Texas is a big old state, which means it has a huge number of state parks within its borders. Over 90 to be precise.
While various silver screen and TV portrayals over the years, might have formed a stereotype in your mind that they are all dusty deserts and rolling tumbleweed, the Lone Star State actually has a very diverse landscape showcased within them.
Comprising of over 600,000 acres, they include everything from large shimmering lakes and picturesque, raging rivers to, craggy hilltops and scenic woodlands.
For people who live near Longview, these state parks provide wonderful opportunities to partake in a range of outdoor recreational activities like fishing, swimming, water sports, boating, hiking and camping. All of which can be done in areas of sensational natural beauty which are great for photographing.
Now that Covid related stay-at-home restrictions have ended, you are free to venture out and about as you please. If you would like to explore the great outdoors of Texas, this list of 5 state parks near Longview should give you plenty of inspiration of where to go.
Map of State Parks Near Longview TX
Here is a map of the Texas state parks covered in this post:
List of State Parks Near Longview
All of the five state parks near Longview conveyed below can be reached within a 4 hour drive from the city.
Most of them can be visited as a day trip. However, if you would like to stay at any of them for an extended period of time, they all offer a number of different options for overnight camping and other types of accommodation.
1. Martin Creek Lake State Park
Distance from Longview: about 18 miles southeast of Longview (straight-line).
Location: 9515 Co Rd 2181D
Tatum, TX 75691
Martin Creek Lake State Park is a 286 acres (116 ha) state park in East Texas in the United States.
See our full Martin Creek Lake State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
2. Tyler State Park
Distance from Longview: about 32 miles west of Longview (straight-line).
Location: 789 Park Road 16, Tyler, TX 75706
Tyler State Park is a 985.5-acre (398.8 ha) state park in Smith County, Texas, United States north of Tyler, Texas.
See our full Tyler State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
3. Daingerfield State Park
Distance from Longview: about 35 miles north of Longview (straight-line).
Daingerfield State Park protects about 507 acres of East Texas pine and hardwood forest around 74-acre Little Pine Lake, with campsites, historic cabins and hiking and biking trails.
See our full Daingerfield State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
4. Caddo Lake State Park
Distance from Longview: about 35 miles east of Longview (straight-line).
Location: 245 Park Road 2, Karnack, TX 75661
Caddo Lake State Park is a state park located in the piney woods ecoregion of East Texas.
See our full Caddo Lake State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
5. Lake Bob Sandlin State Park
Distance from Longview: about 44 miles northwest of Longview (straight-line).
Location: Pittsburg, Texas
Lake Bob Sandlin State Park is a state park in Titus County, Texas, United States managed by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
See our full Lake Bob Sandlin State Park guide for fees, hours, and what to expect.
