Day Trips

Photo by Gerald E. Mcleod

Daingerfield State Park is a jewel hidden in the Piney Woods of Northeast Texas that is waiting to be discovered.

We can thank the Civilian Conservation Corps for much of the park's beauty. The Depression-era work force planted the forest of pine trees and dug the 80-acre lake before adding a fishing pier and swimming beach. For some reason they built the bathhouse, boathouse, and cabins out of concrete instead of locally available red sandstone.

In October 2011, the park reopened after a $5 million remodel. The five-bedroom Bass Lodge and three cabins received upgrades; there is a new boat dock and improved restrooms; the park store in the group shelter is bigger; and a new interpretive center was added to the old boathouse. It's hard to believe that Texas Parks & Wildlife Department was considering giving away this slice of heaven. The city and county decided they couldn't afford to operate the park.

Daingerfield State Park packs a lot into its cozy 500 acres, whether you're taking advantage of the hiking trails, kayak and canoe rentals, or the tree-shaded picnic area by the lake. In the spring, the dogwood blooms sparkle among the trees. In the fall, the bright colors of the trees paint the surface of the lake. For information, call the park at 903/645-2921 or go to www.tpwd.state.tx.us/daingerfield.

1,066th in a series. Collect them all. Day Trips, Vol. 2, a book of "Day Trips," is available for $8.95, plus $3.05 for shipping, handling, and tax. Mail to: Day Trips, PO Box 33284, South Austin, TX 78704.