Atlanta State Park

Drive out to Atlanta State Park – just 13 miles from Atlanta, Texas – for a peaceful retreat into nature. Located along the Wright Patman Lake, previously known as Lake Texarkana, the park expands 1,475 acres along its shores. Humans began to settle in the region before it was a park due to its rich resources. Archeologists found signs of settlers that date all the way back to twelve thousand years. Eventually, around two thousand years ago, the Caddo people became the dominant culture in the area. Today, this Texas state park is known for its trees. 90-foot-tall pines and hardwoods cover it. You will also find shortleaf pine, white oak, loblolly pines, and other oak varieties. Visitors will spot a variety of birds like brown-headed nuthatches, pine warblers, white pelicans, gulls, and ruddy ducks. Aside from its plants and wildlife, the park offers activities like fishing, camping, birding, and hiking, making it the perfect day or weekend getaway.

Activities at Atlanta State Park

Hiking at Atlanta State Park

Atlanta State Park has 4.8 miles of picturesque hiking trails ranging from easy to moderate. Some of the trails are listed below:

• Bobo’s Ferry Trail 🡪 This easy trail takes about twenty minutes to complete and is only half a mile long. The trail starts at the park’s Head Quarters and follows along the historic wagon trail.
• Volksmarch Trail 🡪 An easy forty-minute and .7-mile trail that is considered the least challenging of the park. During your hike, you will find an intersection with the Arrowhead Trail, which takes you to the best view of the lake.
• Arrowhead Trail🡪 Another easy trail that is .8 miles long and only a thirty-minute leisurely hike. You will pass through the forest and arrive at the lakeshore.
• Terrace Trail 🡪 Take a quick twenty-minute hike that is .3 miles long and passes through an area of the park that was once farmland.
• Hickory Hollow Nature Trail 🡪 , The only moderate trail in the park, is .7 miles long and takes one hour to complete. This hike starts and ends at the parking lot.
• White Oak Ridge Trail 🡪 Starting at the north end, this trail is the longest in the park, at 1.2 miles long. The hike will take you around 45 minutes to complete and offers great views of the lakeshore.

Geocache at Atlanta State Park

This modern-day treasure hunt is an excellent activity for all ages. Geocaching is when a person hides caches anywhere from the city to the wilderness in order for others to find them. Several of these devices are hidden in State Parks. To participate, you must download the app and follow these steps: Visit the website and choose a cache to discover. Once on the website or app, you will be able to see the caches’ difficulty level, its size, and the type of terrain it is located in. Download the coordinates on your smartphone to guide you to its location. Approach the area carefully as some of the caches’ hiding places can also be an animal’s home. Once you find it, open the container, sign the log, and replace one of the family-friendly items with one of your own. Replace the box where you found it for another geocacher to discover. Log your find once more on the website or app and receive a smiley face symbol for each one you discover.

Camping at Atlanta State Park

Enjoy a longer visit by reserving a spot at one of the park’s 58 camping sites. The price ranges from $14-$16 depending on the group size and accommodation type. All the camping sites offer water and electricity, and 14 of them have sewer hook-ups.

Water activities at Atlanta State Park

Its vast body of water allows the park visitors to swim, water-ski, and boat in a designated area.

Fishing at Atlanta State Park

Alongside its scenic trails, the park offers its visitors great fishing opportunities within its 33,750-surface-acre reservoir. At the Wright Patman Lake, you will be able to find several species of sunfish, white bass, crappie, and even 75-pound catfish, to name a few.

Events at Atlanta State Park

If you are traveling with large groups, make sure to reserve your events in advance. The park has an amphitheater and a picnic pavilion that can accommodate you for only $35 and the daily entrance fee.

Shopping at Atlanta State Park

Don’t forget to get your souvenirs at the park store. Inside, you will be able to purchase T-shirts, hats, ice, and, if in a bind, some fishing supplies.

Equipment Rentals

If you enjoy the outdoors but do not have your own supplies to enjoy certain activities, don’t worry. The park offers visitors the opportunity to rent kayaks, canoes, and fishing tackle. You will also find basketballs, volleyballs, and horseshoes.

Park Location

Atlanta State Park 927 Park Road 42 Atlanta, TX 75551 Phone: 512.389.8900 Website Reservations

Map

Video

Here is a short YouTube video showcasing several attractions at Atlanta State Park:

Explore More Texas State Parks

Atlanta State Park is one of many outstanding state parks in Texas. Discover more parks in our Best State Parks in Texas guide, or use our Park Finder to search by activity, location, or features.