Nature Trails and Swimming in the Hill Country
Tyler State Park is located in the beautiful Texas hill country, but it is conveniently placed on flat ground so that people can comfortably sleep, eat and rest. While the campsites are placed on flat surfaces, the terrain is perfect for those wishing to enjoy a little more strenuous hike. Guests can smell the fresh pine the minute that they step from their vehicles.
The park is located just North of Tyler, Texas on FM 14 (AKA State Park Highway). While guests rave about visiting the park during all times of the year, the most popular time appears to be fall and spring. From September to November and February to early May, visitors usually have a more pleasant time because the weather is perfect for outdoor activities.
Activities
Camping
There are four campsite options available to guests. Each campsite comes with access to water and restroom facilities, but guests have the choice to upgrade to sites with electricity access as well. The campsite options are basic tent sites, screened areas, and RV parking. All sites have access to public restroom facilities. The tent sites have a water spigot that is shared with adjacent campsites.The screened areas are equipped with water and electricity, and they offer a great place to pitch a tent if it happens to rain. The RV sites are equipped with water and electricity. All campsites are pet friendly, but pets must remain on their leashes and are not allowed in any State Park buildings.
When planning a trip, it is important to check availability. The peak season is summer, but there is a good likelihood that the park will be booked throughout the year because it offers a variety of activities. Winter is the least busy time of the year to book at this park.
Hiking
With approximately 13 miles of trails, the Tyler State Park offers hikers and bikers a variety of scenery to choose from. The most important point to remember is to check with park rangers and park maps to ensure that the trails are for foot traffic, bicycles or both.
Mountain Biking
Mountain Biking plays a significant role at the Tyler State Park. There are 13 miles of trails ranging from beginner to advanced. By only taking routes to the left, cyclists will find themselves enjoying the scenery and putting in quite the workout. The area is extremely hilly, and there are some roots that stick out in the trails, so it is important to remain watchful at all times.
Paddling
Since the park surrounds Tyler State Park Lake, there are plenty of water activities. Guests are able to bring their own equipment, or they can go to guest services to rent items like paddle boats or buy sun screen. The park does allow motor boats, but there is a 5 mph speed limit on the lake.
Swimming
When taking a dive in the lake, visitors will need to be mindful of fishermen. While there are three fishing piers, sometimes there is a straggler that wanders into the swimming area. The park has a beach that is designated for swimming only, and this is the perfect place to have a picnic, get a tan, and enjoy some fun in the sun.
Know Before You Go
In the heat of the summer, Texas weather can be fatal. It is important to bring plenty of water, and always make sure to pack a little extra in case of an emergency. Mosqitoes are pretty terrible from April until mid-October, so packing repellent is encouraged. The park has a strict policy about littering and disturbing the wildlife, and they ask visitors to enjoy the park, but not to leave evidence that they were there. When choosing this park as a campsite, make sure to call ahead and reserve a space, otherwise there may not be any vacancies.