Notable Campgrounds
- Best for family adventurers: Liberty Grove Campground on the north shore has easy access to the lake and inland hiking trails, plus a kid’s playground.
- Best for tent campers: Oak Grove Camping Area has 15 tranquil pitches with a lakeside setting and minimal facilities.
- Best for equestrian campers: Buggy Whip Equestrian Campground has 15 sites with electric hookups, horse tethers, and direct access to the trails.
Tips for Snagging a Campsite Reservation
- You can reserve spots at any of the park’s seven campsites, as well as screened shelters and cabins, in advance via the Texas State Parks website.
- Campsite reservations open five months in advance for all sites.
- Campsites can book up fast for summer and holiday weekends—book as soon as possible, especially if you have a particular site in mind.
When to Go
Cooper Lake State Park is open year-round and can get crowded on weekends and holidays from spring through fall. Summertime temperatures can reach more than 90°F, so you’ll probably want to stay lakeside—spring and fall offer more comfortable temperatures for hiking. Horse riding trails are often closed if it gets too wet.
Know Before You Go
- Cooper Lake State Park is located 90 miles northeast of Dallas or about a 1.5-hour drive away.
- Park entrance fees are required in addition to camping fees, and general entrance reservations can be made up to one month in advance.
- Facilities include restrooms, picnic benches, and souvenir stores. The South Sulphur store also sells ice and drinks. You can purchase groceries and firewood in Commerce or Sulphur Springs, both about a 20-minute drive away.
- You can bring your own boat or kayak or rent kayaks within the park. There are also boat docks, fishing piers, and fish cleaning stations at both units. Fishing licenses are only required if fishing from a boat.
Cooper Lake State Park
By land, water, or horseback—this two-section national park was made for exploring.
Split into two “units”—Doctors Creek on the north shore of Jim Chapman Lake and South Sulphur on the south side—Cooper Lake has everything you need for an outdoor adventure, just 90 minutes from Dallas. Miles of hiking, biking, geocaching, and horseback riding trails lead through oak forests and marshy grasslands, where you can spot birds and wild deer. Along the waterfront, cool off with a dip in the dedicated swimming area, rent a kayak, or fish for bass, catfish, and crappie. There’s camping on both sides of the lake with a choice of RV, tent, and equestrian sites.
Split into two “units”—Doctors Creek on the north shore of Jim Chapman Lake and South Sulphur on the south side—Cooper Lake has everything you need for an outdoor adventure, just 90 minutes from Dallas. Miles of hiking, biking, geocaching, and horseback riding trails lead through oak forests and marshy grasslands, where you can spot birds and wild deer. Along the waterfront, cool off with a dip in the dedicated swimming area, rent a kayak, or fish for bass, catfish, and crappie. There’s camping on both sides of the lake with a choice of RV, tent, and equestrian sites.
Activities in the park
5 campgrounds in Cooper Lake State Park
With just 15 campsites, Oak Grove may be a quieter, more reclusive choice over the other campgrounds at Cooper Lake’s South Sulphur Unit. The sites are primitive (read: no water or electric hookups), but there’s running water nearby. ###Read more...
Campers at Liberty Grove have the best of both worlds; the campground is bordered by the lake on the west side and the Cedar Creek East Loop hiking trail on the east. Choose between 42 campsites with water and electric hookups. This is a good spot for kids, too, since there’s a playground in the middle of the camping area. ###Read more...
About half of the 44 campsites off of the Bright Star loop in the South Sulphur Unit sit close to the lake’s edge; for a premium location, try to snag spots 5 through 15 if you can. Each site is equipped with water and electric hookups, as well as picnic tables and fire rings. ###Read more...
Choose from 40 sites at Deer Haven Campground, on the western edge of the park’s South Sulphur Unit. You’ll find water and electric hookups at each site, plus the campground is close the Honey Creek Day Use Area, which means easy access to the boat ramp. ###Read more...
Horse lovers unite at Buggy Whip. The 15 campsites here come with water and electric hookups, plus a 20-foot tether cable to keep your equine friend from wandering off. Don’t forget to bring proof of your horse’s negative Coggins test, procured within the last 12 months. ###Read more...
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Notable Campgrounds
Notable Campgrounds
Tips for Snagging a Campsite Reservation
When to Go
Cooper Lake State Park is open year-round and can get crowded on weekends and holidays from spring through fall. Summertime temperatures can reach more than 90°F, so you’ll probably want to stay lakeside—spring and fall offer more comfortable temperatures for hiking. Horse riding trails are often closed if it gets too wet.
Know Before You Go
Public campgrounds (book externally) —