Texas / Ellis County

Love

Closed — Open year-round for day use only. No camping available. Boat ramp access requires a $5 day use fee or $40 Corps Annual Pass, card payment only at the fee machine. Group shelter available for day use reservations through Recreation.gov.

About

Love Park is a 40-acre developed day use area located on the southeastern shore of Bardwell Lake, less than an hour south of the Dallas-Fort Worth area in north-central Texas. Managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, this facility is open year-round and provides excellent access to one of Texas's best-kept fishing secrets. The park features a 4-lane boat ramp with convenient lake access, an unmanned electronic fee collection system at the gatehouse, and one reservable group shelter that accommodates up to 100 people for day use. The group shelter includes ample parking, vault toilet facilities, and pedestrian lake access. The park does not offer overnight camping. Bardwell Lake is renowned among local anglers for excellent bass fishing, with moderate crappie fishing and usually excellent catfish. The lake also supports hunting opportunities in designated areas, including duck hunting. The grassy, partially forested surroundings provide habitat for deer, armadillo, rabbit, squirrel, and various bird species. Spring visitors can enjoy bright bluebonnets and other wildflowers along the lakeshore.

Directions

From Ennis: From Interstate 45, exit onto U.S. Highway 287 Bypass (exit 247). Travel 4.5 miles and exit at the Bardwell Lake exit sign. Turn left onto Highway 34 and go 0.2 miles. Turn left onto Lakeview Road. Travel 2.0 miles to the intersection of Beach Road. Make a slight turn to the right then proceed straight on Beach Road 0.4 miles to the park entrance.

Nearby Campgrounds