NORTHEAST TEXAS GEM - COOPER LAKE STATE PARK

About 900 miles from Denver, and not far from where my parents retired is Cooper Lake State Park located in Delta and Hopkins County in northeast Texas. A real gem of an Rving winter destination in the little known recreational area of northeastern Texas. Residing in the common reference of “the bottoms”, the man-made lake lies in the rolling hills or North Texas, and has some of the best fishing anywhere in the country.



The lake itself is approximately 19,300 acres and is surrounded by over 3,000 acres of parks and wildlife areas - in two park units around the lake, Doctors Creek Park and South Sulphur Park. The parks are open year around and offer many RVing, dry camping, equestrian camping and recreational activities. (It’s rare to find RVing destinations that are also accommodating to horse riders, with old style hitching posts at each equestrian RV site, and a multitude of equestrian trails – horse lovers RVing sites - $18 per night.) Download maps of Doctors Creek and South Sulphur using the following links.

The Doctors Creek Park, on the north side of the lake, boasts a pristine sandy beach, two playgrounds, nature trails and limited use cabins along with 42 RV sites with electric and water hook-up sites. The larger of the two surrounding parks,
South Sulphur Park, provides 14 fully furnished cabins, tent camping sites, lighted fishing piers and 87 RV sites with electrical and water hook-up sites – both sides offering a minimum of 55 foot pads for parking. With 100 person group pavilions, multiple private picnic areas, an educational amphitheatre, equestrian trails, beaches and nature walk trail, the parks offer many attractions for a day at the lake or a long term stay. Check out all the RVing adventure parks in Texas, through the Texas Parks and Wildlife.

Off season RV’ers pay $10 a night for a site (Nov-Feb), and $14 a night for the remainder of the year. There is a $3 a day day-use fee for each vehicle entering the park. A gem of a price for one of the best RVing destinations in Texas. Each site is off the beaten path, very secluded and impeccably kept. In my tour around both parks, it was impressive how clean, tidy and well manicured the rangers keep these parks. Each site provides a picnic table, BBQ and fire rings, and lantern posts, with back in and pull-throughs. In addition to the fishing possibilities, wildlife sightings are abundant. Fox, bobcat, deer and armadillos to name a few. The temperature runs an average of 90-95 in the hot and humid months of summer, but the fall and winter months offer very mild temperatures. This part of the country does have the chance for heavy rain or ice in the winter months, but snow is a rare happening. Consider Cooper Lake for an extended stay, or as a stop off on your way south for the winter.