Tyler Outdoors, Recreation, Fishing, Camping, Golf, and RV Parks
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Tyler has a wide range of places to see and things to do year-round. Tyler's mild climate provides an ideal environment for outdoor activities and recreation.
Lakes, Boating, Fishing and Water Recreation in East Texas
In the Piney Woods Section of East Texas, there are over 30 lakes offering a variety of outdoor sports for vacations or weekends, including Lake Palestine and Lake Tyler. And within easy driving distance are other lakes such as Toledo Bend Reservoir.
Lake Tyler and Lake Tyler East, located adjacent to each other and connected via a canal, are located just east of Tyler, Texas. The two lakes cover nearly 5,000 surface acres and serves as the major source of water supply to the Tyler metro area. It is a popular close-in destination for boating, skiing, fishing, camping, hiking and RVing.
Lake Palestine is located about 15 miles southwest of Tyler, Texas, on Texas Highway 155, and resulting from a dam on the Neches River. It has a surface area of 25,560 acres, and was completed in 1962. It is the largest lake in the Tyler area in addition to Lake Tyler.
Lake Palestine offers something for everyone, with boating, skiing, houseboats, jet skis, sailing, and fishing all being popular activities. It is the location of popular camps such as Pine Cove Christian Camps, and major attractions such as the Villages Resort.
At 27,264 acres and 315 miles of shoreline, Lake Fork was designed to be a premier bass fishing lake and currently holds records for 34 out of the Top 50 largemouth bass caught in Texas. This popular lake located on the Sabine River in Hopkins, Rains and Wood Counties, 5 miles northwest of Quitman, and north of Mineola. It was impounded in 1980, and today reaches a depth of 70 feet.
Water Parks, Swimming, Baseball Fields, Disc Golf, and Camping
Water Park at the Villages - southwest of Tyler, on Lake Palestine. It is a huge, indoor, glass-enclosed, family-friendly facility offering indoor water park with tube and body slides, a lazy river, wave pool, and children's playscape complete with sprayers, slides and a 10,000 gallon bucket dump. It is open year-round. Phone 903.534.8400
![]() Splash Kingdom Water Park |
Splash Kingdom Water Park - near Canton on Interstate 20. It is a big complex with high-speed waterslides, a wave pool, a kids' castle in a pool, plus snack-bar eats. The Splash Kingdom Waterpark Mission Statement is "To glorify God while providing a safe and fun recreation experience for families".
Texas Swim Lessons of Tyler - offers group swimming classes in Tyler at the CTE Center of Tyler at 3013 Earl Campbell Parkway. Private, customized swim lessons for kids and adults at your home are also offered, as well as lifeguard services for special events.
East Texas Aquatics - the premier competitive swim team in East Texas, offering a variety of programming from infant swim and learn-to-swim up through National level competition for youth and adults in East Texas since 1972. Home of the Tyler Titans swim team. Located at 11594 TX Spur 248, just east of UT-Tyler.
Faulkner Park - Beautiful, large facility operated by the City of Tyler on Cumberland Road at South Broadway - water sprayground, fishing pond, tennis center, baseball fields, hiking trails, nature trails, biking, picnic facilities and a skakeboard area.
![]() Faulkner Park in Tyler |
Tyler Paddle - Stand Up Paddle Boarding (SUP) on Lake Tyler. Phone 903.336.335.
Lindsey Park - Lindsey Park, also operated by the City of Tyler, is located on Spur 364 West. It features a softball complex, soccer fields, basketball courts, biking trails, playground, picnic area, pavilions, and restrooms.
![]() Lindsey Park Trail |
Another popular area at Lindsey is the three disc golf courses: Red, Blue and Gold.
Camp Tyler - an outdoor learning center located on 350 acres on Lake Tyler, opened in 1949. The camp provides physical, education, and social resources for the children of East Texas.
Pine Cove Christian Camps - large multi-venue camping, conference and outdoor education facility on the shores of Lake Palestine, both summer and year-round.
Municipal swimming pools operated by the City of Tyler
Tyler Bicycle Trails & Rides
Besides the Rose Rudman Trail and Legacy Trails, other trails located around town are ideal for biking, including Tyler's Faulkner Park and Lindsey Park.
Others can be found at Tyler State Park north of Tyler, offering 13 miles of trails, and mountain bike trails at the University of Texas at Tyler.
Legacy Trail System
Now open is an extension of the Legacy Trail system to Gresham, running along an abandoned railroad route along Old Jacksonville Highway. Beginning near FRESH on Old Jacksonville Highway, the system also provides connectivity to the Faulkner Park area.
Hiking and Parks Around Tyler
For walking, jogging, biking or roller-blading, Tyler's Rose Rudman Recreational Trail is a perfect "close-in-to-town" venue for a short stroll or a long hike. Also, the City of Tyler operates an extensive system of parks around the city.
Golf
Several golf courses and country clubs are available in the Tyler area, some public, some private. So be sure to call for information and memberships, T-Times, cost, etc.
Hollytree Country Club - in Tyler off Grande Boulevard
Eagles Bluff Country Club - located at 700 N. Eagles Bluff Boulevard, southwest of Tyler on Lake Palestine. Phone 903.825.1123
Cascades Golf Club - west Tyler, off Loop 323, at 2611 Cascades Golf Club Drive, on Lake Bellwood
Willow Brook Country Club - 3205 W Erwin Street
Oak Hurst and Peachtree Golf Courses - adjacent to each other, between Tyler and Bullard on U.S. 69
Pine Springs Golf Course - north of Tyler
Garden Valley Golf Resort - west of Tyler
Emerald Bay Golf Club on Lake Palestine
Putt Putt Golf Course - a classic miniature course on 2311 E Southeast Loop 323, Tyler - 903.561.7750.
Area Outdoor Attractions near Tyler
Tyler State Park - just north of Tyler, 2 miles north of Interstate 20 on FM 14, then into the park on Park Road 16. This beautiful 985 acre park in the rolling hills features a 64 acre lake, campgrounds, hiking trails, pavilions, cabins, mountain biking, nature studies, canoes, paddle boats, kayaks, bike boats, jon boats, park store and much more. 903.597.5338.
![]() Boat dock at Tyler State Park |
The popular Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center is located in nearby Athens. It provides an educational, entertaining visitor experience that promotes freshwater sport fishing and the enhancement, conservation and stewardship of aquatic resources in Texas. Kids love this place, and we highly recommend it! (903) 676-BASS (2277).
The Texas Rose Horse Park is a family-owned and operated premier event facility located in the beautiful rolling hills just west of Tyler at 14078 State Hwy 110N. The 1,700-acre facility features a full size lighted indoor arena, six all-weather footing outdoor show arenas including one Grand Prix Jumper Ring, three show barn, a tent pad to accommodate an additional 350 horses, a Beginner Novice through Advanced level Cross Country Course, a 61-slot RV Park and a concession court.
Another popular outdoor attraction is the New York Texas ZipLine Adventure, located near the community of LaRue, Texas, about 15-20 minutes east of Athens. Each ZipLine Tour lasts approximately 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Choose between a 6 ZipLine Tour or the newest 9 ZipLine Challenge Tour with a 1500 ft. line with 2 cable sky bridges leading to a 40 foot zip tower. Tours are available for ages 5 and up. Certain restrictions apply. A "ground school" coaches those new to the sport.
The ZipLine is located at 7290 CR 4328, LaRue, Texas 75770. For more information, call 903.681.3791.
Detailed directions to the ZipLine
RV Parks in the Tyler Texas Area
The Tyler area features a number of RV parks in all parts of the city, and in all directions from the city.
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