Room to Roam

With two park units, you’ll find plenty of room to roam. Bring your fishing pole, your hiking shoes, your horse, your swimsuit–or heck, just bring yourself! We’re only 90 minutes northeast of Dallas.

Things to Do

Doctors Creek (on the north side of the lake) and South Sulphur (on the south side) offer tons of amenities. You can fish, picnic, swim, boat, paddle, water-ski, hike, bike, bird watch, study nature, stargaze, ride horses, geocache and camp. Rent one of our pavilions for your next group event. Take a virtual tour with our Interactive Trails Map. 

On the water

Surrounded by the state park and wildlife management areas, the lake provides a peaceful fishing and paddling destination. Bring your own boat or kayak, or rent a single or double kayak at either unit.

We have boat docks, fishing piers, and fish cleaning stations. Remember, you do not need a fishing license to fish from shore in a state park!

• Lake and fishing information for Jim Chapman Lake
• Water Safety Tips

Stay overnight

Camp at one of our sites with water and electricity or at a walk-in campsite. We also have equestrian campsites at the South Sulphur unit. Both units have screened shelters and cabins. South Sulphur also has 14 cabins with kitchens and bathrooms.

Ride your horse

Bring your horse to the South Sulphur Unit (we require proof of negative Coggins). The 10.5-mile Buggy Whip Equestrian Trail crosses nearly 600 acres of shaded forest and thick vegetation, and takes you down hillsides and through creek gulches. Some parts of the trail are challenging.

Come for the day, or camp in one of our equestrian campsites. Access the trail from your campsite.

Note: Equestrian trails may close due to wet weather or poor conditions. Please contact the park for current information.

Get involved

We need your help! Check our Volunteer page or ask at park headquarters.

Support state parks by donating to the Texas Parks & Wildlife Foundation.

Shop

The park stores at both units sell souvenirs, snacks, drinks, books, kayak rentals, and more! A firewood vending machine is available outside park headquarters at the South Sulphur unit.

Ranger Programs

We offer a variety of programs, from birding to stargazing. Check our Events page for upcoming programs. Learn more about the park on our Nature and History pages.

For the kids

Become a Junior Ranger!

• Pick up a free Junior Ranger Activity Journal at headquarters. Complete a certain number of tasks to earn a badge.
• Borrow a Junior Ranger Explorer Pack with tools for exploring the park.

Area Attractions

Both units of the park are less than 30 minutes from Commerce, Cooper, and Sulphur Springs. All three towns offer restaurants and shopping as well as local museums including the Southwest Dairy Center and Museum and the Northeast Texas Children’s Museum. Drive between the two park units to see the Cooper Dam and Spillway or get closer to nature at the Cooper Wildlife Management Area.