This Secret Park Has Lakefront Camping for Just $20 a Night

A friend recently called upon my travel expertise to find a beachfront hotel for Fourth of July weekend—but on a budget. With peak-season prices spiking at hundreds of dollars a night, I immediately suggested an alternative: waterfront camping.

If you’re staying in Texas this summer, you don’t have to drop hundreds on a hotel or thousands on a lakehouse. You can opt for scenic waterside camping for just $20 a night at Purtis Creek State Park!

Things to Do at Purtis Creek

There are so many things to do at Purtis Creek State Park, a recreational lake surrounded by pine and hardwood forests. It only makes sense to stay an extra day—or three!

Fishing is one of the most sought-after activities at Purtis Creek. The 355-acre bass-stocked lake is famous for its catch-and-release policies that result in massive trophy fish. Fishing for largemouth bass is limited to catch and release for any fish over 16 inches, allowing them to thrive and grow.

Largemouth bass exceeding 24 inches are not uncommon—they may be temporarily retained in a livewell to be weighed and photographed.

There are plenty of species that can be retained within the daily limits: catfish, crappie, bluegill, and sand bass, for example. Smallmouth bass must be at least 14 inches, and there is no minimum length for common carp or Alabama, Guadeloupe, or spotted bass, with a daily bag limit of 5 black bass species.

For white bass, the minimum length is 10 inches, and the daily bag limit is 25. Striped bass have a minimum length of 18 inches and a bag limit of five. 

Rainbow and brown trout have no size limit but a daily bag limit of five. There are no limitations on sunfish, bluegill, redear, or warmouth.

For blue and channel catfish, you can take 25 daily, but only 10 can be 20 inches or longer. Flathead catfish have a minimum length of 18 inches and a daily bag limit of 5.

White and black crappie have a minimum length of 10 inches and a daily bag limit of 25. There is a daily bag limit of one for alligator gar, but no limits on other gar species. When you harvest alligator gar, you must report it via the Texas Hunt & Fish app; gar fishing may temporarily close during spawning season.

No fishing license is required when fishing from the banks or piers within the park.

Want to fish but don’t have the gear? Ask about free fishing equipment loaners—rods, reels, and tackle boxes—at the Ranger Station. Watercraft rentals are also available. Frozen bait and live worms are available at the park store.

A fish cleaning facility is available so you can enjoy your catch the same day. 

You can beat the heat by taking a swim in the designated swimming area. 

There are surfaced roads and trails for biking, as well as hiking and nature/interpretive trails. Purtis Creek has more than seven miles of trails, abundant with wildlife sightings.

The Wolfpen Hike and Bike Trail stretches 4.1 miles across three forested loops—green, blue, and red—with lake views and a quirky landmark: a tree bent at a perfect 90‑degree angle.

The Beaver Slide Nature Path runs 1.7 miles along the lakeshore, crossing bridges and passing a bird blind where patient visitors can spot herons, woodpeckers, warblers, and more than 100 documented species. It is also home to the primitive campsites.

Finally, there is the Solar Trail, a half-mile walkway across the dam, with planet markers spaced to scale from the sun. From Pluto’s sign—the trail was installed while Pluto was still a full-fledged planet—the sun marker is barely invisible, underscoring the vastness of the natural universe.

Families can enjoy the picnic area and playground. There’s also a park store to furnish the day’s necessities and maybe a souvenir.

Occasionally, special events are held at the Amphitheater. Check the events calendar for paddling classes, guided hikes, bow hunting demonstrations, and more.

Kids can borrow a Junior Ranger pack containing nature guides, a magnifying glass, binoculars, a journal, a sketchbook, and more from the park store. 

A Brief History of Purtis Creek State Park

From its inception, Purtis Creek State Park was designed as a haven for fishing enthusiasts.

Texas Parks and Wildlife acquired the land in 1977. In 1980, the dam was built, which caused the formation of the lake. The park itself opened in 1988.

Booking Your Campsite

Two camping options are available: Campsites with Electricity and Hike-in Primitive Campsites.

Campsites with Electricity are the most popular option. You can choose from 56 sites. Each site can house eight people.

Campsites with Electricity are equipped with picnic tables, water and electrical hookups, a lantern post, and nearby restrooms with showers. 

The thirteen Primitive Campsites are located on a 1.7-mile loop, meaning you’ll hike at least 0.65 miles to get to your site. These campsites accommodate up to 4 people. 

You’ll have to bring your own drinking water, as none is available at the site. You can cook your meals using the fire ring with a grill. A chemical toilet is available.

Visitors have noted that the camp sites are well laid out, so that your neighbors are not too close for comfort.

You can reserve your campsite online using a credit card. Campsites with electricity are $20 nightly plus a daily entrance fee. Primitive Campsites are $10 nightly plus the daily entrance fee. 

Pro tip: Sites 21 through 23 are sought-after for their lakefront views. Site E is a local favorite due to its extra privacy. Weekday stays afford more solitude.

Reservations open five months ahead of time and often fill up quickly, especially for weekends and holidays. Campsites can be reserved for a maximum of 14 consecutive days.

If you have a Texas State Park Pass, the daily entrance fees will be waived. As of April 2026, the day use fee is $5.00 per day, per person aged 13 and older. Check the park’s website for the latest fee information.

Did you know? If you bring your boat for a day on the water and decide to stay overnight, you can purchase a non-camping night activity use fee. Enjoy your evening on the lake, but remember that quiet hours are enforced after 10 pm.

Fishing Made Accessible

If you didn’t grow up fishing, breaking into the sport may seem daunting. But Purtis Creek State Park aims to make this enjoyable, relaxing activity more accessible to everyone.

As mentioned above, you don’t need a fishing license to fish from the banks or piers at Purtis Creek. That’s one red tape hurdle cleared.

Second, you don’t need to buy expensive gear. You can borrow a rod, reel, and tackle box from park staff. If you want to use live or frozen bait, you can purchase it conveniently at the park store.

Third, you don’t need a boat. You can fish from the bank or fishing piers, where you’re likely to meet some helpful folks who are willing to show you the ropes.

If you do want to get out on the water, kayak rentals are available. Each one comes with a life jacket and a paddle.

Park regulations also ensure that the environs is peaceful. Only 50 motorized boats are allowed on the lake at a time, and they must adhere to an “idle only” speed limit with a strict no-wake policy. This means you won’t have speedboats screaming by, stirring up the water, and scaring the fish.

The park also makes night fishing available, even to non-campers, for a $2 overnight permit.

Things to Note About Camping at Purtis Creek

If you’re bringing a motorized boat, get to the water early. As mentioned previously, only 50 motorized boats are allowed on the lake at any given time. Slots are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

For visitors with mobility needs, the park can provide an all-terrain wheelchair upon request, ensuring that the trails can be enjoyed by all.

Pets are welcome at Purtis Creek State Park, but they must be restricted by a six-foot leash, crate, or otherwise controlled at all times. Pets are not allowed in State Park buildings, including restrooms and cabins, or around designated swimming areas. Remember to clean up after your pet!

Many visitors have noted the cleanliness of the park, especially the playground and restrooms. One noted that hanging your trash isn’t enough to keep wildlife like raccoons from accessing it; they recommended utilizing the provided dumpsters before turning in each night.

How to Get There

If you want to beat the crowds and rising prices, Purtis Creek State Park is the place to go. It is located about 60 miles southeast of Dallas.

If you’re driving in from Dallas, take Highway 175 South to Eustace, then turn left on FM 316 North. You’ll see the park entrance in a little over three miles. You can also use the map below to navigate to Purtis Creek State Park.

Where: 14225 FM 316 N, Eustace, TX 75124

The park is open daily from 6 am to 10 pm. Office hours are 8:15 am to 4:45 pm.

Before, during, or after your stay, stop by the restaurants or museums in nearby Athens, an 18 minute drive from the park. The Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center showcases aquatic animals and the sport of fishing. 

Purtis Creek State Park is a rewarding destination for those who value good fishing and quiet getaways. Outdoor memories are waiting to be made at Purtis Creek State Park.