Tyler State Park

Tyler State Park is a 985-acre state park in the East Texas Piney Woods, about 10 miles north of downtown Tyler in Smith County and about 1 hour 45 minutes from Dallas. It’s best for swimming in a 64-acre spring-fed lake, hiking and mountain biking under tall pines, and camping. The park often fills, so reserve a day pass before driving out.

On This Page

• Swimming
• Hiking Trails
• Mountain Biking
• Paddling and Boat Rentals
• Fishing
• Camping
• Cabins and Screened Shelters
• Best Time to Visit
• What Visitors Say
• Getting There
• Know Before You Go
• Nearby Parks
• FAQ
• Sources and Official Links

Swimming

Swimming is allowed at Tyler State Park in a designated swim area on the lake, with a sandy beach, a floating platform and a bathhouse. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) built the lake in the late 1930s by damming a creek fed by Beauchamp Springs, and visitors keep describing the water as clear enough to see their feet.

Swim Area Rules

Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPWD) sets these rules:

• No lifeguards: TPWD has no lifeguards at state parks. Swim only in the marked area
• Hours: no swimming from sunset to sunrise
• Off-limits: no diving or swimming around the fishing piers or the boat ramp
• Grills: no grills or deep fryers in the swim area, the bathhouse or its parking lot
• Dogs: not allowed in the swim area
• Access: the CCC bathhouse has accessible restrooms and showers, but the shore by the swim area is a steep grassy slope

Summer weekends get crowded and loud at the beach, and one visitor in May 2026 was turned away at capacity. Visitors mention life jackets at the swim area; the platform has no ladder.

Hiking Trails

Tyler State Park has more than 13 miles of trails, according to TPWD, and its trail list adds up to 13.6 miles. Five connected loops are shared by hikers and mountain bikers, and three shorter trails are for hiking only.

Miles and ratings are from the TPWD trails page; the trails map (PDF) shows each route.

Trail Tips

The trails are sandy and covered in pine needles, with roots and short steep hills on the bike loops.

• Easiest walk: visitors’ favorite is the walk around the lake, mostly shaded and close to the water
• The waterfall: Whispering Pines leads to a small stepped waterfall and a wading pool built by the CCC more than 85 years ago. One hiker in August 2026 found it longer than its posted mile
• Workout: loops C and D have the steepest hills; one couple took about an hour to hike D in 2026
• Direction: on shared loops, hikers walk counterclockwise and bikers ride clockwise, so they meet face to face
• Navigation: visitors in 2025 found trailheads hard to spot and forks poorly signed. Carry the trail map, and watch for poison ivy on narrow stretches
• Closures: trails close for prescribed burns and events. The EZ, A and B loops close on November 14, 2026

Mountain Biking

Mountain biking at Tyler State Park uses the five connected loops: EZ, A, B, C and D, about 10.2 miles in all by TPWD’s list. TPW Magazine calls C and D the hardest, with C rated black diamond.

• Rules: ride clockwise on shared loops, since hikers come the other way. TPWD marks any trail closed to bikes
• Terrain: riders in 2025 described rooty, sandy singletrack under pines. Trailforks users report the C Loop closing when wet
• No rentals: TPWD lists no bike rentals here, so bring a bike and a helmet

Paddling and Boat Rentals

Paddling on the 64-acre lake at Tyler State Park is calm and suits beginners, since motors are held to 5 mph. Visitors can launch their own boat from the ramp or rent one through the Silver Canoe, the park store.

Rentals and Prices

TPWD’s rentals page lists pedal boats, canoes, single and double kayaks, 3- and 4-person rowboats and stand-up paddleboards.

• Prices: $20 for the first hour and $10 for each added hour, $70 for a full day or overnight, $100 for 24 hours and $150 for 48 hours (pedal boats 1 hour max)
• How it works: first come, first served, with life jackets and paddles included. Dogs may ride along
• Low lake: since September 26, 2026, TPWD says rentals are limited because the lake is low. In October 2026 a visitor found kayaks and canoes off the list while pedal boats and paddleboards still rented
• Heat: there are no boat rentals when the heat index is over 100°F
• Days: TPWD lists Thursday through Monday, or daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Call the store at (903) 592-6790 first

Visitors also report rentals closed for weather or staffing on some days. Anyone set on paddling does better bringing a kayak.

Fishing

Fishing at Tyler State Park is for crappie, perch, catfish and largemouth bass, from the shore, the fishing piers or a boat. No fishing license is needed to fish from the shore or a pier inside a Texas state park.

• Piers and ramp: TPWD lists one fishing pier and a boat ramp, and the park map also marks a lighted pier. One angler in May 2026 called the fishing dock run down
• Limits: the park map lists largemouth bass at 5 a day with a 14-inch minimum, and blue and channel catfish at 5 a day combined. Under the free fishing rules, piers are pole-and-line only, two poles per person
• Loaner gear: the Tackle Loaner Program lends rods, reels and tackle boxes
• What anglers report: bank fishing is hit or miss; a kayak or boat reaches better water

Camping

Camping at Tyler State Park spreads across several loops under the pines, from full-hookup RV sites near the lake to water-only tent sites. TPWD counts 101 campsites, and every loop has restrooms with showers nearby.

Campsite Types

Prices are TPWD’s nightly rates, plus the daily entry fee.

• Lakeview full hookup (18 sites, $32): water, sewer and 30/50-amp electric closest to the lake. Tents allowed. The reservation site lists one $28 rate for all full-hookup sites
• Big Pine full hookup (39 sites, $28): RVs only, all pull-through on the reservation site, with driveways of 35 to 75 feet
• Cedar Point water and electric (12 sites, $24): 30/50-amp electric and water; tents allowed. Two double sites cost $48
• Water only (30 sites, $18): tent sites with water nearby in the Dogwood Ridge, Red Oak, Hickory Hollow and Sumac Bend loops
• Accessible sites: Cedar Point 110 and 111, near accessible restrooms. Book them by phone at (512) 389-8900

The reservation site lists fewer sites than TPWD counts (31 at Big Pine), so call the reservation center when a loop looks full.

Which Loop?

Campers describe clear trade-offs between the loops.

• Lakeview: the best water access and paved, mostly level sites, but they sit close together and people walk past to fish
• Big Pine: built for RVs, but some pads are steep, many pull-throughs are short or curved, and low branches have torn awnings
• Tent loops: praised for soft, shady ground and privacy, though a few pads are small or sunken

Reservations and Camp Rules

Book early for spring and fall weekends, when lakeside sites go first.

• Campsites, shelters and cabins open for booking 5 months ahead; group facilities open 12 months ahead
• Weekend stays need a two-night minimum, and Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends need three nights.
• Late arrivals get a 4-digit gate code; no-shows are cancelled at noon the next day. Walk-ins after hours use the self-pay station at headquarters
• Quiet time runs 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Firewood is sold at the park, and there is a dump station

Bathhouses draw the most complaints: no ventilation in summer, no heat at some in winter and uneven upkeep at Big Pine. There is no laundry or Wi-Fi.

Cabins and Screened Shelters

Tyler State Park has 6 small cabins and 29 screened shelters. Neither has a bathroom; restrooms with showers are nearby.

• Cabins ($60 for two): in the Creekside area, with air conditioning, heat, one queen bed, a microwave, a refrigerator and a fire ring with grill. Add $4 for each extra person, up to 4, plus a $75 deposit. Bring linens. The reservation site books 5 of the 6; Cabin 4 is accessible
• Screened shelters ($32): in the Shortleaf loop, for up to 8 people, with water, electricity, a light, one outlet, a picnic table and a fire ring.
• No pets: dogs stay out of cabins, shelters, the group hall and the Creekside area
• Late arrivals: call headquarters by 3 p.m. on arrival day. Shelters and cabins are not rented to walk-ups after hours
• Groups: a group hall with a kitchen seats 60 ($150 a day). Book at (512) 389-8920

Visitors call the cabins clean and cozy, and winter shelter campers recommend an electric blanket.

Best Time to Visit

Spring and fall are the best time to visit Tyler State Park, with dogwoods in bloom and then fall color in the hardwoods. Summer brings the swimmers and the biggest crowds; TPWD’s busy season runs from March to Thanksgiving.

• Spring (March to May): flowering dogwood, eastern redbud and Mexican plum bloom, and the last freeze is usually in early April. Weekends fill fast
• Summer (June to August): July highs average 97°F. Visitors say the swim area is busiest on Saturday afternoons, and boat rentals stop when the heat index passes 100°F
• Fall (September to November): oaks, sweetgums and maples turn color, and visitors report the best color in November and morning fog over the lake in October
• Winter (December to February): January lows average 32°F. The quietest season, with a holiday Trail of Lights in December

What Visitors Say

Tyler State Park averages 4.7 stars across about 690 Google reviews from November 2024 to October 2026, matching its 4.7 across about 4,380 reviews all time. Most praise goes to the clear lake and the shaded trails, and the complaints are consistent.

• The lake: the clear, spring-fed water gets the most praise, for swimming and for paddling
• Bathhouses: the top complaint, mostly heat and ventilation in summer and upkeep at Big Pine
• Rentals: unreliable at times, with closures for weather, low water or no stated reason
• Raccoons: bold enough to open coolers and take food off tables. Store everything
• Crowds: summer weekends are loud and can hit capacity; weekdays are much quieter

Getting There

Tyler State Park is 2 miles north of I-20 on FM 14. From I-20, take exit 562 and head north on FM 14 (State Park Highway) about 2 miles, then turn left on Park Road 16. From downtown Tyler, follow FM 14 north about 8 miles, about 20 minutes in all.

Drive times to park headquarters:

• Tyler: about 20 minutes
• Longview: about 45 minutes
• Dallas: about 1 hour 45 minutes
• Shreveport: about 1 hour 50 minutes
• Houston: about 4 hours 20 minutes
• Austin: about 4 hours 35 minutes
• San Antonio: about 6 hours

A few things to know before driving out:

• Check-in: headquarters moved in September 2024. Drive past the old entry kiosk to the new building about 0.6 miles in
• RVs: the drive-through check-in lanes are too tight for big rigs, so park and walk in
• Supplies: Tyler, 10 miles south, has groceries, fuel and restaurants

Know Before You Go

Tyler State Park fills on nice weekends, and lake level, heat and events change what is open.

• Fees and passes: $6 a day for adults 13 and older; children 12 and under get in free. The Texas State Parks Pass ($70 a year) covers entry for the holder and guests. Confirm current fees on the TPWD fees page
• Booking: TPWD says the park often fills and that a reserved pass is the only way to guarantee entry. Day passes open 1 month ahead in three windows (entry from 8 a.m., 1 p.m. or 5 p.m.) and sell at the park when space allows. Campsites open 5 months ahead
• Hours: the park is open daily, with day use from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Headquarters is open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with longer hours in some seasons
• Dogs: on a leash no longer than 6 feet, never left alone and picked up after. No dogs in the swim area, buildings, cabins, shelters or the Creekside area. Bring waste bags; the trails have none
• Water: carry plenty on the trails; one regular suggests a gallon for two or three loops
• Raccoons: lock food and trash away
• Fires: burn bans happen in dry spells. Check the alerts page before planning a campfire
• Alcohol: public drinking or display of alcohol is against state park rules
• What to bring: sturdy shoes, a printed trail map, water shoes and a long power cord for RV hookups

Nearby Parks

Three other TrekTexas guides are within about 2 hours of Tyler State Park.

• Caddo Lake State Park: about 76 miles east, for paddling among bald cypress and Spanish moss on Big Cypress Bayou
• Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area: about 90 miles south in the Davy Crockett National Forest, with swimming, boating, fishing and the 4C Trail
• Cedar Hill State Park: about 110 miles west on Joe Pool Lake, with a swimming beach 20 miles from downtown Dallas
• More parks within reach: Parks Near Dallas

FAQ

Is Tyler State Park in the Hill Country?

No. It’s in the East Texas Piney Woods, north of Tyler, where pine forest meets the Post Oak Savannah. It’s also a different park from Tyler State Park in Pennsylvania.

Does Tyler State Park have a waterfall?

Yes, a small one. The Whispering Pines Trail leads to a stepped waterfall and wading pool the CCC built in the 1930s.

Are there alligators at Tyler State Park?

TPWD’s nature page doesn’t list alligators for the park, and none of the roughly 690 Google reviews from the past two years mention one.

Is Tyler State Park open today?

The park is open daily, but it can reach capacity, and trails or rentals close for burns, low water and events. Check the alerts page or call (903) 597-5338.

Sources and Official Links

Facts in this guide were last checked in October 2026 against these sources.

• Tyler State Park (TPWD)
• Entrance fees, campsites, cabins, screened shelters and group facilities (TPWD)
• Trails, trails map (PDF) and park map (PDF) (TPWD)
• Boat rentals and accessibility (TPWD)
• Nature, history and events (TPWD)
• Park alerts and state park rules (TPWD)
• Free fishing in state parks (TPWD)
• Texas State Parks reservations
• Bike Through the Pines of Tyler State Park (TPW Magazine)

Featured photo: Larry D. Moore, Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)