purtis creek state park

What an incredible park! Stay at camp site 20 or 22 for water-side camping. Superclean bathrooms and tons of privacy. The folks working there spectacularly professional. Visit the camp host for firewood and def purchase pinecones for a fire starter. It saved an hour's worth of toil.

We camped in our pop-up there and really enjoyed it! Saw lots of wildlife - deer, raccoons, and tons of bunnies. All the sites are very private with a lot of bush/forest in between. There are only four sites on the water itself. One of the campsites was even fully handicap accessible (this was not on the water). Trails are well kept. There are two different lighted fishing docks as well as a wood dock for campers to tie their own boats, very impressive! Very nice fish cleaning stations alongside the lighted fishing docks. Only one bathroom with showers but each side has three of them. No private dressing area. See my shower note below. Restrooms were clean but very old. Each site has the usual picnic table and fire pit. You can buy firewood directly from the park here. Rangers, volunteers and camp hosts were all very nice. Great playground and swimming area for the kids. We will be back!Only negative about this particular state park was the women's shower area. There are three stalls and I could only use the handicapped one because the shower heads are literally unmovable. They were pointed so high, at the back wall, that I couldn't get them to hit me and I am 5'4"! Since we were camping there, we just went very early evening and I had my pick so it wasn't a huge deal but it would be if you were waiting in line! If you go there, leave time to visit the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens, Texas (very close). It's well worth the trip. They will even provide you with fishing gear to fish in one of their three ponds!

Put in my kayak here this morning and really appreciated the sand launch area dedicated to kayaks, also I was able to join in on a kayak safety course which was very well done on a beginner level, highly recommend.

Purtis Creek is somewhat close to where we live so we decided to take a new travel trailer out for its almost-maiden voyage. I like to bring my dog and hike the trails here even when I am not camping. I have camped here in the past, but not in quite a while. Its a small park and only 4 sites have water view/access. That's the bad part. I have never ever been able to get in one of them. The sites are heavily wooded with a lot of underbrush outside of the cleared table/tent/grill areas - and I noticed a lot of poison ivy. So beware of that if you are allergic to it. The brush does make for a lot of privacy between each site though. That's a good point. One of the best things about this park is the people. I have been camping all over Texas for years now and the people here are among the friendliest you will run across. The women and men in the office are outgoing, helpful, and friendly, and even the Park Ranger and the PWD Officer on duty. They will all go out of their way to greet you and do whatever they can do to make your visit a great one. The park still rents canoes and kayaks but no longer has a bait store of any kind. In the past there was a convenience store right outside the park but that has since gone out of business as well. So bring your own if you plan to fish. I have fished here in the past and never really got anything worth mentioning but I did see one young man with an impressive catch 2 weekends ago when we were there. Be sure and reserve a site before you plan on coming out as they are very often full and/or nearly full - especially when its nice weather.

This was our first visit to the park, while volunteering during the KidFish event. Noticed a couple of things:- there didn't seem to be trashcans out and about, which we found odd for a park- there were a lot of ant beds (assume due to recent rain), which was unfortunate for a large kid eventAside from that, my two kids decided to try the kayaking. They were out for 3 hours and enjoyed it. The lake is small and confined enough such that I was comfortable with them going out of my site, as life jackets were required. I decided to go ahead and purchase an annual state park card. That saved us a few dollars on the kayak rental. Will have to hold thoughts on the fishing, but will comment on the little we fished, we caught nothing! That was disappointing for my fisherman teen.

This state park has great camping spots and a great picnic area by the water. It's great for day use if you live near by or great for a weekend trip. My family has enjoyed many trips here.

Just got back from spending an extended weekend at Purtis Creek SP. Very small park. We have a 32', 3 slide outs, 5th Wheel. Most all of the pads were a little short but we made do. Most of the sights were already taken as Campers came down and chose the sight they wanted and put their slip of paper for the sight on then left only to come back for the weekend. There are only about 8 campsites on the water. Most of the sights also have the picnic table and fire ring/grill a ways from the pads. There was no shade on any of the picnic sights. A lot of State Park Patrol and Park Patrol always going up and down the road making their presence known. There was a lot of trees and dead trees and underbrush. Was a nice visit but we will think hard before going back to this Lake. Friends went also and we could not get a sight beside each other. (That was a big letdown)

We couldn't stay out of trouble. We have been camping on Thanksgiving for going on 18 years. This park had zero tolerance with park rules and then park ranger gets onto to us for camp fire singing at 8:00 PM and having too big of a fire and a bottle of wine on the picnic table. This completely disrupted and ruined our family social time. Our bad on the wine bottle, but we we're ragged on by the Park Rangers and park host over and over. We will not go back, too much hassle when we were just having family fun. We have encountered similar treatment at other State parks. Corp of Engineers parks will get our loyal business of 8 paying families.

The critters came out even more when they knew everyone was packing up and leaving Sunday afternoon. They know the routine, especially the raccoons at dinner time. Great large, clean sites, thick with trees and underbrush on 3 sides which gives a sense of seclusion. Table and fire pit usually behind the parking area adding to your privacy. You can hear other campers but rarely see them from your camp site and that's with effort. Same with the birds. I heard a lot of different song birds but rarely spotted them because of the thick coverage. We saw lots of stars. The park rangers and Hosts patrol the park regularly so help is always handy. There's not a fish at every cast depending on the fishman, but there are fish; nice sized black bass too. Bathrooms were well cleaned but go fairly soon after because of considerable usage. Try the little barbeque and burger, small stand, in Eustace. Great food, service and local information. Didn't try other food establishments this time. Will defintely return to both Purtis Creek State Park and Eustace TX.

I spent 11 nights at this State Park !! It was a very wonderful relaxing time. Upon arrival I put out my bird feeder and enjoyed several species of birds... Blue Jays , Cardinals, tit-mouse & chicadees!! Near dusk we watched the deer walk through the grassy parts behind our campsite and then later the raccoons came around looking for any leftovers! I did not even unload the fishing gear this trip but I saw lots of others fishing with good luck. What a great way to relax!!!

Close to Dallas but far enough away to feel light years away. Camp sites #20, #21,#22,#23 are on the water and have great views. #23 & #22 are right next to the dumpsters, just fyi. Good hiking trails and canoe, kayak and paddle boat rentals (very affordably priced ). Camp ground also offers ice and firewood. We tried to find the bald eagles people were talking about but it must have been too windy/stormy. Better luck next time.

I really enjoyed this state park. If you like fishing then you will love this park. You can bring a boat or fish from several of the nice piers or fish off the beach. I love the old tree's in the water and this is one of the only lakes where i have seen very large fresh water clams and fresh water jelly like fish. The shores are full of shells for the kids to hunt. You will see lots of birds from small to very large Eagles, Hawks and Turkey vultures. There are nice wooded trails and many campsites and picnic areas. This is a nice day trip from many cities around Dallas or if you in the area i would suggest you stop by. The statements in my reviews are true and are solely based on my own personal travel experiences and therefore do not reflect the views or opinions of other travelers whom have been here before me. Make everyday a new experience! Mark

A natural setting away from the stresses of daily life, with singing birds and the occasional sound of a curious fish coming to the surface of the lake. This place drains the tension and worry out of you. Camping, hiking trails, fireplaces - a great place for a family outing.

The nicest staff of any State Park in Taxas. Always freindly and has great fishing. This is always on my list of places I "must go".

It seems that most area state parks are primarily for camping and fishing. Purtis definitely fits this mold. The trails are limited and the park lacks natural beauty. The greatest asset is an occasional Bald Eagle and an abundance of Whitetail.