Trails Information
Trail descriptions and points of interest for Cleburne State Park.
Discover the hidden oasis of Cedar Lake nestled below rugged limestone bluffs.
- Great Blue Heron
Built by Civilian Conservation Corps Company 3804, spring-fed Cedar Lake is the sparkling centerpiece of the park. Grab your tackle and explore the fishing trails. Then hike or bike the hardscrabble limestone hills through the cedar brakes.
Trails
This lists may not include all the trails in the park.
All trails allow hiking and biking unless otherwise indicated.
| Trail | Distance | Time | Difficulty | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camp Creek Loop | 1.1 mi. | 1 hr. (round trip) | Moderate | Look for bur oaks and five-lobed Virginia creeper vines on this short loop hike along West Camp Creek. Stop and enjoy the view as you cross the historic Camp Creek Bridge built by the CCC. |
| Fossil Ridge Trail | 2.5 mi. (one-way) | 1.5 hrs. (one-way) | Challenging | Follow the ups and downs of this trail along the park boundary to see a variety of picturesque landscapes. Extend your adventure by connecting to the Camp Creek Loop or the Coyote Run Nature Trail. |
| White-tail Hollow Trail | 1.9 mi. (round trip) | 1.25 hrs. (round trip) | Easy | This trail starts with a scenic walk through the woods and ends with a view overlooking Cedar Lake as you cross the historic dam built by the CCC. |
| Spillway Trail | 0.7 mi. (one-way) | 1 hr. (round trip) | Moderate | Take this trail for the best view of the impressive three-tiered spillway that the CCC carved by hand out of the Comanche Peak limestone. |
| Coyote Run Nature Trail | 1.1 mi. (one-way) | 1 hr. (round trip) | Moderate | Bikers and hikers alike enjoy the lake views from the limestone hilltops along this nature trail that connects with the Spillway and Fossil Ridge trails. |
| Limestone Ridge Trail | 1.7 mi. (one-way) | 1 hr. (one-way) | Challenging | This challenging trail twists along the rugged limestone cliffs. While bikers delight in its snaky switchbacks, it is easy to get disoriented while hiking, so bring a compass or GPS unit so you don’t get lost. |
| Inner Loop Trail | 1.7 mi. (one-way) | 2 hrs. (one-way) | Challenging | Add the Inner Loop Trail to the Limestone Ridge Trail for the maximum mileage. |
| Crappie Cove Fishing Trail | 0.3 mi. (one-way) | 15 min. (one-way) | Easy | A favorite among local anglers, the rocky banks and deep pools of Crappie Cove provide the perfect opportunity for a successful day of fishing. |
| Perch Point Fishing Trail | 0.1 mi. (one-way) | 10 min. (one--way) | Easy | The rocky banks along this trail make excellent habitat for redear sunfish, bass and catfish. |
| Sandy Flats Fishing Trail | 0.2 mi. (one-way) | 15 min. (one-way) | Easy | Walk the shoreline between the boat ramp and the beach area to find a shady paradise perfect for catching fish or just relaxing. |
| Bluecat Bottoms Fishing Trail | 0.2 mi. (one-way) | 15 min. (one-way) | Easy | Hike this trail along the deeper waters of Cedar Lake to find one of the many fishing holes filled with catfish, crappie and bass. |
Points of Interest
GPS coordinates shown in decimal degrees.
| Point | Latitude | Longitude | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| CCC Spillway | 32.2621° | -97.5528° | See the historical highlight of the park, a three-tiered limestone spillway built by the CCC. |
| Camp Creek Day-use Area | 32.2542° | -97.5511° | A great place to watch for white-tailed deer and other wildlife. |
| Camp Creek Bridge | 32.2553° | -97.5517° | The CCC built this historic bridge over Camp Creek. |
| Park Road 21 Overlook | 32.2623° | -97.5577° | The CCC designed the park road to reveal views like this one of Cedar Lake. |
| Crappie Cove Fishing Area | 32.2633° | -97.5622° | A peaceful place for bank fishing. |
| Cedar Lake Beach | 32.2696° | -97.5622° | Take a swim in the spring-fed waters of Cedar Lake. |
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 HQ to match the trail to your skill level. Wear a helmet to protect yourself in case of a crash.
- Potentially harmful plants and animals may live here. You’ll see them more easily if you stay on trails. Do not approach wildlife!
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.
- Take only memories and pictures. Please don’t disturb or remove any of the park’s plants, animals or artifacts.
- Keep pets on leashes for their safety and to protect wildlife.
