Fort Parker State Park
- Status
- Open (per official listing)Daily 6 a.m. – 10 p.m.
- Entrance fee
- $5 per adultAnnual pass available
- Day-use reservations
- RecommendedCan reach capacity
- Dogs
- Statewide rule — see below
- Camping
- 35 campsitesAlso cabins, glamping or camper cabins
- Official site
- tpwd.texas.gov(254) 562-5751
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. Details last changed Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Current alerts 1
Alert Burn BanJuly 28, 2026 - The park is under a burn ban. No open, ash-producing fires allowed, including wood or charcoal. You may use containerized fuel stoves… (more)
July 28, 2026 - The park is under a burn ban. No open, ash-producing fires allowed, including wood or charcoal. You may use containerized fuel stoves (i.e. propane), for cooking. Boat Ramp Closure The Navasota River boat ramp will be closed from Oct. 19, 2026 to Jan. 10, 2027 for road work. Construction Alert Aug. 24, 2026 - TxDOT will be resurfacing the roads in the park from October 2026 through May 2027. During this period, some facilities, campsites, and trails may be temporarily closed Aug. 26, 2026 - Expect construction noise in the day-use, screen shelter and cabin areas and the water and electric camping loop. Nature Center renovations are expected to last through spring 2027. Contact the park for details. Fishing Piers Closed Jan. 7, 2025 - Both fishing piers are closed. Check back for updates.
Posted by the park. Official alert
Overview
Fort Parker State Park is a 1,488-acre park in Limestone County, about 7 miles southwest of Mexia.
Visitors come for mountain biking, historic sites, canoeing and kayaking, boating, and swimming. Facilities for water recreation include a boat ramp and boat or kayak rentals. For overnight stays there are 35 campsites across 4 camping areas (RV sites with electric and water hookups, tent sites, primitive or hike-in sites, group camping, and showers). Roofed lodging includes cabins and camper cabins or similar shelters.
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park | Daily | 6 a.m. – 10 p.m. | — |
| Office | Daily | 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. | — |
Official wording
Open daily, 6 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Office Hours: We can reach capacity and highly recommend reservations for both camping and day use. To guarantee entry, reserve passes online or by calling the customer service center before you visit. Daily: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Busy Season: Weekends in spring, early summer and fall
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/Chicago).
Pets
Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet at all times and are not permitted in any buildings at Texas State Parks. Some parks restrict pets on certain trails.
Statewide rule from Texas's park system (source). This park’s page doesn’t state its own pet rules, so check for local restrictions.
Fees and passes
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Adult | $5 |
| Child 12 Years and Under | Free |
Official wording
• Adult: $5 Daily • Child 12 Years and Under: Free
Texas park passes
- Texas State Parks Pass — $70 per year. Free entry for the holder and guests at the state parks it covers, plus camping and store discounts; a second pass for someone at the same address is $25 Details
- Texas Parklands Passport. Discounted or free entry for qualifying seniors, people with disabilities, veterans and Gold Star family members Details
From the Texas state guide. Confirm which passes this park accepts.
Reservations
- Day use
- Recommended
- Camping
- Recommended
- Booking system
- Texas State Parks reservation system (ReserveAmerica)
- Phone
- (512) 389-8900
We can reach capacity and highly recommend reservations for both camping and day use.
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Camping
| Campground or site type | Sites | Hookups / features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Campsites with Electricity Many of these water and electric campsites have a lake view. | 24 | Water hookup; 30 amp hookupShowersPicnic tableFire ring with grillFour pull-through sites | $20 Nightly Plus daily entrance fee |
| Campsite with Electricity (Tent Only) Site #6 has a lake view and is next to the restroom. | 1 | Water hookup; 30 amp hookupShowersPicnic tableFire ring with grill | $20 Nightly Plus daily entrance fee |
| Campsites with Water (Tents Only) Water spigots are in the area, not at each site. | 10 | Water nearbyPicnic tableLantern postVault toilet nearby | $12 Nightly Plus daily entrance fee |
| Group Camp (Scout Camping Wilderness) This is a sponsored youth group area for organized groups (an adult supervisor must make reservations). This area is accessible by vehicle, has three picnic tables and three fire rings. | — | Picnic tablesPrimitive toiletFire rings with grills | $50 Nightly Plus daily entrance fee |
Camping details from the park
Stay overnight at a campsite, screened shelter or cabin. Sites are scattered around the lake’s edge, and most are near a restroom with showers.
Cabins don’t have beds or bathrooms but do have air-conditioning.
Pets are not allowed in the screened shelter or cabin areas.
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Things to do
BikingBoatingHistoric sites and toursFishingHikingMountain bikingCanoeing and kayakingPicnickingSwimmingCamping
Trails
Explore seven miles of trails on foot or bike. Learn about the plants in the park along the .6-mile Bur Oak Trail.
See many park highlights along the two-mile Springfield Trail: the Springfield Cemetery, the Navasota River Springs that feed the river, the dam built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, and spring-fed Lake Springfield.
Boating and paddling
Paddle Fort Parker Lake and the Navasota River by canoe or kayak. Take the 5.3-mile Limestone Bluffs Paddling Trail to experience both.
Bring your own or rent one of our watercraft (weather permitting).
If you are planning to rent our watercraft for a youth group, please fill out the youth group compliance form and bring a signed parental consent form for each minor.
Fishing
Drop a hook in 750-acre Fort Parker Lake, three-acre Lake Springfield, or the Navasota River. Catch channel and blue catfish, white and black bass, and crappie.
No fishing license is needed to fish from shore on our lakes or the river, or from a boat on the lake. You will need a license to fish from a boat on the river.
We have two boat ramps (one on the river and one on Fort Parker Lake) and a fish cleaning station. We loan fishing gear for use in the park.
Get detailed fishing and lake information for Fort Parker Lake.
A state fishing license is usually required.
Amenities
Facilities
- Restrooms
- Vault or pit toilets
- Showers
- Picnic areas
- Picnic shelters
- Playground
- Nature center or museum
- Park or camp store
- Restaurant or food service
- Group facilities
Water
- Boat ramp
- Boat, canoe or kayak rentals
- Fish cleaning station
Camping
- RV dump station
- Tent camping
- RV camping
- Electric hookups
- Water hookups
- Primitive or backcountry camping
- Group camping
Lodging
- Cabins
- Glamping or camper cabins
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Getting there
- Address
- 194 Park Road 28
Mexia, TX 76667 - Nearest town
- Mexia — about 7 mi southwest (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 31.5923, -96.5267
- Phone
- (254) 562-5751
- FortParkerSP@tpwd.texas.gov
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- Texas State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026
- TPWD state parks map (embedded park data)
- Wikidata
- USGS PAD-US 4.1 (boundary and acreage)
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. “Last changed” (Oct 29, 2026) is when the information shown here last differed from the previous check. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology