Texas Parks and Wildlife Department operate many state parks in Texas, but some are…
The answer, according to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, is one — Lake Colorado City State Park. That West Texas Park north of San Angelo sits on land owned by The Texas Electric Service Company, and wildlife officials say they are not aware that it is at any risk of closure, said Stephanie Garcia, a spokeswoman for the agency.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department leases 15 parks, including Fairfield Lake and Lake Colorado City, from other entities. “The rest are leased from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, river authorities or city or county governmental entities,” Garcia said.
State wildlife officials have been leasing land for decades and using the properties for state parks, on land ranging in size from less than an acre to several thousand acres, Garcia said.
The lease for Fairfield Lake State Park, which is located between Dallas and Houston, was terminated recently by its lessor, Vistra. The park will be closed to the public Feb. 28 due to its impending sale to make way for a new real estate and golf course development by Todd Interests.
Here is the TPWD list of all 15 parks on leased land, including the two not owned by a governmental entity:
1. Atlanta State Park
A view from the trail around Lake Wright Patman at Atlanta State Park.Eileen McClelland/Chronicle
Atlanta State Park, located in Atlanta, Texas, is owned by the United States Army Corps of Engineers.
Leased by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the park is known for its 90-foot tall pine trees, 4.8 miles of hiking trails, and 52 campsites.
2. Cedar Hill State Park
Cedar Hill State ParkCourtesy of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Cedar Hill State Park, a 1,826-acre park in Cedar Hill, Texas is owned by the United States Army Corps of Engineers.
The park boasts a 7,500-acre Joe Pool Lake and over 300 campsites.
3. Choke Canyon State Park
Fisherman at Choke Canyon Reservoir. The U.S. Geological Survey confirmed that three earthquakes hit near the Eagle Ford Shale town of Three Rivers over the weekend. One of the quakes registered below the North Shore Unit of Choke Canyon State Park.Sergio Chapa / Hous ton Chroincle
Choke Canyon State Park is located in Calliham, TX on land owned by the United States Department of the Interior.
The 1,100-acre park is on the shore of Choke Canyon Reservoir, which supplies water to Corpus Christi.
4. Cooper Lake State Park
Cooper Lake State ParkTPWD
Cooper Lake State Park located south of Cooper, Texas is owned by the United States Army Corps of Engineers.
The 19,300-acre lake opened for boats in 1992, and the 3,026-acre park itself later opened in 1996.
USACE built the lake to help control flooding on the South Sulphur Lake.
5. Eisenhower State Park
Eisenhower State Park
50 Park Road 20, Denison, TX 75020
Trout lillies have been spotted at this park, which is located on Lake Texoma in North Texas.Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Named after former president Dwight D. Eisenhower, Eisenhower State Park in Denison, Texas was leased to the state of Texas by the United States Army Corps of Engineers. The 463-acre park officially opened in 1958.
6. Fairfield Lake State Park
Fairfield Lake State Park contains nearly 14 miles of shoreline.Matt WyattFairfield Lake State Park is a beautiful park for trees, blanketed by hardwoods.Matt WyattFairfield Lake is a 2,400-acre popular fishing and boating destination.Matt Wyatt
Fairfield Lake State Park in Fairfield, Texas was leased by Texas Utilities 50 years ago.
Coal power plant operator Vistra sold its property after shutting down the plant in 2018.
The new owner, developer Todd Interests, will not partner with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, and the park will permanently close Feb. 28, 2023.
7. Lake Casa Blanca International State Park
Lake Casa Blanca International State Park in Laredo. Mariah C. P?rez
The 525-acre Lake Casa Blanca International State Park in Laredo, Texas is owned by Webb County.
After Webb County signed a 50-year lease with the TPWD to operate it, the park opened in 1991.
8. Lake Colorado City State Park
Lake Colorado City State Park grew the most in average visitors between 2012 and 2021. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Lake Colorado City State Park in Colorado City, Texas is a 500-acre park owned by the Texas Electric Service Company.
After the TPWD signed a 25-year lease with automatic one-year extensions, the park opened in 1972.
9. Lake Somerville State Park
Lake Somerville State ParkTexas Parks and WildlifeLake Somerville State ParkCatherine McIntosh
Lake Somerville State Park in Somerville, Texas started being built by USACE in June 1962.
TPWD leased the park from the federal government in 1969. It was opened in 1970.
10. Lake Tawakoni State Park
Lake Tawakoni State Park, 50 miles east of Dallas, gives kids and adults a good cooling off spot at a spacious swimming beach.Earl Nottingham
The 376-acre Lake Tawakoni State Park in Wills Point, Texas is owned by the Sabine River Authority.
The park opened on Feb. 13, 2002 and is operates by TPWD under a lease agreement.
11. Lake Whitney State Park
Lake Whitney State Park
The beautiful shores of Lake Whitney State Park offers you ample campsites to pitch a tent and relax. The calm serene waters are a great place to take a dip, fish, go boating or skiing. Explore the trails by day and see the stars at night for a unique camping adventure.
Yelp/Alyson S. review: Lake Whitney State Park is a great place to camp! The grounds are very clean, the restrooms were in walking distance from our campsite and they were GREAT..
Photo: Yelp/Chris M.Yelp/Chris M.
Lake Whitney State Park in Whitney, Texas is owned by the United States Army Corps of Engineers.
The USACE dammed the Brazos River to create Lake Whitney in 1951.
TPWD leased the 775-acre park from USACE in 1954 and the park opened May 1965.
12. Martin Dies Jr. State Park
Martin Dies, Jr. State Park:Explore the lake where two rivers meet and visit the park’s many hiking trails.Texas Parks and WildlifeA serene scene at Martin Dies Jr. State Park in Jasper.Jason Dunn
Martin Dies Jr. State Park in Jasper, Texas is owned by the United States Army Corps of Engineers. TPWD leased the park’s land in 1964 and it officially opened as Dam B State Park in 1965.
The park was renamed Martin Dies Jr. State Park in 1965 after the former Texas state senator.
13. Monahans Sandhills State Park
A storm brewing in the distance over Monahans Sandhills State Park in West Texas.Courtesy Dale Blasingame
Monahans Sandhills State Park in Monahans, Texas opened in 1957.
Ward County owns 300 acres of the park and the state leased the remaining acres.
14. Ray Roberts Lake State Park
Ray Roberts Lake State Park, Site Nos. 140-144Where: Pilot PointCost: $26/nightThe section of five sites are usually taken first, according to Texas Parks and Wildlife Magazine. They provide vantage points along the lake, about one hour north of the Dallas-Fort Worth area.(Pictured, site no. 154)Courtesy, Texas Parks and Wildlife2. Ray Roberts Lake State Park – Greenbelt
400,302 visitorsCourtesy/Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Ray Roberts Lake State Park in Pilot Point, Texas is owned by the cities of Dallas and Denton, as well as USACE.
15. San Angelo State Park
San Angelo State ParkThe park has 50 miles of multi-use trails that are perfect for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and camping.Where: San Angelo, TexasPeople per site: 8Price per night for “primitive” campsite: $10 nightly plus daily entrance feeTexas Parks and Wildlife Department
San Angelo State Park in San Angelo, Texas is owned by the United States Army Corps of Engineers. The 7,677-acre park opened May 1, 1995.