Texas' Only State Park With An Island Offers Endless Year-Round Outdoor Recreation

When you think of Texas, images of smoky barbecue, packed football stadiums, and iconic cities like Dallas and Houston might come to mind. However, some of the best national and state parks for your next adventure can be found in The Lone Star State. While many protected lands offer camping, picnic areas, hiking trails, and viewpoints, only one state park in Texas boasts an island. 

Covered in hardwoods, interspersed with pines, and rich in wildlife, Martin Creek Lake State Park is a nature lover's paradise only about 40 minutes from Longview. At only 286 acres, the park is comparatively small but large enough to encompass part of Martin Lake and its picturesque island. Accessible to hikers, bicyclists, and leashed dogs via a bridge, the Island Trail is one of the most popular paths in the park. Less than a mile long and easy to navigate, this trail is shaded by towering pines and even has a picnic area. Visitors report seeing all manner of critters, ranging from deer to raccoons to shy opossums. 

The island offers six primitive campsites with picnic tables and fire rings but no running water. However, the parking lot, bathrooms, and other facilities are only 600 feet away via the wooden bridge. All the sites have lakefront locations, shady trees, and sandy patches ideal for pitching a tent. The "mainland" campground features 40 sites with water and electricity, including 12 lakefront sites. The park also offers 19 screen cabins (they're like huts) and four rustic cabins. 

Since the park opened in 1976, visitors have flocked to the lake for the chance to hook a big one. The power plant across the lake keeps the water warm year-round, making it an ideal place for fishing and swimming. Overall, the plant's presence doesn't disturb the overall beauty, and the water is safe — it's used only to cool the plant. Largemouth bass are the main draw, but tilapia, yellow catfish, sunfish, crappie, and channel catfish also call the waters home. You don't need a fishing license to throw in a line from the shores or pier; however, proper permission is required if you fish from a boat. Amenities include a cleaning station and boat ramp, and the park headquarters offer canoes, rods, and other gear for rent. 

At 1.5 miles long, the Harmony Loop is the longest in the park, and the trails provide excellent opportunities for bird-watching. Spot great blue herons, red-headed woodpeckers, great egrets, green herons, northern mockingbirds, northern cardinals, and other birds. Check out the event calendar for ranger-led birding walks, and download the bird checklist directly from the park's website.

Aside from bird-watching and hiking, visitors can also hunt for geocaches, picnic beneath the shady pavilions, and enjoy waterskiing. Take advantage of the grills near the water or simply watch the sunset over the serene waters. 

Martin Creek Lake State Park is stunning year-round, but the best time to visit is during the spring when the wildflowers bloom and the air feels extra clean. However, early rains mean you might encounter muddy trails if you come at the end of March. Check out these tips for how to prepare for unexpected bad weather while camping if you want to visit during late spring.

Those planning on swimming should keep in mind that there are no lifeguards on duty. The National Park Service recently reminded the public of the importance of appointing a "water watcher" on an outdoor family trip, so ensure an adult is always present at the beach. Also, avoid the boat launch area and look for signs marking the swimming beach. 

Though we wouldn't describe the power plant as "noisy," it produces a baseline hum, and you'll probably hear a few loud sounds from the trains dumping coal. The Texas Utilities Electric Company (TXU) made the lake, and the park only exists due to the power plant, so the hum is a necessary evil of sorts. Those sensitive to noise should book a campsite away from the lake shore, as noise travels across the water. One extra note about camping: to prevent the spread of an invasive beetle, don't bring wood. Since 2016, the emerald ash borer has decimated the ash tree population across Texas and the U.S. Contact the camp hosts to purchase safe bonfire wood.