Lake O’ the Pines State Park RV & Campground Guide
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Lake O' the Pines State Park in Texas spans 9,000 acres and features Lake Daingerfield, which is 80 acres, and the land extends across three counties. Visitors can explore the pine forest and enjoy breathtaking views with exceptional vantage points. Outdoor activities you'll enjoy at the park include nature and bird watching, fishing, boating, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, hiking, and swimming. The state park hosts the annual Chinook Salmon Fall Run, and the Jefferson Bigfoot Statue, the Grove, and the Lonesome Dove Exotic Drive-Through are local attractions near the park.
Spring 49-68 F
Summer 75-95 F
Fall 58-87 F
Winter 42-58 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Lake O’ the Pines State Park
Lake O' the Pines has four overnight campgrounds with electrical and water hookups, parking pads, picnic tables, restrooms, potable water, playgrounds, dump stations, and boat launches. Generator use is allowed at all campgrounds, and they are pet-friendly. Free Wi-Fi is available at all campgrounds.
What to Do at
Lake O’ the Pines State Park
Lake-related activities are abundant at Lake O' the Pines State Park, and guests can enjoy these activities almost year-round. Canoeing, kayaking, swimming, boating, hiking, swimming, and fishing are terrific choices for a family day, or guests can enjoy the campgrounds. Wildlife and many bird species are beautiful at the park, and you can find many vantage points for viewing at a safe distance. Visitors can rent paddleboards, boats, and kayaks at Bullfrog Marina, which you'll find at Johnson Creek campground.
Fishing
Anglers are attracted to Lake Daingerfield for the abundant fish, including spotted bass, largemouth bass, white bass, blue catfish, flathead catfish, channel catfish, crappie, sunfish, and chain pickerel. If fishing from shore, you do not need a fishing license in Texas state parks.
Geocaching
Stop by the park office to get details about the geocaching adventure and start the treasure hunt. Guests can discover hidden gems throughout the park and sign the logbook at the end of the adventure.
Nature Watching
Birdwatching is exceptional here and you will see many different species including great crested flycatchers, Cooper's hawks, ospreys, wood storks, anhingas, double-crested cormorants, American white pelicans, Eastern Phoebes, red-headed woodpeckers, pine warblers, Eastern bluebirds, American robins, white-eyed vireos, tufted titmice, Northern Parulas, and broad-winged hawks.
Stargazing
The campgrounds and Lake Daingerfield's shores are the best places to stargaze. With a telescope, which you can set up at one of the park's picnic tables, you can see impressive views of constellations, planets, and stars.
Flora and Fauna
Flora at the park includes oaks, sweetgums, pines, flowering dogwoods, bald cypresses, buttonbushes, water oak, loblolly pines, long-leaf pines, and Southern magnolias. Wildlife at the park is beautiful and includes bullfrogs, ringtails, Seminole bats, common gray foxes, Virginia opossums, striped skunks, bobcats, white-tailed deer, Eastern gray squirrels, marsh rice rats, cotton mouse, prairie vole, and river otters.
Hiking
Take a leisurely stroll on easy hiking trails or explore challenging hikes through the hills. The hiking trails start with Caddo Forest Loop and Caddo Lake State Park Pine Ridge trail, which is 1.3 miles and easy. Rustling Leaves Trail is 2.8 miles and moderate, while the Mountain View Trail is 1.1 miles long.
Boating
Guests can enjoy canoeing, kayaking, and boat rides at the park, and every guest must wear a life jacket or vest while on the water. Texas requires a boating license to operate a motorized boat.
Swimming
Guests find many designated swimming areas at the park, including beaches at Brushy Creek, Johnson Creek, Alley Creek, Shady Grove, and Johnson. A lifeguard isn't posted at the swimming beaches.
Biking
Biking is allowed on the hiking trails, but motorized bikes are prohibited. The hills and piney woods present a terrific challenge for guests.
How to Get to
Lake O’ the Pines State Park
From Jefferson, TX, head northeast on West Lafayette Street toward North Polk Street. Take FM-729 to Alley Creek Park Road. Turn left at the first cross street onto North Polk Street. Turn left onto TX-49 West/East Broadway Street. Turn left onto FM-729. Turn left onto Alley Creek Park Road. Turn right onto Lock Mountain Road. Turn left onto Lock Avenue. Take a slight right onto Lock Mountain Road and continue until you see the park entrance.
Entering Lake O’ the Pines State Park
Guests can enter the park via their preferred campground or the main entrance for day use. There are parking lots at all campgrounds with handicapped parking available. The state park is open from sunrise to sunset, and the overnight campgrounds are open from April to December. The maximum RV length is 100 feet, except at Johnson Creek, where the maximum RV length is 70 feet.
Lake O' the Pines State Park Entry Fee : $8.0
Frequently Asked Questions About Lake O’ the Pines State Park
The best time to visit Lake O' the Pines State Park is late spring, early summer, and early fall, as the temperatures are mild. Summer is the peak season, and the mid to late summer temperatures can become extremely hot.
Birders can look forward to seeing a variety of waterfowl, songbirds, and raptors. While exploring, you may also spot gray foxes, Virginia opossums, and white-tailed deer.
There are 49 camping spots designated for RVs at Alley Creek, 62 at Brushy Creek, 58 at Buckhorn Creek, and 63 at Johnson Creek. Each site has a fire ring, a picnic table, and nearby restrooms.
You aren't required to reserve a camping spot, but it is recommended during the summers as the park reaches maximum capacity fast. The overnight camping fee is between $25 and $40, depending on your camping spot and campground choice. The weekly camping rate is $240, and the monthly rate is $450.
Pets are allowed at the state park, but you must keep your pets on a leash no longer than six feet. All pet owners must clean up pet-related waste and obey all posted signs regarding pets.