Bonham State Park

A 1 hour drive from DFW also makes this park good for a day trip. EDITOR'S TIP: Book early, because they have very few campsites.

Activities: There is (unsupervised) swimming and fishing in the man-made lake, built in 1935, as well as camping, picnicking, mountain biking, boating (5 mph speed limit).

Caddo Lake State Park

A 3 1/2 hour drive from DFW. The only natural lake in Texas but it is a bit like a swamp. EDITOR'S TIP: Really cool with all the Spanish moss hanging from the trees. They offer very interesting tours of the lake and if you're lucky you might even get to see an alligator.

Activities: Activities enjoyed include camping, hiking, picnicking, nature study, fishing, and boating. There are canoe rentals in the park daily (year round). There are pontoon boat tours leaving from inside the park Saturday and Sunday (March – November). Pontoon boat tours can be scheduled.

Dinosaur Valley State Park

A 2 hour drive from DFW. EDITOR'S TIP: If your small child likes dinosaurs or older child likes fossils, this park is the bomb! REAL dinosaur tracks can be seen in the riverbed where dinosaurs once walked the earth in Texas! (This area of Texas actually used to be the coast!)  Make a week-end of it with 

Eisenhower State Park

This park is about a 45 minute drive from DFW making it a great day trip. It is an excellent place to go for a hike or look for fossils along the shore line. EDITOR'S TIP: There are plenty of fossils, but of course you are not allowed to take them out of the park.

Activities: Some of the activities include picnicking, hiking, biking, nature study, fishing, boating and boat rentals, water skiing, swimming, wildlife observation, ATV and mini bike use (OHV permit required), and a variety of camping.

Galveston State Park

This park is a 5 hour drive from DFW. EDITOR'S TIP: Not the prettiest Campground, but it's right next to the beach. (At least it was when I was there.) It was completely destroyed by Hurricane Rita and they had to rebuild it. If you would rather camp than be in a hotel it's a great base for a trip to Galveston and NASA.

Activities: The park offers camping, birdwatching, nature study, hiking, mountain bike riding, fishing, and unsupervised beach swimming. Tours: Educational tours of the flora and fauna of the beach and bay areas of the park are given by appointment only. Contact the park to make arrangements.

Lake Ray Roberts

This park is a 45min drive from DFW so it is great for a day trip.  EDITOR'S TIP: This park is nice for camping, swimming and fishing. They have a beach so be sure to pack a swim suit!

Situated along the shores of a 30,000-acre reservoir Ray Roberts Lake State Park Complex consists of two state park units (Isle du Bois and Johnson Branch), six satellite parks (Jordan Unit, Pond Creek, Pecan Creek, Buck Creek, Sanger, and Elm Fork), Wildlife Management Areas, wetlands, waterfowl sanctuaries and the 20 mile Ray Roberts Lake/Lake Lewisville Greenbelt Corridor. Birdwatching, water sports, riding horses or backpacking along a scenic trail, Ray Roberts has something for everyone

Lake Tawakoni State Park

A 1 1/2 hour drive from DFW. EDITOR'S TIP: This state park is near by so you could even day trip it. It's great for camping, swimming and fishing.

Activities: Swimming, fishing, hiking, boating, mountain biking.

Lake Whitney State Park

The park is along the east shore of Lake Whitney west of Hillsboro in Hill County, and after the changing of the lake level, totals 955 acres. EDITOR'S TIP: If you have been dive certified in Texas you know this lake. It is known for being a clear lake (by Texas standards). It is a beautiful lake with a beach.

Activities: Activities include camping; hiking; mountain biking; picnicking; boating; fishing; swimming (buoyed area - no life guard on duty); scuba diving; water skiing; nature study; and excellent birding. Tours/Events: An annual youth fishing tournament is held on the first Saturday in June, and "aircraft fly-ins" are held at various times.

Palo Duro Cayon

My favorite Park of all times! Near Amarillo. EDITOR'S TIP: In summer they play the musical "Texas" which by itself is spectacular. And the nature is amazing. It's the second biggest canyon in the US. Sadly it's a 7 hour drive from here. It's great for 3 day trips. The great Panhandle Museum in Canyon is very close as is Amarillo. On the drive out there be sure to pull over to see the Cadillac Ranch. When in Amarillo, come hungry and feast at the Big Texan.

Activities: Park activities include camping, horseback riding, hiking, nature study, bird watching, mountain biking, and scenic drives.

Beavers Bend & Hochatown State Park

Lake Murray State Park

Fishing, boating and a variety of water sports are enjoyed on the 5,728 surface acres of Lake Murray.  Outdoor activities also abound at Lake Murray State Park including golfing, picnicking, camping, horseback riding, hayrides, hiking, biking, rollerblading, swimming, miniature golf and paddle boating. Sports facilities include an 18-hole golf course with a pro shop, tennis courts, softball fields, baseball diamond, horseshoe pits, badminton and volleyball nets.

Lake Texoma State Park

Lake Texoma is Oklahoma's second largest lake and one of the premier striped bass hot spots in the southwest.  Besides fishing and a myriad of watersports, Lake Texoma State Park offers swimming, camping, picnic areas, wildlife viewing opportunities and hiking.  The park also features camping, comfort stations with showers, boat ramps, and a small hiking trail near the Two Rivers Nature Center.

Fort Parker State Park

Fort Parker offers camping, picnicking, swimming in an unsupervised swimming area, fishing, birdwatching, hiking, biking, canoeing, nature study, and baseball/softball.

Lake Bob Sandlin State Park

Activities: Activities include picnicking; hiking; swimming; mountain biking; in-line skating; and fishing for largemouth bass, catfish, and crappie. Eagles can be spotted during winter months. A variety of birds and wildlife can be viewed year round.

Tours: Interpretive tours and nature walks are given on some weekends and by request

Lake Mineral Wells State Park & Trailway

Activities include camping; lake swimming (unsupervised); fishing; boating (no skiing/tubing, or jet skis permitted); rock climbing (climbers and rappelers must check in at headquarters); mountain biking; equestrian camping, horseback riding (visitors must provide their own horses); and hiking. Note: Trails may be closed during wet weather. Climbing is prohibited when the rock formations are wet (Call the park to verify climbing area is open, if it has rained in the last 48 hours of your planed arrival.)

Possum Kingdom State Park

Natural Features: This park is located in the rugged canyon country of the Palo Pinto Mountains and Brazos River Valley, and is adjacent to Lake Possum Kingdom, 20,000 acres of the clearest, bluest water in the southwest. Numerous white-tailed deer make their home in the park. The Possum Kingdom Longhorns are on sabbatical roaming the rolling plains and woodlands of San Angelo State park while their home range is being rested and restored for their return in a few years.

Activities: Activities include camping, picnicking, lake swimming, fishing, hiking, biking, nature study, boating, and water skiing.

Tyler State Park

Activities: Activities include picnicking; camping; boating (motors allowed - 5 mph speed limit); boat rentals; fishing; birding; hiking; mountain biking; lake swimming (in unsupervised swimming area); and nature study.