North Texas is home to several dozen state parks. These preserved areas, which offer opportunities to hike, camp, fish, boat and explore, are spread between three regions of the state: the Panhandle Plains of northwestern Texas, the Prairies and Lakes zone centered around the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex and the Pineywoods area of northeastern Texas.
North Texas State Parks in the Panhandle Plains Region
Of the dozen state parks in the Panhandle Plains region, five offer particularly intriguing attractions. At Abilene State Park, visitors can see a portion of the state's official longhorn herd. This park is also home to one buffalo and is located near Lake Abilene. The Big Spring State Park offers spectacular views from its 200-foot bluff, particularly at sunrise and sunset. Covering more than 15,000 acres, the Caprock Canyons State Park features a 64-mile hiking, biking and horseback-riding trail that spans three counties and includes 46 bridges and a railroad tunnel. Lake Arrowhead State Park may be only 500 acres of land area but wraps more than 100 miles of coastline around the 16,000-acre Lake Arrowhead reservoir. Palo Duro Canyon State Park is home to the "Grand Canyon of Texas." Comprising more than 20,000 acres, Palo Duro Canyon has been influenced by human habitation for more than 12,000 years even though American settlers did not discover the area until 1852. Each summer, the Palo Duro Canyon State Park outdoor theater is the setting for a play called simply "Texas."
North Texas State Parks in the Prairies and Lakes Region
Several parks are located within and surrounding the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex, but several among them stand out from the crowd. Cedar Hill State Park, located on the 7,500-acre Joe Pool Lake, features the Dallas Off Road Biking Association trail. The park has 1,200 acres of natural landscape and also includes several miles of hiking trails. This location is also home to the Penn Farm Agricultural History Center, a tribute to the agrarian background of the area. Natural history enthusiasts will enjoy the Dinosaur Valley State Park, which is home to two dinosaur models as well as dinosaur tracks that are among the world's best preserved. Dinosaur Valley State Park is also located close to Fossil Rim, a drive-through wild animal preserve. The Ray Roberts Lake State Park includes two main parks, six satellite parks, a 20-mile greenbelt and a 30,000-acre lake; it is also located close to the Eisenhower Birthplace and State Park. Visitors can enjoy watersports, fishing, multiple campgrounds, birdwatching, hiking, biking, horseback riding and regularly planned special events.
North Texas State Parks in the Pineywoods Region
Northeastern Texas is home to more than a dozen state parks and hundreds of thousands of acres of dense pine forest. Caddo Lake State Park is home to one of the few natural lakes in Texas. The park and lake take their name from the prehistoric people who began populating the region around 200 B.C. Some of the current camping facilities were once Army barracks and the lake features 71 varieties of fish. Martin Creek Lake State Park is home to Trammel's Trace, an old Indian trail that was used as a major route for settlers who came to Texas from Arkansas. The lake features 5,000 acres of fishing, while the park features several trails and multiple campgrounds.
Seasons and Weather Considerations
North Texas experiences diverse and disparate weather conditions. While the entire state commonly experiences summer high temperatures ranging between the 90s to over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, winter weather can vary dramatically. Northwestern Texas often experiences frigid temperatures and snowfall, while northeastern and north central Texas are more temperate regions that typically experience sleet and ice only several days per winter season. All three regions of north Texas boast temperate spring and autumn weather. Before traveling to any of the North Texas state parks, investigate the local weather carefully in order to pack appropriate supplies and clothing.
North Texas State Park Travel Considerations
Some North Texas state parks are located in remote areas--particularly those in the Panhandle Plains and Pineywoods regions. Others, such as many in the Prairies and Lakes region, carve land out of metropolitan areas. Maps are a must when traveling to some of the remote areas of Texas that still have largely unpopulated open spaces. Be prepared to use patience while driving the heavily traveled highways of the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex and conversely, be prepared with extra gas and beverages when in areas where the nearest provisions may be dozens of miles away. North Texas is served by two major airports--Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and Dallas Love Field--and many smaller airports located throughout the region.
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