Rusk TexasBEACHES & WATERFRONT ESCAPES
Listed below are the best beaches and waterfront escapes near Rusk, Texas.
1. Lake Striker Marina & Restaurant
ACTIVE LAKESIDE RECREATION
Lake Striker Marina & Restaurant offers waterfront games including beach volleyball, horseshoes, and tetherball for visitors seeking active recreation. Guests can bring barbecue pits for cookouts or enjoy swimming, fishing, skiing, boating, and cruising on personal watercraft during gorgeous days on this East Texas lake. The venue features an on-site restaurant and outdoor stage hosting live music most Friday and Saturday nights from favorite bands like Whiskey Myers and Granger Smith.
2. Martin Creek Lake State Park
YEAR-ROUND WATER ACTIVITIES
Martin Creek Lake State Park, just 20 minutes northeast of Henderson, offers year-round fishing with numerous fishing tournaments in winter. Visitors can enjoy swimming, water skiing, hiking, backpacking, and wildlife photography throughout the expansive park grounds. Overnight guests can relax at primitive campsites or screened cabins after a full day of lakeside adventure.
3. Tyler State Park
SCENIC FORESTED LAKE
Tyler State Park features a 64-acre spring-fed lake nestled among towering pines and hardwoods, offering a peaceful retreat for water enthusiasts. Visitors can swim in designated beach areas, rent canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards, or fish for bass, crappie, perch, and catfish. The park combines natural beauty with recreational opportunities, making it a perfect day trip or weekend getaway for Rusk residents.
4. Lake Forest Park
FAMILY-FRIENDLY URBAN LAKE
Lake Forest Park in Henderson spans 34 acres and provides multiple waterfront recreation opportunities including fishing in the lake and picnic facilities. Families can enjoy cooking on grills, relaxing in picnic areas, and letting children play on the playground equipment. The park also features the Henderson Civic Center with 20,000 square feet of meeting space and a nine-hole disc golf course for additional entertainment.
5. Rusk KOA
CAMPGROUND WITH SWIMMING
Rusk KOA provides comfortable accommodations alongside recreational water features for visitors looking to cool off in the East Texas heat. The campground offers swimming facilities where guests can relax and enjoy the water in a maintained environment. Campers appreciate the family-friendly atmosphere and convenient access to water recreation without leaving the property.
6. Lake Livingston
VAST RECREATIONAL RESERVOIR
Lake Livingston is one of the largest reservoirs in Texas with 83,000 surface acres and 450 miles of shoreline offering extensive water recreation opportunities. Visitors can enjoy swimming at designated beach areas, boating across the expansive waters, and fishing for abundant catfish, white bass, and crappie. The lake's size accommodates water sports enthusiasts while still providing peaceful coves and inlets for those seeking a quieter waterfront experience.
7. Jim Hogg State Park
TRANQUIL WOODLAND ESCAPE
Jim Hogg State Park encompasses 178.4 acres of East Texas Pineywoods featuring natural water features nestled within the forested landscape. Visitors can enjoy peaceful water settings while observing wildlife including birds, squirrels, and occasional deer in their natural habitat. The park combines water elements with shaded picnic areas equipped with tables and grills, creating a perfect natural retreat for Rusk residents.
8. Lufkin KOA
SWIMMING AND CAMPING
Lufkin KOA provides a refreshing retreat with swimming facilities for campers and day visitors seeking water recreation. The campground combines comfortable accommodations with water-based activities in a family-friendly environment. Guests appreciate the well-maintained water features and surrounding amenities that create a complete outdoor experience within driving distance of Rusk.
9. Fort Boggy State Park
HIDDEN LAKE GEM
Fort Boggy State Park features a 15-acre lake where visitors can fish, paddle, and enjoy shoreline relaxation in a less-crowded natural setting. The park's swimming area provides a refreshing escape during hot Texas summers with gentle slopes suitable for families and casual swimmers. Surrounded by pine and hardwood forests, the lake offers a scenic backdrop for picnicking, wildlife viewing, and photography after taking a cooling dip.
10. Lake Jacksonville
COMMUNITY WATER RECREATION
Lake Jacksonville spans 1,320 acres and serves as a popular recreational destination for swimming, fishing, and boating near Rusk. The lake features designated swimming areas with sandy beaches where visitors can sunbathe and cool off in the clear waters. Surrounded by pine forests and featuring multiple access points, this reservoir provides excellent opportunities for water sports, shoreline picnicking, and scenic sunset views over the water.
Rusk Things To Do
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