Martin Creek Lake State Park opened in 1976 on land that was settled by Daniel Martin in 1833. The park was built on the shore of Martin Creek Lake. The area was a historical trade route called Trammel’s Trace.
Location
9515 County Road 2181D, Tatum, Texas 75691
The park is located on the shores of the lake. Pay close attention to the location of any campsites that you book. Many of the sites have good views of the lake, but there is a factory across the lake as well.
Cost
The entry fee for Martin Creek Lake State Park is $4 per person over the age of 13. There is free admission for people ages 12 and under.
There are additional fees for overnight stays which vary depending on the type of lodging or campsite.
To save money when visiting Martin Creek Lake State Park, I recommend looking at a Texas State Parks Pass. The pass costs $70 a year. The benefit of the pass is that it allows the pass holder, and any passengers in their vehicle to enter the park without paying the day use fee.
Reservations
Reservations can be made in advance online. Reservations can be made for campsites or for day use. Reservations should be made as soon as you know your plans.
This is a popular park that often reaches capacity, even for day use. If you do not have a reservation you may be turned away at the gate.
Staying at Martin Creek Lake State Park
Campsites
Primitive campsites are $15 per night. They are walk in sites about 200 yards from the parking area. There is a picnic table and a lantern post. It is a primitive campsite and does not have water or bathroom.
Campsites with electricity are $17 – $20 per night. They have a picnic table, lantern post, and fire ring with a grill. There are hookups for water and electricity. There are bathrooms withe showers in the vicinity.
Cabins
Basic cabins are $55 per night. They have electricity, air conditioning, and water. These cabins are very simple and do not have a kitchen or a bathroom. There is a bunkbed provided and room to add an air mattress. These are very basic cabins.
Cabins with a kitchen and bathroom are $85 per night. These cabins have electricity, water, and air conditioning. There is a kitchen with a microwave, refrigerator, stove and oven. There is a bathroom with a sink, toilet, bathtub, and shower. There are two double beds.
Group Facilities
There is a pavilion that has room for 75 people available near the beach. It has lights, ceiling fans, water, and electricity. There is a grill.
Restrooms in Martin Creek Lake State Park
There are bathrooms provided throughout the park. Restrooms in the camping loops have showers. There are also restrooms near the picnic area by the lake.
The primitive campings sites are on a small island that does not have any bathrooms.
Hiking Trails
There are three hiking trails in the park. Part of the park is located on the shore, and part of the park is located on an island in the lake. The island is accessible by a pedestrian bridge.
Old Henderson Road Loop is 1.2 miles and used to be the route between the towns of Henderson and Shreveport.
Harmony Hill Loop is 1.5 miles and the longest trail in the park. It goes through a forest and near the remnants of the former town of Harmony Hill.
Island Trails is 0.9 miles long and and an easy walk through pines and grasslands.
What is there to do at Martin Creek Lake State Park?
You can fish in Martin Creek Lake. Fishing licenses are not required for fishing from the shores of a state park. The lake is 5,000 acres and the park has a fishing pier and a fish cleaning station.
Swimming is allowed in Martin Creek Lake. There is a dedicated swimming area. Dogs and glass containers are not allowed in the swimming area. There is an outdoor shower in the swimming area made from an old canoe.
Be aware that there are snakes in the lake.
Canoes are available to rent in the park.
Try you hand at nature photography or going birding. Armadillo, deer, and rabbits live in the park.
Have a picnic.
Play on the playground.
An amphitheater is also available.
Dogs at Martin Creek Lake State Park
Martin Creek Lake State Park allows dogs into the park. Dogs must be on a leash in public areas of the park including on hiking trails. Owners must clean up after their dogs.
Dogs are not allowed inside any of the buildings, including cabins and bathrooms.
Dogs are not allowed in the dedicated swimming area.
Scientific Research at Martin Creek Lake State Park
State parks provide an excellent location for scientists to conduct research. One of the things that scientists study in Martin Creek Lake State Park is the water levels. You can see their scientific instruments mounted on the pedestrian bridge that leads to the island. There is an informational sign that explains their research.
What to do near Martin Creek Lake State Park
There are many interesting towns near the park.
Marshall, Texas
Marshall, Texas is 25 miles from the park. Marshall is the county seat of Henderson County, Texas and has a population of 22,000 people. There is a historic courthouse and downtown area. Visit the Starr Family Home State Historic Site or the Michelson Museum of Art.
Longview, Texas
Longview, Texas is 22 miles from the park. Longview is the county seat of Gregg County and has a population of 82,000 people. Visit the Longview Museum of Fine Arts or the Gregg County Historical Museum.
Kilgore, Texas
Kilgore, Texas is 24 miles from the park. Kilgore has a population of 13,400. Kilgore was an oil boomtown in the 1930’s. See the world’s richest acre, which has replicas of all of the oil derricks that were in the city and take a walk around the historic downtown. Visit the East Texas Oil Museum or the Texas Museum of Broadcasting and Communications.
Carthage, Texas
Carthage, Texas is 22 miles from the park. Carthage is the county seat of Panola County, Texas and has a population of 6,500 people. Visit the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame.
Henderson, Texas
Henderson, Texas is 18 miles from the park. Henderson is the county seat of Rusk County, Texas and has a population of 13,000 people. Visit the Depot Museum or the Howard Dickinson House.