Tyler State Park

Tyler State Park has big leafy trees and a lake with a nice swimming area. It is located less than twenty minutes outside of Tyler, Texas and can reach capacity if you do not have a reservation. The park is very large, and does not feel like it is located near a city at all.

A large concrete sign that says Tyler State Park.
Main entrance to Tyler State Park.

Tyler State Park was constructed by the CCC between 1935 – 1941. The park flooded from a storm in 1963, and after significant work was reopened in 1975. 

A wooden sign with yellow printing that says built by ccc 1935 - 1940.
Tyler State Park was built by the CCC.
Informational sign about the CCC.
An informational sign about the CCC.

The State Park Store at Tyler State Park is one of the larger park stores that I have seen. They sell toys, souvenirs, T-shirts and books. It is also where you go to for boat rentals. The store also has a freezer with treats like frozen Snickers.

The front of the state park store, with a sign saying the silver canoe.
The Silver Canoe State Park Store.

Location

789 Park Road 16, Tyler, Texas 75706

Cost

The entry fee for Tyler State Park is $6 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 Tyler 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 Tyler State Park

Campsites

Campsites require a two-night minimum for weekends and a three-night minimum for holiday weekends. 

Campsites with water are $18 per night. They have a picnic table, water, and bathrooms with showers are in the vicinity.

Campsites withe electricity are $24 per night. There is a picnic table, a fire ring with a grill, and hookups for water and electricity. There are bathrooms with showers in the vicinity.

Campsites with electricity are $28 – $32 per night. There is a picnic table, a lantern post, and a fire ring with a grill. There are hookups for water, sewage, and electric. Bathrooms with showers are available in the vicinity. 

Cabins

Cabins are available for $60 per night. They have electricity, air conditioning, and water. There is a microwave and refrigerator. There is a bed and a table and chairs. You must bring your own bedding. There is no bathroom at the cabin, but there is one in the vicinity. 

Group Facilities

There is a group hall with a kitchen. The hall has air conditioning and electricity. It has a commercial kitchen, a grill, and tables. 

There is a pavilion, picnic area, and an amphitheater.

A wooden sign that says North Woods Pavilion in yellow print. Underneath it says by reservation.
Sign for North Woods Pavilion in Tyler State Park.
An outdoor area with a ramp that leads to a shelter Thant has picnic tables and a large roof. There are trees all around. The ramp connects between the parking area and the shelter.
North Woods Pavilion in Tyler State Park.

Restrooms in Tyler State Park

There are bathrooms provided throughout the park. Restrooms in the camping loops have showers. 

A small building with drinking fountains in front.
Restroom facilities at Tyler State Park.
A wall of doors on an exterior wall of a building that have signs indicated they are gender neutral showers.
Shower facilities at Tyler State Park.

The showers are individual and directly accessed from the outside of the building. There is a small area for changing or to store your belongings where they do not get wet.

A small room with a shower on one side and a small bench on the other side.
Inside of the shower area at Tyler State Park.
A door on the outside of a building with a sign saying handicap accessible shower.
Handicap accessible showers are available in the park.

Hiking Trails

There are thirteen miles of trails in the park. The trails range from easy to challenging. Most of the trails are for hiking and biking, but some of them are only for hiking.

A sign for Blackjack Nature Trail which has trees and tall grass in the background.
Blackjack Nature Trail leads to the bird blind.

Blackjack Nature Trail is an easy trail that goes over relatively smooth and level ground. It leads to the bird blind, and there are lots of wildlife viewing opportunities along the trail. The trail head has a large parking area with handicapped parking, and a restroom.

A wide hiking trail that leads through dense trees.
Loop D Trail is for hiking and biking, and has lots of trees.
A hiking trail through the trees with a lake in the background.
Lakeshore Trail at Tyler State Park.

What is there to do at Tyler State Park?

You can fish in the lake. Fishing licenses are not required for fishing from the shores of a state park. There are multiple fishing piers. 

Swimming is allowed in the lake. There is a dedicated swimming area. Dogs are not allowed in the dedicated swimming area. Glass containers are not allowed in the designated swimming area.

A sign listing the rules for the swimming area.
Sign with rules for the swimming area.
A ramp leading down to a grassy area on the lake.
The swimming area at Tyler State Park.

Kayaks and canoes are available to rent in the park. There are also paddle boats and paddle boards. Life jackets and paddles are included with rental fees.

A sign for boat rentals advertising pedal boats, canoes, kayaks, and rowboats.
Sign for boat rentals.
A wide low lying building at the edge of the water.
The boathouse at Tyler State Park.

Try you hand at nature photography or going birding. Armadillo, deer, and rabbits live in the park. 

An informational sign about wildlife in the park.
There is lots of wildlife in the park.

Dogs at Tyler State Park

Tyler 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.

Birding at Tyler State Park

One of the activities at Tyler State Park is birding. There is a bird blind with a bench and information about birds in the park. The trail to the bird blind has a restroom at the trail head.

A sign with information about becoming a birder.
Informational sign about birding in Tyler State Park.
A wooden wall with holes in it for watching birds. There is also a bench.
The bird blind on Blackjack trail.
A flat trail through grasses with a sign that says Bird Blind.
The Blackjack trial is an easy trail that leads to the bird blind.

What to do near Tyler State Park

Tyler, Texas

Tyler, Texas is 11 miles from the park. Tyler is the county seat of Smith County, Texas and has a population of 106,000 people. Tyler is known as the Rose Capital of the World. You can visit the Tyler Municipal Rose Garden or the Tyler Rose Museum or the Goodman Museum. 

Athens, Texas

Athens, Texas is 51 miles from the park. Athens is the county seat of Henderson, Texas and has a population of 13,000 people. Athens is known as the Black Eyed Pea Capital of the World. Visit the East Texas Arboretum or get dinner at Ochoa’s Mexican Restaurant.

Kilgore, Texas

Kilgore, Texas is 29 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.