Fun At Cooper Lake State Park

Cooper, TX— March signals the forest’s rebirth at Cooper Lake State Park. The redbuds and Mexican plums begin to explode with their beautiful purple and white blooms. Spring flowers of all types carpet the prairies and forest floors. The essence of spring will fill your lungs as you reel in that nice crappie or hike along some of our 20-plus miles of trails in the Park, and camping shifts into high gear at the Park during March. Spring Break is one of our busiest and most fun times of the year. The Park has all camping options: cabins and cottages, shelters, water and electric campsites, and walk-in tent camping sites. We have something for almost everyone at Cooper Lake State Park.

The Park will host 16 educational and recreational programs during March. Ranger Alicia will conduct programs including Astronomy, Hiking with a Ranger, Fishing with a Ranger, Creatures of the Night – Night Hike, Art-in-the-Park, and Dutch Oven Cooking. In addition, we will conduct a wide variety of programs designed especially for those who love the outdoors.

The Doctors Creek Unit will host a 100th Anniversary Celebration Event – “Festival of the Fish,” on Saturday, April 1. The “Festival of the Fish” will be an all-day, all things fish! Highlighted programs during the day will be Backyard Bass; Gyotaku – Fish Painting; Fish Biology; Electrofishing; Net Making, Fishing, and Fishing! It is a free event with all park entrance fees waived for the day to celebrate 100 years of Texas State Parks. Stop by park headquarters on your way into the Park for a map and event flyer, then prepare for a fun-filled day. For more information on this or other events and programs at Cooper Lake State Park or one of our other 88 Texas State Parks, please visit our Texas Parks and Wildlife Department website and like our Facebook pages Cooper Lake State Park – South Sulphur (903-945-5256) and Cooper Lake State Park – Doctors Creek (903-395-3100).

Doctors Creek

Saturday, March 4 – DC

Nature Walk – 10:00 am Meet at Pelican Point Pavilion.

Join us for a short leisurely walk on Cedar Creek North Loop. Renew and recharge yourself with a fast walk-in nature.

Saturday, March 11 – DC

Wildlife Detectives – 9:00 am. Meet at Pelican Point Parking lot. We’ll take a short walk on the Cedar Creek South Loop. Explore how to determine the types of animals that may have been here from the signs they leave behind.

Skins and Skulls – 11:00 am. Meet at Headquarters. Get an inside look at some of the mammals and reptiles of the Park.

Sunday, March 12 — DC

Becoming a Junior Ranger – 10:00 am. Meet at Headquarters. Do you have what it takes to become a Jr. Ranger? Check your skills and complete the tasks.

Friday, March 17 – DC

Astronomy – 8:00 pm Meet at Pelican Point swim beach. How many constellations can you spot and name? We’ll have the telescopes out to view a planet or two. Dress for the weather, and bring a lawn chair and binoculars if you have them.

Saturday, March 18 – DC

Art in the Park – 2″00 pm Meet at Pelican Point Day Use Area. An opportunity to let loose your inner artist! Spring is in the air!

Saturday, March 25 – DC

Dutch Oven 101 – 8:30 am – 11:30 am. Meet at Pelican Point Pavilion.

Happy trails on a cattle drive, yes, indeed. Cast iron cooking was a part of that happiness. Reserve your spot for a hands-on cooking demonstration by calling (903) 395-3100 or emailing alicia.o’connor@tpwd.texas.gov

Saturday, April 1 – DC

Festival of the Fish – 9:00 am – 3:00 pm. Help us celebrate 100 – Years of Texas State Parks. This all-day FREE event is all things fish! We will present multiple educational and recreational programs! Bring your fishing poles, but that’s ok if you don’t since we will have several loaner poles to borrow. We waive Park entrance fees in honor of our centennial.

South Sulphur

Saturday, March 4 – SS

Guided Hike – 2:00 pm Meet at Coyote Run trailhead. Join us on a short leisurely hike on Coyote Run trail, getting a first-hand look at flora and fauna of the Park.

Friday, March 10 – SS

Creatures of the Night – Night Prowl at 7:30 pm, Meet at Coyote Run Trial Head. Who works on the night shift at the Park? Bring a red-filtered flashlight, bug spray, and a water bottle.

Saturday, March 11 – SS

Skins and Skulls – 1:30 pm Meet at Heron Harbor Day Use. Get an inside look at some of the mammals and reptiles in the Park.

Wildlife Detectives – 3:30 pm Meet at Coyote Run Trail Head. We’ll take a short walk on Coyote Run Trail. Explore how to determine the types of animals that may have been here from the signs they leave behind.

Sunday, March 12 — SS

Becoming a Junior Ranger – 2:00 pm Meet at Headquarters. Do you have what it takes to become a Jr. Ranger? Check your skills and complete the tasks.

Friday, March 17 – SS

Fishing with a Ranger – 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Meet at the Heron Harbor Fishing Wall. Bring your fishing gear, no pole, no worries. We have a few fishing poles available to borrow. No experience is needed! All ages and stages.

Saturday, March 18 — SS

Luck of the Irish Archery Shoot: 9:00 am – 11:00 am. Meet at South Sulphur Buggy Whip Restroom. Shoot for the gold at the end of the rainbow. Registration is required. Reserve your spot by calling (903) 945-5256 or emailing alicia.o’connor@tpwd.texas.gov. No experience is needed. Ages 10 and up. Equipment provided. The class size is limited to 12 archers.

Sunday, March 19 — SS

Art in the Park – 10:00 am. Meet at Heron Harbor Day Use Area.

An opportunity to let loose your inner artist! Please bring your ideas we’ll provide the medium.

Saturday, March 25 — SS

Dutch Oven, 101 – 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm, Meet at Gulls Bluff Pavilion. Happy trails on a cattle drive, yes, indeed. Cast iron cooking was a part of that happiness. Reserve your spot for a hands-on cooking demonstration by calling (903) 945-5256 or emailing alicia.o’connor@tpwd.texas.gov