Trails Information
A Peaceful Retreat
- Bald eagle
Enjoy your hike through a park rich in history, where towering pines and hardwoods provide shade and fall color for beauty year-round. Listen for the calls of many species of woodpeckers in the park.
Contact us to ask about our all-terrain wheelchair, available for your use in the park.
Trails
All trails hiking and biking unless otherwise noted.
This list may not include all trails in the park.
| Trail | Distance | Time | Difficulty | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bobo's Ferry Trail | 0.5 mi. | 20 min. | Easy | This short trail begins at park HQ and follows along a historic wagon trace until it reaches the swim beach parking area. |
| Volksmarch Trail | 0.7 mi. | 40 min. | Easy | This trail is the least challenging and intersects with the Arrowhead Trail which leads to a great view of the lake. |
| Arrowhead Trail | 0.8 mi. | 30 min. | Easy | Take a leisurely hike through the forest. A lovely view of the lake awaits at the shore. |
| Terrace Trail | 0.3 mi. | 20 min. | Easy | This short trail passes through an area that was once farmland. For a longer hike, carefully cross the park road to connect to the Hickory Hollow Nature Trail. |
| Hickory Hollow Nature Trail | 0.7 mi. | 1 hr. | Moderate | To begin and end your adventure at the parking lot, be sure to make the correct turn before entering White Oak Ridge Trail. |
| White Oak Ridge Trail | 1.2 mi. | 45 min. | Easy | Starting at the north end of this trail near the White Oak restroom, hike above the lakeshore to the Hickory Hollow Nature Trail for an additional adventure. |
Points of Interest
GPS coordinates shown in decimal degrees.
| Point | Latitude | Longitude | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who Traveled Here? | 33.2342º | -94.2564º | Remnants of an old road, or wagon trace, leads to a place near where Samuel Bobo operated a ferry crossing on the Sulphur River. Over 100 years before the construction of Wright Patman Lake, wagon and horse traffic wore down roads into ruts like these more than 3 feet deep. |
| Sunsets, Soaring and Squadrons | 33.2386º | -94.2565º | Take in this breathtaking view of the 27,025-acre Wright Patman Lake. You may see soaring bald eagles or a squadron of white pelicans fishing for a meal. |
| Flood to Forest | 33.2323º | -94.2443º | Once an old-growth pine forest, this area was inundated with 10 feet of water during a flood in 2016. The trees you see today are part of reforestation efforts to establish a bottomland hardwood community which better tolerates flooding. |
| From the Knife-edge of Extinction | 33.2296º | -94.2327º | The Eastern Turkey was once hunted to near extinction. Fortunately, due to restoration efforts these populations now thrive. Learn more about turkey habitat and management efforts at this point. |
| A Peaceful Place | 33.2313º | -94.2324º | Bring a book and a picnic, and escape the hustle and bustle of life at this bluff overlooking Wilkins Creek cove. You might catch glimpses of a variety of wildlife. |
Staying Safe
- Know your limits. Prepare for sun and heat. Wear sunscreen, insect repellent and appropriate clothing/hiking shoes.
- Drink plenty of water. Your body quickly loses fluids when you’re on the trail. Bring a quart (32 oz.) of water per hour of activity.
- Tell others where you’ll be. If possible, avoid exploring alone. Tell someone where you are going and when you plan to return.
- Wear a helmet when biking. Check with park headquarters to match the trail to your skill level. Wear a helmet to protect yourself in case of a crash.
- Be careful in the boat. Upon entering or exiting a canoe or kayak, stay low, move slowly and hold onto both sides of the boat. For your safety, all paddlers should wear a personal flotation device (PFD).
Trail Etiquette
- Trash your trash. Keep the park natural. Pack out all of your trash and Leave No Trace.
- Leave feeding to nature. Feeding wild animals will make them sick and more likely to harm people.
- Don’t Pocket the Past. Help preserve Texas heritage. Leave artifacts where you find them and report their location to a ranger.
- Take only memories and pictures. Disturbing or removing any of the park’s plants, animals or artifacts is a violation of state law.
- Keep pets on leashes to keep them safe, while protecting wildlife.
