Fort Parker State Park was built by the CCC and opened in 1941. The park is known for being at the site of Fort Parker.
Location
194 Park Road, Mexia, Texas 76667
The park is located between Groesbeck, Texas and Mexia, Texas.
Cost
The entry fee for Fort Parker 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 Fort Parker 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 Fort Parker State Park
Campsites
Campsites with water are $12 per night. The sites have a picnic table, and a lantern post. There is a vault toilet in the area and a water spigot in the area.
Tent-only campsites with electricity are $20 per night. The sites have picnic tables, fire rings with grills, and hookups for electric and water. There are restrooms with showers in the vicinity.
Campsites with electricity are $20 per night. The sites have a picnic table and a fire ring with a grill. There are hookups for water and electricity. There are restrooms with showers in the vicinity.
Cabins
Cabins are available for $45 per night. These cabins do not have kitchens, bathrooms, or even beds. The cabins have air-conditioning, electricity, water, and a picnic table. Restrooms with showers are in the vicinity. Tents are allowed in the area. Dogs are not only not allowed in the cabin, they are not allowed in the entire camp loop.
Group Facilities
The youth group campsite is $50 per night. It is a drive-up camping area that has picnic tables, fire rings, and chemical toilets available.
There are group kitchens and halls as well as a pavilion that can be rented. There is also a group barracks area with dorms.
Restrooms in Fort Parker State Park
There are bathrooms provided throughout the park.
There is a restroom with showers near some of the campsites. There are several regular restrooms in the park, but along some of the trails and camping areas the bathrooms are just vault toilets.
Hiking Trails
There are five hiking trails in the park and one paddling trail. Most of the trails are fairly short and rated as easy.
Baines Creek Trail is the longest hiking trail in the park and is 2.5 miles long.
Springfield Trail is 1.8 miles and goes along the site of the former town of Springfield, and you can still see the old cemetery.
Limestone Bluffs Paddling Trail is for kayaking, and is 10.8 miles out and back.
What is there to do at Fort Parker State Park?
There are multiple places to fish in the park. No fishing license is required from the shore of the state park. There is fishing in Fort Parker Lake, Lake Springfield, and in the Navasota River. The park has two fishing piers and a fish cleaning station.
Swimming is allowed in Fort Parker Lake, near the picnic areas.
Kayaks and canoes are available to rent in the park, or you can bring your own.
Fort Parker State Park allows dogs into the park. Dogs must be on a leash in public areas of the park including on hiking trails. Dogs may not be left unattended. Owners must clean up after their dogs.
Dogs are not allowed inside any of the buildings, including cabins and bathrooms.
What to do near Fort Parker State Park
Mexia, Texas
Mexia, Texas is a town of about 7,000 people. The town has a number of places to get food and some hotels.
Groesbeck, Texas
Groesbeck is a town with 3,600 people. It has some places to eat, a grocery store, and some hotels.