Courtesy TPWD

[email protected]
AUSTIN— Numerous storms rolled through much of the state recently, and the volume of much needed rain impacted some state parks.

The affected parks as of this past Friday included:

• Bonham State Park: All camping and day use areas remain open and accessible. The lake is full and open to the public.
• Caddo Lake State Park: The boat ramp, canoe rental and Mill Pond Campground are closed due to flooding. Park staff expects these areas to remain unavailable through (May 17), depending on water levels. The Highway 43 boat ramp, 1.6 miles from the park entrance is also closed.
• Cedar Hill State Park: Camping and day use areas are open, with only a few areas that are inaccessible. The swimming area is fully flooded and has limited access for visitors.
• Dinosaur Valley State Park: North primitive hike-in sites are closed. Dinosaur tracks are not visible.
• Eisenhower State Park: Much of the park is inaccessible due to rising lake levels. Full or partial closure of the park may continue through the weekend of Memorial Day.
• Goliad State Parks and Historic Site: Some areas are closed due to flooding, including the Vaquero and Longhorn campgrounds.
• Hill Country State Natural Area: The park is open, but some campsites have standing water in some areas.
• Lake Arrowhead State Park: Lake Arrowhead received several inches of rain, causing the water level rise about nine feet, and the park has water under the fishing pier for the first time in over two years. After three years, boat ramps are close to being functional. The park has experienced minor flooding in a few day-use areas, but the park remains open and fully operational.
• Lake Mineral Wells State Park: The park reports no major flooding and is fully operational and open. The rain has filled the lake and water levels are above eight feet, allowing for the boat ramps to open after almost two years. The spillway road will remain closed temporarily.
• Lake Somerville State Park and Trailway: The trailway, fishing jetty, boat docks, and some camping loops and pavilions are closed.
• Lake Tawakoni: All camping and day-use areas remain open and accessible to the public. The lake is full and boat ramps are available for use.
• Mother Neff State Park: The section of the park near the Leon River is currently closed due to flooding concerns. The water and electric campsites are open and usable. Day use picnic areas and primitive sites will remain closed until further notice.
• Mustang Island State Park: Heavy rains have flooded the water-electric campsites and the beach parking lot.
• Possum Kingdom State Park: Lake levels are about five feet below the conservation pool and are rising. The public boat ramp, fishing pier and swim beach is all accessible and open to the public.
• Purtis Creek State Park: Primitive campsites remain closed due to high water. All other areas and facilities are open.
• Ray Roberts Lake Complex: The water level at Ray Roberts Lake is up seven and a half feet above normal, and most park facilities are closed. These closures include both the Johnson Branch and Isle Du Bois units, all boat ramp parks around the lake, and the Highway 380 and Highway 428 parks of the Greenbelt Unit. River access by all vessels, including boats, canoes, and kayaks are prohibited due to swift high waters from large volumes of water being released from the dam by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Elm Fork Park on FM 455 of the Greenbelt unit is the only facility currently open to the public.

Closures are expected to last at least through the Memorial Day weekend. Once flood waters recede, park areas will remain closed until repairs and cleanup has finished and areas are safe for public use.

For up-to-date park conditions, visit the Texas State Parks home page or contact the park directly.

For assistance with current and future reservations, contact the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s State Parks Customer Service Center at 512-389-8900.