Gilmer TexasBEACHES & WATERFRONT ESCAPES
Listed below are the best beaches and waterfront escapes near Gilmer, Texas.
1. Lake Gilmer
PINEY WOODS BASS PARADISE
Lake Gilmer is a renowned crappie and bass lake tucked away in the Piney Woods, first opened to the public on September 29th, 2001. The lake spans 1,010 surface acres and features Lake Gilmer Park and Kelsey Creek Sanctuary with picnic tables, covered cook-out spaces, and a swimming area. Visitors can enjoy the handicap accessible walking trail, hiking trails, fishing pier, volleyball court, and swings in this serene natural setting.
2. Lake Bob Sandlin State Park
LAKESIDE FUN AND FOLIAGE
Lake Bob Sandlin State Park offers visitors diverse recreational opportunities on the shores of a 9,000-acre lake where two ecoregions meet. Visitors can swim, fish, paddle and boat on the lake, or enjoy picnicking, hiking, camping, geocaching, and mountain biking under massive trees. The park is particularly spectacular in autumn when the fall foliage creates a breathtaking display of colors.
3. Tyler State Park
HIDDEN FOREST LAKE RETREAT
Tyler State Park features a 64-acre spring-fed lake surrounded by towering pine trees and hardwood forests. Visitors can swim in the designated beach area, rent canoes, kayaks, or paddleboards, or fish for crappie, perch, catfish, and bass. The park offers over 13 miles of hiking and biking trails, campsites, screened shelters, and cabins for overnight stays in this tranquil East Texas setting.
4. Daingerfield State Park
SCENIC LAKE GETAWAY
Daingerfield State Park centers around an 80-acre lake nestled among the pine trees of northeast Texas. The park features a sandy swimming beach, boat rentals, and fishing opportunities in a serene and picturesque setting. Visitors can also enjoy hiking trails through the forest, camping facilities, and the historic structures built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s.
5. Martin Creek Lake State Park
WARM WATERS YEAR-ROUND
Martin Creek Lake State Park offers a unique experience with its warm waters that remain fishable year-round due to the nearby power plant. The 5,000-acre lake is popular for boating, swimming, and fishing for largemouth bass, catfish, and crappie. Nature enthusiasts can enjoy bird watching, hiking trails, and camping while experiencing the diverse wildlife that thrives in this ecosystem.
6. Atlanta State Park
WOODLAND SHORES ESCAPE
Atlanta State Park is situated on the shores of Wright Patman Lake, offering visitors a peaceful retreat among pine and hardwood forests. The park features swimming areas, boat ramps, fishing opportunities, and hiking trails that wind through the diverse East Texas landscape. Campers can choose from various sites with amenities while enjoying stunning lakeside views and abundant wildlife viewing opportunities.
7. Cooper Lake State Park
DUAL-UNIT WATERFRONT PARADISE
Cooper Lake State Park consists of two units, Doctors Creek and South Sulphur, offering diverse recreational activities on the 19,300-acre Cooper Lake. Visitors can enjoy swimming beaches, boat ramps, fishing opportunities for largemouth bass and catfish, and miles of equestrian, hiking, and biking trails. The park's abundant wildlife, including white-tailed deer and various bird species, makes it a haven for nature photographers and wildlife enthusiasts.
8. Caddo Lake State Park
MYSTICAL CYPRESS BAYOU
Caddo Lake State Park showcases the mysterious beauty of Texas' only naturally formed large lake, featuring labyrinthine waterways weaving through ancient bald cypress trees draped with Spanish moss. Visitors can paddle, fish, or take guided boat tours through this internationally protected wetland, home to over 70 species of fish and numerous wildlife species. The park offers camping facilities, historic cabins built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, and hiking trails that allow guests to experience this unique ecosystem that feels like stepping back in time.
9. Lake O' the Pines
PINEYWOODS RECREATION HAVEN
Lake O' the Pines is a sprawling 18,700-acre reservoir surrounded by the lush pine forests of East Texas, offering exceptional outdoor recreation opportunities. Visitors can enjoy multiple swimming areas, marinas, campgrounds, and picnic facilities scattered around the shoreline. The lake is renowned for its excellent fishing, particularly for largemouth and white bass, catfish, and crappie, while also providing ideal conditions for sailing, water skiing, and wildlife viewing.
10. Rowdy Creek Ranch
PRIVATE WATER RETREAT
Rowdy Creek Ranch offers visitors a private retreat with water-based activities in a serene rural setting near Gilmer. Guests can enjoy fishing in the fully stocked pond, swimming, and relaxing by the water's edge while taking in the tranquil East Texas countryside. Evening activities include sitting by the fire with a glass of wine, making s'mores, and listening to the chorus of frogs as the sun sets behind the trees.
Gilmer Things To Do
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Gilmer Restaurants
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