Purtis Creek State Park

Introduction Purtis Creek Park

Purtis Creek State Park is a 355-acre lake that is a fishing paradise. Whether you cast a line from one of the many fishing piers or bring your own boat to cruise around the lake, you have a good chance of catching and releasing a largemouth bass or snagging a catfish or crappie for your lakeside picnic. If fishing isn’t your thing, there are five walking and biking trails suitable for the whole family, and swimming is always fun. Campers at Purtis Creek Campground can choose from walk-in primitive sites on the lake’s north shore, water-only sites to the south, or RV camping at the main campground.

Those seeking a more intimate camping experience can park their RV or trailer in one of over 50 RV and trailer-friendly sites. Water and electric hookups are provided at each site, allowing guests to enjoy their creature comforts in their home away from home. You’ll be glad you parked the campervan at Purtis Creek State Park, whether you’re staying for an afternoon or a week.

Purtis Creek State Park Camping

Purtis Creek State Park’s campground has 59 RV and trailer-friendly campsites. Each campsite has water and electric hookups, as well as a picnic table, lantern pole, and fire ring. During the hot summer months, most sites provide at least partial shade, which guests will appreciate. Maximum length restrictions vary by site, ranging from 25 to 55 feet, so make sure to reserve a space big enough for your rig. All of the sites are pet-friendly, and one is ADA-accessible. Restrooms with hot showers are nearby for guests. In addition, there are several hiking trails, plenty of additional parking, and fishing piers in the area surrounding the campground. The campground is open all year and reservations can be made up to five months ahead of time.

Purtis’s Hiking Trails Camps

More tenting sites can be found on the park’s west side, near the RV campground, but these are primitive, and guests must hike for just over a half mile to reach the campground. There are 13 of these hike-in sites open all year, each with a tent pad and a fire ring. There is no water available, so bring plenty with you. Reservations can be made up to five months in advance, and pets are welcome.

Off Side Camps

Don’t worry if you didn’t get a spot to park the Class A at Purtis Creek State Park. There are dozens of options for RV camping in the surrounding area, whether you’re looking for a private RV resort or another state park. There are numerous private RV parks near the park that offer a variety of amenities ranging from full hookups and laundry facilities to seasonal pools and ziplining opportunities.

If you prefer camping in state parks, there are options in every direction. Lake Tawakoni State Park is located to the north of Purtis Creek and has over 70 RV-friendly campsites. Sixteen of these sites have full hookups, while the others only have water and electricity. Tyler State Park, located to the east, has 57 full-hookup campsites and 20 additional electric sites. Fairfield Lake State Park is located to the south. Overnight visitors will find spacious sites with full hookups and electric options. Cedar Hill State Park is located to the east of the park and is an excellent choice for those looking to be close to Dallas/Fort Worth. Overnight guests can choose from more than 300 RV-friendly sites with full hookups or electric and water sites at Cedar Hill.

Only Tents

Those looking to spend a night or two under the stars can stay in one of the park’s five tent-only campsites. Tent pads, lantern poles, picnic tables, water, and fire rings are provided at these locations. The tent-only campground is located on the park’s east side, near the boat launch, and guests must walk a few yards to get there. Pets are welcome as long as they are leashed, and there are restrooms, a playground, and a picnic area nearby. The campground is open all year and reservations can be made up to five months ahead of time.

Activities for Purtis Creek State Park

Boating at Purtis Creek

A visit to Purtis Creek State Park would be incomplete without spending an afternoon on the water. If you didn’t bring your own watercraft, you can rent kayaks and paddleboards from the park. The lake is a wonderful place to unwind, and its idle only policy helps to keep it that way. The park only allows 50 motorized boats on the lake at one time, so if you want to get a spot on the lake, you should arrive early during the peak summer months.

Fishing

Purtis Creek State Park is well-known for its excellent largemouth bass fishing, and the best part is that you don’t even need a fishing license to cast a line. Largemouth bass must be released after catching them, but other popular species to catch include catfish and crappie. The park has fishing piers, boat launches, and fish cleaning stations, and if you didn’t bring your poles and tackle in the Airstream, the park lends out gear for free.

Biking and Hiking

Purtis Creek State Park has five trails that wind through it, so don’t be afraid to bring your hiking boots or bikes. The length of the trails varies, but they are all short walks. The Beaver Slide Nature Path is one of the most popular hiking trails. You’ll see plenty of nature along this trail, including the lake and, if you tread lightly, some of the park’s wildlife. This trail does not allow bikes, so if you’re looking for a leisurely ride during your visit to the park, consider one of the Wolfpen Hike and Bike Trails. There are three loops available, with the blue loop being the longest at two miles. This loop is ideal for hot summer days because it has plenty of shade overhead.

Picnicking in Purtis Creek Park

After a long day of activities, relax at one of the park’s many picnic tables and enjoy an outdoor meal. The main picnic area is on the park’s east side, near the boat launch area. This area also has restrooms, a playground, and plenty of parking for visitors. If you have a large group, the park has one picnic pavilion available for rent. The pavilion seats up to 100 people and has electricity, grills, and a fire ring. Those staying overnight can picnic right outside the pop-up, as each campsite has its own table and fire ring.

Wildlife Viewing

Get the family together and spend an afternoon geocaching if you’re looking for an adventure during your RV vacation to Purtis Creek State Park. This modern-day treasure hunt involves searching for buried loot hidden throughout the park with a GPS-enabled device. Stickers, pencil erasers, or any other small trinket provided by the previous geocacher could be among your spoils. Just make sure to replace your plunder with your own small offering before moving on to the next cache.

Programs from Rangers

Sign your kids up for the junior ranger program if you want to get them out of the travel trailer and more interested in nature. Scavenger hunts and other fun learning experiences will keep the kids entertained during the program. Adult programs at the park include guided hikes, nature programs, and paddling classes. Visit the park office to find out what programs are available during your visit to Purtis Creek State Park.

Purtis Creek State Park Location

Purtis Creek State Park, located in northeast Texas just an hour from the Dallas/Fort Worth area, is an ideal weekend getaway from the big city life. Because this area of the state is relatively flat, there will be no steep inclines or curvy mountain roads to contend with. The park isn’t too far off the grid, and major highways like US-175 and TX-19 will take you close to the entrance. Even the smaller roads surrounding the park are well maintained and should be easy to navigate for those driving large vehicles.

The park’s entrance is off FM-316, and once inside, the roads are wide and paved for easy maneuverability. The RV campground is on the west side of the park, while the boat launch and other major attractions are on the east.

Parking

There is plenty of parking, and even during peak summer months, you should be able to find a spot. There are parking lots near the park’s entrance, the boat launch, the campground, various fishing piers, and trailheads. If you’re staying overnight and don’t want to deconstruct camp every time you want to go somewhere, you should consider transporting your bikes in the motorhome.

Public Transport

No public transport is available for Purtis Creek State Park.

History of Purtis Creek Park

This area was once home to Native Americans from the Wichita and Caddo tribes. A cliff overhang on private property just east of the park provided shelter for Native Americans. Petroglyphs carved into the rock walls indicate that this was a popular hunting location.

In the early to mid-1800s, white settlers were drawn here by the abundance of wild game. During this time, the settlers established many small towns and communities.

The Tyler to Porter’s Bluff Road, a well-known stage route from East Texas to the Trinity River, runs along the park’s southern border. Along this route, near the Neches River, just northeast of Edom, is the site of the famous Cherokee Chief Bowl’s death in the battle of the Neches in 1839.