Purtis Creek State Park

Open — Open year-round. Park gates open 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily. Reservations recommended March through November and during first Monday weekends, as the park frequently reaches capacity.

About

Purtis Creek State Park in Van Zandt County provides an accessible outdoor escape just 60 miles southeast of Dallas. The centerpiece is a 355-acre lake stocked with largemouth bass, catfish, and crappie, where no fishing license is required. The lake allows 50 motorized boats at a time under idle-only, no-wake restrictions. Kayak and canoe rentals are available at a self-service kiosk. The park maintains 59 developed campsites with water and electric hookups at $20 per night, five walk-in tent sites, and 13 primitive hike-in sites (minimum 0.65 miles from parking) at $10 per night. All sites accommodate up to 8 people for developed sites or 4 for primitive sites. Restrooms with showers serve the main camping area. Recreational trails include the 4.1-mile Wolfpen Hike and Bike Trail, the 1.7-mile Beaver Slide Nature Path along the lakeshore, and a short Solar Trail along the dam. The park offers an all-terrain wheelchair for visitor use. Additional amenities include a park store selling supplies and bait, fishing piers, fish cleaning stations, boat ramps, and a rentable picnic pavilion. Ranger programs include guided hikes and paddling classes.

Directions

From Dallas/Fort Worth, travel 65 miles east on U.S. Highway 175 to Eustace, then left (north) on FM 316 for 3.5 miles. From Athens, travel 12 miles west on U.S. Highway 175 to Eustace, then right (north) on FM 316 for 3.5 miles.

Nearby Campgrounds