Purtis Creek’s day-use area is one of the best-kept family spots in East Texas.
💦 The swim zone is protected and shallow, making it perfect for little ones who want to splash, float, or wade safely. There’s no rough current or boat traffic—just calm water and room to play.
🍔 Grills and shaded picnic tables line the grassy shoreline, so it’s easy to make a day of it. Pack a cooler, bring your charcoal, and settle in for lunch with a lake view.
🛝 The on-site playground sits right near the picnic area and bathrooms, so parents can relax while the kids climb, swing, and burn off some energy.
🧺 Pro Tip: Bring folding chairs or a camping mat and settle in under the trees. It’s an easy, affordable way to soak up lake life without needing a boat or a big plan.
Whether you stay for an hour or the whole day, it’s the kind of place where phones stay in the bag and memories get made.
🐾 Pet-Friendly Info
Yes, Purtis Creek is dog-friendly! Leashed dogs are welcome on all trails and in most outdoor areas. And if you’re staying overnight, many nearby lake rentals welcome pets.
⛺️ Camping Options
- 🔌 59 water/electric sites (RV or tent)
- 🚶 5 walk-in tent sites
- 🥾 13 primitive hike-in sites
🏡 Cabins & Lodging
Prefer a cozy stay nearby? Browse lakefront homes and guest-loved cabins just minutes from the park.
Browse Lakefront Rentals
2025 Summer & Fall Events
🐦 Birding & Wildlife
Download the Bird Checklist (PDF)
Birdwatching at Purtis Creek State Park isn’t just a quiet hobby—it’s one of the best ways to connect with the East Texas ecosystem. Whether you're an experienced birder or just learning what that chirp means, the park's diverse habitats make it a prime birding location year-round.
Purtis Creek is home to more than 100 bird species, including woodpeckers, warblers, herons, and raptors. Grab your binoculars, download the official Bird Checklist (PDF), and hit the trails—especially the Beaver Slide Nature Path for shoreline views and shady tree cover.
Backyard Birding – Ranger-Led Program
💲 Free with park entry ($5 adults, kids under 13 free)
📞 Contact: Ranger Jenna Lombard – (903) 425-2332 or email
Join Ranger Jenna to explore the sounds, colors, and habits of common backyard and park birds. Ideal for beginners and families.
Bring:
Refillable water bottle
Closed-toe shoes
Smartphone with bird apps (Merlin Bird ID, eBird)
Binoculars (optional)
Birding guide if you have one
Accessibility Tip: One grit wheelchair is available—contact the ranger in advance to reserve.
📸 Birding + Photography: Make It a Day Trip
Pair your morning bird walk with a Sunset Cruise by George Spann Photography—featuring golden-hour light, nesting birds, and shoreline wildlife only locals know how to find.
📍 George Spann Photography on Facebook ›Hands-On Fun at Purtis Creek
Art in the Park
Create a nature-inspired painting with a park ranger—and maybe see your work featured on the park’s Facebook page!
📍 Meet at the amphitheater picnic tables (camp loop)
🎒 Bring clothes that can get messy, water, bug spray
Frog Philharmonics
Not all frogs say “ribbit”! Learn their calls and join the frog choir at this fun, kid-friendly event.
📍 Camp loop amphitheater
🎒 Bring your voice, bug spray, and curiosity
Dutch Oven Cooking Demo
Join the Purtis Creek Dutch Oven Society for a live cooking demo and food sampling (starts ~11:30 AM).
📍 Day use picnic area (near playground)
🎒 Bring an appetite and a smile
💵 Free with park admission (donations appreciated)
Fishing with a Ranger
No license needed! Perfect for all ages—learn from a ranger, bring your gear, and drop a line.
📍 Day use fishing pier
🎒 Bring water, pole, chair, bug spray
🎣 Limited loaner gear available
🌕 Nighttime Adventures at Purtis Creek
When the sun sets, the real magic begins. Join a moonlit hike, listen for frogs in the amphitheater, or stretch out under a sky full of stars during one of the park’s guided stargazing nights. Programs like Charting the Stars and Park After Dark give families a chance to explore the natural world in a whole new light—no city glare.
🌌 Charting the Stars
Join a ranger for a deep dive into the night sky. You'll build your own star chart, learn the stories behind constellations, and discover what makes Texas skies so unique. This is a top pick for families, aspiring astronomers, and anyone craving a calm, meaningful evening outdoors.
What to Bring:
Red-light flashlight
Walking shoes
Bug spray
Curiosity (and maybe a wish for a shooting star)
🌙 Park After Dark: Moonlit Hike
Trade daylight trails for a moonlit adventure. This ranger-led hike explores how nocturnal animals navigate the dark and how our own senses adapt.
What to Bring:
Closed-toe shoes
Red or black light flashlight
Weather-ready layers
Water bottle
⚠️ Pro Tip: These programs are weather-dependent, so always call ahead or check the event calendar before heading out.
🌌 Local Tip: Don’t Rush Home After Dark
Book a nearby lakeside cabin so you can linger under the stars. Some of the best porches around Cedar Creek Lake were made for quiet nights and a sky full of constellations—no city lights, just stars.
🏡 Lakeside Cabins & Vacation Rentals ›❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Do I need a fishing license?
A. No license is required to fish from shore or pier inside Purtis Creek.
Q. Are pets allowed?
A. Yes! Dogs must be leashed and cleaned up after.
Q. Can I rent a kayak on-site?
A. Yes—kayaks, paddles, and lifejackets are available at a self-service kiosk.
Q. Where can I get food nearby?
A. Try The Roost in Eustace for breakfast or the Boat House in Athens for lunch/dinner.
Q. What’s the closest place to stay?
A. We recommend vacation rentals around Cedar Creek Lake.
🧡 Sentiments from our locals
Forget the overdone parks packed with tourists. Purtis Creek is real East Texas—calm water, chirping birds, and starlit skies. You’ll find families grilling, grandpas fishing, and kids learning the magic of a frog choir. And you won’t find a better-kept park this close to home.
Whether you go for the trails, the fish, the quiet—or just the fresh air—it’s the kind of place you remember.
