A Visit to Fort Parker Texas: the State Park and the Historic Site

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When talking about Fort Parker in Texas, there are two places that pop to mind: the Fort Parker State Park and the Old Fort Parker Historic Site. Most people thought the Historic Site location is in the State Park, which is not. Then people would also think the Historic Site is part of the State Park. Again, it’s not.

It’s just, a lot of people like to address both places as Fort Parker. They are even located in two different cities. Fort Parker State Park is in Mexia (pronounced Muh-hay-uh), while the Old Fort Parker Historic Site is in Groesbeck. But, both places are only located around 3 miles or 6 minutes drive apart from each other.

So, when you visit Fort Parker in Texas, you can visit these two places at the same time. That’s what we did on our visit there on the weekend. We camped at Fort Parker State Park and made a visit to Old Fort Parker.

Things to Do at Fort Parker Texas

From our home in the south of Fort Worth, the distance to Fort Parker State Park is around 91 miles. It took about 1 hr. 20 min drive for us to get to the park.

Check in time in the park is not until 2 p.m., and we arrived in Mexia around 10 a.m.. We decided to go straight to the park. If somebody’s still on the site, we would go back later. Fortunately, the site was already empty.

After we set up our teardrop trailer, I went to check out the bathroom. It was clean, both the toilets and the showers.

Then we left for exploring the park and the surrounding area.

Fort Parker State Park is not that big, and so is the City of Mexia and Groesbeck. You can make a day trip from Fort Worth or Dallas, but spending a night at the park is what I recommend. Especially if you like bird watching, fishing, and want to enjoy the stunning sunset from Fort Parker Lake.

Things to do at Fort Parker State Park

1. Hiking and Biking. Explore seven miles of trail in the park where you can learn about plants in the park on Bur Oak Trail. The two mile Springfield Trail is interesting where you will hike to The Springfield Cemetery, the Navasota River Springs, the dam built by the CCC, and spring-fed Lake Springfield.  

2. Canoeing or Kayaking. Enjoy a leisurely paddling along the Navasota River between Fort Parker State Park and Confederate Reunion Grounds State Historic Site. This Limestone Bluffs Paddling Trail is 5.4 mi. (one way). Bring your own watercraft, or ask the park office about renting canoes or kayaks for the trip.

3. Bird watching. There’s an active great blue heron rookery on Fort Parker Lake. You can look for it from the wildlife viewing area on the Bur Oak Nature Trail. A ranger told us that you can see bald eagles from here, too. We didn’t have luck on our visit, but birds on Navasota River were exceptional during our visit. Go towards the boat ramp near River Loop Trail. Also, take a hike and hear the birds chirping along the way.    

4. Enjoying the sunset. One of the best things to do while in the park. You can go to the pier, or watch it from your campsites or cabins by the lake’s edge.  

5. Fishing. You can fish at Fort Parker Lake, Lake Springfield, or the Navasota River. You will only need a license to fish from a boat on the river. 

6. Swimming and geocaching.

7. Camping. You can pitch a tent or set up your RV, rent a screened shelter or cabin. The sites are scattered around the lake’s edge, but not too many. So, make your reservation in advance. There are group sites that include a barracks complex where you can rent it for family reunion or office outing.

8. Join a Ranger Program and when visiting with children, pick up a free Junior Ranger Activity Journal from the headquarters. Once complete, your children will get a Junior Ranger Badge.

Things to do at Old Fort Parker Historic Site:

1. Tour the fort. It’s not a big place, no need to hurry.

2. Don’t forget to stop at Mordecai Yell Cabin and a tiny chapel right across the Fort.

Old Fort Parker is the historical place where Cynthia Ann Parker was captured by the Comanches in May of 1836. She was 9 years old at that time, then spent most of her life with the Comanches. Later she became a wife of Chief Peta Nocona, then gave birth to a son, Quanah Parker, who would become the last Chief of the Comanches.

Where is Fort Parker State Park?

Fort Parker State Park is located in Mexia Texas, just around 90 miles south of the Dallas area and 106 miles southeast of the Fort Worth area.

Driving Directions:

– from Dallas, get on I-45 S towards Houston. Take exit 219B and follow TX-14 S to Park Rd 28 in Limestone County.

– from Fort Worth, get on I-35W S. Follow the highway to N Interstate 35 Frontage Rd in Hillsboro. Take exit 368A from I-35W S and follow TX-171 S to Park Rd 28 in Limestone County.

Address: 194 Park Road 28, Mexia, TX 76667. Ph.: (254) 562-5751.

Entrance Fees: Adult $4 daily, Child12 years and under FREE.

Hours: Open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Office Hours: March through November Saturday-Thursday: 8.30 a.m. – 4.30 p.m. Friday: 8.30 a.m. – 8.30 p.m. December through February Daily: 8.30 a.m. – 4.30 p.m.

Busy Season: weekends in spring, early summer and fall.

Climate

January average low is 34 degrees.

July average high is 95 degrees.

Wettest months are May and September with low humidity year-round.

First freeze occurs late November.

Last freeze occurs mid-March.

Nearby State Parks, Historic Sites, and State Natural Areas:

Old Fort Parker Historic Site – 3.2 miles

Confederate Reunion Grounds State Historic Site – 5 miles

Fairfield Lake State Park – 35.4 miles

Where is the Old Fort Historic Site?

Old Fort Parker, that’s what sometimes people refer to, located around 3 miles to the southwest of Fort Parker State Park.

Driving Direction:

From inside the park, drive towards the entrance. Then make a right onto TX-14 S. Drive about 1.2 mile, then turn right at Lcr 399. Continue onto P35 for about 1.3 mile. Destination will be on the right.

Address: 866 Park Rd 35, Groesbeck, TX 76642. Ph.: (254) 729-5253.

Entrance Fees: $2 adults, $1 children 6-11, FREE for 5 and under.

Hours: Wednesday-Sunday, 9 am to 5 pm. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Busy Season: They have monthly and annual events, such as monthly shoot, annual Thanksgiving Trail Ride, Annual Christmas at the Fort Festival. Call the office before your visit.

Other things to do while in the area:

• Visit Confederate Reunion Grounds State Historic Site.
• Make a quick drive to Tehuacana, once nominated for a state capital of Texas. It is also the highest point between Houston and Dallas.
• Check out Limestone County Courthouse in Groesbeck.

A visit to Fort Parker makes a good day trip from Fort Worth as you can reach this place less than 2 hours drive. Same thing for those of you who live in Dallas. Leave in the morning, come back in the afternoon. Go mark your calendar for your next outing here. If you’ve been here before, let me know what you think about the park by leaving a comment below.