The park offers fun for the entire family, no matter the length of your stay!

One Hour

• Relax to the soothing sounds of nature while enjoying a picnic lunch under soaring oak trees in the day-use area by the lake.
• Strike out on our Scenic Trail (0.5 miles). This trail is perfect for younger hikers, with views of the lake as you stroll under shady post oaks.
• The Birdwatching Trail is short but sweet (0.7 miles). Take a break on our shaded wildlife observation platform and look for bald eagles, otters and beavers that frequent the area year-round. Grab a bird list and borrow binoculars at headquarters for an even better view!
• Stop by the historic Chancellor Union Cemetery to learn about the area history.
• Walk with your four-legged friends on any of our trails. Dogs are welcome but must stay on a leash no longer than 6 feet. Please pick up after your pets!
• Borrow a book from our Little Lake Library at park headquarters or bring your own. Sit and read a while on a bench or blanket.
• Bring your camera and practice your photography skills. You’ll find plenty of plants, birds and other animals to see and photograph.  
• Don’t forget to hit the gift shop at park headquarters to pick up a magnet, medallion, patch or other state park collectable before you leave.

Half Day

Along with the one-hour options, you can:

• Cool off with a swim in our-day use area or rent a kayak to explore the lake.
• Drop a line from the pier! We loan fishing equipment for use in the park. No fishing license is needed to fish from the bank or pier.
• Kids: Borrow an Explorer Pack loaded with tools to explore the park - binoculars, field guides and more. Pick up a free Junior Ranger Activity Journal and complete tasks to earn a Junior Ranger Badge.
• Have a cookout! We have lots of grills and picnic tables in the day-use area, next to the swim beach and near the fishing pier.
• Bring your bike and explore over 10 miles of trails that wind through Post Oak Savanna, Blackland Prairie and Pineywoods habitats. Pack plenty of water.
• BYOH (Bring your own horse) to explore our Dockery Trail which is over 5 miles one way along the park perimeter. You will need to present an up-to-date Coggins during office hours.
• Do you like yoga or meditation? Calm your senses and take a break in nature. There are many places in the park where you can pause and relax.

Weekend

A weekend visit will let you fully explore and enjoy all that our park has to offer! You’ll have plenty of time for the one-hour and half-day options, as well as:

• Camp! We have over 130 tent and RV sites to choose from.
  • Springfield is a water-only, tent-only loop.
  • Cooks Ferry and Post Oak are water and electricity 30-amp loops.
  • Insider tip: Our top picks are sites 122, 108, 109, 74 and 36.
• Check out our Night Sky Pack at park headquarters for a fun evening under the stars. It has everything you need to explore our night sky.
• Host an event! Rent out our Group Hall by the lake. The Group Hall has a full kitchen, tables and chairs for up to 65 people, and is fully accessible.
• Movie Night! Rent out the amphitheater in the Springfield camping loop and bring your own projector to watch a movie under the stars. You could also rent it during the day for group meetings and presentations.
• Hunt for geocaches! Join the global treasure hunt and look for caches hidden in our park.

Check with the park staff for more ideas and information.