Honestly, it's not much more than a rest stop with an amazing view. The visitors center had little…read moreto offer but a few tourism pamphlets and free coffee. I don't recall any playground equipment or vending machines. But there are a couple picnic tables and the restroom was clean.

There is a really great 25 to 35 mile view across the hills of East Texas from this point just…read morenorth of Jacksonville on the north bound side of Highway 69. It has changed since my last visit over 15 years ago! There are now a staffed visitor center and very clean restrooms here now, as well as a very nice park atmosphere around the overlook! There are great photo ops and an old Forest service Firetower that will make a great photo as well! Makes a really nice little place to take a break from your drive

This is a very nice visitors center and a great place to start your visit to Huntsville, Texas. The…read morecenter is right off of Interstate 45 and an exit north of the one for Huntsville State Park. There is a very large parking lot, the day we visited there was hardly anyone there so we found spaces right up close to the center. The center is a very nicely constructed building with a large deck and walkways that lead down to the trail to the large statue of Sam Houston nearby on the edge of the interstate. The staff inside were very nice, they have all kinds of brochures and handouts on places to visit in Huntsville and things to do. There is an outdoor small amphitheater area where I imagine a talk or lecture might be given on the life of Sam Houston; on the day of our visit nothing was happening but it was early in the morning and it was President's Day.

A great stop for a photo opportunity A specific IH-45 exit…read moreis available to view the monument and the visitor center and a path to view the monument

What a nice little stop! Super friendly staff - I wish I remembered her name - with some great…read moreresources in a neat little historic building that had been relocated from elsewhere. My good buddy was looking for info on a saloon from the 1800s that his family owned long ago, and he got some good info and good leads. Definitely a good stop if you're looking for info on Palestine TX!

Staff is knowledgeable and provides great recommendations specific to your trip. Don't be afraid to…read morestop in and ask questions.

Caddo Mounds is a peaceful and meaningful place to explore history. The trails and ancient mounds…read moregive a strong sense of the past, and the visitor center explains the Caddo culture clearly. It is quiet, well kept, and worth a visit if you enjoy history and nature.

But I truly remarkable experience. Many years ago the Caddo people lived and worked on this land…read more They were resourceful and used their knowledge to make this part of Texas home. I was amazed seeing the different mounds with different purposes. Each mound was constructed by hand out of mud that they collected from a mud pit on site. The burial mound was used to bury the bodies of their people and family. The low platform mound was where they went to have important political discussions. And the amount of separated by the highway was religious purposes. On the vast land that's where they grew crop for food. And unlike other villages the men weren't so much in charge. It was the women that built the mounds grew the food took care of the children they ran the show! It is a beautiful thing that women were able to put their best foot forward and take the lead! I do wonder why did the Caddo people abandon this village? And I also wonder why did the US government force them to move to Binger, Oklahoma? I also wonder do the cuddle people living in contemporary Oklahoma come back to visit where their ancestors lived and worked? Also fun fact: Caddo Lake State Park is a region of where the Caddo people also lived before going to Oklahoma. This historical site cost $5 admission and pets are free! It is very dog friendly museum that you can bring your dog on the inside to watch the small 9-minute video that they have also they have little treats for your pup as well. Sneakers and I had a very fun time! It is a lot of walking but well worth it.

The heat will be with you! Welcome to TX!…read more This is a great stop after traveling through Louisiana! The bathrooms were clean. There were shared areas to sit down and an open field to kick around a ball. My favorite part was inside. I love how the travel brochures were broken down by the regions in TX. I found so many cool places that I would love to check out. There were coupons attached to some brochures for the different activities. This is the perfect stop if you have a vacation or getaway planned . I was able to comfortably walk around without smelling anything weird. The outside and inside were both clean. Hopefully I can review some of these places in the near future .

lots of parking lots for cars and trucks and a special area for RVs and coming in hot isn't…read morerecommended because of curves and curbs and trees and a three story building and stuff like that... outside are a variety of seating, eating, or walking arrangements. inside is a very nice information center with booklets and brochures and guidebooks and upto a half dozen individuals available to answer your tourist questions and help separate you from your tourist dollars... perfect!! besides that you get the standard rest area amenities in above average condition because the bosses are on premises. it's all tidy all the time inside and out (where the late night mistakes are avoided) and I think that's swell!!

Looking for a place to hike? Bike? Kayak? Bird? Bring horses for a trail ride?…read moreThis is it. Several marked trails, about 65 miles of paved and unpaved roads with old concrete ruins rising out of the forest. This was once the Longhorn Ammunition Plant and has a lot of history that you can read about in the visitor center (if you can find it!). The visitor center is behind the Refuge offices. Take the first right after you enter the gates, then the first left to find it.

This was a great find by accident. We found out about it while at the state park and it was…read moredefinitely worth the stop. It is an old army ammunition factory that was turned over to the wildlife and fisheries department. Shells of some of the old buildings still stand. Lots of birds and wildlife, but very, very few people.

We needed the restroom and that's all. But if you're looking for any and all brochures covering…read moreevery aspect of Louisiana, they have it here, we noticed as we walked through the main welcome center seeking the bathrooms (all the way in the very back buildings--why do so many rest areas have half the restrooms closed constantly?) The employees in that main area smiled and greeted us as we walked through; next time I'll stop to chat about all things Louisiana but this time we're just passing through. Once I arrived in the women's restroom the gal ahead of me opened three stall doors until she found one that was okay. Not sure what the problem was but if she wasn't going in neither was I! Bit of a smell too but as a seasoned road-tripper I had no complaints; the areas I encountered were clean and functioning. Probably the most stalls I've ever seen in a visitor center/rest stop. Husband reported a smell in the men's room but he knows why based on the accompanying sound effects coming from one of the stalls. Me: Really, that happens in men's restrooms? Him: Yeah when someone is having trouble. Me: That just isn't something I've ever heard in women's bathrooms. Gotta love roadtrip conversation!

Friendly helpful staff on my triathlon of dining, drinking & shopping. Shared everything going on…read moreand recommendations along with a book of info. Clean restrooms.

A beautiful maintained preservation with more than 600 animals about an hour away from Tyler,…read moreTexas. And 3 hours from Austin, Texas. My children aged 8 and 15 had the best time! Feeding, observing, getting a really close look and feel of these beautiful, mainly Safari animals. Some were impressively large like the bison, longhorn, buffalo, zebra's, camels with extremely long tongues and large teeth! It was quite pricey, because you get charged per person and not per car. It rang up $79 total for our party of four. I would definitely recommend to bring wipes for your hands, to clean up, and a car wash afterwards because your car will be covered in saliva. This was quite the experience and very well loved!

The drive thru Safari was a lot of fun.It's such a beautiful place! They have over 700 different…read moreanimals and some of them are huge! The animals are very used to people and some of them are pretty brave and will stick their head in tour window! The camel even bit my mirror when I didn't give it any pellets! There's a really nice welcome center with two sweet ladies that work there. Bathrooms are clean and they have some snacks and souvenirs. We'd definitely go back!

The refuge is the perfect spot for a walk, hike, run, or biking adventure! Each of the trails offer…read morea different perspective of the refuge and there's amazing birds and wildlife that you could see along the way! I love taking my puppy here to hike and enjoy the lake and river. It is pet and kid friendly! Please sign in at the visitors center when you first come! Signatures keep the refuge open and able to enjoy :)

The walking trails are very nice and I really liked the sitting areas overlooking the water. Every…read moretime I go the little place to go into with all the habitat information is closed but it looks interesting. Parking is good and the location isn't bad.

We had a great stay at Tall Timbers Retreat. Owners were very responsive. Would highly recommend!read more

We needed accommodations for lots of family coming into town from all over the world. Blake…read moresuggested Red Bud Cabin at Tall Timbers Resort. This place was great! Everyone loved the Rustic atmosphere. The kitchen is roomy, with a large dining area & family den where everyone could gather and visit. There are two bedrooms downstairs, one with a queen bed (the grandmothers took that one), one with four twin beds and a bunk bed, so six family members could comfortably sleep there. There is also a large bathroom with big mirrors & two sinks, so everyone could get ready for our event. Upstairs has a long dormitory style room with six twin beds & a couch. There is also a large closet, bathroom, and washer & dryer. The place was perfect! Our family from Missouri, Illinois, Texas & South Africa was enchanted with the tall pine trees, the friendly cats, dogs, and horses on the property. You just need to bring food if you plan to cook in the cabin, and toiletries, as none are provided. Don't forget salt & pepper like we did, but if you do, there is a convenience store at FM1275 & Loop 224 that has everything!