Lake Navarro Mills is a secret fishing hole for a number of anglers who would rather I not mention its location. Unfortunately for them, I’m going to tell you anyway: It sits among the rolling hills and farms between Hillsboro and Corsicana.
By Texas standards Lake Navarro Mills is a moderate-sized impoundment at 5,070 acres, which makes it about three times the size of Lake Austin and a little bigger than Lake Granger east of Georgetown. It has five wonderful campgrounds that make it great for weekend retreats with the whole family.
What is remarkable about the fishing at this lake is the size of the creatures at the business end of a fishing line. Without the pressure of hordes of weekend anglers, the fish have time to grow to mature sizes. The lake record for hybrid striped bass is 17.5 pounds and 14.75 for striped bass. Compare that with the records at Lake Texoma, one of the best striper lakes in the nation, where the records are 11.34 pounds and 35.12 pounds, respectively.
The dam was built by the U.S. Corps of Engineers across Richland Creek in 1963, a tributary of the Trinity River, primarily for flood control and drinking water, but recreation and wildlife habitat have become major byproducts. The 38-mile shoreline is mostly covered with a thick forest canopy that has had almost 40 years to grow unmolested by human intervention.
The five parks on the lake have the two main qualities for campgrounds in Texas during the summer months: shade and swimming. If you’re particular, all except one have drinking water and restrooms, although only three have indoor showers.
By far the most popular park on the lake is Liberty Hill Park. Accessible out of Dawson on FM 709, the park runs right up to the south end of the dam. This is also the location of the only public marina on the lake. Even with more than 100 campsites, most with water and electric hookups, this park fills to capacity on many holiday weekends. Most weekends, though, it is a peaceful garden with a fishing pier, swimming beach, and a playground.
On the other side of the dam, Oak Park has about half as many campsites as Liberty Hill Park, but about the same amount of land. This gives the campers more room to spread out and take advantage of the hiking trails and swimming beach. You didn’t hear it from me, but the fishing pier below the campground is a great place to drown a few worms.
Near the remains of the town of Navarro Mills on FM 667, Oak Park also has a day-use area, with a large swimming area, restrooms, and showers, that is open April to September. Not much remains of the town that gave the lake its name. It was the site of the first corn mill in Navarro County in the early 1850s.
On the north side of the lake, Wolf Creek Park is the largest park on the lake and has 70 campsites, most with water and electricity. Accessible from FM 639 off FM 667, the park has a boat ramp, fishing pier, and showers, and is used mainly by fishermen.
Pecan Point Park offers a little more rustic experience than the other parks. Only five sites have water and electricity, while the other 30 campsites are primitive. Open April 1 to September 30, this is one of the most beautiful spots on the lake. Access to the park is down FM 1578 off of FM 744.
In between the two adjacent parks on the north shore is Brushie Prairie Park. The Corps doesn’t charge admission to this primitive area with only a boat ramp and picnic tables. The entrance to this wilderness area is near the entrance to Wolf Creek Park.
The best way to get to Lake Navarro Mills from Waco is to take TX 31 north. It can also be reached from I-35 in Hillsboro or Italy. Reservations are recommended on holidays and can be made by calling 877/444-6777 or through the Corps of Engineers Web site at www.reserveusa.com. Camping fees range from $12 to $16 for most sites. For information about the lake call 254/578-1431 or visit their Web site at www.swf-wc.usace.army.mil/navarro/.
586th in a series. Day Trips, Vol. 2, a book of Day Trips 101-200, is available for $8.95, plus $3.05 for shipping, handling, and tax. Mail to: Day Trips, PO Box 33284, South Austin, TX 78704.
This article appears in August 30 • 2002.
