A Guide to Martin Creek Lake State Park Camping and Hiking

Nestled in the piney woods of East Texas is a beautiful Martin Creek Lake State Park. My family and I went camping and hiking there, and we were surprised to see how peaceful and cozy the park was. 

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After spending three nights there, I know I have to share our camping and hiking experiences in the park with you. I want you to enjoy Martin Creek Lake State Park as we did. It’s not fair to keep it to ourselves.

So, here’s the guide to Martin Creek Lake State Park Camping and Hiking for your future reference.

Martin Creek Lake State Park Camping

What’s more beautiful than setting up your trailer or tent under loblolly pine and hardwood trees?

Initially, we would stay in Caddo Lake State Park, but no sites were available on the days we wanted to go. I checked Atlanta State Park, and it was also full. 

After I looked through the Texas State Parks map, I saw Martin Creek Lake State Park. I didn’t recall reading people’s reviews about it, but from their website, it looks nice. And tell you what?

Martin Creek Lake State Park Camping is one of the best in Texas State Parks!

I may be biased because we camped in the fall when hardwood trees turned yellow and oranges. But I would think other seasons give a different beauty.

Martin Creek Lake offers campsites with water and electricity, primitive campsites, screened shelters, and cabins.

We stayed in one of the water and electricity sites in our teardrop trailer. So, I will guide you through camping in Martin Creek Lake State Park from this point.

Camping at Water and Electricity Sites in Martin Creek Lake State Park 

It was dark by the time we got to the park. The office has closed, too. Fortunately, a Martin Creek Lake State Park camping map is available outside for late arrivals.

We stayed at Bee Tree Camping Area at the end of the park. I noticed loblolly pine and tall trees along the road to our campground.

When we got to Bee Tree, there were two wooden signs with campsite numbers on them. We stayed on site number 55, and the wooden sign directed us to the right. I know that the site is closer to the left, but we followed the sign.

Setting up was easy, even in the dark. Our campsite was clean and spacious. A few kids were riding their bicycles. Obviously, it was a safe area even after dark.

Instantly, we could hear the humming sound from the power plant across the lake. Later, the sound didn’t bother us at all. I think we adjusted well to the sound quickly.

The next day, we woke up with a surprise. The Bee Tree Camping Area is set under the towering loblolly pine and hardwood trees. Yellow and orangish leaves peeping from between the pine trees. It was so pretty.

When my husband and I walked to the bathroom, we stopped and talked with other campers on sites 61 and 62. They said camping at Martin Creek Lake State Park before Thanksgiving is their annual thing. They like it there, and they always booked the same sites.

Site 55 is one of the lakefront sites. Behind our site is access to the lake. When I walked on the beach two days later, I saw a few campers leave their kayak, canoe, and boat there. 

The campsite comes with a 30 amp electric hookup, water hookup, a picnic table, a fire ring with grill, and a lantern post. The restroom is nearby. Some of the campsites come with 50 amp hookups.

Our trailer doesn’t have a toilet. We had to walk around 0.1 miles to the restroom. I found the distance uncomfortable when I used the potty at night, and it was chilly when we were there!

The closest sites to the restroom are site numbers 35-39, 78-81, and 60-62.

The restroom is okay. They only cleaned it once in the morning. There are four commodes and three showers. If you want to take a shower, use the farthest one. It is bigger than the other two. There is a space between the shower stall and the bench where you put your clean clothes. It comes with three hooks.

The men’s bathroom setup is the same as the women’s bathroom. My husband took a shower on the handicapped one because the other two were occupied. There’s no hook on the wall, so he put his towel and dry clothes over the door.

To the right of the bathroom is the Amphitheater, and there is a little free library. Across it is the trailhead to Old Henderson Loop and Harmony Hill Loop hiking trails. To the left is the firewood station with a money drop box.

Some visitors stayed in their trailers or RVs, and some were tent camping. It is spacious between two sites.

A few picnic tables sit under a roof. I saw a camper put a tarp around the posts to keep the picnic table area warm.

There are 52 water and electricity campsites. Some of them are in the Broken Bowl Camping Area.

Primitive Camping at Martin Creek Lake SP

There are six primitive campsites, and you can find them on the island.

Each comes with a picnic table, a lantern post, and a fire ring.

Water or restrooms are available across the wooden bridge.

Screened Shelters at Martin Creek Lake SP

19 screened shelters can accommodate up to 8 people per site. They are in the Broken Bowl Camping Area. 

Each screened shelter comes with electricity, a lantern post, a fire ring with a grill, an outside water spigot, a picnic table outside, and restrooms with showers nearby.

Unfortunately, no pets are allowed inside the screened shelter.

The screened shelters are also under the loblolly pine and hardwood trees.

I didn’t get to see inside the screened shelter, but I would think it is more or less the same with other shelters in other state park campgrounds.

We stayed in a shelter in Fort Richardson State Park before. We brought our bedding and portable heater.

Martin Creek Lake State Park Camping Cabins

My husband said he wants to stay here next time we visit Martin Creek Lake State Park.

The cabin has a picnic table, interior light, kitchen sink, microwave, refrigerator, stove with oven, table and chairs, bathroom sink, toilet, shower, bathtub, central air and heat, two double beds, screened back porch, and outdoor smoker/grill. It’s like a hotel in the woods, but unfortunately, no pets are allowed in the building.

Two cabins sleep four people or up to six if you bring additional bedding.

Their location is across the Broken Bowl Camping Area.

Additionally, there are two cabins in the Broken Bowl, but they don’t have restrooms inside. It comes with one set of twin bunk beds in Cottage 2 and one twin bed in Cottage 3. Both have space for a queen air mattress.

These two cottages come with an A/C unit, heater, water, electricity, lantern post, outside picnic table, and fire ring/grill. You must bring your linens. Again, pets are not allowed inside.

Martin Creek Lake State Park Camping Reservations

Check campsite availability and make reservations online.

Martin Creek Lake State Park Camping Prices

– Campsites with electricity (30 amp Lakefront) $20 nightly

– Campsites with electricity (50 amp) $20 nightly

– Campsites with electricity (30 amp) $17 nightly

– Primitive campsites $15 nightly

– Screened shelters $30

– Cabins (four-person) $85 nightly

– Cabins (Cottage 2 & 3) $55

Add a daily entrance fee to the prices above.

I suggest you obtain a Texas State Parks Passes. It is valid for a year, and you can enter any Texas State Park for free with people in your vehicle.

Martin Creek Lake State Park Camping Regulations

– Check-out time for campsites and shelters is noon or renew by 9 a.m. (pending site availability.)

– Check-out time for Cabins and Cottages is 11 a.m. or renewed by 9 a.m. (pending site availability.)

– Public consumption or display of any alcoholic beverage is prohibited.

– A maximum of eight people per site.

– Guests must leave the park by 10 p.m.

– Quiet time from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.

– Campsite must be kept clean; pick up all trash before you leave.

– Gray water and black water must be discharged only at dump stations.

– Only one unit is permitted to hook up to utilities per site.

– Keep pets on leash. Please pick up after them.

– Pets are not permitted in cabins or swimming areas.

– Tents are not permitted in the cabin area.

– A valid permit is required on the windshield of each vehicle in the park. All vehicles are to remain on the pavement.

– Numbered sites for overnight camping only. No picnicking.

– Stop the spread of invasive species. Clean, drain, and dry your boat.

Martin Creek Lake State Park Hiking

There are three trails in Martin Creek Lake State Park, and they are an easy walk for everyone in the family. The park put one trail under a moderate category, but I think it is easy.

All trails will take you to walk under the towering loblolly pine trees and hardwoods. The ground is hard dirt covered with pine needles.

There are parts where you can follow the offshoot trail to the lake shore and see the power plant across the lake.

It is easy and comfy for beginner hikers or those who want to take a break from the strenuous trails.

We visited Martin Creek Lake State Park during Thanksgiving Break. The trees were turning yellow, and the sun was shining brightly. Even though the temperature was in the 40s, it turned into a beautiful hike.

Here are the three trails in Martin Creek Lake State Park:

1. OLD HENDERSON ROAD LOOP

You will walk on Old Henderson Road as you cross the bridge on this trail. It is a former trade route between the towns of Henderson and Shreveport.

Watch for bald eagles and osprey when you walk parallel to the lake. Sometimes, you can see them when visiting in the fall, winter, or spring. However, we only got to spot a great blue heron.

The Old Henderson Road Loop is 1.2 miles. It is the one that the park put under the moderate category. In my opinion, it is easy.

2. HARMONY HILL LOOP

This 1.5-mile loop trail got its name from the former community of Harmony Hill, now a Nationally Registered Historic District. 

You will walk through the last section of an old pine plantation where the trees seem evenly spaced.
 
Then, you will see a gas well pump. It was there for more than 40 years, long before the park opened.

These two trails start across the Amphitheater in the Bee Tree Camping Area. They are connected. 

You can begin from the Old Henderson Road Loop, continue to Harmony Hill Loop, or start from Harmony Hill and end with the Old Henderson Road.

3. ISLAND TRAILS

Just like the name, you will find this trail on the island. It’s only a 0.9-mile loop.
 
Besides walking under the pine trees, you will also walk on an open grassland. You might spot a deer here, but we spotted a mama deer and her baby before we crossed the bridge to the island.

There’s access to the lake shore where you can see the power plant in the distance.

It is where the primitive campers set up their tents. Don’t walk to the designated areas because there may be tenters there.

All trails are pet-friendly. Don’t forget to put your dog on a 6-foot leash and pick up after them. I didn’t see a waste bag station while we were there. So, don’t forget to bring a waste bag for your dogs.

The trails are also open for bikers.

Additional Walk in Martin Creek Lake

Behind the lakefront campsites Bee Tree Camping Area, there are several access to the lake.

I walked there on Thanksgiving morning and was amazed by what I saw. The lake was covered with thick fog, slowly lifting into the air. Further down the shore, campers left their canoe and kayak. They made good props for pictures. I also spotted a great blue heron and a great egret catching something from the water.

When I returned to our campsite, the sun started to appear between the trees on the island. 

It was a beautiful morning that I will never forget.

However, I do not know whether you can see fog every season at the park.

Also, I do not know the other site numbers with access to the lake. Our site number was 55. Ask the ranger, and politely ask the campers when you want to cross their campground to the lake access.

Other Things to Do at Martin Creek Lake State Park

– fishing

– paddling

– lake swimming

– water-skiing

– picnicking

– geocaching

– nature photography

State Parks Near Martin Creek Lake

– CADDO LAKE STATE PARK

The distance is 41.8 miles (about 49 minutes drive) to the north. My family and I went to Caddo Lake from Martin Creek Lake.

Address: 245 Park Rd 2, Karnack, TX 75661.

After canoeing in the park, we continued to Atlanta State Park. It is 43.7 miles (about 47 minutes drive) north of Caddo Lake. It’s not close to Martin Creek Lake, but while in the area, we decided to check more state parks in East Texas.

– TYLER STATE PARK is an hour’s drive from Martin Creek Lake, but we have visited the park before. 

We have explored Daingerfield, Lake Bob Sandlin, Mission Tejas, and Purtis Creek. They are also in East Texas.

Cities Near Martin Creek Lake State Park

– MARSHALL

Marshall has many beautiful historic houses, sites, and the picturesque 1901 Harrison County Courthouse. Many people visit Marshall to see the courthouse lit with millions of lights during the Wonderland of Lights Festival from the evening before Thanksgiving Day to December 31st.

Fire Ant Festival, Market on the Square, and Taco Fest are some events around the downtown square that attract many visitors to the town.

Marshall was the first city in Texas to have telegraph service with a line linked to New Orleans. It is also the birthplace of boogie-woogie music.

It is around 21 miles north of Martin Creek Lake State Park.

We went to Marshall the night before Thanksgiving to see the Christmas lighting of the courthouse. 

– JEFFERSON

Jefferson is a pre-civil war town with scenic streets, historic architecture, quaint bed & breakfast, charming restaurants, and the famous Jefferson General Store.

It is one of the old towns in Texas you must visit. Don’t forget to enter Caddo Mercantile, an antique store next to the Jefferson General Store when you are in town. It’s a funky store with collections of antique vinyl, record players, speakers, books, cameras, and more.

We have visited the town twice. The first time, we came from Daingerfield, and the second was when we stayed at Martin Creek Lake State Park. It’s about 42 miles from the park, or less than an hour’s drive.

Martin Creek Lake State Park Facts

Address: 9515 County Road 2181D, Tatum, TX 75691-3425.

Entrance Fees: Adult $4 daily, Child 12 years and under Free.

Hours: Open daily, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. The office closes on Thanksgiving Day at noon and all day on December 25. 

Busy Season: Spring and summer.