Cleburne State Park Spillway: All You Need To Know
Without a doubt, Cleburne State Park Spillway is the most popular spot in the park. First-time visitors will always go there. Frequent visitors like me would make a quick stop.
The spillway has an impressive three-level design. It is in the middle of the park, on the east side of Cedar Lake.
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Cleburne State Park is one of the favorite Texas State Parks near Dallas. I visit often because it is only 21 miles away from my house. It’s my go-to park when the hiking itch kicks in. Sometimes, I went there to hike around the spillway.
Here’s what you need to know about Cleburne State Park Spillway, which I collected from my frequent visits to the park.
Who Built The Spillway at Cleburne State Park
The Civilian Conservation Corps built the spillway. They crafted the three-level spillway and a small earthen dam to impound the park’s 116-acre lake.
What is unique about it is the steps they crafted on the walls of the spillway. Each step is 3-5 inches wide, and some will take you to the bottom of the spillway.
What to See or Do Around the Spillway?
Besides viewing the spillway from the overlook, you can go down to the spillway floor. The steps are narrow, so you must be careful. You are responsible for your safety when doing it.
Is Hiking to Cleburne State Park Spillway Easy?
Yes and no, depending on where you start the hike.
If you start from White-Tail Hollow Trail, it is easy with a little elevation around the spillway. It is easier when you start from the opposite trailhead. You will go down around the spillway.
It is a moderate category if you start from the Spillway Trailhead. You will cross the creek and climb to the other side of the spillway. This trail will give you a more impressive view of the spillway.
Another way to see the spillway is from Coyote Run Nature Trail. It is a moderate trek and the longest to get to the spillway. The viewpoint of the spillway is the same as the Spillway Trail.
Visitors will start from this direction because they can’t get a parking spot near the other trailheads.
Here is the Cleburne State Park Trails Map to help you picture the trails going to the Spillway.
Cleburne State Park Spillway Directions
Let’s assume you get to park near the White-Tail Hollow Trailhead. You will see the trailhead on the left. After walking for a few steps, take the path to the right. It will take you straight to the spillway overlook with a little climb to the overlook. If you go to the left, you will zig-zagging on the White-Tail Hollow Trail for a longer time.
You will walk through the woods and cross the historic dam built by the CCC. The White-Tail Hollow Trail is an easy 1.9 miles.
If you go straight and don’t turn left to the White-Tail Hollow Trail, you will cross a creek and follow the Spillway Trail. There are several spots where you can see the spillway from this trail. I think the view of the spillway is better from these spots.
The Spillway Trail is 0.7 miles one way, and you will gradually climb until you get to the overlook.
If you stay on the trail, it will connect you to the Coyote Run Nature Trail on the left. It will take you to Cedar Lake Overlook. If you turn right, it will connect you to the Limestone Ridge Trail.
The creek is dry, or there will be a trickle of water most of the time. When water is rushing through it, people like to slide there.
The Spillway Trail fell in a moderate category. Part of it is wooded.
If you have to reach the spillway from the Coyote Run Nature Trail, you will hike for more than one mile one way. There will be ups and downs, and it is probably not a good choice for people with physical challenges.
The trail will take you to the right of the lake overlook. Go straight instead for the spillway overlook. You will continue on the Spillway Trail.
When Is The Best Time To See The Spillway?
Springtime is the best time to see the spillway when bluebonnets blanket the sides of the White-Tail Hollow Trail along the spillway. If you are lucky, you will see the water spills. Check the forecast or Cleburne State Park’s Facebook page often for these.
One side of the dam will be full of bluebonnets and other wildflowers during springtime.
For this reason, it is best to see the spillway from the White-Tail Hollow Trail.
Only patches of bluebonnets grow from within the rocks on the Spillway Trail.
Sometimes, the water flows through the spillway in the fall or winter. It all depends on the rain volume falling over the park.
The spillway looked mysterious when it was foggy. But for this one, it’s hard to predict. I live nearby, so when it was foggy one morning in March, I drove there to see it.
In the summertime, the spillway looks dry and pathetic. It’s not the best time to see it.
Cleburne State Park Spillway Hours
The spillway hours are the same as the state park: open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
I visited many times, but they were during daylight. So, I do not know if the night sky above the park is stunning or not from the spillway.
However, once, I saw traces of something burning on the spillway floor. I guess that whoever did it was doing it after daylight. I believe it’s illegal.
Cleburne State Park Spillway Parking
The closest parking spot to the spillway is the one near White-Tail Hollow Trailhead. It is a small spot that can take a maximum of five cars. It will be on the right side.
As I wrote this article, the park is building a spacious parking lot a few yards from this parking spot. I think it is because of the popularity of the spillway areas. First-time visitors will always go to the spillway.
The next closest one is the one right after the restrooms. You will see it on the left-hand side after you enter the park. This parking lot is more spacious than the closest one. It is where the Spillway Trail started.
Another spot to park is the Park Road 21 Overlook. You will see it while driving on Park Road 21, after the hill. There is an opening on the right side. It can fit two cars parking parallel.
Where Is Cleburne Texas?
Cleburne is a county seat for Johnson County in the south of Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex.
Cleburne TX to Dallas TX is about one hour drive to the north on US-67 N.
To Fort Worth, it is about forty-five minutes’ drive north. After driving about 12 miles on US-67 N, turn north to I-35W N.
It makes Cleburne State Park one of the best destinations from Fort Worth that are within a two-hour drive.
Directions to Cleburne State Park
When you come from Dallas Fort Worth directions, drive on US-67 S towards Glen Rose.
Lake Pat Cleburne is on the left, followed by The Chisholm Trail Outdoor Museum. Keep driving until you see Tutle & Tutle Trucking on the right.
The left turn to Park Road 21 is not too far from there. Be careful, because cars and trucks coming from Glen Rose directions are moving fast!
Continue driving for about 6 miles. The park entrance will be on the right.
Before you get to the park, there is Nanny’s Country Kitchen on the right side. I have not eaten there, but my friends who live nearby told me their burgers are delicious. They open from 11 a.m. to 7.30 p.m. on Tuesday through Saturday.
Cleburne State Park Camping Reservations
You can check campsite availability and make reservations online.
There are six camping areas in the park. All but one comes with water and electricity. Poplar Point and North Creek Area are full hookup campsites. Shady Springs, Cedar Grove, and Keyhole areas are electric only. The only primitive camping area is the Group Camp (Youth), with water and restrooms nearby.
Cleburne State Park Address:
5800 Park Road 21, Cleburne, TX 76033.
Entrance Fees:
13 years & older: $6 daily
12 years & under: Free of charge
Busy Season:
Spring and Summer
Nearby State Parks, Historic Sites, and State Natural Areas:
Lake Whitney State Park
Usually I am not so much into waterfalls. But the Cleburne State Park Spillway is interesting, because it is man-made. I would make sure that I visit in spring – nothing is more dissapointing than a waterfall with not enough water. The hiking possibilities look nice too.
I have never seen or hikes on a spillway before, so this would be a very interesting visit for me. I am intrigued on what the 3 levels imply. It’s good to know that a new car park is being built, as the state park become more and more popular for day hikers. Also, it’s good to know that summer is not a good time to visit, and to plan coming here in spring, when the bluebonnets are in full bloom.
I am a waterfall fan and the Spillway sounds like a good way to spend the day out. You are lucky to have it so close to you for an easy visit. Very nice that you pointed out the easier elevated trail of White-Tail Hollow trail. The different angles of the Spillway makes for a nice photo opportunity!
I love all waterfalls – natural or man-made! I am sure I will like the Cleburne Park Spillway. The walk sounds a bit challenging through narrow stairs. Sights of water are always interesting and calming. I would love to see bluebonnets in bloom. I would avoid summers anyway for hikes and walks. That image showing foggy morning at the spillway is lovely! Thank you for a detailed blog post on this spillway trail.
As a first time visitor, I, too, would definitely go see the spillway first. And I would definitely want to go in the spring to see the blue bonnets blossoming. I love that you’ve given such good details for visiting one of your favorite parks. I hope I have the opportunity to visit. Looks like a park I would really enjoy.
Interesting man-made waterfall. And very picturesque too. I am definitely up for a hike especially for these pics that you have clicked. Good suggestion on avoiding the summer when the place is a little dry. In fact the floral description of spring sounds like the best time to visit.
Oh! I didn’t realize this was manmade, and I love that you’re able to go so often. I can see why Cleburne State Park Spillway is the most popular part of the park. It’s so pretty, and being around moving water is just relaxing. It also seems like the hiking trails aren’t too long and are very doable for a quick walk. It would be lovely to see it when the wildflowers are in full bloom!
While I was reading your post, I could imagine the blue bonnets around the trail. It truly must be a beautiful hike at that time. I also saw your pet dog on the trail, so I guess this is a pet friendly park. I would truly like to take the easy trail, the spillway does look awesome. But those stairs are really narrow.
Since we love to chase waterfalls, we would definitely want to check out the Cleburne State Park Spillway when we visit the park. A 3 level design is quite interesting. We would definitely want to take the narrow stairs and see if from the bottom too. Good to know there are 2 different routes to get there. Planning a spring visit with the bluebonnets in blooms sounds perfect.