Bonham State Park

Introduction of Bonham State Park

Bonham is perhaps best known in these parts as the home of legendary Congressman Sam Rayburn. Between the 1940s and his death in 1961, the man who once said, “Power is no good unless you have the guts to use it,” was Speaker of the House for 17 years. Rayburn died shortly after taking the oath of office for his protégé and fellow Texas politician, Lyndon Johnson. History buffs will enjoy learning more about the history of this one-of-a-kind state park.

But enough with the politics. Bonham State Park, like many other facilities, was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) during the Great Depression. The wild Red River was untamed in the 1930s. Soil erosion was a major issue for agricultural communities like Bonham. CCC workers constructed a small dam, which created Bonham State Park Lake. Local farmers benefited greatly from the dam.

Workers also used Texas limestone and other similar materials to construct a number of buildings, the majority of which still stand today. The vision was provided by noted architects William Caldwell and Joe Lair, and the muscle was provided by CCC workers.

Bonham State Park was originally a backwater. It’s now a popular weekend destination for Dallas residents. Swimming, fishing, boating, and a variety of other activities are popular among RV visitors. The park has over 8.5 miles of hiking trails that wind around the lake’s perimeter. The forest, hills, and lakeside trails offer wonderful opportunities to enjoy the local flora and fauna, whether you hike or bike.

A visit to Eisenhower State Park is highly recommended if you want to explore more of the parks in this area. This park is located 40 miles northwest of Bonham State Park on the shores of Lake Texoma. Eisenhower State Park is an excellent RV camping location with excellent facilities for fishing, hiking, and cove swimming.

Bonham State Park Camping

The RV camping area is separate from the tent-only camping area at Bonham State Park. There are a total of 20 campsites, 13 of which are specifically designed for RVs, and all but one are back-in. Make your reservations early if you want one of the two full hookup sites.

The other sites have water and electric hookups (20/30/50 amp), but no sewer hookups. There is a picnic table, lantern post, outdoor grill, and fire ring at each site. A dump station is conveniently located at the campsite’s edge. A children’s playground, restroom/shower facilities, and a group picnic area are located right next to the campsite. Walking distance to the swimming area, fishing spots, and hiking trails.

Next to the RV campsites are seven tent-only campsites with electricity. They all have 20-amp power and a communal water spigot. Each campsite has a fire ring, lantern holder, picnic table, and tent pad. The restrooms are conveniently located near the park headquarters. Tent campers can use any of the park’s 20 campsites. Reservations are accepted up to five months in advance.

Bonham State Park Activities

Fishing

Don’t forget to pack your fishing gear because bass and crappie bite well here, especially in the fall and winter. In the winter, try the deep water, and in the fall, try the shallow water. Catfishing is best in late spring and early summer. Bonham State Park Lake is also teeming with bluegill sunfish. Children enjoy catching these large, easy-to-catch fish that resemble SpongeBob’s bully Flats the Flounder. A licence is not required to fish from the shore in a Texas state park. You can borrow equipment from a Ranger if you don’t have your own.

Swimming

One of the best things about Bonham State Park is how close everything is. The main swimming area is located adjacent to the fishing pier. Swimmers may go further out, but there are no lifeguards on duty. The lake is relatively shallow (19 feet at its deepest point), and there are no underwater cliffs or steep drop-offs because it is an artificial lake. Even in a calm place like Bonham State Park Lake, keep an eye out for riptides and underwater currents.

Boating

During daylight hours, you can rent kayaks, canoes, and paddleboats. You can, of course, bring your own. The main boat launch is located near the fishing pier and a large parking area. The lake is oval-shaped, and the water is crystal clear, making it ideal for unpowered boating. Because all of the water activities take place in the same area, close to the park headquarters and campground, the lake is a great place to spend the day.

Bonham State Park Location

Bonham State Park is located 75 miles northeast of Dallas, near the Caddo National Grasslands. The park is only four miles southeast of the town of the same name. The park is surrounded by a network of farm-to-market roads (thank you, Congressman Rayburn). FM roads are a little narrow, but they’re built to accommodate large, slow farm machinery. As a result, these roads are also ideal for RVers. There are no driving restrictions or challenges on the roads leading to the park for RVers.

Bonham is not a large town, but it does have many amenities. Bonham is home to one of the state’s largest VA hospitals, and we know who was at least partially responsible for the massive construction project. In addition, Bonham has a large department store and a few smaller grocery stores. So, if you didn’t stock up on camping supplies before leaving Dallas, Oklahoma City, or wherever you came from, you should be fine. If you need an ATM or a gas station, Bonham has both. The road that circles the dam inside the park is simple to follow. It is wide enough and comfortable to drive for RVs.

Parking

There is parking near the fishing pier and boat launch, as well as near the main trailheads, when you arrive at this relatively small park. Aside from the RV campground, those are likely the only two places you’ll visit. The road that circles the lake is wide and well-kept. If you enjoy sightseeing, this is a nice perk.

Public Transport

There is no public transportation.