Enjoying the Blue Water While Hiking the Possum Kingdom State Park Trails.
Possum Kingdom State Park is adjacent to Possum Kingdom Lake. The park offers camping facilities and hiking trails built along the shores of the lake. So, imagine yourself looking out at the blue water and shoreline while hiking on the Possum Kingdom State Park trails.
There are only four hiking trails in Possum Kingdom State Park. Three of them are located along the lake shores, while the other is on Park Road 33 before the headquarters.
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I visited the park in the first week of January. It is one of their low season. There weren’t many visitors, and I didn’t even see others on two trails.
Here’s my take on the trails that you can use as your guide if you plan to explore the Possum Kingdom State Park trails, which you should do.
Possum Kingdom State Park Trails
The trails in Possum Kingdom State Park are short. I hiked the trails with my son and our dog, Snoopy.
Even though the trails are short, bring enough water for you and your dog. My dog easily drank a litter of water here.
CHAPPARAL RIDGE TRAIL
Distance: 0.5-mile loop.
Difficulty: Challenging.
Location: East side of the park, between Lakeview Camping Area and Shady Grove Camping Area. The trailhead starts from behind the bathroom and ends at Shady Grove Camping Area site number 73.
Chaparral Ridge Trail starts with a steep incline. It reminded me of the beginning of the steep and rugged portions of the Lost Maples East Trail.
The trail cuts through trees, and there are loose rocks here and there. Pay attention to your steps.
My son and dog hiked ahead of me. I thought he wanted to wait for me when he stopped at one point. Apparently, there’s a beautiful view of the lake from up there.
When you go higher, the view looks more beautiful. You will see the blue water, the campgrounds, and private houses on the other side of the lake.
Suddenly, there are no shades for about a 3-minute walk.
Then, you will arrive at the shaded area again with a view of the lake. It is the Campground Trail Overlook surrounded by boulders.
It is the best view of Possum Kingdom Lake from above on the Chaparral Ridge Trail.
Walk a few feet to the way you came to go down.
The trail is steep again until you arrive at the bottom.
LAKEVIEW TRAIL
Distance: 1.4-mile loop.
Difficulty: Moderate.
Location: On the west side of the park, starting from the Primitive Camping Parking.
Not long after you start, you will see a trail on the left. Don’t take that direction. Keep going until you see a sign saying “trail” pointing to the left.
If you follow the trail arrow to the left, you will go clockwise on Lakeview Trail. You will go counterclockwise if you go straight on the trail along the Primitive Camping Area.
We turned left, and the trail gradually ascended until we reached the sign to Longhorn Trail Overlook.
You must turn to the Overlook (Longhorn Trail). Don’t turn left to follow the trail yet.
Coming down from Longhorn Trail, go straight to stay on the Lakeview Trail.
You will turn right, and the trail starts to get shaded by the trees.
Follow the trail until you reach the lake shore. You will turn right again, and the lake will be on your left.
Don’t hike too fast. Enjoy the trail with a lake view emerging between trees. If you see access to the shore, explore it. Watch for the water level and current, though.
The trail goes up and down a little.
When you arrive at the Primitive Camping Area, there is no more shade until you reach the trailhead.
LONGHORN TRAIL
Distance: 0.4-mile out and back.
Difficulty: Challenging.
Location: On the west side of the park. The trailhead starts from the middle of Lakeview Trail.
You will see a sign pointing to the trail on one side and an overlook on the other side. The overlook is the end of Longhorn Trail.
From the sign, you will hike up about 0.1 mile and arrive at the top of the ridge. The elevation is about 1,100 feet above sea level. Then the trail will be somewhat flat.
The trail is rocky and a little scramble at the end. It’s a fun part to walk to.
Before you reach the Longhorn Trail Overlook, there are openings here and there where you can take in the beautiful views of Possum Kingdom Lake from the east to the west.
To the east, you will see Possum Kingdom State Park campgrounds.
The views are beautiful. Unfortunately, in some places, trees stand between you and the lake or the shore. You can delete them in the picture using an app on your phone. Lol.
Stay on the trail. Don’t make your own.
When you are ready to leave, return to your starting point. I read that some people walked down from the overlook. Please don’t do it.
From the map, I found some info that wildflowers are spreading around the overlook in the springtime.
CCC CAMP TRAIL
Distance: 0.6-mile loop.
Difficulty: Easy.
Location: When you drive to the park, you will see a Historical marker on the left. In the middle of the field, you will see a Texas flag. That’s where the CCC Camp Trail is.
This trail is flat and winds through the remains of the CCC camp. I jogged halfway through the trail and returned to the car.
I wish the park would install information about the remains, whether they were the barracks, a kitchen/mess hall, a library/recreation building, shops, a classroom, or an infirmary. It was the last CCC Park Camp in Texas with the advent of World War II.
You can visit the park’s history website to see a picture of the camp from 1941-1942.
Possum Kingdom State Park Maps
Before leaving for the park, I suggest you check the Possum Kingdom State Park Map to familiarize yourself with the area.
It will show you the headquarters, the campgrounds, and the trails.
Check out the Possum Kingdom Hiking Trail Map, too.
I like doing this, so I know how to navigate myself from the headquarters.
Other Things to Do at Possum Kingdom
Besides hiking, you can bike, study nature, geocache, have a picnic, and camp. You can stay in the park cabin, do tent camping, or stay in your camper.
On water, you can swim, boat, fish, ski, scuba dive, and snorkel.
Don’t forget to find the Fish Sculpture. It’s not the only carved critters in the park, though. We also saw a squirrel sculpture.
Possum Kingdom State Park Store offers souvenir items, t-shirts, ice cream, sno-cones, groceries, camping and fishing supplies, and boat, kayak, paddle boat & boat slip rentals.
Possum Kingdom State Park, Texas.
– Make reservations online.
– Entrance fees: Adult $4 daily, children age 12 and younger free. Free with your Texas State Park Card.
– Hours: Open daily from 8.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.
– Busy Season: March through October on weekends, June through August all week.
– It is around 2.5 hours from Dallas and 2 hours from Fort Worth.
– Address: 3901 State Park Road 33, Caddo, TX 76429. (940) 549-1803.
– Nearby State Parks, Historic Sites, and State Natural Areas: Fort Richardson State Park, Lake Arrowhead State Park, Lake Brownwood State Park, and Lake Mineral Wells State Park & Trailway.
