Explore Nature With Your GMC: 3 State Parks Near Athens, TX

There are three scenic state parks within driving distance of Athens, TX that offer a wide range of exciting outdoor activities in nature. On an outdoor excursion, a GMC Arcadia Denali will come in handy with loads of cargo space, comfortable and spacious interiors, and a range of high-tech features.

Explore Nature With Your GMC: 3 State Parks Near Athens, TX

1. Purtis Creek State Park

Purtis Creek State Park is just a short 15-mile drive away in Eustace and an excellent spot to spend time outdoors. Explore the park on foot down the 1.7-mile Beaver Slide Nature Path that runs along the shore of the lake, take a short walk around the dam, or hit the 4.1-mile hiking and biking trail. The 355-acre Purtis Creek Lake is ideal for swimming, boating, paddling, and fishing.

You can hook catch-and-release largemouth bass but also crappie and catfish that you can take home. The lake has fishing piers, fish cleaning stations, and boat ramps and offers kayak rentals. If you want to pitch your tent, the campsites have electric and water hookups and picnic tables, close to restrooms with showers. You can stay at a walk-in tent site or backpack to primitive sites in secluded areas of the park.  

2. Fairfield Lake State Park

Take a 47-mile drive to Fairfield to enjoy numerous recreational activities. Put on your hiking boots, hop on your bicycle, or saddle up and discover the park’s natural beauty on 15 miles of scenic trails that cut through prairie grasslands, pine forests, and oak, cedar, elm, and hickory woods filled with birds and animals.

The 2,400-acre Fairfield Lake is a popular fishing spot, and anglers from all over Texas come to the lake for tournaments and to reel in bass, perch, and catfish from the fishing pier or a boat, canoe, or kayak. To have more time to enjoy all the activities, camp out at scenic campsites under the trees with water and electricity. Each campsite has a picnic table, grill, or fire ring near restrooms with showers. You can also hike to a primitive site deep in the woods.

3. Tyler State Park

Tyler State Park is a bit further away, but the 51 miles is worth the drive. Hit the 13 miles of hiking and biking trails that wind through the beautiful pine forest and observe an abundance of wildlife along the way. Take your fishing gear and hook bass, perch, catfish, and crappie in the lake from the piers or a boat. If you want to stay over, the park has a lovely campground with everything a camper needs, or sleep in one of the cozy cabins in the woods.

Before you go on your outdoor adventure, stop at Bacon Auto Ranch to take a closer look at the new 2022 SUVs, the ideal vehicles to take you to your next outdoor destination to explore the wonders of nature.

Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »