About 10 years ago we joined a camping club to meet other families that enjoyed camping. The group we joined LOVED Cooper Lake State Park, which was a brand-new park back then, and it seemed as if most of our camp outs were there. We had some great times here, and met lots of new friends when our kids were still small, then we just got so busy that we didn’t have time for the group and didn’t head back to Cooper Lake for a long time, so we all looked forward to going back for the long Easter weekend. If anything, the park is even lovelier than it was back then!
Know Before You Go
There are actually 2 parks on Cooper Lake, the Doctor’s Creek Unit, close to Paris, and Sulphur Springs Unit in Sulphur Springs. Your entry fee gets you into both parks.
Doctor’s Creek Unit, Cooper
Located near Paris, we’ve camped at the Doctor’s Creek Unit twice because of it’s short drive to Paris! Click HERE to read about our visit to Paris.
Pelican Point Day Use Area
Bring your swimsuits to enjoy the swim beach, and something to throw on the grill!
Fishing
Fishing from the shore or one of the fishing piers is FREE in all state parks, meaning anyone 17 or over doesn’t need a fishing license. However, if you bring a boat, you do need a license.
Campsites
Because of it’s close proximity to Dallas/Fort Worth, only 90 minutes, the park was packed over the Easter Weekend. We still loved our campsite, well-kept on soft ground. We packed a pop up canopy to put over the table.
Screened Shelters
The park offers both screened shelters and shelters with air conditioning.
Cedar Creek Hike/Bike Trail
Bring your bikes, and plenty of water, to ride on the 3 mile Cedar Creek Trail. The trail is closed when wet, as it was during our visit.
That wasn’t a problem for us, the kids had a great time riding on the roads, and then we drove into Paris to jump on the Tour de Paris Trail, part of the North East Texas Trail, which reaches from Farmersville to Texarkana, over 120 miles! For more information, please click HERE.
Sulphur Springs Unit
Busier than Doctor’s Creek Unit, the Sulphur Springs Park offers many of the same amenities, plus cabins on the lake! The Day Use area and swim beach were much busier, too! Don’t miss watching the sun go down across the lake from Sunset Cove!
Day Use Picnic Tables and Playground
Arrive early to get a picnic table on weekends, because the tables are well situated near the playground, swim beach and restrooms!
Sand Volleyball
Both parks have a volleyball court, but we were able to find plenty of people to get a game going at Sulphur Springs!
Swim Beach
We’ve never been to CLSP during the summer, so we haven’t been swimming at either park, but it did look fun!
Sulphur Springs also has canoe rentals for the lake!
Trails
Hike the Honey Creek Interpretive Trail, or ride the Coyote Run Trail. The Buggy Whip Equestrian Trail is a 10 mile trail for those lucky enough to have their own horses.
Easter Egg Hunt
Each Spring, the park has an Easter Egg hunt the Saturday before Easter. Realizing that this might be the last Easter Egg hunt that really excited my little 8-year-old, I wanted to be sure to take him! The hunt was lots of fun, with MANY eggs, in divided areas for younger and older children. Thanks for a GREAT time, Cooper Lake State Park!
Things To Do in Sulphur Springs
Play
America’s Only Bathroom with See-Thru Walls is in Sulphur Springs, and something you just HAVE to check off on your Bucket List!
Eat
The Potato House not only has good food, but a lot of drama to go with it. Some folks don’t like their sign featuring a three-foot-tall anthropomorphic potato. Check it out for yourself. Click HERE to visit their facebook page.
Cooper Lake State Park
1690 FM 3505, Sulphur Springs
Click HERE to visit their website.
Keep Having Fun in the Texas Sun!
Michelle
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