fun place to vist. To fish, and swim. Love going there for a break from dallas.read more

Had the weirdest experience there as first time visitors and we will not be going back. It's 7…read moredollars for people older than 7, so my family paid 21 dollars. Then as soon as we got to the parking lot we realized that it was very full and it sounded like there was a DJ or something there playing Latin pop music and Cumbias. We parked in the gravel parking lot and made sure to back in because we would not have been able to pullout to leave because of how many cars were cramped in. On the way down the path we saw that it was not an actual Dj but rather a party of people sitting under the trees with the large Dj speakers that stand on the tripod poles. We walked to the farthest place on the beach to get away from the loud party. On our way across the beach there were a few other groups with radios, but they were playing them at a much more respectable level only able to be heard for 10-15 ft or so. Once we picked out our spot the sand on the beach is great and it has a really nice slope so you can swim out pretty far before it gets deep. I did make my kids keep their water shoes on the whole time because we picked up over ten pieces of broken brown and green glass. We left around 7 after a lot of people had already left. The craziest part is what happened up in the changing area. They have around 5 portapotties out in the parking lot, then down on the grass, a water cleaning area with three spigots and two changing rooms that are just stalls on wood that you can change in, but you can see peoples feet from the outside. As I was walking up a young girl maybe 10-12 walked up already in dry jean shorts and a dry shirt she walked into the changing stall but didn't have anything with her. She looked confused but closed the door. I stood there waiting in line as the other one was taken. The young girl started URINATING on the floor in the changing stall! Like I just see her feet and a stream of Pee. Insane! Her parents were no where to be seen. They obviously told her to go up and use the restroom and didn't watch her. Either she didn't know the porta-potties were the toilets, or she didn't want to use them. It's really sad that the people there were acting so inappropriately because the beach is really nice. They should have a code of conduct or something, and ranger type people that are monitoring. There are two large dumpsters for trash in the parking lot, but there was still trash all over in the parking lot. As far as staff that we saw there was only the woman in the ticket booth and one worker in a cart probably picking up trash. My husband overheard the worker say that there was 800 people that came thru that day. With people paying 7 dollars a piece for next to no amenities they really need more staff.

Looking for a short getaway to bask in some beautiful hiking, biking and/or running trails?! Bonham…read moreis a great option for this, bring family and friends or come solo! The park itself is fairly small with several trail loops to explore. Go thru the gate and grab a pass from the main area where you may also park. They will give you a trail map as well as tell you a bit about the trails in terms of where to start, etc! They also had a really fun cooking class in the morning right on the lake. Super unexpected but awesome! Apparently they do lots of trail events often to check online to see what is going on. Bring your tent or RV and you can camp out right on the water. Cheap kayaks are available for rent as well. Since it is so hot you need to start early and/or bring plenty of hydration for your adventure. This was a great way for me to start my weekend and really set the tone for a serenity kind of Saturday! Go check out downtown Bonham for shopping and lunch right after. Rangers are always on duty and they truly take pride in this incredible park.

Overall, Bonham is a great spot for a weekend camping trip, hiking, and doing miscellaneous water…read moreactivities IF you don't mind a ridiculous amount of daddy long leg spiders. I don't know if it was because of the hot and humid weather (end of September) -- we'd set up camp at the end of a major shower -- or if that's just the norm but if you rent a campsite in the upper teens (16, 17, etc.) expect to see dozens if not hundreds of spiders on a regular basis. If you rent the lower number sites (12, 11, etc.), you won't see hardly any "wildlife." My group of 5 rented 2 sites (5 adults, 4 dogs, 3 cars, 2 nights, and 1 "oh Lawd, why" moment) so I had the pleasure of experiencing both extremes. Restrooms and showers are a short 3min walk from the camp sites and are very well maintained. My only complaint is there's very little airflow in the women's room so expect to sweat even while watering the pool. The campsites are even better. There's an outlet box to plug in all of your necessities and a water spigot. Picnic table and little hanging poles to dry your towels. Everything you need is right there. Our neighbors were quiet for the most part with the occasional "too loud after 10pm" moment and 1 neighbor who wouldn't answer his 4am alarm until it had gone off for a good 5min haha! Some activities include swimming in the lake, renting paddle boats, renting fishing gear, and hiking. We hiked the "Gnarly Root Trail" and boy the only thing gnarly about it was again, the spiders. The ground looked like it was moving and the path is 1-person wide so if you're with friends, don't expect to carry on a conversation. The trail markers were a bit confusing and we had to double back once to make the correct turn but it was a pretty decent and simple 1.5mi hike. My friends had a great experience with the paddle boat rentals and it wasn't until we were leaving that we realized we could've rented fishing gear, too (darn!). Other factors, there was a burn ban that weekend and we didn't realize it until the park manager told us (it was pouring rain when we arrived so we didn't see the sign). But he was super cool about it and let us extinguish it without penalty. That's another great thing: the park managers truly care and make sure everyone is having a great time and are safe. The evening of our check in, he stopped by and gave us the lowdown on how things work, some tips, and answered any questions we had. Overall, this is a great park and I'd definitely return for another camping trip when the weather cools off.

The wife and I rode our Harley out here on Saturday, September 9. We enjoyed driving the windy…read moreroads of the park and finding our own private spot on the lake. It was only five dollars a person to get in for the day. The main office was very clean and organized and the bathrooms were clean and we also purchased a few keepsakes. I am not an RVer but they have lots of nice shady spots. Some that are pull through and some you have to back into. It looked like all of the spots had a gazebo type cover. They also have cabins you can rent out; some thing my wife and I discussed for the future. It was very quiet and covered in a lot of trees and seemed like a very nice place to camp. As we drove out, we had the unexpected surprise of seeing 3 deer in one spot and two more in another.

When is the last time you watched a moonrise - shifting from fluorescent pink to bright yellow?…read more When did you last see the stars so clear and plentiful that you could see the Milky Way? Some moments in nature are too precious to recount - too difficult to write into a review. If you live in the city like I do, these moments are a much-needed fuel - so rich and refreshing!! Based on this second experience at Cooper Lake State Park - South Sulfur Unit, I HIGHLY recommend an overnight cabin stay! **Cabins can be booked a maximum of three months in advance.** Equipped with full restrooms including powerful, hot showers, two full beds (must bring own linens for all needs), a futon, 4-top table and chairs, 3/4 fridge/freezer combo, drip coffee maker, stove top with two heating elements, AC and heat, a back balcony with grill and picnic table, and a lakeside fire pit, we wanted for NOTHING and ENJOYED IT ALL!

Just north of the small Texas Town of Ladonia lies the Sulpher River. More of a river bed, as the…read moreusual trickle of water no longer qualifies as a river. However, the river bed is what you want in this case. The area is littered with fossils from 50 million years ago and older! I found this river bed 35 years ago before anyone came here. After some significant discoveries over the years, quite a few people come for a pleasant outing. Not far away was discovered the ancient petrified sea turtle that now hangs in the Perot museum in downtown Dallas. If you have seen it then you probably just said Wow! That came from here? Yes. In addition, the new lake thats being built will flood this area so, there is no time to waste. It deserves at least one trip out here! Good hunting!

Where do I begin! We spent 4 hours there today and easily could have spent more. By far the best…read morepumpkin patch that includes other family activities. The property is beautiful and very well maintained. We went on a wagon ride and saw all sorts neat animals and learned about them from the guide. We rented fishing poles ($5) and went fishing in the stocked pond. We played with young antelopes, found turtles, and hunted for frogs and snails. We jumped in a canoe and paddled around the small lake. Stand up boards, kayaks and peddle boats are also available (unfortunately the peddle boats were out of commission today). We played sand volleyball, badminton, shuffleboard and horse shoes. Face painting, bounce houses and snacks all available too. A few more games were up on the deck as well as ducklings to pet. A wonderful way to spend the day with the family. We'll definitely be back!

From the owner: Top Fun Ranch is North Texas' premier event, party, recreation, fundraiser, and wedding venue…read more Customer service is our #1 priority at Top Fun Ranch! We have a 90% re-book rate and the most unique private event center in North Texas.

Eisenhower State Park includes most of Lake Texoma lakefront businesses that make up Oklahoma's…read moreshare of the biggest local lake in north central Texas, which is about an hour's drive north on TXHWY 377N, and a day sail from Gordonville's gorgeous and lively Cedar Mills Yacht, where my family lived during the weekends and holidays, often dining with the keen Bahama 28 yacht owned by North Texas State University's Dr. Bruce P. Foster. Our ragtag racing team included Bruce and Trudy's sons, Rob and Greg + a rotating volunteer from our home church, Trinity Presbyterian Church in Denton. Apparently, from certain times of the year, the sailing vessels known as Valiant Yachts produces various forms of sailing vessels, which are often shipped to every place in the world. I worked on the foredeck, raising the colorful and elegant spinnakers for sailing quite fast pointing down wind. I love the local scene of rural communities in the north Texas and Oklahoma region and the culture of our farmers and ranchers who cultivate their cash crops and send to the local markets in Denton, Dallas, Fort Worth and mid-cities. Cheers, Mark F.

We really enjoyed a marvelous weekend at Eisenhower State park not long ago!! I definitely…read morerecommend visiting, before it gets too crazy hot. We came here in late spring. They have really nice nearby cabins along the peninsula where we stayed. There's a lot to do for the entire family, trail running, hiking, fishing etc. Plus it is a short drive up north offering the "we are not in DFW" vibe. It is worth checking out for sure!

Beautiful park, did a picnic and fishing. Nice relaxing day, people swimming and boating. Just a…read moregreat little park. Only complaint is the dog owners who don't pick up their messes. That's not on the park. Be responsible for your own mess, even your dogs.

Lake Texoma is an awesome place for daily recreation, family vacations and all other resources…read morenational Sam Bass festival.

New water source for an expanding 6 million people in the Dallas Ft. Worth area!…read more I am really glad that we are organized enough and have the foresight and will to plan lakes 25 and 30 years out. It's always difficult to imagine needing more water but it happens fast. Ralph Hall has been talked about for decades and it's finally here! Unimaginable, really when you think about it. There is only one natural lake in Texas. That's Caddo Lake, that sits on the Louisiana/Texas border. The rest are all man made. Now that's hard to believe for a state this size but,true. Last week I cruised up to take a look at the area the water will be filling. Unfortunately it's beautiful ranch and farm land. A natural little valley that generations have toiled raising crops and animals. Some significant fossils have been found here. The Perot museum in Dallas holds a fossilized 50 million year old sea turtle found in this area. While seeing this process creates mixed feelings,it's a necessary evil for our civilization. Can't wait till the water levels up!

It's such a beautiful setting. The lake is alive with all types of wildlife. The city keeps it…read moreclean. My only complaint is the overgrowth of the small island that the ducks stay on at night. Wish they (the city) would clean that up. It's becoming a part of the land instead of an island of safety for the ducks. Glad they are keeping the backfield mowed more. It looks nice.

We didn't spend a ton of time here, but it looks like a nice park. They've got more horseshoe pits…read morethan anyplace else I've ever seen. The dog park is split into separate areas for large and small dogs. We let our dog run around for a few minutes and play with other dogs. Everyone seemed to be responsible about keeping an eye on their dogs.

Be careful around the Campsites and the Beach. No police, We picked up the Beach a few weeks ago,…read more53 Bags of trash. 36 syringes Big bag of weed, A medium container of Meth, please watch your children. There's fighting, Beer bottles ( glass) Everywhere. I personally wouldn't go to the Beach.

Lake Texoma Red River is currently low. Not been enough rain water is low. Drove across Lake Texoma.read more