Martin Creek Lake State Park: Autumn Colors Camp & Paddle

Natural Features: During fall, usually late October through the first two weeks of November, is a particularly scenic time at Martin Creek. Visitors can marvel at the colorful foliage displayed by the many varieties of hardwoods, interspersed with loblolly and short-leaf pine trees. This forest shelters abundant wildlife including gophers, swamp rabbits, nutria, white-tailed deer, raccoons, armadillos, and squirrels. Park visitors enjoy excellent year-round fishing, due to water warmed by the power plant. Fish include large-mouth bass, crappie, channel catfish, perch, ball, and sunfish. Among the most commonly seen birds are mallard ducks, great blue herons, green-backed herons, great egrets, northern cardinals, blue jays, red-headed woodpeckers, bobwhites, and northern mockingbirds. Activities: Activities include excellent year-round fishing; camping; wildlife observation and photography; picnicking; boating; water skiing; unsupervised lake swimming; backpacking; hiking & biking trails. Entrance Fees: $2 per day, per person 13 and older Camping: Maximum 8 people per campsite unless otherwise noted. Applicable daily entrance fees are charged in addition to the campsite or facility fee. 12 - Primitive tent only campsites - Must Hike in 200 yards to campsites from parking area. These sites are located on an island. No water or restrooms available. Not all sites have a fire ring. $8 per night 36 - Campsites with electric and water hookups: $13 per night 15 - Premium (lake front access) Campsites with electric and water hookups: $15 per night 7 - Campsites with (50 amp) electric and water hookups: $17 per night 19 - Screened Shelters: $25 per night 2 – Shelters with amenities - including A/C & heat. Sites are converted screened shelters that have water, electric, heat, A/C, picnic table, & bunk beds to sleep 5 (Can sleep eight, if customer brings additional bedding.) No kitchen or bathroom. No Pets, Pop-ups, Trailers, or Motor homes are allowed in this area: $40 per night 2 - 4 person cabins - with A/C, heat, kitchen with stove, oven, small refrigerator, coffee pot, no microwave, living/dining area, table & 4 chairs, 2 double beds, 1 couch, & 1 roll-a-way bed. Bathroom has ADA bath, shower, toilet, & sink. Outside is a screened porch with BBQ pit, fire ring, & picnic table. Customer must provide their own bed and bath linens. No smoking allowed inside the cabins. No Pets, Pop-ups, Trailers, or Motor homes allowed. Tents are allowed outside: $75 per night * Excess Vehicle Parking (number restricted at some parks.): $2 * Activity Use Fee Per Person (day or overnight): $2 * Trailer Dump Fee (for non-campers): $5 Notes: Gate is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Directions: The park is located 20 miles southeast of Longview. Travel 3.5 miles southwest of Tatum on State Highway 43, then turn south on County Road 2183. I will secure a site or sites depending on how many will be coming from the Houston & Dallas paddle group.